Mauritius ... and Rodrigues

Mauritius and Rodrigues

By Luca, Sabrina and Federico

 

It 'finally arrived on the day that we will leave for Mauritius: the bags are almost ready and Federico for home runs all'impazzata bursting joy and, apparently, by all health pores. It seems so back off the alarm a couple of days ago, when a sudden and inappropriate otitis struck him: he was immediately given an antibiotic and providential, febrile averted the attack, the count-down was continued ... and still, ideally, continues with Caselline of days and hours have long disappeared. There are a handful of minutes at the start and we no longer know how to say small to stay quiet because they will arrive soon to take the grandparents, with the campers, to accompany us to the airport, in fact, shortly afterwards, the bell rings is they.
We load all the luggage and 15:42 to leave the square in front of the house with destination Bologna. Along the way we speak rather of travel: from our beginning that we and those of grandparents, in Tunisia, has just ended. Time flies and just after 16:30 we are at Marconi, salute our companions cross the port of departure with a trolley full of luggage and baggage above ... Federico, ideal master the strange convoy.
We then head to the check-in bags and embark again to that of Mauritius in about twenty hours, then go beyond the customs and reach the door number three, from which, not far from there on board flight 2129 that Af, according to what is written on the monitor, will start in perfect time. The wait is short and, shortly after 18:00, crossing the gate, descend a staircase and climb on a bus that will accompany us to our plane. Just a few minutes and we are in front of the Boeing 737 of 'Air France, but the doors remain closed the shuttle before our eyes: the entire staff seems committed to the plane to pick up a disabled person in the airplane and no one can enter on board before it is not located properly.
Is lost, thus, a good dose of time and when finally detached from the earth in the direction of Paris we do with almost three quarters of an hour late. Yes, we're just flying to the French capital and it seems a contradiction to go north to return to the south, but it is from there that stands out the flight to Mauritius.
Below we are, rather, the clouds, there is some snow and the top of the latest looks the chessboard of fields typical of the trans.
After about an hour beginning the descent at 20:28 and touch the ground at Charles De Gaulle in Paris, a great airport, with five terminals. We are in the "F" and we must move in the "A", and more specifically to the port 49A. To do this we need to get out and go up several escalators, crossing gates, and several use a shuttle. We take this opportunity to also experience, because the return will have to do the same route in the shortest possible time so as not to lose the connection.
Af flight 3864 will depart on time, presumably, to 23:15, and there are still more than two hours to the start. Fortunately there are a playground for children, complete with television tuned to "Cartoon Network", and the time spent in more enjoyable. Less pleasant was aware that he passed the camera in the x-ray, with the fear of having ruined a film ... speriamo bene!
22:30 and I'm going to patrol to the door from where we board. Our plane arrived, and it is a huge Boeing 747 of Air France: it is really feeling and never happened to us was a great take. Soon we shall go on board and we queue system to the winds, the same row that we had been allocated in the previous flight, except that in that case was the last and in this ... one of the first! (sixty in total). So also comes the hour of departure, but, unfortunately, we are still firm and the time is slightly longer, then, near midnight, the big air starts, slowly, towards the runway for takeoff.

