Flying over the island gave me a glimpse of what was to come sun, sand, clear blue seas of many shades and surprising mountains, and a green landscape. "Delicious Mauritius" as it is known locally lived up to its name.
On my first visit I stayed in the Paul and Virginie hotel which specialises on romantic holidays. People get married there at an altar set out on the sea! Honeymoons also are popular in this romantic setting. "Second honeymooners are common here".
Initially Mauritius reminded me of some of the Caribbean islands, but more, the dream holiday setting is here, you can feel it.
Generally the Mauritian islanders are warm and friendly and eager to please, Mauritians come from Indian, African, Chinese, French and English stock, and this brings about a cosmopolitan environment and perhaps explains why Mauritians are so interested in where we come from and what our home countries are like.
The Island has wonderful marine life and its own coral reef which I explored with a sense of achievement at a lifelong dream fulfilled.
Many islanders get there living by fishing and are happy to organise all kinds of fishing trips both inshore fishing and deep sea sport fishing or if you don't want to fish take your camera! Or go swimming with Dolphins what an experience that is, these beautiful creatures are wild and free to roam the oceans, they seen happy to engage and put on a show for us humans. The Mauritian fishermen seem to have a knack of finding these wild dolphins as well as a whole range of tropical fish.
I visited some of the many tiny desert islands spending the day snorkelling in the clear blue sea, and then singing along with the drums and guitar which were brought for our entertainment whilst non the island. I ate a barbeque of fish chicken and vegetables all local food cooked for me by the boat crew. An afternoon nap and sunbathing session were needed for the afternoon under the shade of palm tree bliss! The boat a traditional wooden sail cruiser built on the island took me on a gentle, tuneful coastline tour before returning me to Grand Gaube and my Mauritian villa. What a day. Mauritians love to party, there are many festivals throughout the year full of traditional music, dance and local dress, colour and energy are the key things here.
The small hamlet I stayed in Grand Gaube lays to the north of the island and is an unspoilt slice of real Mauritian life, with fishermen displaying their catch for sale daily impromptu from the back of the truck, no scales, just "how much fish you want man". The Mauritian society remains based around family and friends, mainly life is lived in the warm open air culture of a paradise island, so refreshing. I prefer to explore a new place at my own pace, I like to just wander, Mauritius is ideal island for both those seeking on adventurous holiday experience as well as people seeking a tranquil holiday I did both! I returned to Mauritius in December and spent a month over Christmas away from the shopping Extravaganzas we have in Britain.
I ate lobster on the beach for my Christmas dinner a siestas and then a swim in the sea was my Christmas day! How lucky I felt.
Trips around the side of the island are plentiful. The undersea walk was spectacular. The sugar cane factory shown me how it is was possible to combine traditional farming methods with modern technology sugar being a main crop of Mauritian producing sugar and rum.
Parasailing, water skiing, sailing, canoeing and scuba diving are all water sports well supplied with instruction if needed tropical birds are plentiful and also brilliant photo shoot models. There are wonderful gardens and wild fauna to be explored.
Mountain walls are guided and well catered for.
There are good shopping experiences to be had in Grand Baie traditional and designer clothes and items are here, some made from Mauritian cotton.
Goodlands is one of the towns where Mauritians shop and is a hive of activities with bars and restaurants to recoup it's a fun experience.
Nightlife happens mostly in the many clubs, bars and restaurants of Grande Baie, it's where the tourists and locals meet for fun.
Mauritius is worth the wait for thoses who have been looking for that special experience, a memorable holiday. After my experiences in Mauritius I decided to relocate there, such was my pleasure, the place just feels right for me, and I have found what I was looking for.