Golden evening sunshine falling across the hills and forests, horses grazing… back in the French countryside at one of the nicest times of year. This time, we were staying close to the border with Luxembourg and Belgium, in the area known as Grand Est, in the cute village of Doncourt-lès-Longuyon.
Our Gite was an old farmhouse, over a hundred years old, according to the owner, and had even hidden soldiers during the Second World War. It was large, spacious, and had that peaceful and thoughtful feel of a building that had already seen it all. We settled in, pleased to find a riding livery yard right next door, so we could hear the whinny of horses and the clip clop of hooves on and off all day!
The village itself was surrounded by beautiful walks in the hills, where the aforementioned horses grazed, semi wild, and cows and their tiny newborns too. If you puffed to the top of the hills you got a lovely view of the whole village in the valley, and even the neighbouring villages. We enjoyed lots of walks there, most of all first thing in the morning or evening, when the golden light was the most beautiful.
We enjoyed exploring the area with Suzi. Most of the villages were tiny, well-kept and pretty, with flowers growing, blue shuttered buildings and cows and horses grazing right there. Some of our favourites were Udny, Xivry, Pillon, Beauvillers and Arrancy, all good for a wander amongst the cute and colourful old buildings.
We also discovered a giant chateau in Cons La Grandville, and a beautiful nature reserve which you could walk through and end at an etang, at Amel sur Etang. The drives in between were stunning, forests meeting the fields, villages in the valleys, and the first hints of colour in the leaves.
This part of France is so close to the border with Belgium and Luxembourg you could dip in and out of all of them! We did a drive through Luxembourg, so much more manicured than France, but similar with the forests and small towns. All in all it was a lovely trip, and so nice to explore this underrated area of one of our favourite countries with Suzi.
Practical information
Getting here- it’s about a three and a half hour drive from where we were in the Netherlands, and even closer from Brussels or Luxembourg. A car is a must to get around and explore.
Where to stay- we used Gites de France again to book our place. They have lots of choices and are reasonably priced.
What to do- you can follow our suggestions, or just enjoy discovering cute little places as you drive around.
When to visit- any time of year! It’s a practical house with a mud room and games room, so would also be nice in the winter!
Thanks to Maya for the lovely photos and to Suzi for being a good girl again xx
It’s funny that Turkey was never a country I had any plans to visit. Sitting almost in the middle of the world, I’ve flown over it many times but never thought to actually stop by. Finally, I had the chance to, with a short trip to its largest city, Istanbul. I didn’t really know what to expect, but I was amazed by what a beautiful city it is, and just how much there is to do there.
Sitting in the middle of two continents, Istanbul is the only city in the world like that. Our hotel, Limak Eurasia, was on the Asian side, in a business district full of normal people heading to work in glossy offices. There were cute local cafes and shops, and just ten minuets away, the hills closed in on villages, full of pine trees and shady paths. One of these places, Goztepe Park, became a firm favourite of ours. It felt so far from the city; butterflies fluttering through meadow, tall trees, and a very friendly dog we called Micki who hung out with us (and an overly nosy cat).
Another surprise was how boats seemed to be a preferred mode of transport. I guess this makes sense since Istanbul is split by the Bosphorus, and to the south lies the Sea of Marmara. I’d heard that the latter was dotted with islands that were the perfect place for a day trip. So we joined throngs of Istanbulites- whole extended families with picnics, starry eyed couples and groups of young friends, and made the one hour crossing to the islands. The sky and sea were an electric blue, and you could watch the city skyline slowly disappear as the islands crept into view: covered with pine trees and pebbly beaches, almost like those you’d see in Greece.
We disembarked, and it really was like arriving in Greece. Every house was festooned with bougainvillea, there were old ladies hanging their washing out of windows, and spying on proceedings below, there were secret beaches down steep paths, local kids splashing in the water, small shops selling trinkets. And you could only get around by bike, or electric buggy. It was a truly idyllic place to pass the day, the hot afternoon disappearing and before we knew it it was time to take the boat back to the city. Seagulls flew behind us, hoping for snacks, and back in the city, we joined the evening traffic, sunburnt and tired, back to the ACd hotel.
