Mauritius

Just got back from this small exotic piece of heaven thanks to standby duty.
Haven’t been there for almost 4 years. Flight is normally full of honeymooners or holiday makers. It is about 6 hours directly south of dubai surrounded by the Indian ocean, and the official language there is French.
Nothing has changed there all these time, apart from the refurbished airport. The pace there is still pleasantly idyllic. The same bus with the luggage rack on the roof…I always worry for whoever is lifting those suitcases up, but luckily our layover there is only a short 12 hours so most of us should have nothing in our bags apart from bikinis or pyjamas or both.
We still drive through a maze of corn fields before reaching the same beautiful hotel where you will be greeted by a smiling local serving you a refreshing fruit punch as you wait to check in to spacious rooms with balconies and big bathrooms.
As braindead and sleep-deprived as I was, there’s no time to waste! We have about 10 hours to go to the beach, have lunch and sleep before wake-up call. Azlinda and me managed to get connecting rooms. We changed into our beach gear and made a beeline for a spot in the sun. It was raining and cloudy when we landed but by the time we checked in the sun has decided to give us a glorious day instead.

I have not seen Azlinda for almost 4 years too…the last and only trip we did together was a SIN-BNE when we were still in business class...one of those memorable flights. She is one of those people whom you rarely see each other but will remember forever and still click like bosom buddies, talking and laughing non-stop. She is getting married on the 28th this month. You have all my blessings gal!
Azlinda is a regular on Mauritius trips. She took me to her favourite spot just two minutes away from our rooms. It’s a nice little stretch of beach enclosure about 10 metres wide with calm and clear blue waters, coconut trees, and sun chairs. There was no one else so we felt like its our private beach for the nest few hours. I was happily snapping away with new camera while soaking in the sun and sea. And guess what? There are no sand flies!! Life is bliss!
We bought accessories and beach bags from local vendors who comb the beach routinely. To think I will be safe in Mauritius from shopping…fat hope!! I spent my entire allowance plus 30 euros on 2 bracelets and 3 necklaces. Sigh…I am incurable to shopping. But I have to say these are some of the nicest stone and shell pieces I have seen, just have to bring them back with me!
It’s a happy day for the vendors too, as this is the 1st sunny day after a week of rain.
We tanned and chatted and bargained for our purchases for 3 hours before hunger beckoned and had to leave our little haven ever so unwillingly to seek food.
Would love to do some water sports that are all complimentary to hotel guests, but I have already extended my time of consciousness to the limit, and it’s time to shower and get some needed snooze before we head back to dubai’s oven heat.
Close to pick-up time, I arrived at the hotel lobby to romantic live music at the bar nearby. The sun has gone to sleep, perfect ambience to cosy up and relax with a loved one after a day in the sun…glad I am not alone and have my fun crew to sing along to “with or without you” and “fields of gold”.
I had a short but sweet stay, and did not get burned in the sun. Still, Mauritius is one of those places that I wish I can linger longer…but its farewell for now...