It is a special day without being quite the sun already burning skin chocolate, boats at sea for a morning of fishing, the lagoon of Trou aux Biches hardly shakes under the caress of Alize, incense escapes some Tamil temples. Today Mauritius celebrates Christmas without frenzy, but with the same fervor as the rest of the world. Let me tell you ...
I always liked the gaps: from the weekend on Monday morning or return Friday evening to sleep in a week or work on Sundays, eating foie gras in August and to the diet the evening of New Year, watch film in the afternoon and write at night. Do not be like everyone else, do not fit the mold group. If I loved Christmas when my son was a child and he wanted to preserve the magic, since he left the nest it is only a quasi-market requirement to be happy and still partying at any price. And that, I appreciate much less ...
Except when I'm abroad! What greater pleasure than watching indeed other nationalities prepare this religious holiday and live differently, to thousands of kilometers from the crowd of indecent a Dec. 23 Fnac Paris (experienced yesterday!)? ...
This morning I am so like yesterday, I get on the boat for diving, but I decided that this is my Christmas diving just for fun to distinguish it from others. At nine o'clock he is already 27 degrees in the air and water will flirt with 28 or 29 ° in the day, a rejuvenated ...
An hour later, I emerge with stars in their eyes and a major pain: a titan triggerfish mistook my finger with a piece of octopus! If the enchanting spectacle of two shrimp Stenopus scuffle with their slender claws caught my attention while other divers were ecstatic before a pair of leopard morays of over two meters long, the ballista to tier has swallowed my finger just to make short in a ravenous appetite matched only by my surprise - and pain - that I felt. The Nikonos V hands, I will work to replicate the huge Ikelite when to bulging scales that swirled around the divers jumped on me, leaving the mark of his four teeth around my first joint. It will take three days for the pain and discomfort ceased, and one week for the bruise does not go away completely. I was lucky: the titan triggerfish (below) to grind the coral all day long, it could have been fatal to my speed typing on a keyboard! ...
Still on the way home I like the sun which warms my skin and almost pure light that enlightens every shade of blue sparkling under the sun ... Sail on a lagoon of Mauritius at Christmas is priceless.
Time for a quick shower to remove any salt from the Indian Ocean and then I go to the supermarket in Grand Bay which feeds the entire region. There are more people than usual just before noon but the atmosphere is different from that of a European city: here no frowning, no frenzy, no selfishness. Mauritians do their shopping while remaining courteous, smiles adorning the faces and especially the supermarket is one of the places where we meet, where people greet each other. And this Christmas Day we take time to shake hands, kissing, chatting in a few sentences and exchange vows in the background music singing Jingle Bells while palm trees are lit up parking fairy lights: the difference is significant, in Mauritius there is no question of oversell gifts but rather to celebrate with family and friends. Christmas is an opportunity to have fun, eat, laugh twice in one week. Because next week there is the other party, the New Year that will be celebrated in almost every house.
When I asked the young man that I use daily in the Indian grocery store in my street if he will celebrate Christmas, he smiles shyly at the supposed European Christian and the client he dare not say. But the healthy curiosity that I confront often (can you tell me how to cook this vegetable that I do not know?), He replies frankly: we have different holidays as you, but tonight we will still with the family and we'll blow up firecrackers.
Ah, the fireworks! ... They are part of the habits and customs of Asia, from India to Japan. And Mauritius is alternately - and according to the wishes of the day - part of Africa or Asia (depending on its interests and its economic exchanges and especially its inhabitants). The mix of culture and religion on the island offers a freedom of worship and celebration that would make jealous of other states less tolerant. So Christmas is celebrated in Mauritius more or less discreetly. Simple meals with friends or dine in the fervor, Christmas does not go unnoticed by the coconut trees.
Christmas for me here in Mauritius is a period of relaxation while I guess my family and friends to run between plates of seafood and frozen log, I did nothing to prepare. My son came to spend his school holidays with me, ignoring the chance he has of Christmas Eve in the tropics. And tonight we dine in a restaurant with my best friend and his family from Paris for the occasion. So I have to let myself be carried away by the good spirit child who reigns in this day and enjoy the company of my relatives in the sunshine of my favorite island.
In a couple friends in the afternoon I will learn to prepare the pumpkin puree, deliciously fragrant spices mysterious. Tomorrow another friend we will enjoy her long-simmered stew of deer. Hunting in Mauritius is still part of some recreation enthusiasts and deer meat is reserved for special occasions.
Watch the sunset on the beach of Trou aux Biches is exceptional in that you know you can come back the next day and the next day. And you think your friends there at 11,000 km away from the cold in their car in traffic grumble end of the day.
