Discovery by car
Third trip - July 2015
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| La Foret lane - Chamouny |
Trip itinerary
- Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Airport
- Saint Aubin Plantation - Riviere des Anguilles
- Riambel beach
- Rivière des Galets beach
- Domaine De Bel Ombre
- Bel Ombre
- Chamouny
- Black River Gorges National Park
- West coast sunset drive
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| West Coast vantage point |
Honeymoon in Mauritius (July 2015)
Seven years after we got married, we were able to have the honeymoon we always wanted. We could only afford it after working 6 months in Saudi Arabia, earning very good money. So I booked a full 7 day -7 night hotel package for us at the four star Preskil Beach resort in Mahebourg, Mauritius through Flight Centre. It cost R40 000 for the two of us, after we calculated all the hidden expenses and the extra things we did. We spent time on the beach at the hotel, but like the explorers we are, we were not content sitting still. So we rented a white little Hyundai i10 car and took day trips all around the island.
This island has such a rich culture and various ethnic, cultural and religious groups make up the population of the island. There are also a huge amount of expats, especially South Africans who have made this compact tropical island their home. Even though it is not a big island, it will probably take a year just to get a taste of everything and visit all the places. Pristine beaches to the exterior and sugar cane fields with beautiful mountain scenery make up most of the island. I took more than a thousand photos, which I will only post the best here. This photo expose will hopefully paint a picture of our experiences on this beautiful island.
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| Fishing boat - Rivière des Galets beach |
About Mauritius
Mauritius (French: Maurice), officially the Republic of Mauritius, is an island nation in the Indian Ocean about 2,000 kilometres off the southeast coast of the African continent. The country includes the islands of Mauritius and Rodrigues [560 kilometres east of Mauritius], and the outer islands (Agaléga, St. Brandon and two disputed territories). The islands of Mauritius and Rodrigues form part of the Mascarene Islands, along with nearby Réunion, a French overseas department. The area of the country is 2,040 km2. The capital and largest city is Port Louis. Formerly a Dutch colony (1638–1710) and a French colony (1715–1810), Mauritius became a British colonial possession in 1810 and remained so until 1968, the year in which it attained independence. The government uses English as its main language.
The people of Mauritius are multi-ethnic, multi-religious, multicultural and multilingual. The island's government is closely modelled on the Westminster parliamentary system, and Mauritius is highly ranked for democracy and for economic and political freedom. Along with the other Mascarene Islands, Mauritius is known for its varied flora and fauna, with many species endemic to the island. The island is widely known as the only known home of the dodo, which, along with several other avian species, was made extinct by human activities relatively shortly after the island's settlement (Wikipedia).
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| Road between Rivière des Galets and Belle Ombre |
Trip summary
We started our day trip from Preskil Beach Resort where we rented a Hyandai i10. We drove through the town of Mahebourg towards the International airport. As we approached the airport I saw there was an Airbus A 380 about to land. I stopped at the fence adjacent to the airport and was able to take great pics of the big Airbus landing. Our next destination was the Saint Aubin Plantation, where we stopped briefly to take pics of the Colonial buildings. We bought Mauritian Vanilla flavoured tea at their gif shop and took off for our next destination, Riambel, with its pristine beach. We spent about 20 minutes here enjoying the white sand beneath our feet, taking pics of the pristine turquoise water.
As we drove on the coastal road towards Belle Ombres, we stumbled on a small fishing/farming village, Rivière des Galets, where I took the most beautiful pics of colourful fishing boats in the water. We proceeded towards the Domaine De Bel Ombre, a former sugar estate of Bel Ombre. En-route we stopped at a coconut vendor who was selling fresh coconuts next to the road. He cut a hole in the coconuts from which we could drink. The road is lined with Coconut palm trees and it created the perfect atmosphere for enjoying our coconuts. We then arrived at the Domaine De Bel Ombre, where we explored the main Colonial house and its surrounding gardens. It was lunch time, and as we approached the town, Belle Ombre, we saw this Belgium Bistro, Bistro Anvers, where we had a seafood dish, before we drove on towards the Black River Gorges National Park higher up into the mountains of Central Mauritius. To reach the park we passed through the small town of Chamouny. We stopped at La Foret lane to take some pics of the scenery below.
We encountered the most beautiful natural scenery as we made our way up to a higher altitude. I stopped at the vantage point of Black River Gorges National Park, where I was able to take beautiful pictures of the surrounding mountains and gorges. From there we drove through the mountain passes towards the west coast of Mauritius. As we started to descend again we saw the looming west coast during sunset and I stopped at a vantage point to take some pics there. We then drove along the West coast taking pics as we went along of the nature scenery, that reminds me of Mpumalanga province in South Africa, but with mountains and the ocean that reminds me of the Western Cape. We had to drive hurriedly back to Preskil Beach resort to meet our dinner reservation, so we did not really stop again, shooting pics as we drove. It was getting dark in any case, so we just made haste to get home.
