Kirk and Hayley's Travelogue: August 2010

Mauritius

04th - 11th August 2010

Preparation :

How it started : Before our marriage which was held on 24 July 2010 in Singapore and 31st July 2010 in Malaysia Batu Pahat, I have been hearing alot about Clubmed, either from advertisements or from our friends, and it happened after our friend, Eng wee and Jackie's wedding, they signed a honeymoon package to Clubmed Maldives, I was intrigue and so the planning begins.

After many attempts to call clubmed, we have found out that Maldives promotion for 1 for 1 was in 2009 and not 2010, so the price is expensive, thus we have changed to Bali instead. I wasn't fascinated with the services provided by clubmed during that time when I called. So I suggest to hayley that why not we pay a little visit to the Natas Fair(A travel fair every 1/2 yearly) in February. So there we go, 2 couples, went to Natas fair(Andrew and Karen hunting for China trip and Hayley and myself looking for honeymoon package).
Note: Before we went to Natas fair, my mind was still thinking, why bother, lets stick to clubmed.

Then as we step into Singapore Expo, suddenly I just thought to myself, why must I limit myself? so I told Hayley, as we walk in, which ever comes, and if we have the peace of God, we will take it. and so just the beginning of the turn, we spotted "Naiade group", which deals for Air mauritius and most of mauritius trips.

Type of Trip : Partial Package, Partial Free and Easy

Travellers : Hayley and Kirk

Plane Tickets and Time : Air Mauritius, S$2300 per pax return inclusive of tax, hotel accomodation and half board meals.
Departure from Singapore : 04 August 2010
Arrival to Singapore : 11 August 2010

Hotel : Legends Hotel, Grand Gaube

Transport : Personal Limousine Service

Sight Seeing and Activities : Snorkel at Ile De Cocos, Undersea walk and Parasailing at Ile Lux Cerf (Paradise Island), Visit Pieter Both, Black River Gorge, Horse Back Riding and Quad Bike riding at Domaine de L'Etoile

Language : English, French and Mauritian Creole

Currency : Mauritius Rupee

Meals : Mainly Breakfast and Dinner included(Dinner will alternate between Buffet and Fine Dining), lunch will settle on our own.

Camera Equipment used : Olympus E-PL1 with 14-54mm f2.8-3.5, 14-42mm f3.5-5.6, Nikon S220 compact camera

Day 1 - Singapore to Mauritius

This is one of those trips that we set off early in the morning at Changi Airport Terminal 1. Full of excitement, wanted to explore this place that I have hope to see since I was young.

Everytime I go overseas, I will try to make sure I get to use the OTO or OSIM feet massager.. Kiasu loh.. and now I manage to influence my wife to do the same also. see how she enjoys it.

Hayley - Look, this plane is made just for me(hint:her favourite color)

The distance to Mauritius

Our Airline Lunch meal. I always love to eat the bun and the butter.

Love the sky, can't help but take out my newly purchased camera to snap.

Matrix on plane

Finally, arrived at Mauritius Airport - Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport

Our Personal Driver for the day, his name is "Wilby Cherkoot", very nice and friendly driver, also our tour guide for that day.

The drive was about 1hour or so, and finally, we've arrive to Legends hotel. People are friendly, greet us almost everywhere we go... now thats what you call....service.

After we checked in, 1st thing that attracted us was the big bed with flower petals, the bathroom and the bath tub, and of course, the complimentary Champagne, which was given to honeymooners.

On the bed, given to us is a "Polo Shirt"(Actually is a roundneck T-shirt) for me and a "Pareo", a Mauritius Sarong, for Hayley.

Hayley showing a "Qi"(Angry face) as described on the wall, actual meaning is 'Qi circulation"

After we settled down, we decided to waste no more time, lets explore this hotel. and to our amazement, the hotel is really big, lots of land. we visited the restaurant, lobby, Cinema which will show about 2 movies daily, tennis court, and their Spa and Massage place.

Our main lobby area.

