Madagascar, I love the place, and it’s only my second visit. Just an easy – and friendly – three-hour flight away on Air Madagascar, and you’re in the land of smiling faces and zebus.
It took only a second to decide to go, when a friend suggested I join a bunch of triathletes, iron men and extreme watermen, who planned to take on the art of stand-up paddling, in an area where it’s apparently never been seen before.
We arrived in the capital city, Antananarivo, then hopped on another flight down south, where we all crammed into a taxi for a crazy drive to our destination – just like back home.
Nine surfers, with surfboards, kiteboards and stand up paddle boards, stuffed themselves into and on top of the taxi for the bumpy 20-minute drive to the sea.
But the journey was still not over, and we piled on to a cart, pulled by a zebu, for a short ride out to the boat, followed by a two-hour boat trip.
Finally we arrived – in surfing heaven.
At Sunshine Safari Resort we were surrounded by nothing but friends, warm water and the locals on their pirogues, who sail their boats with panache as they make their living from the sea.
There it’s seafood for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Back to stand-up paddling.
I’m told that it’s the fastest-growing watersport in the world.
I turned out to be pretty useless at it, so I stuck to surfing.
But it’s definitely worth a try, for the workout you’ll get and the endless fun you’ll have. Be prepared for an early night though, because you’ll be in bed by 6pm, totally exhausted.
For the superfit sportsmen, however, it was a different story. They didn’t stop until the wind came up, and then they changed to their kite boards for the next round.
I reckon this is the best therapy for anyone feeling stressed out. No cars, no TVs and no cellphone reception.
It’s just you and your friends. - Weekend Argus