Airbus A 380 landing - Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport
Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport is the main international airport in Mauritius. It is located 48 km southeast of the capital city of Port Louis. The airport was previously known as the Plaisance Airport and has direct flights to several destinations in Africa, Asia, and Europe. It’s home to the country's national airline Air Mauritius. Airports of Mauritius Co. Ltd (AML) is the owner and operator of the airport, the Government of Mauritius is the major shareholder of AML (Wikipedia).
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| Parked near the airport |
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| Big Emirates Airbus A-380 coming in to land |
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| Big Emirates Airbus A-380 coming in to land |
Airport to Saint Aubin Plantation Road scenery
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| Entrance to an estate |
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| Village scenery |
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| We turned left |
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| Nature scenery |
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| Nature scenery |
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| Nature scenery |
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| Nature scenery |
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| One of the villages we went through |
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| Nature scenery |
Saint Aubin Plantation - Riviere des Anguilles
Saint Aubin Plantation is located along the slopes of southern Mauritius, and have been under sugar cane cultivation since 1819. The estate takes its name from one of its first owners, Pierre de Saint Aubin. It is still in operation and apart from sugar production, it also has a Vanilla plantation. We bought Vanilla tea from the Boutique shop.
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| Road near entrance to plantation |
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| Saint Aubin information signboard at the entrance |
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The Saint Aubin Residence on the right
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The Saint Aubin Residence – built in 1819
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| The Saint Aubin plantation estate - Sugar mill |
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| In front of the Boutique shop on estate where we bought vanilla tea |
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| Boutique shop on estate where we bought vanilla tea |
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| Estate gardens |
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| Building on the estate |
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| The Saint Aubin plantation estate - Sugar mill |
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| The Saint Aubin plantation estate - Sugar mill |
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| Building on the estate |
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| Map of Saint Aubin estate |
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| Estate gardens |
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| Buildings on the estate |
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| The Saint Aubin Residence – built in 1819 |
Saint Aubin Plantation to Rivière des Galets - Road scenery
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| Town scenery |
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| Town scenery |
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| Town scenery |
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| Town scenery |
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| Tourist signs |
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| Town scenery |
Riambel beach
Riambel Beach is located in the village of Riambel, situated in the Savanne district, in the south part of Mauritius. Riambel Beach is also known as Pointe aux Roches Beach or Pomponette Beach. The vast beach is seemingly not a tourist beach per se, but for the explorer who stumble upon it and the locals who guard it as a secret.
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| Riambel beach parking lot |
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| View of Riambel beach from parking lot |
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| View of Riambel beach from parking lot |
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| Ansu at Riambel beach |
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| Riambel beach |
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| Riambel beach |
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| Riambel beach |
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| Riambel beach |
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| Riambel beach |
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| Riambel beach |
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| Walking on Riambel beach |
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| Riambel beach panorama |
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| Riambel beach |
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| Clear water - Riambel beach |
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| Selfie - Riambel beach |
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| Riambel beach |
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| Palm grove near Riambel beach |
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| Our GPS |
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| Closed off coastal road near Riambel beach |
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| Scenery near Riambel beach |
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| Closed off coastal road near Riambel beach |
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| Rivière des Galets road sign |
Rivière des Galets Beach is located between Souillac and Bel Ombre. The beach is surrounded by thousands of small pebbles. This unique beach is easily accessible along the coastal road in the south of Mauritius close to Ilot Sancho. Rivière des Galets Beach is considered a tourist attraction, and a must if you visit the south of Mauritius.
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| Rivière des Galets beach scenery |
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| Fishing boat anchored - Rivière des Galets |
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| Fishing boat anchored - Rivière des Galets |
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| Fishing boat anchored - Rivière des Galets |
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| Fishing boat anchored - Rivière des Galets |
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| Fishing boat anchored - Rivière des Galets |
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| Fishing boat anchored - Rivière des Galets |
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| Farming community - Across the beach road |
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| Farming community - Across the beach road |
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| Farming community - Across the beach road |
Rivière des Galets to Domaine De Bel Ombre - Road scenery
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| Road between Rivière des Galets and Belle Ombre |
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| Road between Rivière des Galets and Belle Ombre |
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| Road between Rivière des Galets and Belle Ombre |
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| Road between Rivière des Galets and Belle Ombre |
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| Road between Rivière des Galets and Belle Ombre |
Coconut stop
Near entrance of the Outrigger Mauritius Resort & spa, Tamassa, Bel Ombre
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Coconut stop – Tamassa, Bel Ombre
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Coconut vendor – Tamassa, Bel Ombre
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| Coconut stop – Tamassa, Bel Ombre |
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| Coconut vendor – Tamassa, Bel Ombre |
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| Ansu enjoying her real coconut juice |
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| Enjoying our coconut juice |
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| Coconut stop – Tamassa, Bel Ombre |
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| Road between Rivière des Galets and Belle Ombre |
Domaine De Bel Ombre
Domaine De Bel Ombre is a 2500 hectares estate in the south-west of Mauritius, near the town of Bel Ombre, that stretches from the mountains to a turquoise lagoon. The former sugar estate was created in 1765. On the estate is the Le Château de Bel Ombre, a colonial house, which dates back to the early 1800's. It was restored and now serves as a restaurant, faithfully restored as a restaurant and venue for functions.
