Madagascar

I’ll admit it, the main reason I wanted to visit Madagascar was because I loved the movie as a kid. So, during my first big adventure through Africa, I planned a trip there. Still a relatively inexperienced traveler at that point, I didn’t do much research and simply booked a flight to the capital, Antananarivo, planning to spend just a few days in the country. It didn’t take long to realize that the capital isn’t what most travelers come to Madagascar to see. Most head to the coast for the country’s incredible wildlife and natural beauty. Still, I enjoyed wandering the city’s busy streets and experiencing the unique blend of French colonial influence and Malagasy culture.

After visiting the main sights, I decided to spend an afternoon at a local tennis club, curious to see what my favorite sport looked like in such a remote corner of the world. I found a club on Google Maps, showed up wearing flip-flops, and asked someone if he’d be willing to hit with me. It turned out he was one of Madagascar’s national players, Ando. We ended up having a great practice together despite my less-than-ideal footwear, and by the end of the day, he had invited me out for drinks with his friends. It turns out Madagascar really is the perfect place for an unplanned adventure.