mauritius - a delicious respite
Mauritius, we almost missed you while skirting cyclone Garance. She caused some mayhem!
An extra sea day is added to our journey creating double helpings of very wavy days. I consume enough ginger to now be 50% composed of this root. Relaxing in our suit, micro-naps are caught like butterflies as my body adjusts to the feel of being perched atop a gyroscope.
Our scheduled ports are now closed and the navigation team is keeping a keen eye on possible reopenings. Picking up supplies and a reprieve from the undulation for all aboard are top of mind.
Waves reach a tolerable level, the pool on deck 10 is refilled. Moments later, the captain apologizes over the tannoy for what is about to happen. To buy time we will turn and sail in the direction we just came from as we wait on word of which ports might be available. A U-turn is fulfilled. This motion causes the pool to swirl, then suddenly stop. All this trapped energy needs to disperse, and it does, brining 75% of the water straight up with it. Everyone is soaked in an instant. I can picture the captain giggling - at least I hope he is!
We sail on as the deck is put back to rights and everything is rung out.
All is quiet and we drift into the night hoping to find ourselves in port the next morning. Low and behold we wake up in Port Louis, Mauritius with everyone in the highest of spirits! An additional day is added and the whole ship exhales.
The outline of the mountain here resembles a desert mesa generously coated in green. We lunch on the deck of our ship and become liquid in the heat. With this very thick humidity, we wait for evening to fall before a stroll on the Caudan boardwalk.
Whimsical touches are everywhere and the breeze cools us under a starlit sky. Tomorrow we will return for a gastronomic story discovered by Trevor.
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Walking into authentic Mauritius we find it very full, unpolished and, bustling. Following the blue indicator on my handheld we navigate across streets, through markets and, down alleys. One final turn reveals the restaurant oasis of Wapalapam, brought into reality by snowboard champion Rok Flander and his wife Gabriella. It feels like we have been welcome into a family home. Perched on up-cycled wood furniture from a 100-year-old colonial house, we feast on flavours of the Indian Ocean.
Hospitality and food are shared with love and we lap it up!
With full tummies we wander back at a snail’s pace and find lovely surprises at every turn. Fellow guests are peppered throughout the crowd, it’s fun to spot the familiar faces.
Back aboard Silver Dawn, we open the door of our suite to discover a beautiful bowl of fruit with a hand written note. What is this?
A note containing a short story is placed beside from the wonderful soul taking care of our cabin. Over the past two months I have left a few thank you notes with happy little doodles. This is his reply and I cannot contain my joy, a small doodle is included at the end of his note.
We snack on fruit as we pull away from Mauritius.
Tonight we begin three days at sea as we sail towards South Africa!
