Mauritius

Hello everyone!

The kids are now back in school, and Zach is catching a late-morning
nap, so I finally have some quiet time to write to you. I'm still in
shock that it's mid-November!

We have made it back 'home' safe and sound after a wonderful,
beautiful, fun, LONG trip to Mauritius! It was our family's first
time in the southern hemisphere, but can you believe it -- I forgot to
watch the water go down the drain to see if it does go the opposite
way! ha! We had a fabulous time, except the sitting in the airport
layover part! The Indian Ocean is beautiful, and we spent much time
on the beaches and in the water. If you haven't already, take a look
at the 500 pictures on www.ellaanne.com that were the best of the 2000
we took overall. We even spaced them out for you over 4 albums, so as
not to overwhelm you :).




Some highlights of the trip were swimming in the ocean with dolphins,
snorkeling 3 different times and places (with ELLA!), riding on and
interacting with REAL, LIVE giant tortoises in an amazing park,
collecting coral and shells on the beach, discovering ocean life by
the shore at low tide (including an amazing lionfish, starfish, and
part of an octopus--the rest was hiding!), seeing the sleeping
volcanic crater, eating wonderful fresh seafood AND tasty
french-influenced food, visiting the Ile aux Cerfs island for the day,
and so much more! The pictures are all labeled, so check them out to
get a better idea of what Mauritius is like.



We were the ONLY Americans there (that most people had even heard of
coming!). Many Europeans, mostly French, were vacationing there, as
well as Indians. The locals spoke French, the food had that great
French influence as well, and occasionally you could get a glimpse of
French-style beaches...! We enjoyed our breakfasts each day by the
beach with great croissants, hot chocolate, omelettes, fresh fruit,
great coffee (for Brian, anyway). Every evening we had fun dressing
up a bit for dinner, which started only after 7. Sacia only made it
through dinner awake a few times, usually falling asleep in Brian's
lap 3/4 of the way through. The food was included in our package,
and was delicious!




Lunches we ate between touring, at several unique restaurants. One
was in the touristy spot, the Caudan Waterfront, similar to the New
Orleans waterfront shops. Another restaurant was tucked in the
tropical hillsides nearby a waterfall and the 'Coloured Earths', a
famous place where the volcanic flow has now decomposed into several
different colors. Zach enjoyed calamari (squid) at a small place on
the south side of the island, where the ant in my drink and the one
hair in my food didn't phase me too badly. ugh. The last lunch was
right above the beach in Grand Baie, and we enjoyed the restaurant all
to ourselves, though the main menu wasn't yet available. My mushroom
melt steak was fabulous!

I hope to tell you more another time, and about Halloween here in India as well.

Love,

the Banglore Blondes - turned - "Golden-haired family" in Mauritus (as
our boat tour guide called us)