©
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Madagascar Travel Guide
©
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To get away from the traffic jams of Antananarivo, explore another side of Madagascar and breath some cooler air, we decided to go to Antsirabe with two friends. We arrive at our destination after three hours in a bush taxi. We head into the city centre on foot to experience the atmosphere of the city. We select a hotel and then head out again to wander around the streets. It's a total change and so quiet! A lot of the taxis here have been replaced by rickshaws. It's the favourite method of transport locally and the city holds the record for having the most rickshaws in the whole country.
Antsirabe, was founded during the colonial era and is a spa city where the settlers used to come to enjoy the cooler climate. The thermal springs are still open today and the city has a certain charm, particularly in its ageing architecture. So, we are crossing the city, sheltered by its tree-lined avenues. The old railway station, the church, the post office, everything here is a bit dilapidated and worn out, which gives the city its very distinctive and rather timeless ambience.
After a day exploring the city, we decide to spend the following day touring the surrounding area by mountain bike. The climate and geography of the region make it particularly suitable for exploration on foot and by mountain bike. Having hired our bikes and worked out which route to take on a map, we set off towards Lake Tritriva, which is about 17 km from Antsirabe. We decide to take a detour to Lake Andraikiba, which is 7 km from the city. The track is very pleasant and the weather is perfect for riding... our stay here will be active! There are a few stalls around the lake selling precious stones, a trade that Antsirabe is well-known for.
After a trail that was a bit steeper and bumpier than the first, we arrive at Lake Tritriva where the view is amazing. The lake is of volcanic origin, the water is a beautiful blue-green colour and you'll see that it's almost the same shape as Madagascar itself. There's a local story that's told of two lovers whose families wouldn't allow them to marry and so, heartbroken, threw themselves into the lake. Today the lake is considered as sacred.
After a return journey across hills and rice paddies, we are back in Antsirabe for an activity that I'm particularly fond of and that I've been dying to begin: the meal. A short explanation: the city is famous for its gastronomy based around duck; foie gras, duck confit, duck breast, etc. Having holidayed regularly in south-west France since I was a child, where the local speciality is also duck, I felt duty-bound to compare all these products to the French versions.
The result more than met my expectations and I particularly recommend the duck breast with Madagascan green peppercorns. It was delicious!
