Blogs from Mauritius, Africa - page 12

We circled above the gorgeous island of Mauritius before landing occasionally spotting beautiful stretches of white sand belonging to innumerable 5 star resorts. Most people associate the island with honeymoons and expensive family holidays but we were there for much more important and special occasions. Lucie’s brother Jonathan lives on the island with his wife and newly born baby girl, Jordan. Luc hadn’t seen him or Nat for 2 years, I had obviously never met either of them, and Luc was about to meet her first niece for the first time! I have to admit that I was quite nervous meeting Jonathan for the first time, which is unusual for me, but all my anxiety disappeared as soon as we stepped off the plane and were greeted as we left the airport. We drove for a ... read more

Geo: -20.2554, 57.5517Wednesday 04/02/09 Mauritius - Indian Ocean Temps air 27°C Sea 29°C Arrived 08:00 to a clear bright day, we've booked an all day island excursion taking in the Black Gorge, Chamarel waterfall and the coloured earths, no sooner had we started off then the weather closed in, with the tops of the peaks alternating between being visible and enveloped in cloud. Fortunately by the time we had reached the top the clouds had lifted sufficiently to view the dormant volcanic crater below us making for a good photographic opportunity, however looking back seawards the view overlooking the bay and the beautiful coral sea in the distance was rapidly being obliterated by the descending clouds which then unleashed its payload in a deluge, swamping everything and everybody not covered up, we were luck to only ... read more

The beaches I went to were Pereybere in the north, Belle Mare and Blue Bay in the east, Gris Gris, and Rivieres des Galets in the south, Le Morne in the southwest, La Preneuse and Flic en Flac in the west. I went snorkeling in Belle Mare, Blue Bay, Le Morne, La Preneuse and Flic en Flac. Pereybere was way way too crowded. It’s made up of several small beaches. Gris Gris has very big waves but interesting landscape and caves to explore for the very good swimmer who can swim in the big waves. But the undercurrent is strong and might take you out so better be careful and stick to shore or not go out at all. The area is very beautiful and worth a visit. Rivieres des Galets looked really nice and was ... read more

I'm too lazy to upload all of my photos to the various Web sites I belong to, ie Flickr, Facebook, Snapfish, Travelblog, MySpace etc. So here they are, in all their glory -- and in one place. I've just uploaded shots from Darwin to Bali, and then from Bali to Mauritius. http://flickr.com/photos/alexarmitage/sets/... read more

Mauritius an Ultimate Tourist and HoneyMoon Destination. PLACES OF INTEREST Jardin Botanique de Pamplemousses The jewel of the crown! The gardens are known to naturalists throughout the world for their countless species of indigenous and exotic plants, including the giant Victorial Regia water lilies, and the talipot palm, said to flower once every sixty years and then die. The garden was created by Pierre Poivre in 1767 in the Estate of the French Governor Mahe de Labourdonnais. The latter's Chateau de Mon Plaisir, built in 1735, can still be seen there. Coloured Earths of Chamarel Among the oddest sites of the island are the seven-coloured dunes at Chamarel, believed to result from the weathering of volcanic rocks. These undulating and vividly contrasted layers of earth are a short drive away from the beautiful Chamarel waterfalls. The ... read more