Firstly, let me apologise for the delay. It has been a whirlwind of a first month at my new post, but let me assure you that I'm a lot wiser than I was before I started. I've had my share of personal challenges, sickness (laryngitis) and of course a major travel bug, the kind that makes you want to explore the world!
Virgin Territory
Trust me when I tell you that as I handed over one role and left the company I was at on the Friday, the daunting beginning of starting at a new company the following Monday made the transition a reality with very little time to over analyse it all.
As my first week in my new role came to an end, I found myself on the eve of my first ever international flight to Mauritius (MRU) via Air Mauritius (MK). Craig was dropping me off at the Gautrain in Sandton and we would enjoy breakfast together before my departure.
But why was I so uncomfortable? I mean, here I was about to grab a much anticipated (and to an extent a self fulfilled prophecy) travel opportunity and there I sat with tears in my eyes and mascara running down my cheeks. The more I tried to calm down and wipe those tears away, the more they ran.
The rest of the morning my ride on the Gautrain and arrival at OR Tambo was all a blurred state of misery. I had convinced myself (as if I had a choice) that I could always just "pack up and go home". I relied on my inner mother voice to take over and after a firm talking to I sorted out my inner niggles coaxed myself towards a new adventure.
It was a familiar discomfort, one I've felt many times in my twenties when I had to end a relationship, close the door to the past or move residence yet again. It was the feeling of complete fear, overwhelming exhaustion and a smolder of anticipation deep inside me. It's the very same fear that has pushed me through my personal boundaries many, many times before.
Embracing The Unfamiliar
I have no doubt that if you're a personal friend of mine, you're probably reading this and shaking your head in disbelief that I could have been that stressed out about it all. The good news is that as tired as I was on so many levels and as unprepared as I was at the time for whatever 'Passport Control' meant or how to deal with it, I was ready to push out of my comfort zone for the sake of the experience.
Slumped in my aisle seat, I decided to just relinquish it all for the sake of being 'present' and in the moment. The air host was a lovely man, his strong French Mauritian accent pinched me back to reality that this life long dream was in fact happening.
6 Days Of Discovery - 10 Things I Never Knew Before This Trip
I won't bore you with my thought processes, I will however share with you a couple of travel gems for those unfamiliar with Mauritius and a couple of photos during my stay. A glimpse if you will into my adventures and discoveries.
1. Mauritius is not 20 square kilometers!
The island is approximately 300 kilometers if you take a round trip along the coast. The air is humid and salty on arrival and there is only 1 highway.
2. The people are really, really friendly.
If there is a country we could all take a feather from, it's this one. They have a colourful variety of cultures and religions and yet they all get along and respect each other.
3. They have fauna and flora that you've never seen before.
You know that you're in a different country when the animals and plants look different. I keep describing Mauritius as 'the set of Jurassic Park'.
4. The island is surrounded by a lagoon. And by lagoon they mean a coral reef that wraps around the island protecting the shores from 'white horses' and shore break dumps.
5. If you want a bargain, go to the Port Louis market. I learned this the hard way, being ripped off terribly at a Boutique store. For half the amount of money, I purchased twice the amount of curios at the markets.
6. They bargain like bosses! Before I left someone told me that Mauritians don't barter, but believe me, they do. So if you're not au fait with talking down pricetags, this is a good country to start with.
7. An SPCA nightmare. The streets are littered with stray cats and dogs that just run around unattended and uncared for. This is good news if you're an animal lover wanting to change the world - Mauritius needs you!
8. There are coral reef's that will change your life. Next time I go, I'm taking an underwater camera. I lost so many opportunities to capture the Parrot fish, sea snakes and star fish that litter the reef just meters off the beaches. This is a divers paradise!
9. Go all inclusive. I noticed that things can get quite expensive over there, even though our Rand is 3x stronger than the Mauritian Rupee. With this said, don't underestimate the 4 and 5 star hotels that offer great value for money and all inclusive means you don't have to worry about a bill at the end of your stay.
10. 21 Sub Climates to enjoy. Mauritius is as ever changing in climate as the 4 seasons in one day in Cape Town. Mozzies and humidity, rain and sunny skies. Something to look forward to no matter what part of the island you are on or what time of the day you're visiting.
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| Air Mauritius |
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| Found on the beach |
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| View from my room at Le Meridien |
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| How about a walk on the beach? |
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| A selfy - pinch me I'm here! |
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| Catching some sun |
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| Breakfast at Shells Restaurant at Le Meridien |
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| The Flame tree - like our Jacaranda only orange. |
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| Pamplemousse Gardens Giant lillies |
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| Port Louis markets |
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| View from my room at St Regis |
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| A local birdie that is super cheeky and very colourful |
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| Special treat - Henna tattoo by the ladies at St Regis |
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| Boundless beauty |
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| At the top of a lookout |
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| Changes on the beach - bouldered and beautiful |
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| Taking a drive |
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| Le Meridien by night |
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| Mountains - who would have thought? |
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| Le Meridien by day |
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| Heaven |
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| Beaches at Le Meridien |
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| Nirvana Room - Le Meridien |
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| La Faya Restaurant - Le Meridien |
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| View from the Family Suite - Le Meridien |
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| More beautiful mountains |
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| Site inspection at The Westin (Previously the Grand Mauritian) |
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| I recognise you! |
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| Beauty at The Westin |
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| Old Catholic church at Pample Mousse Garden |
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| Pample Mousse Gardens |
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| Old Catholic Church near Pample Mousse Gardens |
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| Sunset at St Regis |
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| St Regis |
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| St Regis |
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| Pools at St Regis |
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| St Regis |
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| St Regis |
This truly was a life changing experience which I would recommend to anyone who hasn't yet been. Just a 4 hour fight away and a holiday that is as affordable for couples as it is for families, Mauritius is on my 2014 calendar to share with my Toad. See you there!
Thank you to The Holiday Factory, Air Mauritius, Le Meridien & St Regis Le Morne as well as Connections Tours.
For great deals on these hotels ask your local travel agent for The Holiday Factory packages.
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