Vague for a long time between the intricate maze of tracks of Charles De Gaulle, all bounded by long rows of colored lights, then, finally, we rush in the long run that brings us, a quarter of an hour after midnight, to take the flight.
Spend a few minutes and Paris is at our feet: we clearly distinguish the Arc de Triomphe and the unmistakable silhouette of the illuminated Eiffel Tower. Frederick the call window and he can see ... just in time, in fact shortly after dorme blessed.
In the night, while flying over Marseille, there is an unlikely dinner served, or perhaps an early breakfast in Mauritius since, at this very moment, are the three in the morning. An hour after we glide beneath the coast of Sicily, illuminated by flashes of a spring storm. E 'late and try to close your eyes with the hope of being able to sleep, thus shortening, ideally, the long journey that still awaits us.
Fortunately we can take sleep, while our plane flies over the great continent of Africa. Only once, in the middle of the night, I wake up and look out the window: below us we see the loops of a great river ... who knows what?
At last you the day and, even at the first light of dawn appears to our eyes the immense expanse of water of the Indian Ocean, then, at about 11:10 (local time Mautitius) returns the ground: probabilmente Madagascar . Just over an hour later we are in the full process of landing. Beyond the glass of the island of Mauritius shows at once, at a glance, one of its special characteristics: the luxuriant vegetation so lush look to do that little strip of land, seen from the sky, like a big green stain thrown in ' immense blue of the ocean.
Right time to enjoy the show and at 12:44 p.m., landed at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam of Mauritius. The island, which measures 62 kilometers long and 46 wide, is almost 20 degrees south latitude, just above the Tropic of Capricorn and about 880 kilometers east of Madagascar. Along with another handful of islands scattered across the Indian Ocean, forms, since 1968, an independent state within the Commonwealth, that same state to which it gives its name precisely Mauritius.
The weather conditions do not seem good and great Nuvoloni almost completely invade the sky, but it is not cold and we realize just opens the door and leave the plane, backpackers, following the tide of people who go to strip carriers to collect your luggage. With great joy we will withdraw our and we head towards customs. Rather quickly with all the formalities, leave to find the task of Exotismes (tour operators), but find only his representative in this part of the world: Mauritour ... not matter, as long as we do get there soon in a hotel.
Very nicely inghirlandati come and encouraged to climb on a small bus. Telephone at home to say we arrived and, soon after we move in the company of other tourists, along the winding road that runs through the eastern part of the island. The sea in this part you can not just define beauty, but the scenery around is truly fascinating and more than once we have to travel between two banks of cane.
After over an hour and with Federico spazientito come now, finally, at the Emeraude, that we will host for the next nine nights. The first impact, however, is not the best. The property is located up the coast road and not in the sea as we all expected. Then, however, think the travel plan, which expects to spend only hotel in the time between dinner and breakfast, we end up not giving much weight to the thing.
We are welcomed with the traditional welcome drink and then we are handed the keys to room 227. Go up immediately to take possession, wear costumes, go, leave the hotel, cross the road and reach the beach of Belle Mare in front of us.
E 'Sunday and all around is full of Mauritian. Arrange the towel and stretch us to enjoy the rays of a sun is warm, and Federico, impatient, immediately empties the backpack containing his game that he saw the beach for several months, in practice since that trip to Malta.
The sea in front of us is not exceptional, but do not despair: I certainly see more of the beautiful in the coming days and that, for today, may suffice. We remain on the beach for less than an hour later we return to the hotel so as to give Frederick the possibility of taking bath in the pool calling insistently for some time now.
There systems on beds along the edge and remain there until dusk: you are fine and seize the opportunity to exchange some small talk with an Italian couple (it seems the only Italians present all'Emeraude).
Shortly after 18:00 is already dark, makes a small shower and is also time to get into the room to prepare for dinner our first dinner Mauritian ... good, all things considered. Later, however, the fatigue for the long journey takes the upper hand, and soon we drag in the room ... this time for a deserved rest.

