Fort-dauphin, the largest city of the southern end of Madagascar, was founded in 1642 by french colonists acting on behalf of the French Orient Company. Decimated by the fever and disappointed by the little of profit they drew from the place, moreover harassed by the local population, the French withdrew in 1674. Two centuries were necessary for the French to return and settle. Today, the city gives the strange impression of an abandoned place. An old ship rusts in its port. Apart from the central main street and its stone buildings, a second street with colonial houses, housing is made of wood and the streets are covered with sand. Open to the Indian Ocean, the climate is hot and wet there, the vegetation tropical. Fort-dauphin will also be our starting point towards the more arid areas of the south-west. Welcoming committee at the airport of Fort-dauphin The port Off the coast an old ship rusts View on Fort-dauphin In the distance the mosque and its minaret On the way to the lemur park of Nahampoana, children observe the vahazas - white strangers - as if they'd come from another world