VILLAGE BÉTANIA

This small seaside village, adjacent to Morondava, was so named by pious Norwegian settlers in the ^19th century. It's a pleasant getaway by pirogue - you can also visit a dhow-building site along the way. The village is home to 5,000 people, all of them Sakalava or Vezo. You can spend the night at the Hôtel du Piroguier (a dozen rudimentary bungalows). It's a shame the village is so dirty, but it's still a nice half-day trip, especially if you can't make it to Mangily or Belo-sur-Mer during your trip.