Spend the first night in combat with the first heat and then with the cold generated by the air conditioner to win it. Time, however, once off the car, the heat takes over, and so is in effect for as long, until morning, then, finally, the alarm sounds, we dress and go to breakfast.
At 9:00 we go to the reception for a small Briefing, we take some information and now we require a rental car. Soon we will present an official of Europêche and, after a brief negotiation, we agree to hire a jeep for the next eight days. This type of machine, however, is not immediately available and, today, we will have to "settle" for a white Renault Clio (5487 targato CD 00), with the promise of being able to have the auto request already from tomorrow morning. The clock is ticking relentlessly and, finally, beyond the 10:00, we're ready to leave for visit to Mauritius.
Guide to English and you follow the road on the left side of the road heading north. Shortly after we stop at an office of exchange to local supply of rupees, then start and turn, by mistake, the road leading to the St. Geran, one of the most luxurious hotels on the island, but now, we reported on the right path by a private guard, so we reach the town of Poste de Flacq to see the temple of the Hindu Mandir Shir Sagar, which is worth a visit just for its location on a tiny spit of land surrounded by mangroves. The building is not old, but is supported on strong pillars of reinforced concrete, however, immersed in the peace of the lagoon, filled with an intense smell of incense and finished with oriental decorations, exudes a charm.
Return the road leaving the coast and then towards the center of the island. Proceed slowly hampered by a number of ongoing work by public transport and not just modern, so we arrive at Pamplemousses almost noon. The town owes its fame to the botanical gardens that we are about to visit.
Cross the magnificent entrance gate and let a guide accompany us along a path with a minimum of policy, we agree the price (225 rupees) and, in the company of a French family, we start to wander among the most diverse botanical species: a giant baobab, royal palms, the tall bamboo canes, the buffo of the sausage tree, the tree of the cinnamon and camphor, lotus flowers and, above all, a great and scenic basin, the huge Victoria Regia water lilies originating of the Amazon, whose leaves can reach two meters in diameter. In an enclosure within the garden, you can see some giant tortoises: attractive, which can stimulate the curiosity of the very small.
The visit was really interesting, but I am already 13:00 when we leave the park and we are approaching the coast in the northernmost part of the island. Reach the sea turn left and begin to follow the coastal road in an anticlockwise direction, we stop to make a providential spending, and then continue on past Grand Baie, the most developed tourist resort of Mauritius, and we end up stopping on the beach of Trou aux Biches, few kilometers to the south. In the meantime, however, the sun is gone behind the clouds and only occasionally grace us with his presence.
Lunch somewhat 'late consuming, among other things, an excellent pineapple purchased just outside the gardens of Pamplemousses for a few rupees, and while we are doing, it stops a Mauritian guy who speaks good Italian, we offer un'escursione Boat all'Ilot Gabriel, a small island located off the reef, beyond the northern tip of Mauritius ... exactly what we were looking for! We agree with Roberto (so called the Mauritian boy who, among other things, wearing a jersey of the Italian national team) that will call on the phone in the coming days to agree on the exact date of movement. There salutes and goes looking for other customers.
After he stops a vendor Series: would our Invicta backpack and we propose a barter, but the answer you still need one backpack, and then you can not accept any proposal.
The sun continues to be desired but do not despair and we remain confident on the beach, while the child is raging in all the traditional games with the sand. But time passes and the clouds do not want it thinning, then resigned, Federico accompany the water, which is now unstoppable, it is anxious to prove his new mask with snorkel ... but the water is rather cloudy and the fish there are.
At 17:00 "raise the curtains," climb in the car and reach the village of Triolet, with a handful of miles, to visit the Shivalah, the largest of the Hindu religion. There are others besides us and guide us to improvised way between the temples out an impressive list of deities. Meanwhile, the air is constantly permeated the perfume of incense and simultaneously begins to fall in the evening.
We leave a small tip and, with care, we take the way back by taking shipped between the two shores of cane, interrupted only in the vicinity of residential areas. We stop at the tank top in anticipation, the next morning, change drive and arrive all'Emeraude with almost total darkness ... the day is over, after all, a beautiful day just to shame the sun, a little 'run.
We seek refuge in the room for a shower and get ready to dine. Later exchange chat with the two Italians (he is of her and Empoli Vicenza ... strange that ... for now we only know this, but before you go, maybe even learn their names), then Frederick, now tired and bored by the evening, asks to go to bed and after a long push and pull, so be content.

