What a beautiful island....I would actually like to live there. Indian, African, Chinese, Malay and a few white population..Hindu, Budhist, Christian and everything else...and they all live in harmony. What an example to the world.
The only problem we could gather was corruption in government and the attempt by politicians to divide by religion to win votes. There is 8-10% unemployment, free health care and education. If a student does really well and wins a scholarship all his/her university education (must be in the UK) is paid for by the government.
The island is volcanic with strange shaped mountains, tropical vegetation, glorious beaches (lots of white sandy bays protected by coral reefs which keep the sharks out.).brilliant flowers like hibiscus and frangipani (white and pink my favourite flower), Eucalyptus, Tamarind, Banyan and Cuasarina trees. Good roads and very many Toyotas and Citroens. Women wear colourful Indian dress, saris and Salwar Kameez. The men are often dressed in western suits and shorts in Port Louis but more traditionally at home.
I had booked a taxi and Mike was there to pick us up promptly at 9 am. There was alot of traffic getting out of Port Louis but it eased off as we drove out of town and into the lovely rolling countryside. Mike was a fountain of knowledge, very well spoken and with a delightful French accent. The main language is French Creole. There is now huge shopping mall somewhere on the island but thank goodness we didn't see it. As Mike said "What does Mauritius need with such a thing?'
he told us that there is a huge South African settlement (white) living in one of the areas we passed through called Tamarind...large area with some big houses....all along a sea front.
We finally arrived at Le Paradis and were greeted by uniformed doormen....very helpful and polite. We waited for Charles and Gillie in a beautiful open lobby, filled with palms and marble and beautiful furniture.
There were arrangements of Frangipani and another stunning one of three vases of different heights, each filled with upright Arum lillies...I had seen some growing by the roadside. There was a very artistic person around here somewhere!
Charles and Gillie came to greet us and then began a wonderful day for the three travellers. They took us first for some really good, strong coffee siting in an open air lounge bar....that is, open on all sides to the gardens and the sea. Then we walked along a path to their room and the lovely smallish beach area in front of it. We had wooden slatted chaises longues with thick cushions under thatched umbrellas looking out to a turquoise sea...paradise! We changed in their beautiful room...they had a balcony overlooking the lawns, palm trees and out to sea and a comfortable airy bedroom with a huge bathroom off it and a walk in dressing room.
Then we went for a glorious swim, the water just the right temperature and this wonderful pale turquoise coloue, clear as glass....oooh haven't had such a swim since the old days in Yugoslavia on another island, far away, Hvar! Jeannie and George snorkelled by I get a panicky claustrophobia when the mask and nose clip go on and the mouth piece in....help! air! They loved it and saw wonderfully shaped and coloured fish. We lay around on the comfortable chairs (in the shade mostly, it was hot), chatted and read our books until lunch time. We ambled slowly towards the open dinig room and were treated to a light but delicious lunch looking out towards the sea...as if we don't ever see it??!! None of us can ever get enough. As I write, I just have to turn my head and there it is through the balcony doors, blueish grey and slightly choppy, whizzing by. I sleep to it's rolling and wonder how I manage if the earth doesn't move!
To lie thinking, with a soft warm breeze caressing you, and palm trees above you, the sea rippling on to the sand gently before you, that's my idea of Paradise! The G&T's and chilled white wine did nothing to destroy the euphoria!
It is strange to meet someone for the first time at about 10.30 am and be truly sad to say good bye at 4 pm! That's how it was for all three of us, not only Jeannie, who may perhaps see Charles and Gillie again in Australia in the near future when they all visit their children there.
We easily made it back on to the ship, with time to spare. This is the great dread of doing an independent (non SAS) trip. There is no leeway given to anyone , faculty or student, if they do not return before the prescribed two hours before sailing. We were back at 4 pm and the gangway was on the 2nd deck level with the dock....hurray! No puffing up to the 5th!
My one purchase on Mauritius was a tiny, most beautifully carved Budha of sandstone. He is fat and smiling and adds a mischievous air to my collection. I bargained with the beach 'salesman' who said he had done all the carving and managed to get him down from Rs (rupees) 1400 to Rs 800.
So not bad....I think we were both happy...which probably means I paid far too much. But I love it and that's what counts.
And so we sail on to India and Sri Lanka......
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