Rija is there in the morning - he insisted - to pick us up and drive us to Ivato airport. We board a flight to Sambava on the east coast. After we land and disembark we see an orchestra playing traditional music with singing children - what a welcome! But of course it's not for us but for a Chinese delegation instead - they get flowers hung around their neck and by the time we have gathered our luggage they're still dancing with the band.

We catch a taxi to Orchidae II (whatever happened to Orchidae I remains vague), a hotel situated on a nice beach where only locals come to swim or relax. We have a lunch of our beloved Gamba's, walk on the beach and through Sambava where the atmosphere is relaxed and the people are friendly. When at some point we hear chanting coming from a building a we peek inside, we see the Chinese from the airport. Obviously they are still not freed from their welcome committee - they look somewhat uncomfortable.

We notice a lot of people in Sambava are riding bikes - all from the same brand - perhaps a gift from the Chinese: because of the elections, China donated bikes, enabling the people to make their way to the polling booth.

We find out that, strangely enough, all hotels close their restaurant today (sunday) so we're forced to eat elsewhere. We find a Malagasy restaurant where we have a very decent meal - 8 euros for all. In Africa, time seems to be standing still forever :)

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