📍 Solo Parent Travel | Madagascar @ Antananarivo

Safely landed in Tana on the 24th! ✈️ Planning a 2-night stay before heading to Morondava. Today: Half-day city walk—just in time for Madagascar’s National Day tomorrow! The streets are buzzing with energy. 🎉 🌆 Highlights of the Day 1️⃣ Rova of Antananarivo (Queen’s Palace) 👑 The most iconic landmark in Tana, blending history + panoramic views! Once the royal seat of the Merina Kingdom, this palace was the height of luxury in its time. Crazy fact: The 39m-tall central pillar (made of single rosewood log) took 19 days to erect! Transporting it from eastern forests required 10,000 slaves—2,000 died along the way. 😱 Today, only a miniature model in the museum shows its former grandeur. 2️⃣ Tsimbazaza Zoo 🦊 A small but quirky zoo near the palace. Only 3 types of lemurs (disappointing for Madagascar!), but… Surprise find: A HUMAN-POWERED FERRIS WHEEL! 🎡 (Yes, people literally push it to spin—so wild!) 💰 Costs Queen’s Palace: 20,000 AR (adult), free for kids Zoo: 20,000 AR (adult), free for kids Half-day taxi rental: 40,000 AR Bus to Antsirabe: 20,000 AR (adult), free for kids 🏨 Accommodation La Lanterne Hotel (70,000 AR/night) Walk-in booking, great Google reviews! ✅ 🌟 Final Thoughts Tana is chaotic but fascinating—perfect for short exploration with kids! The Queen’s Palace history is haunting, and the zoo’s DIY Ferris wheel was a hilarious surprise. Next stop: Morondava’s Baobabs! 🌳 #SoloParentTravel #TravelWithKids #MadagascarDiaries #Queen’sPalace #OffbeatAfrica #AdventureMom #BudgetTravel