Volcanic Lake and Zebu Tongue

Morning Drive to a Crater Lake

Guy with a bicycle loaded with grasses

Rice Fields on the way to the volcanic lake I watch the morning traffic of Antsirabe (population of 305,000) as we have breakfast. There are a lot of bicycle rickshaws in this colonial city. Click here for a short video.

Our guide Zack picks us up and we drive an hour out of the city through farmland and past small villages until we get to a lake inside a dormant volcano crater called Tritriva Lake.

Village Church on the way to Tritiva Lake

Rice Fields on the way to the volcanic lake

Countryside and Village near Tritriva Lake

Lake Tritriva

John at Tritriva Lake

A red Madagascar Fody We get a local guide who informs us that the volcano has not erupted since 2000 BC.

It is cooler here and I am quite comfortable. The hike around the lake includes some climbs and descent on rocks and stone scree. John and I both watch our steps.

Fish in Tritriva Lake Many of the plants and birds here are endemic to Madagascar. I get many a good look at the bright red Madagascar Fody. Perigrine Falcons and Kites ride the air currents above. We are told that the Kites feast on baby chickens in the area.

The lake is very deep at 150 metres. It’s very beautiful.Fish can be seen swimming just below the surface in parts.

Zebu Tongue

Zebu Tongue for lunch We head back to Antsirabe, stopping at another wonderful restaurant for lunch. I feast on a local Malagasy dish of Zebu tongue. It is surprisingly delicious and practically melts in my mouth it is so tender.The sauce of garlic, spices and tomato is very tasty. John refuses to try it because he can’t get past the whole tongue thing.

Rickshaw Tour through Antsirabe

Kimberly and John in Rickshaws

Kimberly on a rickshaw After a quick stop at the hotel to change, Zack gets us two bicycle rickshaws to take us on a city tour.

Antsirabe is in the Vakinankaratra region which is known for its rich mineral properties. Antsirabe is known for its hot springs and thermal baths. During the French colonial era the town became a fashionable health destination. They built grand boulevards and beautiful buildings such as the railway station (now in decay) and the Hotel des Thermes (1920s spa hotel). The city is a mix of traditional Malagasy homes and aging French villas.

Antsirabe Train Station

Cathedral in Antsirabe Antsirabe is also where THB – Three Horses Beer, Madagascar’s national beer, is brewed.

We visit the cathedral and local market.

Antsirabe is also known for its arts and crafts. We visit a few alleyways filled with family run workshops including silk making, miniature bicycle figures, embroidery and zebu horn creations. I am very impressed that they find uses for every part of the zebu when they slaughter it.

Vegetables at Antsirabe Market

Dinner at Chez Jenny and the big Oh Oh

Kimberly at Supper at Chez Jenny's We head back to the hotel for a rest before Zack picks us up to take us to Chez Jenny Restaurant for another outstanding supper in the French tradition. I cannot say how impressed I am with our dining experiences in Madagascar.

It is over dinner that John tells me that he has had tinnitis starting three days after taking his first malaria pill. We normally take Malarone every day when travelling to malaria regions but our travel pharmacist said we could try Mefloquine since you only have to take it once a week. John discovered that tinnitis as well as nausea, vertigo and vivid dreams (which I have been suffering) are also possible side effects.

After more AI research which says to replace the Mefloquine immediately with a different malarial medication and discussion with Zack, we decide to switch malaria medication and consult with a local pharmacist in the morning.