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So, we were due to be picked up at 5.30am tomorrow morning for our transfer to the airport for our 9.15am flight. In hindsight, I didn't pick the best flights for our trip to Mauritius, arriving late and leaving early, however tonight we received the best phone call, saying our flight had been delayed....till 6.30pm and our transfer would leave at 3pm. What a shame. I could hardly contain my excitement. Our All Inclusive package is valid till we leave so we get to enjoy the beach and relaxation a little longer.
Our flight arrived into Mauritius at 7.30pm on Thursday evening. It took a while to get through immigration, who actually asked for a copy of your e-ticket to prove you are leaving and then once we were out, we had to wait for another couple who were being transferred with us. We didn't get to leave the airport till about 8.20pm and then it was about an hour's drive to the hotel, however due to major roadworks in the capital city there was a diversion in place which added about another 20mins or so to the trip. We arrived at the hotel about 9.45pm and checked in. They had kept the buffet dinner open for us (it usually closes at 9.30pm) so they took our bags to our room so we could go down for a late dinner.
After we ate, we went to check out our room. It has 2 great big beds, comfy chairs, a TV (not that we've used it) and a lovely big bathroom although the bath isn't as big as I like. In the bathroom, you can slide the mirror open which opens up into the living area. The balcony has a sun lounge and also table & chairs. Pure bliss. We came back down to the bar to have a drink but our first cocktail we tried we weren't too keen on. At least it was free. We have found with the AI (All Inclusive) package, the cocktails that are included are all rum based which is a shame but you can still have whisky, vodka, rum, beer and to mum's excitement, Baileys & Amarula is all included. She's been having about 6 shots of them each night!!
Friday morning we woke to a beautiful blue sky and from our balcony it looks over the lawn with palm trees, green grass and further out the beach with blue ocean. Went down to breakfast which includes cereals, toast, egg cooking station (however you want), crepes, fresh fruit, yoghurt & all cold cheeses, meats & salads. We went and met our representative to give them our return flight info so they could confirm our flights and also to find out about a tour of the island. After being given the options we decided to hire a car and driver for the day on Saturday to take us to the sights we wanted to see. Surprisingly, it was cheaper than then the tour they offered which took us to places we weren't necessarily interested in.
I spent the day on the beach, enjoying the sunshine, reading, drinking and going for a dip in the ocean to cool down. A perfect relaxation day. Mum was rather tired so she slept on and off in the room. We met for lunch, again the buffet restaurant and then back to the beach. I also used the steam room and sauna before getting ready for dinner.
They have 3 restaurants here - La Superb which is the main buffet restaurant, L'Horizon a seafood restaurant and La Casa, an Italian restaurant. La Superb is part of the AI package and certain meals are included in the other 2, but you do have to make a reservation for them. We've checked their menu each day, but it has never really appealed to us which is a shame. La Superb at dinner time has soup, salad bar, beautiful fresh bread, pasta & pizza, and then a mixture of hot food, depending on what the theme of the night is. Of course, they have a huge range of dessert, ice-cream & fresh fruit to finish off with. There has been a big variety of food over the few days and although it wouldn't win any medals, you don't leave hungry. After dinner each night, we come over to the bar and have our after dinner drinks of Baileys or Amarula on ice.
Saturday morning we left at 9am with our packed lunch that we had ordered the day before. No use buying lunch when we can get it free. We drove to Pamplemousses Botanical Gardens where you could pick up a guide for about $2 each. Surprisingly, most of the trees in the gardens are from other countries. They have the giant water lilies and also lotuses which were just beautiful. It was a very interesting tour. We then headed to Trou aux Cerfs, a 700,000 year old dormant volcano which also gave great views of the mountain ranges of Mauritius.
We then headed to the Grand Bassin, a lake sacred to the Hindus (which makes up 52% of the population here) which has a fantastic statue of Sheba, completely made out of concrete. The detail in it was incredible. Drove to Alexandra Waterfall where we had our lunch and it started to drizzle with rain. The skies had pretty much been grey all day so we were expecting it. Oh well, better to be out and about then be at the beach. The waterfall wasn't much to look at but there was a good view of the South Coast (would have been better if the sun was out).
Continuing on, we drove past the lookout to Black River Gorges and decided not to get out. It was now pouring with rain and the cloud cover was very low. As we made our way down the mountain we knew we wouldn't have seen anything. This is the only part of Mauritius that has indigenous forest (only 2% of the whole island). We finished up at Chamarel which is famous for a beautiful waterfall and the coloured earths. They've fenced off the earth that has 7 different colours which is all to do with science stuff that I don't understand. All I know is that it is very unusual.
That finished off our day of driving around the island and we headed back to the hotel. We had a drink in the bar to watch the sunset which had quite a bit of cloud cover.
Yesterday was another beautiful day. Mum went out on the glass bottomed boat for an hour to see the coral and fish life and I went out snorkeling on a boat trip (all free). There was some beautiful coloured fish but the coral wasn't that exciting. Spent the rest of the day on the beach, under the little grass hut which provided shade and mum even joined me. Went for a swim to cool down when required and just enjoyed the day, although did get a little red. I was in the shade for most of the day but I guess you need to be careful of the reflection too. It was a beautiful sunset to watch.
Today's weather was a little disappointing. Was lovely this morning but then the wind really picked up and the grey skies came over which blocked out the sun. I had booked in for another snorkeling trip at 3pm but withdrew because of the wind. Of course, by 3pm the wind had calmed down and it probably would have been OK but that is life. Mum went for a walk down to the shops and bought some gifts. I took some photos along the beach, thinking it was the last chance before sacking out on the beach again later this afternoon. They have a beach bar too for your convenience.
I was just starting to pack my bag this evening when we got the phone call about our delayed flight. Really couldn't have asked for better news - only hope the weather is nice tomorrow. Hopefully mum and I will get out in a kayak or paddle boat in the morning.
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