Port Louis - Mauritius.

Princess Cruises - Port Louis - Mauritius.

Our last port of call on this fantastic Indian Ocean and South Africa Odyssey is Port Louis the capital of Mauritius. This island is only 120 klms from Reunion and it also is volcanic in origin and has many beautiful beaches, lovely mountain ranges and pretty villages. Mauritius is independent and its economy prospers due to exports of sugar and textiles as well as tourism.

We are only going on a half day tour today and this tour will show us around Port Louis and also take us to old colonial house.

Arriving at Point Louis  Mauritius .

Our arrival into the Port of Mauritius is very picturesque. The port is very close to the city and a mountain range towers above the city.

First we are taken to another very pretty Tamil Temple and then a drive around a very bustling city. We pass a very important spot for the people of Mauritius and this is The Marie Reine de la Prix Monument which is considered a place of religious importance and pilgrimage since October 1989, when thousands of islanders attended mass celebrated by Pope John Paul, on his first official visit to Mauritius.

Inside the Tamil Temple.

The colourful façade of the Temple.

Inside the Temple.

Next we go to the vibrant Le Caudan Waterfront with its many shops, cafés and boutiques. It is surrounded by lovely palms and flowering plants and it is full of spectacular decorations celebrating Valentine’s Day. We spend a couple hours here just wandering around the shops and looking through its small market.

The Waterfront Shopping Centre.

 

The beautiful flowers at the Shopping Centre. 

Next we are taken about 20 minutes’ drive out of the city to the well preserved Eureka Colonial House which is a colonial masterpiece.  This large house is set on five glorious acres and it is a stunning monument to the islands past. It was built by a British business man in the 18^th century and it contains antique furniture, china ware, old photos, books and rugs. This house was home to a family with seventeen children and it has 109 doors most open out on to the veranda that surrounds the house and overlooks a stunning garden. It is a lovely stop and a great place to finish our tour.

The Eureka Colonial House.

Our tour guide is waiting for us.

 

Seats on the veranda.



The separate kitchen is still used to cook meals for the restaurant.

Sailing away from Mauritius is a very special event as it is the last stop before we return to Fremantle and home. The views of this lovely island are just beautiful as we sail away from the port and there are many passengers on deck to party and say a sad farewell. The sunset that night was just magnificent as it sank into the Indian Ocean – so many different shades of orange, it was truly unforgettable.

It takes us another 7 days crossing the Indian Ocean on our way to Fremantle. The first 3 days are spent experiencing rough seas, as we change our course home to avoid the worst of tropical cyclone - Uriah.

Our journey has taken us 27,500 klms around the Indian Ocean and we have had a brilliant time. We have seen some absolutely wonderful places, experienced many fantastic adventures and cultures and made new friends. We have memories that will last our life time.



Enjoying the sail away.

 

 

The sunset was just beautiful.



The End.💕💕💕

Pointe Des Galets - Reunion Island France.

 

Princess Cruises - Pointe Des Galets - Reunion Island.

Today is the 14th February – Valentine’s Day and what better place to be than in France – or at least the Overseas Department of France – the Island of Reunion. As we approach this small tropical gem, lying approximately 500 klms east of Madagascar, it appears like a green emerald emerging from the blue of the Indian Ocean with its lush tropical green mountains and volcanic peaks.

The size of Reunion is approximately 40klms by 70klms and it is volcanic in origin. The highest peak is Piton des Neiges at 9,800ft and this is also the highest elevation in the Indian Ocean. It is surrounded by the 3 cirques (calderas) -Mafate, Salazie and Cilaos. The island still has an active volcano which last erupted in 1998 and regularly emits steam and rumbles. The island has a mix of white sandy beaches and black-sand beaches but unfortunately we are not going to see any tropical beaches today as we are heading up into the lush, humid mountains to the Cirque de Salazie, to see some of 100+ waterfalls that spill down from the great heights of the mountainous peaks. This is an 8 hour tour designed to showcase the best of the island’s natural beauty and it will include lunch in a Créole Village.

The coastal road we travel along.

