From my original archive
Madagascar
Destination overview
About this destination
Madagascar is a large island country in the Indian Ocean, east of mainland Africa. Antananarivo is its capital and lies in the central highlands. Its long isolation helped produce distinctive wildlife, including many species of lemur.
Landscapes range from rainforest to dry woodland, high plateaus and southern spiny forest. Malagasy and French are official languages. Baobab trees are among its most recognisable natural features.
Agricultural traditions and regional cultures differ across the island. Coastal communities, inland rice-growing landscapes and historic settlements reveal a country whose identity reflects both African and Indian Ocean connections.
My connection
I went to Madagascar with the French Navy aboard the seagoing support vessel Tianee, serving as an electrician. Our work included refurbishing first-class mooring buoys used for securing warships. This was a naval maintenance assignment, linking my electrical role aboard the vessel with its wider maritime support activity. Madagascar also appears in my sailing journey: I skippered a yacht from Djibouti towards the island and passed through Seychelles on a yacht delivery from Toulon towards Tamatave. These visits connect my naval service with my later experience as a skipper.
Original archive notes and photographs
My original travel notes
Madagascar is an island country in the Indian Ocean, off the coast of East Africa. It has a population of about 28 million people, which is growing at a rate of 2.7% per year. Madagascar is one of the world's biodiversity hotspots, with more than 80% of its plant and animal species found nowhere else on Earth. The island has a variety of natural habitats, from rainforests and mountains to deserts and coral reefs. The largest city and capital is Antananarivo, which is also the cultural and political center of the country. Madagascar has a rich and diverse culture, influenced by its Austronesian, African, Arab, Indian, and European heritage. The official languages are Malagasy and French, but other languages such as English and Arabic are also spoken. Madagascar has a low standard of living, with a GDP per capita of about $500. The life expectancy at birth is 68 years for both males and females .
Personal memories
In 1986, during an assignment to refurbish mooring buoys, we called at Antsiranana, also known as Diego Suarez. This was the first warship to berth there after the Russians had left.
It was sad to see such a poor town. Nevertheless, we enjoyed our stay, working hard during the day and making the most of our evenings ashore.