We normally have our dinner at "Ginkgo Restaurant", usually 1 evening Buffet and 1 evening Fine Dining. On the 1st evening dinner, we created a great blunder, we initially thought everything is included in the package, and so our 1st dinner was fine dining, include, 2 glass of Red wine, 1 bottle of still water. total up to Mauritius Rupee $1000++. After that we realised that drinks are not included.

Day 2 - Legends hotel, Grand Gaube to ile des deux cocos(Coconut Island)

Early in the morning, another private car came to the lobby to pick us up, we were greeted by a friendly and very humourous driver, his name is "Mr Beem", but will always ask us to call him Mr Bean, his favourite joke will be when either of us fall asleep, he will say to hayley that "Textile factory started operation" as textile factory engine sounds like snore. he will always address hayley as lady boss.

On our way, we see many tall chimneys, Beem told us in mauritius, there are 2 types of chimneys, the rounded and the squarish type, they are sugar cane processing factory, round chimneys are build by the british and the square chimneys are build by the french. Above picture shows a square chimney build by the french.

Maybe during that 2 months were rainy season, we managed to catch quite afew rainbows. above is 1 of them as we were travelling on our way.

1 of the highlights is "Pieter Both", a moutain with a little head on top of the mountain. There is a myth or story behind this "Pieter both" mountain.

Pieter Both (1568, Amersfoort – 6 March 1615, Mauritius) was the first Governor-General of the Dutch East Indies.
In 1599, an admiral in the New, or Brabant Company. In that year, he traveled to the East Indies with four ships. When the newly founded Dutch East India Company set up a government for the Dutch East Indies, Pieter Both was invited to become the Governor-General. He held that position from 19 December 1610 to 6 November 1614. During that period he concluded contracts with the Moluccans, conquered Timor, and drove the Spaniards out of Tidore.
After he relinquished his position as Governor-General to Gerard Reynst, he left for the Netherlands with four ships. Two of the ships were shipwrecked near Mauritius, and Pieter Both drowned.
The second highest mountain of Mauritius is named Pieter Both after him.

but that figure head was not Pieter both, There is a legend about this mountain, and how it acquired its shape. It tells of a man named Shiamantak who was very poor. He once passed near the mountain, and saw some fairies dancing in the forest. The fairies saw him, and allowed him to watch them dance on condition that he kept all this a secret. Due to his recurrent absences from home, his mother decided to get him married. On the wedding day, he left the festivities, to go and watch the fairies dancing. The wedding guests followed him, and asked why he was in the forest alone. He then betrayed the fairies' location, and as he pointed to show where they were, his finger and hand began to turn to stone. He was gradually transformed to a rock on the top of the mountain, as a retribution for breaking his promise.

A closer shot of Pieter both mountain with the shape of a head.

Finally, we've arrived and waiting for the boat to bring us to ile des deux cocos, an island just opposite.

Once arrived at the island, we met some friends, also honeymooners who came from Britain, they visited South Africa and this is their 2nd stop. Had freeflow of Red and White wines over there, after that we prepared ourselves for either glassboat or snorkling, both Hayley and myself opt for the crazy snorkling, crazy due to the ice freezing water. but the water is fantastic.

After the snorkle, we went to the bar setup over there and had free unlimited cocktails, mocktails, wines...etc, Well, I'm not a cocktail person, so I had mocktails instead.

I'm so tired that I actually knockout, had some slight naps and up again.

Hayley like this swing basket hanging from the tree and facing the blue water.

This is to show the clarity of the water and blueness of it.

After the rest, we were ask to gather to the tables, where we had Mauritian barbeque done by their staff, the gentleman standing next to Kirk is our friendly host.

Our Mauritian Chef cooking Bbq steak, lambs...etc

During our meals, we were greeted by 2 gentleman playing and singing to us, hopping table to table. Romantic afternoon.

We had also lobsters, and other food, and again wines and more wines to conclude the day before we head back to main island.

Day 3 - Legends hotel, Grand Gaube to Domaine De L'Etoile

Our 3rd day trip is to this place call L-Etoile which I have been in contact with when I was in Singapore. When I was in Australia in 2002 and 2003, I have came to like horse riding and had been telling hayley so much about it that she too wanted to try, so here we are, early in the morning again, our pre-booked driver from the hotel came and drove us to l'etoile for our horse back riding and also we have opt for Quad bike.