Another day we decided to explore the European side, where some of the most famous sights are. We got a taxi to the port town of Uskudur, and from there, another ferry, this time crossing the Bosphorus to the European side. The ferry was large and spacious, with beautiful views of the city skyline. Again, it was popular with regular people, even commuters, not many tourists.
There was a lot to see when we arrived. We wandered through the spice market and the Egyptian bazaar, narrow streets crammed with lantern and carpet shops. There were beautiful mosques and vendors selling breads, and pigeons swooping around stealing what they could. Then we headed to the nearby neighbourhood of Balat. This colourful area is full of cute shops and apartments literally in every colour of the rainbow. And there was also a lovely area nearby with benches overlooking the Bosphorus for a quick rest before taking the ferry back to the other side.
There is so much more to see, we barely scratched the surface and definitely need to return! And the people were friendly and helpful, and seemed to care for the numerous stray dogs and cats, like Micki at the park, and even our hotel had a resident hound with her own little kennel! Just be warned that English was not widely spoken at all so be prepared to have a translation app or screen shots of where you want to go on your phone.
Practical information
Getting to Istanbul- Istanbul has three main airport, the main two are Istanbul International, served by Turkish airlines and others, and Sabinha Gocken, served by budget airlines mainly. Both are around 30 minutes from the Asian side where we stayed.
Where to stay- we stayed at Limak Eurasia hotel, a very pleasant one on the Asian side, they have a pool, restaurant with outdoor dining and helpful staff. Rooms are clean and the AC is great! There’s a taxi stand right outside.
What to do- as I said there’s a lot to do in and around Istanbul. Ferry timings can be confusing, it’s best to show up at the harbour in good time and enquire there what the sailing times are since these can vary. Ferry crossings are very cheap, and so are taxi rides so I would not bother renting a car unless you plan to travel further outside of Istanbul.
When to go- Istanbul is popular all year round, but be prepared for freezing temperatures in the winter and boiling ones in the summer. I did though like the vibe in the summer and it wasn’t as crowded as I thought.
Thanks to Maya for the lovely photos and for organising this trip!
It’s been ages since we had a summer holiday to France, so it was time to head back for sure. We arrived in Normandy early on a bright Sunday morning, and straight away remembered why we love France so much. The countryside seemed to pop with colour and life.
We had rented a house in the hamlet of St Simeon. It was an adorable thatched cottage, with traditional Norman wood panelling, and a giant garden all around. After unpacking, we were straight out into the garden to unwind and enjoy the morning sunshine. Suzi seemed right at home too. That first morning, we decided to get our bearings and do a small drive around the area. We used the smallest roads, winding through tiny hamlets in between farmland and miles of countryside- golden wheat, cows and horses grazing, forested hills.
The rest of the day we spent in the beautiful garden, the birdsong all around was amazing, and we enjoyed just relaxing in the sun (this was how we would come to spend all afternoons)! Suzi loved the garden too and would spend happy hours sleeping on the soft grass, or hunting the robot lawnmower (whom we called Jeff). And we would enjoy walks and jogs around the area- it was just all so picturesque and unspoilt.
The second day, we headed out after breakfast. Again, we chose the smallest roads, often only wide enough for one car. We stopped at St Georges du Vievre, a really cute village with traditional architecture and flowers. Then we stopped at Noards, a true farming hamlet, since cows seemed to outnumber people there. We took Suzi for a walk there, and every cow in the place came jogging over to see her! It was incredible, she literally was some kind of attraction to them. Some of the cows even gave us licks!
The next day, we started at the village of St Etienne sur Ailer, since we had seen it the day before and it looked very pretty. Here, there was an abandoned chateau in the middle of a wheat field, surrounded by forest. It was one of the most magical things I’ve seen, especially since we had the whole place to ourselves. We wandered in that field, under an impossibly blue sky, Suzi offlead sniffing everywhere. There were haybales dotted around, and I just had to climb one. After a few failed and hilarious attempts, I managed to scramble up (with a boost from Maya). It was a lot higher than I had expected! But you’ve got to do that once!
