We had been planning to travel to Victoria Falls in August 2106 to celebrate our 33 wedding anniversary. Alas God had other plans. He wanted us to see, appreciate, enjoy and be a part of His wonderful picturesque naturally green serene calm pure and bewitching creations at the ever beautiful islands of Mauritius. So instead of Zimbabwe we flew to Sir S Ramgoolam International Airport on 23 August by Air Mauritius flight for a stay of 7 days at the wondrous islands, right in the Indian Ocean near Tropic of Cancer.
It was about a hour and half drive from airport to our hotel. As the drive started two things struck like thunder. One all surroundings were spic and span without any garbage anywhere. Two the law of the land was well respected by one and all in the minutest way. The island has no autos at all. The roads were the only means of transportation within the island. It was pleasant to see no vulgar use of horns at all despite the thick density of traffic on their well maintained roads.
Our stay was at beach side 4 star resort with all its luxuries of a clean white sand beach, nice palatable restaurant with international fare, kayaks, glass bottom boats, speed boats, snorkeling, beach volleyball, peddle boats, well stocked bar with plenty of beer and the likes, to relax leisurely, rejuvenate refreshingly, getting sun tanned on their sun beds next to both the beach and their kidney shaped well kept swimming pool.
The service always was with a smile which was plenty in the island as we discovered as the days went by. The clean fresh unpolluted air gave us the rare but special company of hundreds of sparrows who were fearless and so friendly that they ate from our breakfast chirping away musically. It was such a pleasant for us from Bengaluru who have lost sparrows to the ever increasing urban pollution. The ocean was calm and the water squeaky clean adding to the joys of swimming in the ocean.
There were three guided tour of the island. First was of the south island tour which included visits to the fabulous extinct crater of Trou aux Cerfs at Curepipe, well kept sacred lake of Grand Talao, also known as Grand Basin, with an ancient temple of Lord Shiva, Mangal Mahadev a Lord Shiva statue of 108 feet in height, the seven colored earth at Chamarel culminating with the visit to the startlingly beautiful waterfalls. The day was well spent and headed straight to the ocean for a dip once we returned to the hotel.
The visit to the capital city of Port Louis in the north via the Citadel and the Champ de Mars, one of the world’s oldest race courses of 1812 vintage was astounding. The water front at Port Louis dedicated to, the Father of Mauritius late, Sir S Ramgoolam with around 170 shops of all hues, including a Casino, is still etched in the memory for its artistic buildings, well kept public places visited by millions of tourists, simplicity of design and disciplined locals which is a feature throughout Mauritius. The icing on the cake was the trip to The Aux Cerf Island, on a speed boat, which has the most beautiful beach with the clearest of Turquoise water. The view of the waterfall amidst the backwaters from the speed boat was simply awesome, while the speed boat ride was exciting.
However the most lasting, lavish, luxurious experience was that of a Catamaran Cruise for the entire day in the ocean. While the ride itself was like floating on the waters there was plenty of beverages and food on the cruise. There was foot tapping music on board. Lied down on the catamaran, looking at the clear blue sky on one side, and deep blue water on the other, enjoying the best of food, liquor and music swaying both to the oceanic waves and the music. None of us were willing to come back to the hotel in the evening at all as the cruise had captivated one and all. There are other water sports like parasailing, scuba diving, sky diving, Dolphin cruise, whale interaction all weather permitting. There are safari too to enjoy.
It was one of our most cherished holiday experiences. The economy of island nation is majorly driven by the sugarcane farming and international tourism. As of today 2 INR will fetch one MUR. The standard of living and quality of living were found to be of high standards and dignity of labor was there to see in the behavior of lower rung of society. The locals took pride in their jobs and respected their laws to the hilt irrespective of their social standing. Every public place was well maintained to the international standards.
It was really a paisa vasool trip. Mauritius is a destination for spending a leisurely relaxed holidays. There are all kinds of resorts and hotels to suit everyone’s budget.
I love my India
JAI HIND