Our welcome drinks

l'etoile is indeed a very beautiful hilly place, full of nature.

Before we start the horse riding, we were given a free teaser of Archery there, the archery was interesting where they place many different fake wild animals around the mountain, our training target was to shoot a wildboar, and if we choose the package, we will be able to proceed on to see other targets like the deer, lion...etc

Instructor guiding hayley how to hold the bow and arrow and how to aim at the pig.

After our archery sessions, we were ask to go to the stable where the horse instructor will choose the horses for us, probably base on our height, we were given different size horses also. My horse's name is "Jasmine", unfortunately hayley had forgotten her horse's name. After we had chose our horse, we had to pull to a small little enclosure where we learn the basics and behaviour of our horses.

After a few rounds, its time for us to be out in the mountains, we rode our horses, following our instructor to the mountain. We ended about 2 hours later and back to our stable.

After that, we have to bring our horse for a quick shower, our horses queuing up to have their wash, we took the hose, spray water at their legs and wash their body abit before it was towed to their stable. After that we had their Mauritian lunch and took a nap at a nearby place before we embark on our next adventure.

Few of the french tourist volunteered to take pictures of us, our 1st picture was just 2 of us standing together and their response was "Oh com'on, you can do better than this", and this was the 3rd picture shot. so you can imagine the 1st and the 2nd picture.

After the nap, we begin our next adventure which is the Quad bike. it s a motorcycle with 4 wheels, very different from a bicycle or motor cycle. motorcycle is to use body weight and the steering. quad bike is to only use arm power to turn.

On our way to the mountain, both sides are sugar cane plantation.

The view from above the mountain. breath taking scenary.

Day 4 - Legends hotel, Grand Gaube to ile Aux Cerfs (Paradise Island)

Today is a not so planned day, we called back the driver who drove us to l'Etoile yesterday privately and got a cheaper rate. So in the morning, when the driver came, he ask where do we wish to go, but we ask him to suggest instead, but our criteria will be to want to try the undersea walk. So he suggested us to go to "Ile Aux Cerfs", aka. Paradise Island, it is probably the nicest beach and water in the whole of Mauritius.
Things we tried:
1) UnderSea Walk
2) ParaSailing
3) Mambo ride

So we started off with Undersea walk and Parasailing somewhere near the beach to Ile Aux cerfs before heading for other adventure. The undersea walk is well, to me...so so experience, probably due to that I have scuba diving experience before, but hayley love it alot. Took bread and fed the fishes, The Helmet with the breathing equipment was extremely heavy, but it was comfortable as air was filled to the whole helmet. Next we tried Parasailing on a boat, It was an experience that was worth going for. (There isn't any pictures as we didn't bring any camera along)

After the undersea walk and Parasailing, the driver brought us to the place where we register and proceeding to the beach waiting to take the boat to Ile Aux Cerf(Paradise Island).

After we arrived at the island, we went to take a boat to the "Grand River Waterfall", the biggest waterfall in Mauritius.

We have tried the banana boat before and so we thought, why not this time round, lets not do banana boat but try other things, so we choose "Mambo", its like a space ship boat but pull by a motor boat (Picture shown above), after when we tried it, it is equally as fast and thrilling as the banana boat.

We got to know this helpful and friendly French lady, she was on the pull boat and taking video of us bouncing up and down. After the whole ride, she offered to send the videos to us, and we met most of the time together during the trip. We got to know her name is "Brigitte", and she just came to Mauritius alone for vacation.

After this, we were served a Nice, but slightly disappointing Barbecue lunch. We were promised with steak, Fish and lobster, but there were no lobster for hayley and myself as the registration place did not communicate with the people. Thus we were not given any, and Brigitte had a small lobster, almost like a crayfish size. This lead me to lodge a complain after that and was only refunded a fraction of the cost. We were also served with Rose wine and Rum. But knowing us, Rum is really not our drink, didn't like it at all. Rose Wine is ok, but think we still prefers Coca Cola Instead.

