Blogs from Flic en Flac, Black River, Mauritius, Africa

For a small island Mauritius punches well above its weight for two things – long, slow queues at the airport immigration counter and beautiful red Indian Ocean sunsets. Actually, Mauritius no doubt has many other beautiful and worthwhile attractions, but having come to the end of our Africa visit we decided to just enjoy the beach and the pool and leave the rest. If there is a world-renowned shopping mall, or an escalator direct to the Lost City of Atlantis, we apologise and will be back to look at it one day, but for this trip if we were 50 paces from the pool it was too far. The Sofitel, on the west coast of the island near a place rather quaintly named Flic en Flac, takes its French heritage quite seriously, and is populated mostly ... read more

Well, we made it safe and sound out of Africa. Boy, what a trip so far. We are now on the island of Mauritius -- it's beautiful. Weather is so-so. Cloudy, but a lot of sun too. We were thoroughly impressed with Africa. Friendly people -- at least where we were -- who were anxious to tell us about their lives. And the wildlife....WOW! It must be like what Lewis and Clark experienced when they travelled in North America 200 years ago. Herds and herds of animals and a lot of different species. The last day, we saw a Leopard and her cub on the way to the airstrip. Joyce got teary when we lifted off from the Okavango. Well, cheers for now. The Internet here keeps going down, so I will have to sign off. ... read more

Mauritius is an island off the coast of Madagascar of which Mark Twain has said: "you gather the idea that Mauritius was made first, and then heaven; and that heaven was copied after Mauritius." It lives up to it's illustrious reputation. We chose to stay, twice, at the Hilton Spa Resort, and our stays there were pure magic. Torch Lighting Ceremony We arrived in the afternoon, and a gong was rung by the hotel staff upon our entry, as is the tradition with all guests, to the spectacular architecture of gardens, waters, and lounges. It was soon dusk, and as night fell, we heard an enchanting African song rising swiftly by the beach, with a chorus of children singing in the refrain. Along the garden walkways and bridges, over the intricate natural pools, the hotel staff ... read more