DAY 1 - TO BASE #1 AT COTEAU RAFFIN

Safely in Sir SR's airport and, under rather overcast but nonetheless balmy skies. Welcome to Mauritius!

We set off in the hire-car clockwise along the south coast.  Our first detour proves to be past a gi-normous sugar refinery plant ('Omnicane' - they seem to sponsor almost everything on the island, as befits an industry that once employed every second individual and accounted for a vast percentage of the national income).  The palms wave, mongooses scurry across the road, in the trees weaver-bird nests swing in the wind.

Following the Indian Ocean southern coast, there are lots of Sunday visitors to the beaches (though with stern warnings: 'Bain dangereux' and 'Strong current').

(though we find a quieter spot to enjoy coffee and local sesame-seed biscuits...

...near to La Morne peak - of which more tomorrow)

 

In fact, it's a somewhat schizophrenic country which can't make up its mind which of its two official languages, English and French, to use.  Where possible, it employs both but otherwise it alternates like a torn parent, sharing equal favours between offspring who might otherwise squabble: 'Bus Stop' (and driving on the left, albeit with the classically French flashing yellow traffic light to turn with discretion) yet 'Poste'...

Now into our nice little studio at Coteau Raffin

four nights here to explore the south-western coast and Black River Gorge inland.