After the whole trip, we had fun and return back to Legends to shower and rest, preparing for our Gala Dinner, supposedly at the beach, but due to strong wind, they had changed us to Karma Restaurant, where we were served with nice fine Dining Dinner.

The Karma Restaurant interior.

Some of the fine dining food served to us that night.

Day 5 - Legends hotel, Grand Gaube

Today is a sunday, and we realised that over here at Mauritius, Sunday is a non working day and non of the shops or attractions will be open, and all the Mauritians will go to the beaches in Mauritius on Sunday, thus our driver on Saturday suggest that we stay in Legends hotel to tour the place as we've got 1 of the nicest private beach.

And so, on this day, we went to watch the indoor movie, take some pictures and visit another honeymoon couple whom we know from BSF(Bible Study Fellowship) in Singapore.

Few pictures we took at the hotel on Sunday.

Day 6 - Legends hotel, Grand Gaube to Curepipe, Chamarel, Black river Gorge

Our driver started by bringing us to crater of the extinct volcano of Trou aux Cerfs located at Curepipe. Here is like a park where lots of flowers and trees growing at the side of the volcano.

Next, we visited the Ship model making factory at Curepipe, where we witness how the workers do the model.
After that we went to glass making factory and also tourist shops, it is quite costly there, but we sort of regretted not getting souvenirs there as after that we bought from the Airport and it cost much more.

Our driver is pretty nice, brought us to this Mauritian Chinese restaurant where we eat... uhh.. chinetius food. ha.. why that is because the restaurant is own by Mauritius I believe and I can't find any chinese there. and the food is not exactly chinese also. feels like its a Mauritius learning how to cook chinese food but cater to their style. Nevertheless, it is nice and not expensive.

After lunch, we went to Chamarel, where we see the Waterfall and the 7 color earth.

Beind hayley are those different color earth. attached a write up on the color earth on the later paragraph

"The village of Chamarel in southwest Mauritius is home to two natural wonders - the magnificant Chamarel Falls and the colored earths of Chamarel. The earths are particularly unsual; created by volcanic rocks that cooled at different temperatures, the earths form beautiful patterns of color in the exposed hillsides. And if you mix the colored earth together, they'll eventually settle into separate layers.Sometimes the colors play tricks on you and appear to be shadows.

Over the millennia, the rocks were pulverized into sands which have the amazing property of settling into distinct layers: if you take a handful of each of the seven different colors of dirt and mix them together, they'd eventually separate into a colorful spectrum, each dot of sand rejoining its color caste.
Since the earth was first exposed, rains had carved beautiful patterns into the hillside, creating an effect of earthen meringue. At first I thought I noticed shadows on the hills, creating the illusion of different colors, but soon I realized that the colors were real and the shadows were the illusion...."

After that we proceed on to the Chamarel fall, where we see the longest waterfall in Mauritius, not the biggest as the biggest is located at Ile Aux Cerf.

Picture of us taking picture with the Chamarel fall.

Next we move to the Black river Gorge, unfortunately it is out of the way and getting dark also there is nothing much to see there. so our driver brought us to the black river gorge look out.

Day 7 Morning - Legends hotel, Grand Gaube to Malheureux

Today is also the last day of our stay at Mauritius, flight is at night, but we did not wish to waste any time doing nothing, so we signed up a cycling trip at the hotel to nearby town, Malheureux.

Our cycling team, the couple on the right is from Europe, and the middle is a grandfather and granddaughter from France. Our cycling leader or guide helped us to take picture.

We stop by Cap Malheureux cemetery, 1 of the historical site.

After we visited the cemetery, we did a U-turn and stop at the Cap Malheureux Chapel, some call the Red cap chapel. It is a famous chapel by the beach.

The interior of Cap Malheureux Chapel

Another angle viewing the church by the sea.

After that, we rested at the side of the beach.

We had a few mins of walk about and both Hayley and myself walk along the road and saw this stall.

Day 7 Late Afternoon and Night - Legends hotel, Grand Gaube, Airport to Singapore

After We check out from the hotel, we take a little rest at the private beach at Legends hotel. From the beach, look out and we see the famous islet "Coin de Mire".