Seems at last a beautiful sun shine when, at 8:00, we get up from bed and get ready to have breakfast, then, around 9:00, we present at the reception where we expect an official of Europcar for the replacement of the car. We deliver the keys of the Renault Clio and, in return, we obtain those of off-road, a white Suzuki Santana (2757 targato JL 97).
Completion of the normal routine checks and received the necessary instructions, parts, between the enthusiasm of Frederick for the new car, toward the center of the island. Wrong way several times and, after various vicissitudes, finally we reach the village of Quartier Militaire, perfect pass toward the western part of the island. From here we descend then Curepipe, the second city of Mauritius.
We put ourselves in search of the Trou aux Cerfs, the crater of an extinct volcano which, although devoid of pinnacle, it should not be difficult to detect, imagining the most classic of roughness in the shape of the cone. Instead, deceived by the expanse of houses and the almost complete absence of any indication, peniamo than expected, but in the end on the right track and we arrive at the edge of the crater, deep eighty meters wide and about seventy. E 'off by millions of years, so it grows to a luxuriant vegetation and the bottom is a kind of swamp invaded by green. The view towards the sea is nice and clear day can range up to a distant island of Reunion. Remain so for some 'time to enjoy, especially, the originality of the place and then take the road towards the west coast.
Near the village of Floreal havoc turn a road that would presumably lead to the Tamarin Falls. In short we will be traveling a dirt road between the sugar and we do not have the slightest idea where the falls can be. To be honest, looking around, there seems to be even a drop of land that they can make, yet are marked on a map, more or less, at this point.
Now resigned to desist, but we meet a boy bike and call information. Immediately available and it shows us to see to park the car, then beckoned us to follow him on foot. After an initial flat section of the plantation you load on the shoulders and Federico take a steep downhill path that goes in the woods ... some ugly thoughts We just touch the mind and confident, so we follow. Shortly after we arrive in a valley of dreams, green, lonely and wild. You only hear the noise of the stream flowing between the rocks before they fall over forty meters down, you feel just the smells of nature (including that of wild pepper) and the chirping of birds ... it is great! Heading in to the same path, always with Frederick on the shoulders of the boy, who, not satisfied, upon reaching the car, with us, inforcando the bike at a Hindu temple nearby where you can admire the falls from afar. In the end we asked two hundred and fifty rupees and give them to him very happy: if you really win them all!
We greet our guide and take a drive along the road towards the sea. In this regard, and to gain time, turn what should be a shortcut, so proceed shipped between the same two banks of reeds, until you find a cartel of private property, but we ignore it, infuses the direction seems to be the right one. At some point, however, we find the way blocked by a gate with a guard. We approach slowly pretending to not understand, ask the attendant and excuse this kind, we opened the gate, so we exit from private property, we reach the main road and "close the circle": the shortcut it worked!
Even a handful of miles and arrive, now close to the sea, Casela Bird Park, a kind of zoo is predominantly a bird, but the park is closed for renovation and we must give up the visit. Poco male, are 13:00 and at this point, we should reach the nearby beach of Flic en Flac, the last stop of the day.
The place is one of the most popular on the west coast, and rightly so: the beach and the sea are beautiful, the reef is close and the captivating landscape, with the rocky silhouette of Le Morne Brabant toward the deep mark in the line of ' horizon, there are only the palm trees to give a touch more exotic context, however, characterized by a grove in a row (one of Australia's original conifer widespread along the coasts Mauritian).
Lunch and we are dedicated to life for all bathing in the afternoon: a magnificent sun shines and we, finally, a nice bathroom. Person you need to go snorkeling and exploring on the barrier: there are beautiful fish, although sparse, so snap some photos and then return to shore to ask Frederick to follow. It is his first trip underwater and is somewhat 'excited, but soon takes confidence, remains attached to me while keeping his head under water and can see some inhabitant of the sea, thus leaving very enthusiastic ... small compliment, you were great!
In men who do not say you made the 17:00 and we have to go by force, now what do we know soon, here in the fall sun. In fact we come, again, to the total darkness, and it's not nice to drive with all those people of color who go around on bicycles with no lantern. On the way back to Frederick falls asleep, so the bear, the weight room hard and then we wake him to take a shower.
After dinner, spend a pleasant evening in the company of a piano bar as well as Sergio and Simonetta (these are the names of two Italians). The child did not sleep after the afternoon nap and, thanks to music, we end up in a room to retreat when the hands of 'clock mark almost midnight.