But tonight while Mauritians will raise their glasses to the health of their friends, though some hoops to preserve for the Mass the next day and the Indians will participate in one way or the festivities of the celebration is here especially for the occasion partying, we will cross that smiles and good humor. Finally on Mauritius the spirit of Christmas continues, perhaps better than anywhere else: you want to make others happy.
Few of us have the opportunity one day to enjoy Christmas in the serene and friendly. It is a privilege which Mauritians are not even aware. It must have tested a Christmas in a big city to understand the difference, as most of you ...
So to all my readers today, who are preparing to celebrate Christmas in France or elsewhere, to all my readers expatriate or not, I wish a great Christmas wherever you are!
Many of you do not normally say, but hopefully some will have time to tell them a few lines here in Christmas 2008, to confirm or correct my statements, to provide additional light to the world after Christmas .
Preserve the magic of Christmas, whatever the cost, wherever we are. And be happy!
I do not know yet Christmas in the tropics, I'd love to make me a night dive on Christmas Eve.
Happy holidays!
Whatever date one night dive is always fantastic, first through the atmosphere and the adrenaline that comes with a dive in the dark, then through the wildlife has a very different life than the day ...
Merry Christmas also Denis and Sylvie.
Hi Marie Angelo
First the header of the site is once again making it all his sweetness. Thank you
Then to get an extended Christmas story lived abroad, I talk about my Christmas in NZ a few years ago. At the other end of the earth.
I liked this removal of mold in our society gorging our neurons results of studies in marketing.
But the best was in the eyes of my children.
They had just left the nest family.
My children stayed in this wonderful country to live every minute of adventures set them.
My wish was fulfilled. Let every minute is made of their happiness. They are happy and it overwhelms me.
For me Christmas has become identical to the other day from this experience. And my days became Christmas because I know my children happy.
I wish you and you be happy every day.
...
What luck, it reminds me of good memories, I was in big bay club med in 98, not good but good memories, dislocated shoulder and possible to water ski but good! c cool to make us travel through your book. Here it is raining and windy sniff, but hey soon I will go skiing and it's super c 1 hour from home to have the snow and stations pending from the tropics.
Gros bisous d'Antibes
You remind me of Christmas and New Year (Christmas, New Year's Day) in Martinique. Small groups, ti punch the boat after one dive, a monitor storyteller so beautiful that it made us forget the diving, zouk galore forget ... What the commodification of certain holidays .. except to see a light pair of eyes. I wish you lots of good things to come and for this season.
Yves> You're the first to have emphasized the change in my blog header. Either he did not like my other readers, or he does see more! ...
I also prefer this banner, more discreet and more nuanced. It suits me more, I think and I feel more comfortable like that.
I would love to spend Christmas in New Zealand like you, or very close to Australia with my son of course. This will be one day, without a doubt.
You've also noted, when a parent is like Christmas without children a day without ... (your choice: love, chocolate, sun, sea, book, ...).
And congratulations on the successful recent event ...
Vanessa> Christmas in the mountains, it's nice too, but if well together (e) does not suffer from the silent solitude of snow-induced ... I wish you an enjoyable ski vacation!
Martial> Christmas in Martinique ... it must be colorful! Different from the serenity inherent in Mauritius, but probably more relevant to those who want to make a real party full of music, laughter and dance. Anyway Martinique is beautiful in all seasons. Much happiness and harmony for you also during the Martial coming days ...
Marie Angel
Thank you for your congratulations.
This new Angel has come.
I hope you live very quickly new Christmas (s) each day.
You make us so happy in your posts, you deserve your share of happiness.
Thank you Yves, the angels hear you ...
Hi Marie-Ange
It's been long since I had not had time to take a turn to your blog. He has not changed: I still dream at all your photos, your stories.
Traditional Christmas for me: a tree, gifts and thousands of children spoiled rotten. IT must say that I have 8 nieces and nephews, and I find it indecent profusely when I think of those who do not have much.
I wish you my best wishes for the new year and hope to see you at the show who knows.
Hello Virginia, glad to see you back.
The indecency of the profusion of gifts ... I experienced this too, with an only son who was too spoiled. But how not to spoil his own children when we love and we can? It must be strong not to crack, reasonable for him to learn the moral values that must persist across our consumer society.
I met some of those who have nothing, and it is sometimes those who have most of what we lose sight ...
Excellent year to you also Virginia.
[...] Or mustache triggerfish olive, also known as titan triggerfish. Those who have already tasted his teeth, as Marie-Ange, it [...]
Hi Marie-Ange
I just read your story. Waoh !!!!!!!! We plan, my husband, my daughter and me
leaving three weeks in December. My daughter and my husband have the level II and are a joy to go diving. We are accustomed to Ruinion and want change.