From there, we drove on, and stopped at the town of Morsan where a Norman fort looked down on the place. You could walk all around the ramparts, and enjoy views of the whole town and surrounding countryside. Another special find. We tortured Suzi that afternoon with photos, walking deep into the fields of wheat and corn… the epitome of European summertime.
Our last day. We found another circular route to do, passing through Martianville, whose name cracked us up. And then stopping at Fort Moville, which looked almost Alpine, with the timbered houses and rolling valleys backed by thick forest. There was an interesting nature walk to do there, and Suzi enjoyed that and we enjoyed the views. A short while later we stopped near the hamlet of Triqueville where a herd of semi wild cows was grazing. They had such a magical spot, in the dip of a valley. We spent a few minutes there before heading back home.
All too soon, our trip was over. We had another lovely time in France, soaking up the summer sun and the peace of the countryside. Suzi loved her stay too, she smiled everyday and had loads of energy! We are already planning our next trip back…
Practical information
Where to stay- We booked our place through Gites de France, a great website with lots of choice and very reasonably priced, even in the summer months. Our house, La Chaumerie was a great find, well equipped, clean and spacious with an amazing garden.
What to do- explore by car, and you’ll find all kinds of beautiful places to walk and picturesque villages, like we did. If you want to visit the famous landing beaches of World War Two, these are about an hour away.
When to visit- any time of year! But for a similar experience to us, it has to be summer! We were lucky with the weather, not too hot, lots of sun, but come prepared with rain gear anyway, as this is Europe after all!
Thanks to Maya for the beautiful photos and the fun xxx and to Suzi for being adorable xxxx
Musk rats sitting on a log, floating down a river. A loose cow, casually wandering down the village street. An abandoned castle, half strewn with vines, in the middle of the countryside. A giant horse, galloping in circles in a forest clearing while his owner looks on. Just a normal day in the heart of the French countryside.
After almost five years, it was so nice to arrive back in France. A special place for us, and kind of bittersweet this time without Prune. Suzi though, she embraced the adventure with us, and the week went by in a blur of forested roads, and emerald green hills grazed by chubby cows.
We were staying in the cute and tidy village of Langeron in the Burgundy region of France. Ours was an old buttercup coloured farmhouse, complete with low beamed ceilings and thick walls, and a large yard full of trees overlooking the countryside. It was across from the church, so we would be woken by bells at seven each morning, which was, for me at least, quite a convenient alarm clock!
Suzi loved exploring the garden, and Langeron has numerous roads and paths to enjoy a long walk, fields of rapeseed, friendly cows and noisy bulls. In fact, this area is home to the Charolais breed of cow, and you will see these shaggy white bovines all over, which we inevitably loved.
Like we usually do in France, we would pick a roughly circular route to drive each day, stopping along the way wherever took our fancy. That’s the beauty out here, you never know what you might come across, and we were often pulling over to check out an abandoned chateau or doing an eight point turn on a country road to get closer to something else we wanted to see. This area doesn’t have any must-sees, in particular, so even more reason to just explore.
Some of our favourite places that I would recommend if you do find yourself out here, would definitely include the very cute village of Appremont sur Ailler, named as one of the prettiest villages in France. It really is like being in a fairytale, with the neat stone cottages and flowers, and the river right there. We spotted a bunch of muskrats too, hanging out on the water! In that area, Sagonne is also a cute medieval village with its own chateau. And there is also an abandoned dungeon, the donjon de jouy, all in the vicinity.
If you’re headed south, then you’ll find yourself crossing over into the Auvergne region. The geography is similar, perhaps a little more hilly, but just as stunning. Here, the places of note are Bourbon l’archambault with its fortress and buzzy streets, as well as Souvigny with its large cathedral and narrow streets. There are also some interesting forested areas here, and you can stop for a walk at many, especially at the Foret de troncais. We took Suzi there and had fun exploring the mysterious dark woods.
