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Interview with Lucien Rajoarison
What do you like most about living in Madagascar? I like most about living in Madagascar as here I enjoy the harmonies of the nature, unity in a difference. I'm born here and I'm proud to be Malagasy. We still have huge areas of pure nature, we can go out to the forests, out to relax on the beaches an regardless all our social problems Malagasy people know to enjoy life. The environment still cleaner, less chemical product unities as in other countries with a perfect climate. The way of living also is great with the philosophy of mora-mora (slowly-slowly) and very kind and welcoming people. I think, it’s really a chance to be born on this wonderful island, among of the biggest islands in the world, very reach in flora, fauna that is nowhere seen elsewhere, culture and customs different from other countries. What do you like most about working as tour manager? And why would you recommend people travel to Madagascar? I like most about working as a guide to share my knowledge and experiences about my country, increasing my capacity and enjoying the differences like area, adventures, flora, fauna, nature, customs and landscape and of course! I like to have fun in my job too. I also like to communicate with people. Understanding and exchange of cultural and technological development, and to have an open mind for things that happens in other parts of the world. I like to challenge myself too. To go out in the field, to be among the people, to talk to them and to explain our country to our passengers. First the reason that I recommend you to travel to Madagascar! Second Madagascar is an unique country, unique in the world. You will see here things you will not find elsewhere. A very high endemic rate, huge mega-biodiversity and lots of exiting spots to explore. But it’s not only this. Everybody have dreams as to live, to pass or visit the paradise. But dreams can stay dreams, one dream you can realize is to visit Madagascar. Best memories will stay unforgettable in your heart, Madagascar and the Malagasy people will be a highlight in your lifetime. So don’t you think that these are quite enough to recommend you to come? It’s up to you!! |
Lucien on the east coast with a young mother |
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Tell us about an amazing wildlife encounter or exciting culture you've personally experienced in our country, about some of the unbelievable
things that our passengers will see during our trip.
We have here in Madagascar today a high rate of endemic wildlife. About 80% are endemic! Occurring nowhere in the world. Probably the best known are the Lemurs, one of the first primate families. They are restricted to our country. It is an amazing experience to see them. Either in the wild or in a park or reserve. For me personally the top is to see the dancing Sifaka in the deep south that everyday shows his own performances, just like a real ballet dancer. Or jumping along the lime-stone needles in the west. And also laying to get sun shine on the roots of the sky(baobabs). It is fantastic! And as well my particular interest is to give 'Malagasy eyes' to our guests, bringing them deep into the real Malagasy life, to talk and to exchange experiences with local Malagasy people why not to discuss prices in Malagasy with our manner to get more fun!. |
Sunset on the beach of Ste. Marie |
We would like to know about some details as how do you prepare a tour, the way you prepare yourself to meet different nationalities with different
behavior, your language skills and your personal advanced training.
Nowadays it becomes a fun for me to prepare tour, try to remember most of the last difficult tour, do some self-esteem and increasing what was lack on that time. As far as I experienced in guiding, I do most of myself prepare in according to the nationalities and age of my passengers, often I concentrate more about what they are interested in. By up date my last info and twist up a little bit my tongue by practicing with our staffs and by reading as well. Some words about your career progression, how you came to us and your personal goals in your professional life. Challenge is one of my preferred words and contents, I start to work in tourism as local guide in a NP, then I worked with some travel agencies as national tour guide before becoming one of the best roadhouse staffs. Since I work here I try to fix always some goals to progress, such as at least one new itinerary per year, increasing languages skill, well trained in some detail stuff, as organization or planning and also start to get some specialties like birds, one of the recent one is also how to handle a tour with a wheelchair user. I feel my progress according the client and business partner report said &lsqou;you are the best tour manager we ever had’. My remaining challenge is to be among of the most recommended tour managers of Madagascar and being tour manager in some foreign countries. This will be great !! |
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You work in high season for some month very hard and without stop, in low season you have much more free time for your private interest,
your family, your hobbies. Please let us know in some words.
Right, in high season often I have some month without stop, I’m happy for that and I note that it fits in my physical conditions at the moment, until now I didn’t have yet any problems neither for my health nor my family, maybe the contrary it makes me more fit, active and responsible. In low season I spend much time for my family and relatives to cover up my missing in high season, often during the week-end I visit them with my family, that is also one of my best hobby and also I'm always present in all fiesta in low season (not much at this period) such as wedding, marriage or someone died. My private interest is often bases on tourism and land management so during rainy season I run after biological agriculture, until now only for my private use, and increase some knowledge skill in tourism as well! Any final thoughts, words of inspiration or just something you need to get off your chest? We’re listening. Sometimes I have an inspiration that human can live in peace with the nature, respect, visit and ameliorate too! My personnel hope for Madagascar is: we Malagasy people can save this wilderness for our children and following generation, our nation, develop and increase same time our know-how in conservation of the nature, promote tourism and there will be a day visitors in this Island will be responsible tourists in the best sense. Then we know ‘going to the nature is the best way to relax’, and Madagascar will stay forever in his wilderness because we have come long time together, and together we continuous to progress ! Let's discover and enjoy this wide, wild island and its highlights. |
… checking tents |
… on the beach of Morondava … |
… and on the Tsiribihina River |
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