 

We leave Porte des Galets, which is about 10klms from the main city of Saint Denis, and we travel north along the coast. This island is a lot larger than I expected and it has a very well established network of roads and bridges. Just by looking at the houses and building etc. you get the feeling that this island is a lot more prosperous and the standard of living is a lot higher than most of the ports we have visited on this cruise.

The first part of our journey is along a dual highway that has a huge mountain on one side and the Indian Ocean on the other. The very sheer cliffs are covered in steel mesh to stop rock slides and there are massive road works in progress to make this vital road even wider. There are no beaches in this part of the island, just piles of small rocks and boulders along the shore. Eventually we start heading up into the mountains.

 

 

Scenes of the Tamil Temple.

 

Our first stop is a Tamil Temple and as it is a Sunday it has many people worshipping as well as busloads of tourists stopping for a look. The true culture of Reunion is a mix of Créole, European, Indian, Tamils and Chinese and all their different religions are reflected in their different places of worship.

As we move further into the mountainous area we see how high the highest volcanic peaks actually are and they seem to be lost in the very dark clouds that are forming around their tops. The scenery is very dense and green with fields of sugar cane, bamboo, banana palms, watercress and choko plants and arbours of cabbage palms. There is water flowing through the small creeks and rivers we cross because the rainfall on this island is very regular and is very high (24 mts per year). We visit one of the biggest vanilla plantations on Reunion and we see the plants, learn about how the plants are fertilized and how they are harvested and dried. It is a very labour intense industry and that is why vanilla is so expensive.

Vanilla growing on a host plant.

 

This box of dried vanilla is worth 2000ers.

 

The further up the mountains we go the steeper and narrower the road gets. It is really quite a hairy drive because the driver cannot see what is coming around most of the corners, is often on the wrong side and in some spots the turn is so tight that he has to stop and back the bus back before completing the turn around the sharp bend. We stop several times to take in the magnificent views which includes many sensational waterfalls - the highest and prettiest of these is the Brides Veil Falls – named because of the way the water cascades down in glistening veils. We then enjoy a panoramic photo stop at Watermen Pond which is just so beautiful - as the sun is out and you can see right down into the deep gorge and then right up to the tops of the mountain ranges.

One of the many water falls.

Brides Veil Falls.

 

 

Next we visit the small village of Hell-Borg - a pretty Créole Village situated in the cirque de Salazie basin where we have a lovely walk around the village and then have traditional lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch we have free time to look at the few shops in the village and to practise our French by chatting to the locals, but unfortunately the clouds roll in and the rain starts and does not stop again until we are back at sea level.


The main street of Hell-Borg.

A Créole House in the village.

 

A typical French Cemetery in the mountains on Reunion Island.

 

The local shop owners.

 

The drive back down the hill is very wet and the roads are slippery. In some spots waterfalls are actually hitting the road and we have to drive through them. The clouds are now so low and dense – so seeing the views is very limited. We were so lucky that we had such wonderful weather in the morning.

The falls through the mist.

 

On our way back to the ship we have a drive around the city of Saint Denis with many wonderful old French Colonial buildings and houses.  Reunion, might be a long distance from France in Europe but the language, culture, road signs and cuisine are truly French and it has been a really wonderful and surprising place to visit.

When we get back to the ship we are greeted with lots of red and white heart decorations everywhere to celebrate Valentine’s Day and there are beautiful heart shaped cakes and deserts for us to eat. This really makes for a very enjoyable and memorable day. That night we enjoyed our dinner out on the open deck – lovely warm night, nice sunset and then plenty of stars.

 

 

Durban South Africa.

Princess Cruises Durban South Africa.

We spend another full day at sea after leaving Port Elizabeth before we reach are next port of call Durban. As usual we are up by 6am - dressed and up on deck for the sunrise and sail into Durban. The pilot (who usually arrives by boat) is expected to be on board by 6am and then he will guide the Sun Princess into the Port of Durban for us to be docked by 7am.

But unfortunately by 7am our ship has come to a dead stop (with the Port of Durban in sight) and we are going nowhere as no pilot boat (let alone pilot) has appeared. A large car transport ship – which  was travelling in front of us - has had to complete a full circle turn from in front of us around behind us and is now sitting to our left also waiting for a pilot. The Captain announces that there is a problem and that we will be late docking - as they do not know where the pilot is or when he will arrive.