Speaking of forests, for the OG, you need to head to the Morvan National Park, west of Langeron. The drive here itself is stunning- thickly forested hills and hair pin bends, each one revealing a view of the mist covered valley where mysterious black horses graze and cows move their family over babbling streams. We took a walk at one of the routes there, and the views were amazing. It’s quite a drive though, but you could take a stop along the way at the larger town of Decize.
If you visit one larger town, choose La Charité sur Loire. This beautiful place is set on the Loire River, and to reach it you park and walk over a big bridge with the river rushing below. There is a fortress above the town which you can climb to, and the views from up there are breathtaking of the river and town below. On a sunny day, you can see for miles. The drive to get here is also particularly pretty, and goes though cute small villages.
Some of our favourite villages and areas to explore were actually close to our base. Avril sur Loire for example, with a lovely long path next to the canal you can walk along. Or the neighbouring cute village of Fleury sur Loire where we encountered the escaped cow! From the village of St Parize La Châtel, you can walk in beautiful countryside dotted with abandoned chateaus. And the nearby village of Luthenay-Uxeloup has perhaps one of the most spectacular walks of all, a long path climbing up to a chateau, half hidden, with amazing views of the countryside. There are also some etangs in this area that are nice to check out (and where we met the rather excitable horse that was being exercised).
That’s the funnest part of these trips, the fact that you never know what’s beyond the next bend. That some town and villages will hold hidden surprises, and the people and animals you meet along the way will be what you remember the best. Sometimes not having any must dos or sees makes it even more exciting to explore. Especially with a four legged friend in tow.
Practical Information
Getting here and around- the easiest way is to drive from your base in Europe, or from Paris if flying in from abroad. You definitely need a car here to explore on your own steam.
Where to stay– we stayed in the lovely village of Langeron which is well located for all the activities I talked about. We rented a house through Gites de France which we found very reasonably priced. It was cosy and a nice place to come back to after a day’s adventures. We had some nice times together enjoying the garden and in the evening discussing our day and playing some games.
What to do- as I said, there are no real must dos, just enjoy losing yourself in this beautiful region. Burgundy’s tourism website is a good place to start for more inspiration. When driving around, Google maps is quite reliable for navigation.
Other things- We visited in December, and had a couple of wet days but mostly enjoyed nice weather luckily. There are pros to every season here, from Fall Colors to spring blossom and summer heat, but if you really want to see the Charolais cows that make this region so special, avoid January to April when they are mostly in their barns.
All in all, we had a lovely trip, nice to catch up together and enjoy some quality time exploring one of our favourite countries! Thank you to Maya for all the amazing photos 💕
It wasn’t long after I landed that I realised my bag was incredibly heavy. And that I’d be carrying it around the whole day. But I was quickly distracted by the shockingly beautiful architecture of the old town, and the sun shining off the cobbles on such a bright winters day.
I had decided at the last minute to come to Prague for the day. First flight there in the morning, last flight home that evening. Very ambitious perhaps but I’ll be controversial and say that I think Prague is doable in one day, especially if you stick to the old town and the surroundings, and don’t mind a fair bit of walking around this enchanting city.
Pragues’s Old Town is the focal point, the place you’ll always find yourself heading back towards. It’s an old market place style square lined with beautiful buildings in buttercup yellow and salmon pink, a grand cathedral (and at this time of year) a giant Xmas tree. There were a few Xmas stalls too, although there are usually many more. It was beautiful in the morning with the sunlight dancing across the facades, and buzzing by night when all the fairy lights were twinkling and the tree was sparkling.
From there, you can take a walk down any number of cute streets, each lined with stunning architecture and expensive shops. If you keep walking, you will cross one of many bridges over the Vltava river, and find yourself in the sprawling Letenske Sady park. This giant park has steep hills to climb and the most breathtaking views of the city you’ll find. I had a picnic breakfast and lunch there, each time overcome by just how pretty Prague was. Prague Castle can also be visited from there. It was closed for me but I admired it from outside.
