Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
WARNINGS!
Fresh water is a problem in Anakao: there is not enough of it, and
onlyacoupleofhotelshaverunningwater.Thebeacharoundthevillage itselfisverybusy
(local life being centred around fishing) and not particularly clean, so for swimming/sun-
bathing head further along the shore. If seafood is not your thing, your dining options in
Anakao will be very limited; consider bringing some supplementary tinned food from To-
liara.
WHERE TO STAY
Anakao Ocean Lodge
(18 bungalows) 94 919 57;
m
032 07 602 57;
e
eres@lifehospitality.com
;
www.signaturehotels.co.za
.
Wonderful Italian-owned boutique
hotel with beautiful bungalows, perfect beach, impeccable service, delicious food & re-
laxed atmosphere. Diving, kayaking, sailing, surfing, fishing & excursions. €€€€€
Prince Anakao
(27 bungalows) 94 439 57/902 00;
e
prince.anakao@gmail.com
;
www.princeanakao.com
.
Comfy bungalows & good food (fixed menu). €€€€
THE DILEMMA OF PET LEMURS
Hilary Bradt
Several hotels in the Toliara region keep pet lemurs. The pathetic sight of these an-
imals in cramped cages or tied by a cord around their loins upsets all visitors. Here's
a report from a South African tour leader, written a few years ago, who decided that
action speaks louder than words.
The hotel has a cage with three ring-tails. I was shocked to see this and so were the
clients so we designed this bold plan to liberate the lemurs. It was working like
clockwork. Our transport was waiting and I had the clients in position. The manager,
cooks, and receptionist all duly entertained by their barrage of questions as I slinked
through the back and opened the cage door just enough to let them out. Then we all
casually made our way to the truck. I peeped over my shoulder and saw the lemurs
come out, stand up and sniff - that sweet scent of freedom - and then the Stockholm
Syndrome kicked in and they made a bee-line for the kitchen window. We drove off
to screams and pots and pans clanging. I laughed but wanted to cry. Bloody idiots.
Asthis story demonstrates, youcannot 'liberate' an animal accustomed to captivity.It
willnotknowwhattodowithitselfandwillreturntoitscage.Thesolution,asalways
in Madagascar, is more complicated than it seems. The reason these adorable animals
