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Published: October 16th 2010
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Mauritius!
We were only there for a short period of time, but while we were there it was a nice. It was a great opportunity to wind down from a crazy time in South Africa and from taking our midterms. The first day we got there was hectic because we weren’t really sure how to do things. We had to go to an ATM and every semester at sea student was there it seemed like. It took forever but then we finally got cash and had a game plan on what we were doing. We were going to hike up to a waterfall then jump off. SO FUN. It was about a 30 minute car ride through the town and before we knew it we were there. We took about a 10 minute hike in, then walked back out. We figured it would be better to have a guide and know how to get to where we actually were going. So our big group split into 2 small groups. By the time we got to the water fall the other group was already there. But it was still a lot of fun. We jumped off a 25 foot cliff, the waterfall
was over 100 feet tall so we weren’t really able to jump off, the guide didn’t recommend it. We were there for 2 hours or so until we headed back. By the time we got back to town it was 4 oclock and we were hungry. We had breakfast at 7:30 and barely anything to drink. So 7 of us went and got food, separating our group again. We all shared all the food we got. Kristen & Kelly both got a chicken dish, Amy Kayla and Michael got a variety of pizzas, Newman got chick curry, and I got octopus curry. It was so good and for once a spicy food. We also had appetizers which were spring rolls, French fries (yum) and cheese fritters. It was a great lunch. After lunch we went around to the different stores and did our souvenir shopping. We were done by 6 when we headed back to the ship. We were full and had everything we needed. When we arrived at the ship Kristen Kelly and I packed up and headed to the Grand Mauritian. Kelly made reservations there and had a hotel room. We wanted a place to stay off of
the ship, and it was by inter-continental where all of our friends were staying. We were going to have a beach party. We all got ready to have a fun night at the beach. We went over and met friends at inter-continental, had a nice dinner, even though we weren’t starving then went to the beach for a piña colada. We all decided to go swimming so we went back and grabbed our suits then went for a midnight swim. Then we went back to Kellys room and slept till 6:30 when we had to leave to get ready for our Catamaran trip.
Friday
Waking up at 6:30 and having a talk about last night and all the fun stuff that happened was awesome. We took a taxi back to the ship and got there by 7:15. We went up to breakfast and down to the bus by 7:45. We took an hour ride to the north part of the island to see the better reefs. We got there around 9:30 and were separated into different catamarans. Ours was awesome. We had no teachers, no life time learners, it was just 21 kids. We spend the day laying out
and having NON-alcoholic beverages. They don’t serve alcohol on semester at sea trips. But it was probably for the best. We were going to the reef to snorkel and we saw 5 dolphins just swimming around. People wanted to snorkel with them but they wouldn’t allow it. Then after that continuing to the reef we saw 2 sea turtles. It was awesome. We soon arrived at the reef. Super excited to go snorkeling we hoped in. The water was perfect temperature. Everyone went off to one area, and I just did my own thing following fish. The catamaran crew would throw bread in and the fish would come to the bread so I stayed there. Everyone else wanted to take underwater pictures of them. I am way more interested in the sea life. It was awesome. I guess a kid on a different catamaran hit a sea urchin and had all the spines in his hand. He has to go to the doctor on the ship to get them out. Poor kid, I’m sure that hurts. They soon had us get back on the catamaran to go to a different place. So now we got to bask in the sun
more. Oops, forgot to apply the sunscreen at this point. They cooked us lunch which was amazing. There was rice, garlic bread, salad, and fish or chicken. It was amazing. Then they brought out fruit and pineapple cake. The cake was interesting, I wouldn’t eat it again. Then we arrived at the second place to snorkel. This was beachier with little places of coral. We decided to start jumping off the catamaran and doing flips. It was crazy but we spend about 3 hours doing it. I went over for a while to look at the coral. My friend Tyler and I found a long leg we believe of an octopus. It was that or an eel. We were too scared to touch it and try to search for the body though. It was a lot of fun. Before we knew it was 3:30 and we were on our way back to the ship. We got to the ship around 4:45. We couldn’t leave after 5 so most of us got on. Kristen and Kelly went to go spend the rest of their money, I didn’t want to risk dock time so I didn’t go. So Brad Colin Tristan and
I all showered then went up to dinner for a barbeque. We were all craving hamburgers like they had last time. But this time they didn’t have any. We were fine with the chicken and ribs they had. Either way it good. And for dessert they had pistachio ice-cream. AMAZING. Then before bed we all watched Ace Ventura Nature Calls. It was a great way to end the 2 day trip.
Mauritius was very fun. I learned that the island was home of the dodo bird, unfortunately it is extinct now. It would be the coolest thing to see. But back then they used them as food because they were the size of pigs apparently. Coming to the island I had no idea what to expect but even after arriving it wasn’t what I thought it would be. It was more touristy than I though and not as much nature as expected. But then when we went to the waterfall I saw everything I expected the whole island to look like.
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Jan
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Island girl..world traveler..i dream of Genie when you get to India?
I want to be a life learner! Get me info! I want to hang out with college kids, sight see, be a family on the holidays to some "poor lost student", and so on and so on. I think I might know of half of dozen others that want to do it too:) Wonderful photos. You look good and healthy. How are the malaria pills going? I can't wait to print photos and put them in your creative memory book. I bought lots of stickers from the many places you are visiting. Can you send me copies of the emails you send the 5th grade class? Take care and keep the blogs coming....tell us about your "shipboard family" and what that is all about. Maybe a photo and an email so I can say thanks to them for being there for you during this trip and holiday time. Lots of hugs and kisses and you should get a package after India.