I really enjoyed just strolling around the quieter streets, finding hidden curiosities like a crumbling cottage in the woods, or an ice rink full of happy Czech kids skating around. I eventually found myself crossing back over the river via the famous Charles Bridge and also caught the Astronomical clock in action. The Prague must-sees. I was very lucky it was such a perfect winters day, so I could spend most of my time outside. There are lots of cute cafes lining the square to warm up at, and admire the lights as it gets dark.
There you go, a day in Prague! It’s doable, just learn from me and don’t take a big and heavy bag. Your shoulders will thank you! Prague is definitely worth a visit, it really lives up to the fairytale cliche, plus the people are very welcoming and it was great to see Eastern Europe for the first time.
Practicalinformation
Getting there- Prague’s airport is served by many European airlines, including budget ones, so it should be possible to get a decent deal. From there, it’s about 20 minutes to the old town. Using Uber is the easiest and quickest way to get there.
What to do- as I mentioned, the old town and surrounding area are where you will find yourself most of the time, and half the fun is just wandering around and enjoying the atmosphere!
When to come- I visited before Christmas, so there was a lovely festive feel to the place. It can be cold but on a crisp winters day the city seems even more magical. It can get crowded in the summer, but I’m sure spring and Fall are beautiful too.
This is the last post of the year! Merry Christmasto everyone, and thank you for reading along this past year xxx
My first trip abroad in almost two years! And boy, it was worth the wait! The beaches are more beautiful than any screen saver, the water bluer. There are dolphins to swim with, hills to climb, waterfalls to chase, and a whole unexplored interior of banana plantations and rolling hills. The people are also great; friendly and helpful wherever you go.
Mauritius is a big island, and the best way to see it is by car. We rented a car which was a great decision, it afforded us the freedom to stop wherever we wanted, and the roads are in good condition. The views around every bend mean you’re never bored! To make this guide clearer, I’ve broken it down into the different parts of the island, and what you can expect to see and do in each.
The South East
This is the area we stayed in. It’s only ten minutes or so from the airport, which I found to be great after a long flight, and you get a longer vacation at the end too! This is also a peaceful part of the island, with fields of sugar cane, cute villages and beautiful beaches. In fact, our favourite beach on the whole island (and trust us, we saw most of them), was right here.
If you want the typical Indian Ocean dream, Point D’Esny is the beach you’ve been dreaming of. Think bone white sand, water in every shade of blue, dotted with boats bobbing, palm trees… you’ll find it here. Every beach in Mauritius is public, and it’s easy to access via a pathway from the road. We used to come here every afternoon, have a stroll on the sand and then sit and watch kite surfers and pet friendly stray dogs. We discovered this beach on our first day at Astroea hotel , but just kept coming back!
Our villa was in Blue Bay, the next town after Pointe D’Esny. We lucked out with this cute area, full of charming houses, friendly stray dogs, villa rentals, and it just felt so real. You could go swimming in the sea first thing, walk through the town by evening, and just be surrounded by locals. You really get a flavour of real life, far from the tourist trail, whilst still being in a lovely, safe neighbourhood close to all the sights. Just avoid Blue Bay beach in the weekends or late afternoon, and come first thing instead for a peaceful swim.
The South
This is an area few tourists see, unless you’re staying in one of the massive hotels, but even these are few. Most of the beaches in Mauritius are protected by a reef, which makes the waves small and bathing friendly. But not in the South, there is no reef, and so the waves come in hard and fast. These are not beaches for swimming, but for exploring, climbing on rocks, and sunbathing, since the constant breeze keeps things cooler and more pleasant.
In particular, La Cambeuse beach is a beauty. And for something really epic, check out Gris Gris. The road here also makes for a stunning drive, with constant views of the sea, threading through small villages and sugar cane plantations.
