Saturday, 16th October 2010
Mauritius is the second largest Island of the Mascareignes Archipelago, and is sheltered from the Indian Ocean by the worlds third largest Coral Reef. It was once a very important strategic location in this area, and flourished while the world was serviced by Sailing Ships. Unfortunately, the Island was not suitable for the new breed of ship, called Steam Ships and when the Suez Canal was built, it spelt the end of the golden era for Mauritius and Reunion Island.
We got up early enough and had a light breakfast. Skipper was still feeling sore, but a little less sore than yesterday. We eventually got ourselves organised and took off in the rent a car, heading south. The first place on the agenda was the natural History Museum on the south coast. Again this building was originally the residence of a governor way back when and is now a museum. There was no entry fee and it was full of interesting things, mostly about the economics and people who influenced the course of history. One of these people was an Irish man called John Pope Hennessy. He was a high ranking officer in the british army and was sent to Mauritius as a governor. He was a catholic and was very instrumental in abolishing slavery on the Island, which did not make him popular with the gentry or the Army.
Meanwhile, Neil took off with the middle aged youngsters to Silver Beach on the east coast, they rented a Villa for a few days, except Neil has to return tomorrow because of his PADDI course.
However before Neil left the boat, Skippers Doctor, Dr Lisette called to A Lady to check up on the patient, Neil gave her the grand tour of the ship and she was rather amazed that skip was not in the scratcher resting, but out galavanting around the Island. Anyway, Dr Lisette left lots of gifts for the boat, including Cranberry juice for the patient, home made jam she made herself, vanilla sticks, and different types of tea's in beautiful containers. We were sorry we missed her visit.
When we finished with the Museum, we headed north up along the east coast to the Four Seasons Hotel and Resort. It was a truly beautiful resort, with a super golf club, beautiful golden sandy beaches, not to mention all the gyms, pools and toys for the residents and guests. We had a fine lunch there, when finished, skipper went to sleep for a few hours on the beach, while the rest, Aileen, Terry and Collette spent the time in the sea swimming around to their hearts content.
The Four Seasons and its neighboring Hotel Anahita plus the golf course and all adjoining villa's are owned by a Mr. Dali, and all are fairly new buildings, the 4 Seasons is just 2 years old.
We returned to A lady later and after some chat, went to the nearby hotel for dinner, La Bourdonnais. The menu stated that the Chicken Casserole would be served in 10 mins, and if not would be complementary, well it was 35 minutes later when skipper got his, and true enough, it was free (mind you skipper had to point it out to the manager first).
We had an early night again.
That's all for today.
Signed :- Stephen Hyde (Skipper)