Tulear (Mg: Toliara), the main city of the south-west, was for us merely a two hours stop. After it, we were leaving the great south, those landscapes of thorny bushes and its bumpy sand tracks. Tulear is indeed the start of the RN7 which connects the south to the capital through hundreds of kilometers, paved to a for the country standards excellent 95%. After Tulear, the landscape changes rapidly in vast grassy plains. The housing changes too: solidly built houses of brick and cob replace the wooden shacks. It was moreover the first big city - before Antsirabe - in which we encountered rickshaws, and had to choke with the smells of meat and fish on the markets. Tulear - first city of our trip where we encountered rickshaws, means of transportation brought by the Chinese Near the market - rickshaw and flame tree Stallholder showing her fish Before returning in the meat hall - where the smell is unbearable Mercedes truck customized malagasy - in front of a craft industry shop