The West
Home to the famous Le Morne Brabant, the foreboding mountain often seen in pictures of Mauritius, the west is a real mix of wild and tame, between empty beaches and busy resorts. This is also not a bad area to base yourself in, but it is well over an hour from the airport, so keep that in mind.
Our first morning, we joined local company Vitamin Sea for a private boat trip. Honestly, if you do one excursion on the island, make it this one. It’s a three hour trip, and the guides are brilliant. Ten minutes out and we had already found a giant pod of spinner dolphins, and I had the chance to swim with them! It was surreal, spinners are super friendly and curious, so they’d come up so close, I could have touched them if I wanted to. And the guides are great, they keep an eye on you and help you if you are struggling in the water ( as well as take photos, which you absolutely should buy at the end). Afterwards, they take you to a stretch of water near Le Morne nicknamed the Aquarium, where you can snorkel to your heart’s content with thousands of fish, and enjoy unspoilt reef. The water is so clear and glassy it’s unreal. In between, they provide refreshments and funky music, so it really is an excellent morning.
When driving in this area, you’ll encounter some really stunning beaches. Some of them don’t even have names, so I can’t share them with you, which I’m not so sorry about since I hope they stay secret! I’ve never seen more surreal scenes, more Maldives than Mauritius. Just give Tamarin a miss. This town is trying for the surfer thing, so if that’s your vibe, by all means go. But we wouldn’t go back, there’s plenty of way more beautiful beaches to explore instead.
The East
Home to some of the most famous hotels, the East is only accessible by smaller roads, making for some stunning driving. You wind through banana plantations and sleepy villages, with the ocean never far away. There are not many must dos here, the big draw are the long stretches of sand. In particular, Belle Mare is probably one of the most famous. It’s easy to park and walk along, ogle the big hotels (and feel smug that we are paying a fraction to be on the same beach as them), and enjoy the views.
We did chance upon a unique side trip in the area. From the small village of GRSE, you can get a boatman to take you to a hidden waterfall. It’s about a 40 minute round trip, and you get to see some unique back waters and the falls. Well worth it, if you’re in the area.
Port Louis and The North
Port Louis is the capital city and well worth a visit. We were surprised by the modern architecture and very Miami-like water front, complete with cute shops and restaurants. It’s easy to also find the old part of the city with its market and hole in the wall shops. There’s a park and ride close by, but us being us, we just walked, it’s only ten minutes. From Port Louis, it’s just another twenty minutes to Pamplemousse botanical gardens. You can easily lose an afternoon here, strolling amongst the palms. Bring a picnic, and enjoy the shade.
The resorts of the North are about half an hour from Port Louis. This area is much more built up than the South, and had a more Thailandy vibe, with souvenir shops and places to eat on every corner. If you do want to do some shopping, this is your best bet. In particular, Grand Baie and the bazaar there. Likewise if you want to eat out. It was a nice outing, but we were glad to have chosen the south as our base as it felt much more authentic and Mauritian. The beach we visited up here, Trou aux Biches, was surprisingly lovely, with very soft sand.
TheCenter and Black river gorges national park
Most of the central west of the island is taken over by national park, in particular, the Black River Gorges. There are numerous hiking routes throughout, but if like us you just want to drive, you will still get a very good feel for the place. Lots of people seemed to hire taxis, which was understandable considering the hairpin bends and sheer drops. But we managed on our own and got some amazing views, as well as the freedom to stop wherever we wanted.
For example, Sophie’s walk, a real hidden gem. A cute well maintained woodland, with short, well marked trails so you could get a feel for the dense forest without straying too far. In general, the shades of greens and beiges, the awesome views of the tree clad valley, and the tangled vines make for an epic drive, and a must do away from the beach.
The islands
Mauritius has many small island neighbours, and they are a popular day trip. I only visited one, Ile aux Aigrettes as we thought the others would be too busy, and were probably right, considering the packed catamarans leaving for some of them. Ile aux aigrettes on the other hand, is a nature reserve and you can only visit with a guide.
