Travel Tuesday: Mauritius Part 3 (final)

I am sure you are tired of Mauritius by now, but don’t worry – this is the final post!

When we weren’t lying around doing nothing or planning which places would be the safest should a Tsunami hit (yes we actually did discuss this!) we actually went out on an excursion to Port Louis to visit the market and the Botanical Gardens.

The weather inland was not as forgiving as it was near the ocean. Hardly any breeze to speak of and the humidity was a bit stifling.

Visiting the market was like being back in South Africa. You are accosted from all sides by shouting merchants vying for your attention. They do not know the meaning of the word “no”.

We moved over to the shopping mall version and found some gorgeous shops at the Waterfront.

Umbrella lined walkway

Taken on the fly – view from a balcony

SPOTTED: One Direction in Mauritius!

The gardens were filled with varieties of majestic palms & assorted plants and even a tree full of bats! They look just like birds while flying – who knew they were active in the daytime?

Tree

Lily Pads can hold up to 3kgs!

Flowers resemble giant shower heads when the petals fall off

We returned to the hotel that afternoon and collapsed onto our lounger to enjoy a well-deserved cocktail (or 2)

Besides the shopping, there was not much to write home about. The city is like any other 3rd world city – not very pretty.

Back on the beach is where we belonged; sea, lounger, waiters to bring us food and drinks!

Zoe protecting us from pirates

After 1 too many cocktails we were writing lovely things on our bill amusing the waiter

This is how we ended every night; feet up lounging on the comfy sofas in the lobby area catching up on social media thanks to the free Wi-Fi.

I limited myself to only posting 1 photo a day on Instagram (You gotta admire my restraint!)

The hotel is very clever allowing free Wi-Fi in the lobby as whenever you walk by there are people lounging around looking ever so relaxed and happy – lending to that holiday atmosphere of contentment.

The Good Life

I highly recommend a trip to Mauritius. The island did not disappoint.

Just remember to take the All Inclusive package and lots of sunblock – otherwise both oversights will end up costing you a fortune!

The East side of the island is also the side that has the breeze – keeping the temperature cooler than the rest of the island.

The beauty of such a tiny island is that anything around Mauritius is within driving distance should you feel the need to go snorkelling etc.

I would recommend taking some extra cash with you and springing for an excursion on a catamaran or a boat and having lunch on another little island. it’s pricey, but something I wish I had known about so that I could have budgeted for prior to the trip.

The END

 

Goodbye…

To re-visit the other parts of my trip complete with pretty palm tree and ocean scenery, click here for Part 1 or here for Part 2

 

Travel Tuesday: Mauritius – Part 2

Paradise

Besides lying on the beach and eating and drinking all day – Mauritius does offer alot of activities to keep a person active – should they so wish.

We went out on the paddleboats that move while you cycle. The lovely thing about this is that you get to dip your hand in the water as you pedal by watching the coral and fishes through the crystal clear water.

When you get back to shore, a lovely Vanilla rum is waiting to quench your thirst.

Happiness is: Rum on the beach with your friend

You can hire mountain bikes and take a ride into the markets about 30 minutes away. I don’t suggest doing this the day after you have been badly sunburned – at midday.

I almost passed out on the bicycle and had to go back. While pedalling, I lost my vision at one stage – not a pretty picture, me blind and pedalling and sweating, trying not to throw up!

Logan – a police officer followed me on his bike and then proceeded to tell me that I am lovely and am I married. He asked for my address so that he could write to me. At least somebody tried to hit on me while on holiday!

Cheers!

I managed to accessorise my sunburn, top and wine perfectly

La Dolce Vita was the Italian restaurant at the hotel and was booked in advance every night. The chef had lived in Italy for 20 years to study cooking and I tell you  – he was a master!

He came out and spoke to us and I told him about my favourite restaurant back home run by 2 Italian ladies.

He offered to make us any dish if it was not on the menu.

We dined at La Dolce Vita twice (we booked the first time and were very kindly squeezed in a second time)

Tee had snapper fish the 1 night and a pasta with smoked marlin. The marlin tasted like bacon, it was delicious!

