More fun in the Sun!

Been pretty busy the past week or so!

Sunday 24th
We did not go to Mahebourg in the end. Tahnia's back was really bad, and as it turns out, everything in Mauritus closes at 1 on a sunday! So we had a lazy day sitting around in the sun, reading and watching films. We also went for a short walk in Rose Belle and in the evening some of Tahnia's family came to visit and we watched another film!

Monday 25th
Tahnia's back was still pretty bad but we got bored and decided to go shopping in Curepipe, which turned out to be the funniest day in Mauritius! Tahnia's grandparents dropped us off and we wandered around a couple of shopping centres, but didn't really buy much, as the shops there weren't great, despite everyone telling us it was awesome in Curepipe! So we went and had lunch instead (£4 for 2 people's lunch and drinks = WIN!). Just when we decided to give up on Curepipe and go home, we came across a much bigger shopping centre, where we bought several very cheap (pirate) DVDs from a random stall! I was slightly worried they would all be in French or just be really bad quality, but they're actually pretty good! And only £1 each! Then we came across a market near the bus station and had a look around before getting the bus back to Rose Belle - which was funny in itself - the bus kept driving past all the signs to Rose Belle!! But it took us there eventually! We made a quick stop-off at Winner's (supermarket) and then headed home.
Quick Tip: Don't dance in the middle of a shopping centre when a song you recognise comes on. It just attracts unwanted attention...

Tuesday 26th
As Tahnia's back was feeling a bit better, we visited La Vallee de Ferney - a nature reserve/leisure centre where I had the chance to see the Mauritius Kestrel, the Mauritius Bulbul and the Mauritius Grey White-eye, along with many native Mauritian plants and lizards. Tahnia's grandparents and one of her uncles came with us, but only me and Tahnia did the hour and a half trek. It was really nice! Unfortunately though, I did not see the Kestrel or the Bulbul, but I did see the Grey White-eye, several different species of native Mauritian plants, millions of butterflies, and lots of Mauritian Fruit bats (which are MASSIVE by the way!). We also saw lots of deer (as people also pay to go hunting there), and some Grey Francolins, which I have never seen before (they look kind of like big Quails).

Wednesday 27th
WATERPARK!!!
Me and Tahnia visted Le Waterpark with two of her cousins - Ashley and Selwyn! Tahnia's uncle picked us up at 7am as it was a long drive to get there, and we stayed all day! There are loads of cool waterslides, swimming pools, jacuzzi's and a wave pool, as well as a restaurant and some fun fair rides. I would definately recommend it to anyone planning a trip to Mauritius! The only problem is that the ground is all paved and it gets ridiculously hot in the midday sun. It literally hurts to walk on the pavement. Me and Tahnia had to run between patches of shade! Also, I got really badly sunburnt :( I just didn't realise it was happening! I kept putting on suncream, but I still managed to get burnt! Even so, I really enjoyed it!
In the evening we went for dinner at Tahnia's great grandma's house which was all very tasty! I was soooo tired though!

Thursday 28th - Happy Birthday Becky!
Went to visit Le Morne beach with Tahnia's grandparents and one of her uncles. It was a really nice beach but I was still very burnt so I didn't go swimming, as I didn't want to make it worse! We had a picnic and cocktails on the beach (i got to eat curry bananas, which was actually really tasty!), then we took a drive up to Gris Gris beach - so beautiful! Gris Gris is the most southern point of Mauritius, so there is no more land until you get to the Antarctic! After that we headed to La Roche qui Pleure (the rock that cries) so I could get a proper view of it (we saw it in the distance when horse riding). Unfortunately it was low tide when we got there, so I didn't get to see/hear the rock cry, but we went right to the edge and it was really beautiful!

Today (Friday 29th) we went early to the Terre Rouge Estuary Bird Sanctuary - a wetlands centre - so that I could see some wetlands birds in Mauritius. It was low tide when we went so the birds were out in full force! I got to see some birds that I've seen in England in different plumage (as they don't breed in Mauritius) as well as some new birds! The guide was very helpful and was able to point out quite a few species to me. And since he knew I was interested, he took us down quite close to the mudflats so I could get better views of them! He also took my email address, as he would like me to send him some photos I've taken of these birds in their breeding plumage (in England) and to send him some information about the birds so he can put posters up on the walls! Yay me! Afterwards we went to Caudan shopping centre in Port Louis (the capital of Mauritius) and did a bit of shopping! Got presents for people and generally had fun! It was WAY too hot though, so we didn't stay long.

Been a good week so far, not long to go now! We leave next Wednesday! I don't know if I want to leave or not though. On the one hand, it's hot and sunny and pretty here, and England will be freezing cold on rainy and bleak. But on the other hand, it's REALLY hot here, there are some things about Mauritius that I don't like (mostly all the litter and animal cruelty), and England will be nice and cold, and everyone speaks the same language!

More photos to come soon - I've taken sooo many! I'll try to put a few up on here, but may not be successful. Looking forward to seeing everyone soon!