Can you tell me how you did it for housing. Have you got any tips for me, without, however, explode the buget. What company did you take the flight? Or have you taken a combined flight + accommodation?
Thank you for your answers.
In advance, thank you
Beautiful photos
Hello
For the airline I try to always travel on Air Mauritius (the national airline) I prefer to Air France: the staff is friendly and smiling, on the sides of the plane one trip by two rows up (more handy when side door is locked and you need to get up and more enjoyable when you are traveling as a couple), each has his TV screen, and I like the meal tray that you already put the buds in the mood Mauritius.
Attention, Air Mauritius is working with Air France, so you can buy a flight but Air Mauritius will be chartered by Air France (Air France aircraft and personnel). Insist then to travel on an aircraft Air Mauritius ...
For accommodation, and as you talk about the season the most expensive in terms of budget, you can choose to go through a travel agent who will sell you an all-inclusive (flights, accommodation, catering, half board) by choosing hosting 2 or 3 stars for example. If your budget is limited I suggest you visit the web pages to find rentals, cheaper, which abound on Mauritius. These are often called "bungalow" locally, but it is often very small and simply equipped but houses along the beach or nearby. It may be cheaper, provided you agree to handle everything else: errands for refueling, meal preparation, household maintenance. Although most of the time, you can request to have the services of a housekeeper onsite which will more or less for you that you do not want to manage (except racing).
See for yourself ...
Anyway it is better you take now to December 2009, because you will really peak season and everyone wants to spend Christmas in Mauritius (this is one of the most beautiful months in terms of flowering vegetation, air and water temperature, etc ...). And your daughter and your husband will love diving, tell them to take with a combination of 3 mm, it is perhaps even too if they prefer the shorty: Water is often in the 27 or 28 ° this period ...
Hello
Your stories are wonderful lives and photos ... ... ... ... ... .... wow!
2 small corrections, one on the religious practices of indoux: they also attend Christian churches in addition to their temples and celebrate Christmas as such. It is a curious mixture of fervor and fireworks, even worse when it mèlent Chinese.
And visits between neighbors and families? None of this exists in France, we find ourselves at once in one sibling, great!
The new year is not neglected either, and then two heats while scrambling, the sun of course but also all the rum and it lasts ... ... ... ... ... 2 or 3 days.
"Bungalow" is the name of tourism, they are called "camp", they have 2 or 20 pieces.
Mauritius is like any other country, you take a bungalow, you'll have to do the housework and cooking, and I am tired of hearing that Mauritians are nice they are and wherever commerce is king, the Mauritian talking in euro, it means everything is money, money, they are nice because they know that tourists are money, they are not nicer than Morocco and Tunisia and elsewhere
I still have things to say, I do not understand why some French tourists do not go in hotelsà Mauritius is better, and there all the same price and why these tourists when they go elsewhere as Morocco, Antilles , pos. dom, are hotels, there is something nice all year, Mauritius, the hard rain of times a week, from May to October is like spring time in europe, the temperature varies and it's cold
Expat> sorry for not replying sooner to your commentary, but it required no real answer except ... thank you. Thank you for these details that enrich the story I published.
Mary> I have the impression that Mauritius does not leave you such a good memory ... I spent one year in Mauritius, and I also went to spend a few days or weeks many times. I will allow myself to dwell on the fact that Mauritians are spontaneously friendly, and smiling. If you are yourself. And you're right, as everywhere else where tourism is a major resource of the country the tourist is regarded as a currency, and some have more commercial behavior elsewhere. I just returned from Marrakech where I felt the same thing as you: I was tired of hearing me ask dirhams for each photo that I wanted to do ...
Regarding the debate hotel / bungalow, I would say that wherever you go, you have practically the choice of accommodation. The question is where is your preference, or self care (cooking, cleaning, shopping, ...). This is not specific to Mauritius.
By cons, sometimes it can rain a whole week in Mauritius (as elsewhere), it will be a week over a period of several months. And not from May to October. If the temperature does change, it does not fall below 19 ° at the height of the austral winter (from mid-June to late September) and in the evening. During the day it is around 23 ° on average. This has nothing to do with the Spring European (it's big in Europe) ...
Frankly, apart from when passing a big storm in late January 2002 when it rained for two days almost without interruption, I have NEVER had a week of rain on Mauritius. But it also depends on where you live. We know he is more beautiful on the coast than inland. It is better to live on the West and North-West if you want to be protected from the wind (more marked in the east). But I would avoid the center of the island, very beautiful, but more rain.
Thank you for Mary expressed, any intervention is useful and welcome here.