Is there anything more annoying than typing your little heart out, writing stuff that you think other people might find funny and witty...and then for Microsoft Bloody Words to decide without notice nor warning to just shut down...?! Not in my eyes, friends...and it now takes me some effort to rewrite all of this, let me tell you...
Anyhow – just a quick run-through of our last days...might get a little longer, as I will need to cover 4 days in total, so kick back, make yourself a brew, get comfy on that chair, and read this:
In view of our departure to Mauritius in Saturday my good Silvia had prepared everything ever so well, turned house and garden upside down, cleaned everything spotless, cleared out fridge and freezer, compiled the most impressive travel pharmacy the Southern Hemisphere will have ever seen – and basically left only the packing of my suitcase to myself, what a luxury! Wrapping up the business for the next 3 months was a little hectic, to say the least – but I have full trust in my colleagues at Haff House to build some beautiful houses without me!
Silvia and I packed everything on Saturday morning, only to discover in awe that by noon we were sitting on packed bags, house, water and power shut down – and nout to do until the evening, as our plane was not leaving until 9pm! What do good foresters’ offspring do in such dilemma? They go into the wood and chop firewood for the harsh English winter, surely waiting to show its nastiest face upon our return in January...and I thought it was pretty cool and laid-back to rather do that than to run around our house like headless chicken, waiting for the clock to turn!
Eventually it was time, and we were taken to Heathrow to board our Air Mauritius flight. Nothing overly exciting to report, easy check-in (despite a confirmed 80kg of luggage between the two of us...), uncomfortable 11.5 h flight, long queues on the Mauritian side. And then a long and informative taxi ride from the very South to the far North (see map in earlier post). Typical landscape of an African country, with lots of charmingly chaotic and intuitive traffic, ancient lorries, hooting mopeds, rustique roads and endless fields of sugar cane and tea. It looks very much like Zansibar, just a tad more modern and not as poor.
Our little complex of a mere 8 Studios is in Pereybere, a tiny village on the North Coast. Though not blessed with direct sea front it is only a short stroll from here to a heavenly private and deserted bay, which no one seems to know about. White sandy beach, crystal-clear water, no rubbish at all – and total peace, apart from the tedious and annoying sound of the waves when gently rolling onto the sand...
On Sunday, upon arrival, we were shown to our wonderfully large and tastefully decorated apartment studio, with kitchenette, shower room, air con and all mod cons – so no need to complain at all! The fridge was stocked with the essentials, towels lay ready for the beach, just perfect. The German owner even has two very cute dachshunds, which I truly adore. Should we get one?
So, Sunday had exploring on the menu, followed by the first taste of the beach, and finished beautifully in a local restaurant called “Sea Lover”, where we indulged ourselves on a buffet of local Mauritian food, Indian curry and Japanese sushi (what a combination!). All rounded up by some hearty rum cocktails...Very, very nice first day on Mauritius.
The next day, as in yesterday, consisted mainly of one task – food shopping. So, on advice of Mrs German landlady we climbed fearlessly into one of those big, old, rusty, smoky but so romantic public busses that stop more or less regularly not far from our place, paid our 27 Rupees (10 Rupees = 22 € Cent / 20 GBP Pence) and were swiftly and noisily taken to the next bigger town, Grand Baie.
Grand Baie is much more touristic, offering shiny city malls, restaurants, and that one big supermarket we were looking for. Mauritius is not cheap, one must say – with very European prices for admittedly European or South African food. The basics, such as local meat, baguette, milk, rice and local fruits are very affordable. Pineapples, which really are the best I have ever tasted, cost around 20 Rupees, and therefore we eat lots and lots of those.
So, after successful 2 hours supermarket shopping we headed home, filled fridge and every other compartment hole we could find, and went straight for the beach. Temperatures are great at the moment, as in not unbearingly hot, but still very warm, sunny and pleasant.
Yesterday the jet lag did hit us, surprisingly, as we are only 3 hours ahead of the UK. But it did keep us awake until 4am local time. Today should be much easier.
Today we had our check-in with Orca Dive Club which will be our daily entertainment from now on – I cannot wait! I am going on my first dive tomorrow morning, and will do some more to familiarize myself with the area and the local requirements – before I start with the big course.
Silvia will receive the coursework manuals for her Open Water course tomorrow, and then she will finally learn to dive! So proud, honey – so proud.
Summary: Mauritius is everything as beautiful as we hoped it to be, it is wonderfully warm, our apartment is clean and nice, people are warm and chatty – so all good from the Pereybere front.
I hope this finds everyone well and merry – and I thank you all for the kind farewell words, I was and am very touched!
Lots of love from this small, beautiful island in the Indian Ocean, somewhere to the right of big Africa...N.
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