I ate a tuna carpaccio, a divine carbonara and this gorgeous dessert:

Pancake Tagliatelle with Pistachio ice cream and berry coulis

Coral Bar at Dusk

The moon from our balcony

One night while on our way to dinner I was awed by this beautiful sunset. I had left my camera in the safe and I only had my phone with me.

The photo came out beautifully, but I can only imagine how stunning this picture would have been, taken with my Canon.

Beautiful Moon

Travel Tuesday – Mauritius (Part 1)

Meet Zoe. Travel Cat Companion.

Zoe enjoying the beach and a cocktail

You will be seeing a lot of her in future holiday posts.

Tee and I recently returned from a lovely, relaxing break away in Mauritius. Tee and I treated ourself to a long overdue holiday.

Island. Unlimited cocktails. Perfect weather. Can you see the reason why we are grinning so broadly?

Mojitos on the beach

We stayed on the East coast at a hotel called Ambre hotel. What tickled me pink is that they had a double bed. In the pool!!

Bed. In pool. Awesomeness

Zoe and I testing out the bed.

Introducing my white skin to the sun

Besides the bed – The hotel boasted a bar (Coral Bar), an Italian restaurant (La Dolce Vita), a restaurant on the beach (La Prague) and a buffet restaurant (Indigo)

The beach restaurant was literally right on the beach. You could curl your toes in the sand while sipping on your umpteenth cocktail of the day.

We had the option of lounging by the pool or lazing on the beach – waiters service both areas.

180 degree view of the pool / beach

I never would have believed that I could eat as much as I did while doing nothing. Our routine consisted of something along the following lines:

1. Wake Up: Eat buffet breakfast consisting of pork sausage, eggs, tomato, pancakes and bread and butter pudding
2. Go to lounger by pool/beach – order cocktail
3. Have nap/read. Order another cocktail
4. Lunch: Starter, main, dessert. (every.single.day) with another cocktail
5. Mid-afternoon snack: Pancakes with chocolate sauce (Note I said pancakes. Not pancake) with another cocktail
6. Dinner: Starter, main, dessert with… you guessed it… another cocktail
7. Lay around in the lobby to take advantage of free Wi-Fi.
8. Back to the room – Late night snack while lounging on bed: Chips and perhaps a finger of KitKat
9. Sleep and repeat the next day!

Postcard Perfect: Palm trees on the beach

La Prague Beach Restaurant

We had a few hours of light rain 1 of the days. The rest of the time the weather was absolutely gorgeous. Not too hot and not too cold.

Gorgeous sunset on our beach

View of the pool

Every night there was entertainment such as a live band, a magician or belly dancers.

The staff are friendly, interactive and eager to help any tourist experience the best Mauritius has to offer. They are proud of their island.

To be continued…

Mauritius here we come!

With only 6 more sleeps left to go, I am beginning to feel the pre-travel excitement.

Making lists in my head of what I need to take with me.

Luckily all I need in Mauritius is this:

The Necessities

1. Sun Hat – to protect my scalp and face
2. Fan – I have learnt this from experience – Tropical islands get HOT
3. Waterless Hand Sanitiser
4. Plug Adapter
5. Sunscreen
6. After Sun Lotion
7. Toothpaste
8. Leave in Hair Conditioner to prevent my hair drying out from the sun and salt water
9. Citronella Stick – keeps mosquitoes away
10. Vitamins
11. Passport
12. <Not shown here> Bikini
13. Sarong
14. Sunglasses

Sorted! I am ready to go!

0800 – MAURITIUS

Tee and I are finally going away!

After many months of planning and monitoring the exchange rate, our plans have evolved from Malta, to Switzerland and Croatia and we have finally settled on Mauritius.

Our accommodations for the duration of our holiday:

The Ambre hotel:

mauritius-holidays.co.za

 

Our 700m long white beach:

mauritius-seychelles.com

It’s an affordable holiday and the added bonus is that it is outside the country so there is no way the office can contact me and ruin my trip.

Now if only that was the motivation I need to get my butt back at the gym.

I have piled the kilograms on and I look horrific in my underwear, but I just cannot seem to muster the mental strength to make that decision… time is looming closer!!

I guess I am just so excited about actually getting a break away that I will only regret not losing the weight once I am actually there trying on my bathing suits and realising that I look like a beached whale.

Then I will down a few cocktails and not give a hoot anyway – CHEERS!