The helicopter with our pilot on board circles the ship.

 

The pilot drops down from the helicopter onto the deck of the Sun Princess.

 Then literally out of the blue, at great speed, comes a helicopter - which circles the Sun Princess and we see that there are three people sitting legs hanging out of its doorway. (This is quite ironical as we had a pilot arrive via helicopter in Richards Bay and for safety reasons we were all instructed to vacate our cabins, stay off the open decks and stay away from open areas for 30 minutes while the pilot was being winched aboard.) We now have a situation where there are about 25 of us passengers being waved back by a pilot who is just about to come in on a cable and be dropped right where we are standing at the front of the ship on level 14. It was very exciting and over very quickly – he just dropped in. The helicopter then headed for the other ship and dropped another pilot off in the same manner. He then made an impressive fly past and just left.

The Port of Durban is the biggest in South Africa.

View of people on the beach as we enter the port of Durban.

 By 9am we were docked and we were off the ship soon after anxious to catch a shuttle bus to take us to an area called the Golden Mile. We intended having a day to ourselves exploring some of the sights of Durban. We have heard many stories about being very careful whilst walking the streets. Unemployment is extremely high in this area and even though locals might not hurt you they might try and take your possessions.

The Golden Mile stretch of beach in Durban.

 

A Zulu Rickshaw on the Golden Mile.

 

Housing Units along the beach in Durban.

 The area that the shuttle bus takes us to is very disappointing. The shops are very uneventful and there is no African market as promised. The Golden Mile is just a path beside the beach and it is very hot and not very interesting. We try and find a taxi but they now all booked by passengers from the Sun Princess for the day and none are available. With another couple we decide to catch the shuttle bus back to the dock and get a taxi from there. We have decided to go into the city centre to the Victoria Street Market.

Back at the dock the four of us pile into this small dilapidated car, negotiate our price and off we head with an African lady called Princess as our driver. Durban is a real eye opener. Very busy with lots of old cars, people everywhere and not a white person in sight. Eventually we get to the Victoria Street Market and Princess drops us off at the main entrance saying she well come back at 2pm to pick us up. We made this arrangement as we did not want to be left without return transport.

 

Inside the Victoria Street Market.

 

We purchased some goods from this delightful young man and his sister.

 

An African man making a beaded necklace.

 



The Indian Spice Shop.

Inside the market is totally different from outside. It is definitely a tourist destination with mainly people from India selling African goods in neat little shops. It is very peaceful with no hustle and buzzle and it was a great place to shop. We spend every last Rand (South African money) we have left keeping only 50 rand to pay for the taxi back.

At 2pm the four of us are standing on the steps watching the happenings in the busy street and waiting for Princess. After 15minutes and our little taxi not returning we take a ride with another taxi driver - George who has been watching us and I think knew that Princess was not going to return.

We had enjoyed our shopping time at the market and interacting with the stall holders. Durban was not really what we had expected. There are white people living in Durban but they do not come into the city centre, they spend their time at the Malls. In all the other ports we have visited I have felt welcome and very safe - that feeling was not same here. We had no interaction with any of the Africans.

Port Elizabeth - South Africa. Visit to Kwantu Game Reserve.

Princess Cruises - Port Elizabeth - South Africa.
Our day tour to Kwantu Game Reserve.

Today we are in Port Elizabeth on the beautiful east coast of South Africa facing the Indian Ocean. This City is the gateway to some of the finest Game Parks in all of Africa. It is also noted for its glorious beaches.

Unfortunately we are only going to see a little of Port Elizabeth as we drive through the outskirts of the city on our way to the Kwantu Game Reserve.  Today we are going on an 8 hour ships tour, which will include a 1.5 hour drive to the Game Park, as well as 3+ hours in an open air 4WD Safari vehicle looking for Africa’s “Big Five” – (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino), a buffet lunch in the Kwantu Lodge and then the return journey back to the port.


One of the old houses at Kwantu.

