Back to South Africa (Feb – April 2023)
So…what happens when your Schengen visa runs out? You return home, of course! The day after I returned, my sister had a special birthday. You know, one of those ones with the zero at the end. So, because I hadn’t planned to be home for this event, I had to do much running around. I’d placed online orders for the foods I had missed on my travels (steak being one of them) so I only had to buy birthday-type stuff. Such a wonderful feeling to be able to go to a place you know and to be sure you would find what you are looking for at a price you are expecting. Although I have to say I found things have increased in price in the few months I’ve been away.
Then, of all things, turns out my sister had to go into hospital for 8 days due to the need for IV antibiotics for an infection her body was unable to shake off. So my first week back included hospital visits and everything that goes with that. I will say this, though, the physician who was seeing to her was excellent but the staff at the clinic? I was not impressed. At the specified visiting hour, I walked into the ward to find staff eating at the desk and I had to ask myself how this could be allowed? Surely there is a canteen or even an outside area for staff to eat? There were used needles and bloody cotton swabs lying on the floor under her bed and she said that not one of the staff offered to help her bathe herself or even wash her hair during her stay. For eight days. Colour me unimpressed.
Then because I was home, my body seemed to think it was a good time for me to get sick. Roll on the flu. Thank heavens it wasn’t the awful bronchitis currently doing the rounds, but that put me down for a week or two.
On top of that, add in load-shedding, and bingo! I couldn’t wait to be on a plane! but before I left, I cashed in my leftover Euro’s to purchase solar panels, and thank heavens I did. With the threat of stage 8 or 9 being forecast for winter, we’re going to need them just to keep our food fresh.
I really wanted to be with my family and friends for my birthday, so I bit the bullet and booked a ticket for Mauritius for 18 April 2023.
Mauritius is beautiful. I could search for flowery words to describe the island, but, why bother? Anyone who has experienced this island is well-aware of the lush greenery you find everywhere. Even now in autumn, going into winter, the only thing missing are the glorious colours of flowers which abound in spring and summer. I am monitoring a frangipani on the pool deck which seems about to bloom and I can’t wait to see and smell these wonderful blossoms.
We’re currently situated in a townhouse in Flic en Flac, on the western side of the island. Although the veg shop and beach are within walking distance, it is not something you are going to find me doing. As I thought, I am struggling with the heat. Did I say it was autumn going into winter here? There is little fluctuation in the temperature but the humidity does bounce up and down, and this makes a big difference to what the temperature feels like. My best friends are a pool and a fan! And the air-conditioning in the car we have.
There is much to see on the island and we’ve already done some exploring. The highlight so far was the restaurant at Le Bois Cheri tea plantation. The food was outstanding and the view spectacular. We have also visited various towns (some by accident!) Saint Aubin House, discovered that vanilla comes from an orchid which is hand pollinated, Domaine Des Abineaux and others. We still plan to see the underwater waterfall and the seven coloured sands.
Who knows what other delights Mauritius will reveal?
