Diego Suarez

A rest day in Diego Suarez today. Interestingly Diego Suarez is claimed to be the second biggest harbour in the world and was seized by the British in WW2 because the Vichy government had sided with the Germans and the Allies didn't want it to fall into German hands. They kindly gave it back to the French after the war.

We strolled town in the morning, passing the main administrative offices..

..the ruins of Diego's grandest hotel in the early 1900's, the main damage being done by a cyclone in the 1980s when it was being used by the military.

We lunched on the terrace of the Le Melville restuarant on the water near the commercial port.

The town closes for siesta between 12 and 3, so we had a break ourselves then did a late afternoon visit to the markets....

...and surrounds.

This row of little shops was a bit reminiscent of rows of beach change huts..

..and quite a contrast to Independence Square..

..and some of the older style buildings.

Overall, the city was run down, very neglected and poor, no different to the rest of the country. However, we did manage caipirinhas, tapas, and fresh fish at the western run Bodega for dinner. We were well looked after by the gun toting owner who we had the previous day in the hotely near the tsingy rouge.