There are many large Game Parks throughout South Africa, some are run and maintained by the Government and many others are smaller privately run concerns. Animals in these parks are allowed to roam freely and co-exist just like they would in the wild without any human interference. The only difference between Government operated Reserves and those privately operated is that if an animal gets injured or is sick, it receives vet treatment in a private park but in the Government Reserves they have to fend for themselves. Poachers, after rhino horn or elephant tusks break into both types of Game Reserve and either kill or severely hurt the animal to get their trophies. There are armed guards in most of the parks but poaching is still widely practiced.

Kwantu Game Reserve is a privately run park and it is operated by Muslims. Kwantu was originally a African village that was bought and turned into a very large tourist complex and nature reserve. It is also noted for its rehabilitation of special lions, tigers and cheetahs. Most big cats in this area have been brought by people as small pets and then abandoned or orphaned at a very young age and then hand reared. It is hoped to make them independent and to eventually release them into the park or in the case of the tigers return them to India.


A beautiful young white lion in the rehabilitation area.



A young cheetah with fantastic markings



A beautiful female lion in the rehabilitation centre.

When we arrive at Kwantu we are welcomed by the staff and given light refreshment and a cool drink in one of the many beautiful rooms in the complex. We then meet our local tour guide – a young African man of Zulu origin named Answer and then board our vehicle which holds 10 people to head out on our adventure. But before we go out onto the Game Reserve we are taken into the rehabilitation area where we see white lion, two beautifully marked young cheetahs, a large male lion and his two mates and five gorgeous tigers. All these wild cats are in fantastic condition and look very much at home on their large enclosures. The animals in this area are fed regularly where the animals in the reserve have to hunt for their food.

We then venture out onto the plains, where we see many different varieties of African antelope as well as wildebeest, zebra and rhinoceros grazing and roaming across the plains. Answer then takes us to a water hole and there we see our first hippo in the wild – only this ears at first but then his eyes and nose appears as he takes a breath. Hippos’ apparently spend most of their time submerged in water because they burn very easily in the hot African sun.


Antelope.



Antelope on the plains.



A big blue wildebeest.



Hippo submerged in a large pond.



Burchells Zebra.



Animals grazing.

Our young guide is very passionate about the work he does and he has a genuine love for all the animals in the park. He is also very keen for us to see all of the “Big Five” so he next takes us into the more thickly vegetated part of the reserve. Here we see giraffe and several big African elephants crashing through the undergrowth. We also find and save the cutest little tortoise with beautiful markings which we nearly run over.  We stopped for a long while just watching four very mature giraffes grazing and nibbling at trees. They all had fantastic markings and were a delight to just watch.

This rhino is eyeing us up.

This beautifully coloured tortoise was crossing the track in front of us - so we had to stop and save him.

A beautiful big giraffe walked out of the dense undergrowth.

A giraffe grazing right near us.

A giraffe with the 4WD vehicle we drove around the Game Reserve in the background.

One of the male giraffe we saw and watched for some time.

An elephant raises his trunk.

An elephant in the dense part of the Game Reserve.

For all his effort we do not find a lion or a buffalo but we do see beautiful scenery and many more grazing animals. Two of the rhinoceros we see have actually had their horns removed by poachers but fortunately they were found quickly enough for them to be given medical help and they were saved and are now happily grazing together. All too soon our adventure comes to an end and we are taken to a magnificent African Thatched Roof Lodge for a traditional African meal, refreshments and entertainment. Through the large windows of the Lodge we have a fantastic 180° view out over the reserve with many animals on the plains and some drinking at the water hole – it was just what you would have imagined Africa to be like.


Answer and I after our safari ride.



The inside of the Safari Lodge.



This is the part of the Safari Lodge where we had lunch.

We then boarded our bus and headed out of Kwantu - but just after we had passed through the main gates someone on our bus said “look behind that shed is a lion” and sure enough right next to the road and where everyone had passed by were two lionesses just sitting looking at the buses going by. So our wonderful day of animal watching was topped off by us actually seeing lion in the wild.

 

This is the lion we saw that is actually in the wild but sitting near the fence at the entrance to Kwantu.