After the first day on the island which is located off the east coast of Africa, close to Madagascar, it is very easy to take up the pace (or rather lack thereof!) and do nothing at all if you want to but there is quite a lot of attractions to keep one busy and involved (reading a good book on the beach is keeping busy too right?)

We had a beach party the first night and met great people from over the world.The next day we got a taxi to drive us around the island which is about 21 miles wide and 30 miles long so it did not take long but the driver was a very decent man and stopped every so often to show us various things to make the trip more interesting. We learned a lot from him. Bookings like this can all be done through the hotels as well as several boat and fishing trips.

A memory that is still as clear today as when it happened, is the day we went deep sea fishing. My husband was one of three guys and three English girls that did the actual fishing. A few of us just lazed around on the top deck which was an experience in itself especially when they were trawling (going slow to lure the fish) and as I am sure you are aware, Mauritius is a excellent spot for Marlin fishing. Anyhow, after a long quiet with nothing happening and everybody falling asleep, the outriggers sounded and when I looked up I saw something that I will never forget and that not a lot of people have the privilege of seeing in person: a 310 lb. Marlin tail walking!

Needless to say, I was dumb- struck and we were all mesmerized by the fight this big one put up. The guy who's turn it was to fish, wanted to give up at one point even though he was a young, strong guy, but my husband boosted him and 58 minutes later the marlin was on board. I had very mixed feelings. I was glad for the guy who got his prize (and what a trophy it was!) but being a scuba diver, it broke my heart to see that splendid fish killed for the delight of man. One consolation was that the hotel we stayed at used all the fish and elected superior slices to dish up to all of us who had a celebration lunch the next day. It is worth bringing up that the guy who caught the marlin, could not even cut his fish he was in so much discomfort after the long struggle!

I am sorry to say though that when we went back to Mauritius a few years later, the scenery has altered a lot because of tourism, which is their main income. There were many more beautiful hotels, but also a lot more street sellers and less coral that was still in tact, which was very troubling. I suppose as in many other uncorrupted places, tourists have taken their toll by not valuing the earth and the beauty she has to offer and also the culture of the country they are traveling to. Thus, I will ask: please wherever you go, leave only your footprints and take only pictures that our children's children will have the privilege of and seeing what we saw the way it was before.