Famous for the dodo, Mauritius is trying hard to preserve its endemic species to prevent something similar ever happening again. Ile aux aigrettes is totally protected, and as you wander through the ancient forest, you realise how fragile all these ecosystems are. I was lucky to spot the critically endangered pink pigeon, only found here, as well as skinks, other tropical birds and a few giant tortoise. At over a 100 years old, these guys really are living relics. If you chose only one island to visit, make it this one. You can find the ticket office and jetty in Mahebourg, in the south.
Mauritius truly was a dream, still an unspoilt paradise alive with nature. The variety is incredible, from dolphin spotting to trekking through thick forest, to lying on perfect beaches. Some of our favourite moments were the small ones, befriending the local stray dogs, myna birds stealing crumbs from our breakfast, finding an unexplored stretch of road though the sugar cane fields, a laugh with a banana vendor on the side of the motor way. You can squeeze a lot out of your trip, if you want to. And you should! I already can’t wait to return.
Practical stuff
Where to stay – as I mentioned, the South would be my recommendation. Astroea beach is a lovely little hotel right on the beach. And if you want to self cater, which is easy since the shops stock most of what you’d get back home, I can’t recommend the Beach house, in Blue bay highly enough. You can find it on Air bnb.
How to get here – flights can be expensive, so worth booking in advance, most are from the UK, France or Germany, but you can also connect through hubs in the Middle East, like Dubai.
What to do- as I said, there’s so much to do! It really depends on your tastes and interests. You can of course just enjoy the beach all day, but there’s a lot more to the island than that. Definitely try Vitamin Sea for a private boat trip ( book in advance) and a visit to Ile aux Aigrettes is very worthwhile too.
Getting around – we hired a car from Pingouin they were good and responded quickly. It’s easy to drive here, you can use your own license and fuel is cheap. alternatively, there are taxis everywhere and you can also hire a driver for the day.
Other stuff– they use two and three pin plugs widely. You can withdraw money with a foreign card at most supermarket ATMs and can exchange money at the airport, Port Louis, Grand Baie, and most hotels. When we visited, October, the weather was very pleasant. Avoid the cyclone season, from November to April, if you can.
As you can see, i had an amazing time in Mauritius, just what I needed as a first trip abroad after so long. Also, I hope Prune you’re reading this and enjoying the photos, after all, I’m quite sure you had come along with us xxx and thank you to Maya for all the laughs and the lovely photos 🙂
One of my favorite things about this time of year is the arrival of a herd of wild Shetland ponies. They are brought to a nature reserve very close to our house, and it is so lovely to bike over to them, and watch them graze. Last year, a foal was a new addition to the herd, and now, he is a bit bigger, but still very cute, and loves to frolic with the other youngsters. You can see them galloping, kicking and tossing their heads, play fighting and generally having a good time. It is incredible to have these wild animals so close by, and they love the attention of having you there, watching them. Continue Reading
It was 11:10pm. The train was supposed to have left thirty minutes ago, and yet, it had not even arrived. Meanwhile, the already over-crowded platform got even busier. Women in saris of turmeric yellow and parakeet green, old men wearing dhotis and warm coats, girls in sparkly party dresses, running here and there, IT guys with their ubiquitous backpacks, jeans and checkered-shirts. We had already walked through the main station, where extended families were camped out on the floor, vendors were doing brisk business selling spicy snacks, and porters were collecting luggage. It was chaotic, noisy and dusty, and I was getting slightly tired of waiting.
The first few days of a new year, a new decade. A good place to reflect on time. Time moves fast in India. Buildings sprout where jungles and desert once were. A year, or two passing by is the equivalent of ten or more in Europe. But yet, somehow, sometimes, coming here can help you to slow down. To appreciate that some things really are timeless. The tropical birdsong, as the sun rises. The cascades of barbie-pink bougainvillaea, the birds of prey that soar between the high-rises. The white-blue skies of midday, the waving palm-trees in an evening breeze. Continue Reading
