Sun, Sea & Seventy

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Sunday 16th February

I have spent my birthday in a number of places over the years but back in January last year when David asked me where I would like to spend this milestone birthday I thought of one place I wanted to return too - Mauritius.

So today has been nice and relaxing, well I am now 3 score & 10!!

Birthday cards were opened whilst enjoying a coffee sitting outside the room watching the little birds flittering amongst the palm trees.

Enjoyed a light breakfast and then went to the beach area where we had a ‘cocoon’ for the day. We had just settled down into the comfy cushions when Ajay came along with ice cold towels, a scented rose water spray which felt wonderful on your face in the warm sunshine. No ‘cocoon’ service is complete without your sunglasses being cleaned for you. It certainly was a day for pampering.

Enjoyed a walk along the beach continuing passed our hotel, being Sunday the public park was busy with families enjoying their picnics, children enjoying splashing around in the warm sea. An old palm tree trunk/root caught my eye, so too lots of coral washed ashore.

Ajay supplied us with beer and pinacolada and more iced towels and rose water throughout the day.

We weren’t hungry so skipped lunch but enjoyed some fresh fruit back in the coolness of our room. As we entered we were greeted by a beautiful swan towel sculpture.

I now know why some of the shrubs around the grounds are without flowers, the maids either have them in their hair or create these decorative sculptures.

It was soon time to return to our cocoon, David enjoying watching the water sports activities and me reading my book.

Tonight we were invited by the management to the Dolce Vita restaurant for a celebration birthday dinner.

As we enjoyed pre-dinner drinks at the bar the sky turned a beautiful pink, highlighted by the dark palms as the dusk was forming.

We also saw several Mauritian bats flying overhead, quite large compared to the bats we know in UK. It’s certainly a magical sight as they fly overhead to land in fruit trees on the edge of the hotel grounds.

We were greeted with a smile at the restaurant by Sanjay who showed us to our table overlooking the sea.

More flower heads sprinkled across the table which looked very pretty.

We had pre-ordered our meal the day before and apart from the starter, David had smoked Marlin & me Tuna the other course we ate the same - Seafood Bisque, Seafood platter and fresh fruit with sorbet.

It was an enjoyable meal and as we were leaving Sanjay brought a small chocolate birthday cake which is now in the fridge in our room for another time.

It’s been a lovely day and I am so lucky to be able to enjoy my birthday in such a beautiful place.

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