What about the island of Mauritius?

Mauritius, an island in the Indian Ocean, is the wealthiest nation of Africa. Just 50 years ago it was one of the poorest. Mauritius eagerly embraces 21st century technology especially as applicable to their sugar trade. Beautiful beaches and temperate tropical climate make Mauritius a destination primarily for Europeans, and many of the accommodations are 4 or 5 star establishments. 70% of the people of Mauritius are of Indian heritage, both Hindu and Muslim, with the remainder of African, French, and British descent. Everyone I encountered was 'laid back' and pleasant and kind.

Many viewed our two days in Mauritius as rest-and-relaxation after the excitement of South Africa and before the challenge of India .... and so it was!

Taking a water taxi from the ship to the Harborside is interesting! The small craft shuttles seamen from all the ships in port who nimbly hop onto the roof canopy of the boat. To the contrary, the MV Explorer's passengers alighted and left the water taxi with much greater caution at the piers. On one of the ships of a fishing fleet from Taiwan the crew were holding a prayer ceremony in advance of an early morning departure. As our water taxi pulled alongside the ship with crew members carrying beers for everyone, we saw the sailors gathered around a devotional table with a pig's head, a chicken that appeared to be pickled in oil, and many small red bowls filled with a variety of grains and herbs and .....?

Bon voyage and safe seas!

The pleasant Harborside has shops, restaurants, post office, and open-air markets for the Mauritians and for the predominantly-European tourists. Tourism is the second industry to sugar production and is energetically promoted by the government and private enterprise.

Mauritius boasts botanic gardens at Pamplemouses where 95% of the plant species are imported from tropical and semi-tropical

locations worldwide. The tour guides enjoy telling the stories of the various plants like

"the bleeding tree" and "the bottle palm" and "the sausage tree".

The giant tortoise originates in Madagascar which to the west

of Mauritius and vastly larger.

Refresher: a turtle lives in the water and a tortoise lives on land.

Alice in Wonderland knew that, of course.

This giant palm tree lives approximately 65 years and blooms, and then it dies.

Sunset and an exquisite meal with fellow faculty voyagers, all from Charlottesville, at the Oberai Hotel (ever so luxurious, and rated #1 in the Indian Ocean, 2010). My, my, my!

What's not to like about dolphins in the azure water, snorkeling in the azure water, floating in the azure water ... did I mention that the water is azure?

Perfect air temperature, water crisp like liquid diamonds, clear sunshine, gentle breezes - a day of relaxation and sensory pleasures on the luxury catamaran cruise.

As the MV Explorer sailed out of Mauritius harbor, the voyagers were treated to a barbeque dinner cooked and consumed on Decks 7 and 6. Yummy.