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| Le Château de Bel Ombre |
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| Giant tree next to the Le Château de Bel Ombre |
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| Plaque on Le Château de Bel Ombre front porch |
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| Panorama of front area - Le Château de Bel Ombre |
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| Back of the Le Château de Bel Ombre |
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| Back of the Le Château de Bel Ombre |
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| Giant tree next to the Le Château de Bel Ombre |
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| Back porch areas of the Le Château de Bel Ombre |
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| Back top porch of the Le Château de Bel Ombre with view of back garden |
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| Back top porch of the Le Château de Bel Ombre with view of back garden |
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| View of the Le Château de Bel Ombre back garden from the back top porch |
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| Garden path & gardens and golf course - Domaine De Bel Ombre |
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| Garden path & gardens and golf course - Domaine De Bel Ombre |
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| Back top porch of the Le Château de Bel Ombre with view of back garden |
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| Garden path & gardens and golf course - Domaine De Bel Ombre |
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| Garden path & gardens and golf course - Domaine De Bel Ombre |
Lunch in Bel Ombre
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| Bistro Anvers - Bel Ombre |
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Sitting outside to enjoy the street view
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| We sat on the tiny sidewalk area outside....cars drove by in the main street |
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| Maps, menus and sunglasses |
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| Menu items |
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| Sparkling water - direct translation |
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| Our lunch |
Belle Ombre through Chamouny to Black River Gorges National Park - Road scenery
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| Road between Belle Ombre and Chamouny |
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| Mauritian bus - Road between Belle Ombre and Chamouny |
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| Road between Belle Ombre and Chamouny |
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| Road between Belle Ombre and Chamouny |
Chamouny is a town in the Savanne district on the South of Mauritius. It has a population of around 5000.
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| Chamouny |
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| View of sugarcane and ocean below - Chamouny |
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| Chamouny |
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| View of sugarcane and ocean below - Chamouny |
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| View of sugarcane and ocean below - Chamouny |
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| Chamouny |
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| Chamouny |
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| Chamouny |
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| Nature scenery between Chamouny and Black River Gorges National Park |
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| Nature scenery between Chamouny and Black River Gorges National Park |
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| Nature scenery between Chamouny and Black River Gorges National Park |
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| Nature scenery between Chamouny and Black River Gorges National Park |
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| Nature scenery between Chamouny and Black River Gorges National Park |
Black River Gorges National Park
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| View of Black River Gorges National Park from tourist vantage point |
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| View of Black River Gorges National Park from tourist vantage point |
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| View of Black River Gorges National Park from tourist vantage point |
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| View of Black River Gorges National Park from tourist vantage point |
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| View of Black River Gorges National Park from tourist vantage point |
Coastal vantage point
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| Descending from the mountain to the West coast |
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| Descending from the mountain to the West coast |
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| View of West coast - tourist vantage point |
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| Tourist vantage point |
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| Tourist vantage point |
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| View of West coast - tourist vantage point |
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| View of West coast - tourist vantage point |
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| View of West coast - tourist vantage point |
West Coast drive
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Rivière Noire District – Western Mauritius
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| Rivière Noire District – Western Mauritius |
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| Engen Garage, Rivière Noire District – Western Mauritius |
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| Rivière Noire District – Western Mauritius |
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| Rivière Noire District – Western Mauritius |
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| Rivière Noire District – Western Mauritius |
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| Nature scenery - Western Mauritius |
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| Nature scenery - Western Mauritius |
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| Nature scenery - Western Mauritius |
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| Bus stop - Western Mauritius |
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| Small church - Western Mauritius |
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| Salt production - Western Mauritius |
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| Salt production - Western Mauritius |
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| Town - Western Mauritius |
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| Crossing a river bridge - Western Mauritius |
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| Nature scenery - Western Mauritius |
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| Nature scenery - Western Mauritius |
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| Nature scenery - Western Mauritius |
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| Nature scenery - Western Mauritius |
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| Casela park - western Mauritius |
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| Sunset over the West coast |
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| Waiting to go home |
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| Spur sign - Western Mauritius |
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| Beautiful sunset - Western Mauritius |
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| Beautiful sunset - Western Mauritius |
All good things come to an end. After a whole day covering a large section of Mauritius, it was time to return to Preskil Beach resort where we had a dinner date on the beach. This was our last day in Mauritius. The next day we were taken to the airport to return to South Africa.
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Waiting at the airport on a rainy day to go back home.
This was not our plane.....
I wonder if it was the same emirates Airbus A-380 I photographed a day earlier |
I hope to return to Mauritius soon!
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