Sunday, January 9, 2000

Back to the future - Madagascar circa 1952…


... I’m a few months old, my mother is holding me in her arms
Notice the "pith helmet" she’s wearing in order to be protected from the tropical sun!

We're on our way from Antsirabe (where I was born) to Ankazomanga and are about to cross a river on a simple ferry made of 4 pontoons.

At that time, my father was driving a 1951 Chevrolet Stepside pick-up.
With my brothers and sisters we travelled either in the cab or in the back.

When I was young I used to go along with my father on his trips.
Tracks, sand, mud, fording rivers are memories of my early years.

=> Since my childhood I "ate" dust, this is where I caught the travel bug!

Who am I?

Born in Madagascar in 1952, I lived there until I was 18.
Between the age of 10 to 14, I lived on Mauritius island.
Next, I went to study in the USA. 

My first training is technical/engineering and I specialized in water.
Also studied business management and obtained an MBA.
For a long time I have been involved in the Development and Humanitarian sector.
I lived near Geneva and my work was foused on Internet and media.
Since February 2018, I started this trip round the world!

Young, I set goals that I strived to achieve:
1 / I wanted to discover America; as a student in the 70s, I hitchhiked across the USA from Los Angeles to Chicago on the mythical Route 66.
2 / I wanted to fly planes; I studied and obtained my private pilot's license.
3 / I wanted to travel and discover Africa; I travelled and discovered Africa.

In total, I’ve lived 35 years in Africa, 7 years in the USA and the rest in Switzerland.

I introduce myself as a "Citizen of the world"...


...With a Swiss passport!

My first passeport - I am 14 years old ...
=> See here the many passports that I filled


My first driving licence - I am 18 years old
I passed my test 7 days after my birthday!
=>  See here other licences that I obtained ...


Summer 2015

=> Scroll down, there is more to discover...
=> In a hurry? Click here to read about my Previous Overland Trips