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Published: April 19th 2010
Cheetah
Can reach speeds of 70 MPH Right in the middle of the Indian Ocean there is a beautiful volcanic island called Mauritius. Some of these places we are calling upon are so remote you wonder how people ever got there in the first place. And once there, what do they do? This was the home of the dodo bird until it became extinct in the 1600s. For centuries Mauritius was used as a provisioning stop for ships traveling around the Cape of Good Hope.
We took a bus trip across the lush island past mile after mile of sugar cane fields and beautiful rock formations caused by lava flows. We then took a ferry across to Ile-aux-Cerf, the island of deer. We did some beachcombing and swimming. This is an unusual island in that it is strictly reserved for recreational usage. There are boats for hire and places to snorkel. We actually were going to snorkel but the reef area was filled with sea urchins. One of the passengers stepped on one. Fortunately there was a resident doctor on the island who removed seven urchin spines from the man’s foot.
Reunion Island is a part of France and thus it is like being in Europe
when visiting this speck of land. It was the first place that the Euro was used and the cost of living matches anywhere in Europe. This is a surfing mecca and a winter getaway for the French. During our short stay we visited a local crafts and food market and took a dip in the ocean.
On the three day crossing to South Africa we encountered a gale—our first real weather in several months. Many passengers were happy when we pulled into the protected harbor at Richards Bay, South Africa.
Upon arrival we drove several hours to the Zulu Nyala Game Reserve in order to take a day safari. We boarded open air jeeps and had a fantastic morning viewing all sorts of wild game. We were so lucky and ended up seeing elephants, giraffes, impalas, warthogs, zebras, water buffalos, nyalas, monkeys, wildebeests, kudu, crocodiles, gnus, hippopotamus and africanda cattle. The most interesting encounter was with a cheetah. We tracked her for about half an hour and watched this beautiful and graceful animal move about in the savannah brush. What an extraordinary game drive! We were able to view all these animals in their natural environment and quite
close up. Some of our passengers went on two and three day safaris using private airplanes and staying in deluxe camps. We were so fortunate to see what we did on our day trip.
That evening when we got back to the ship there was a special program on CNN television about Lawrence Anthony, who is called the “Elephant Whisperer.” Mr Anthony has a unique way of communicating with elephants and is renowned for his conservation efforts. When we were in Africa in 2007 we spent the night at his game reserve, Thula Thula. We happened to be the only two guests at the lodge, so they gave us the honeymoon suite and we had dinner with Mr Anthony. He told us how he traveled to Baghdad at the beginning of the Iraq war to rescue the surviving animals in the Baghdad Zoo. It was quite a harrowing tale as he dodged bullets and bombs and looters while trying to secure food and water for the distressed animals. He was later given an award by the U.N. for his efforts. What a lucky coincidence that we happened to be on safari in South Africa on the same day that
this program aired on television
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Barry MacKay
non-member comment
Mauratius (sp?)
Hi Kevin and Susan, Loved the Mauritius blog. Sounds like you are having one of your best voyages!! The Mauritius stop reminded me of one of our long flights playing as a pro. We had finished our tour in South Africa, and were headed for Sydney, Australia. We had to fly on Qantas from Johannesburg, SA. The route would take us with stops at Mauritius, and Cocos Island. It was a Super Constellation 4 props. I couldn't believe both stops. Remind me to tell you the whole story when we have a great dinner upon your return home!! Keep the blogs coming!! Cheers, Bear and Michele