Tou Korek - we are in Mauritian!

5.4.-6.4.

Come, let's do it!

It's that time again: we have the travel bug, the adventure calls, we're ready for the island!

After three years of a pandemic, many failed plans and disappointments, and some camping trips, we had this tiny idea in our heads. It kept whispering: 'There are still so many undiscovered places outside of Europe. Have you ever been to Central America? Or maybe Africa?'

Really? A long-distance trip? While everyone is talking about climate change? Is it necessary when Europe is also beautiful?

And then, eventually, the decision: yes! We're doing it now! We won't book a Western hotel chain, we'll buy local food and tours, and we'll strive for sustainability as much as possible.

In the end, we chose Mauritius: hardly any time difference, so no jetlag. Apart from a biting snail, there are no dangerous animals, the sea is suitable for snorkeling with children, there are suitable hiking trails, and the crime rate is low. And let's not forget: Condor flies the route with the new A330neo aircraft.

Decision made and implemented: on 5.4. after a sleepless night due to excitement, we fly in business class with DE2314 from FRA to MRU. How lucky: we start our first long-distance trip as relaxed as possible, with some nervousness. After a calm flight of 12 hours, with top service and even a few hours of sleep, we land in complete darkness in the Indian Ocean.

Mauritius is one of the smallest countries in Africa (smaller than Saarland), but the third richest. Oh my goodness - we have only visited the north of Africa so far (Tunisia and Egypt) and therefore we have no real idea about the conditions, but what we see is fascinating and at the same time shocking. Here, every car that was scrapped in Europe 20 years ago is still driving around, as well as every mini model from Asian manufacturers.

The most German of German questions about a tire tread depth gauge for the local tires would probably only lead to larger question marks on many people's faces here.

Right at the airport, we pick up our small vehicle for the next 14 days after a surprisingly thorough inspection by the car rental company, and then we plunge (deeply relaxed after two nights full of excitement and minimal sleep) into the morning rush hour towards Port Louis and the west coast... driving on the left side of the road! Oh my.

But surprisingly calm and with only a few panicked interjections from both passengers, who are more concerned about the (for our standards suicidal) oncoming traffic and the potholes the size of a lake, we arrive in Pointe aux Sables after about an hour of driving and waiting time, at Carole and her father Louis. Here, we have found accommodation for the next 13 days, somewhat away from the tourist crowds and hotel complexes.

In the middle of a garden with avocado, lemon, and banana trees stands our somewhat Spartan but still absolutely sufficient cottage. The landlords welcome us warmly, show us the entire garden and the access to the sea (about 100 meters on foot) via the landlord's own terrace, and present us with bananas grown on their own.

We have arrived!

Being so close to the roaring sea, we naturally cannot deny the red bouncing ball an immediate visit to the beach. Shopping can wait. Admittedly, we can't deny it to ourselves either.

So, snorkel masks out of the suitcase, leaving our personal touch directly on the cottage and leaving behind a delightful chaos, and into the bathtub water.

The previous ritual of applying SPF 3000 only needs to be mentioned once on this vacation. When three cream-colored people travel near the equator...

Snorkeling...

If you have followed our previous vacations, you may know that the seas we have been to were not suitable for snorkeling. Too cold, too rough, too little marine life...

In the Indian Ocean, we hope for a rich variety of animals and plants. According to the landlady, you can discover all sorts of things on your own beach.

Well then...

After a few minutes in the water, the sensation occurs:

The keen-eyed fox (that's me) believes, and after watching several episodes of "Naked and Afraid" in subtropical regions, he can be sure that he has spotted a poisonous snake.

Halfway calmly (not), we quickly return to land. The first snorkeling excursion is over after just three minutes. But it is still a success and the best proof of our state of mind.

After a brief internet search, however, we quickly realize that the animal we saw was not a "snake flat tail" but a very ordinary ringed sea snake. Harmless, non-poisonous, and not very sensational.

In retrospect, it would have surprised us too. All the information pages and the locals assure us that apart from the aforementioned snail and sea urchins, there are no dangerous animals, and then three German amateurs discover a poisonous snake on their first dive...

Acclimatize

Unfortunately, our biorhythm hasn't adjusted yet, so Ida asks at 11:00 a.m. when dinner will finally be served. Admittedly, we are all exhausted. The sultry heat is taking a toll on us. After extensive shopping in Tamarin, we leisurely end the day. We still have to learn to ignore the many mosquitoes, but the pouring rain, the green garden, and the sound of the sea are doing their best to get us into relaxation mode.