It predicts a sunny day ... well, very well indeed: we expect, in fact, a whole day to pass on the beach, probably the most beautiful of the island.
We start at the edge of "our" Suzuki, in a southerly direction along the coast road and walk a few kilometers until you reach the village of Trou d'Eau Douce, the embarkation point for the famous Ile aux Cerfs. At the end of the route, many times, we are invited to stop by the most varied and improvised Owners who intend to submit their boat as most suitable to reach the island destination of our trip, but we disclaim any invitation: we know exactly where to go .
We follow the road that leads to Touessrok and reach the public ferry, we leave the car in the shade, in a guarded parking, and for only one hundred rupees per head, after fifteen minutes, landed on the island of Deer. The deer there are, however, on the other hand, when we arrive there is low tide and the lagoon in front of the stretch of beach is a popular sea is sandy.
Coming soon lured by a boy who offers us a boat trip to nearby waterfalls and that is what we were looking for! We agree that the departure for 11:00 and we are moving towards the east in search of a sea which, in the meantime, meet our expectations. The place is extraordinarily beautiful and we did not find difficulty in the water, a delicious turquoise, white beaches around and we are spoiled for choice in deciding which piece of paradise stop. Sergio Simonetta and meet (on a trip organized), and systemic beside them, so we exchange a few 'talking, but with that wonderful panorama negl'occhi, time flies and men who do not say you do 11: 00th
We collect all our stuff, salute, and we move towards the point laid down for the start of movement.
We expect to be part of the usual herd of tourists, rather we are just at the edge of a small speed boat driven by a Rasta folklore, and this only makes us happy.
The boat runs on the lagoon and a huge smile on the face of rampant Federico who seems to enjoy a world. So we reach the waterfalls of the River Grande Riviere Sud-Est, whose waters are thrown, after the last jump directly into the sea, resulting in an overall very impressive. Land on rocks near and come accompanied by two Mauritian, which are charged on the small shoulder in the rising torrent. Within minutes we arrive at the top of the waterfalls and we are invited to enter the water, but I only follow the advice as a guide for me to make a memorable series of dives, then an original Jacuzzi and everything, I must say, I was particularly enjoyed.
Go back to the boat, we leave a tip of one hundred rupees to the Mauritian and back to sea. Behind us the landscape is beautiful with the colors of the sea, earth and sky which contrasts beautifully with each other. We arrive on the reef for snorkeling: wearing a mask and fins to put down into the water convinced not to touch, however impact the bottom with a foot ... just a scratch, I was divinely well, considering the amount of coral that is! There are also many fish and they are beautiful. Shot some photos then I try to help a Federico off the boat, but, unfortunately, is intestardisce saying that water is cold ... and it is absolutely true! Drops in water and then goes back, protest SBRA and then back down, again, goes back: the third attempt, finally, put your head underwater and he, like us, can enjoy the show! Pity only that the time has flown by shortening so, dramatically, the duration of the dive.
Let us return of Deer Island where, in the meantime, the tide rose and the beach has become something completely different. Lunch in the shade of the row and we enjoy the extraordinary beauty, peace and tranquility of the infinite place that, frankly, we expected some beautiful but more chaotic and overrun by hordes of tourists.
Roberto and a telephone set for Friday in the excursion catamaran all'Ilot Gabriel, while the afternoon slips away between incommensurable baths of water and sun. Sin for some whim of Frederick who breaks for a moment, the spell: do not want to wear the shirt for swimming, but is inevitable given the color a little reassuring that is found on the shoulders ... in the end, however, is convincing and later hit him with an ice cream (cost is madness!).
At 17:00 on the last ferry sails and, unwillingly, we must leave the island, so when we arrive there is still all'Emeraude the sun and we stop at the edge of the pool for a chat before getting into the room to "restore" to dinner.
During the night the weather worsened and began to rain, so we seek refuge under the arcades of the bar, with Federico passing all the time to draw in the company of Simonetta.

The day begins very early: it was already for some time felt that Frederick slew beds prey to a restless sleep later, at 2:00 am, she wakes up and starts crying saying that he had a bad ear ... bingo! Perhaps the wind has been taken by boat at high speed. Immediately given antibiotic tachipirina and so, after a while ', you calm in bed with Sabrina, but I try to sleep again, full of thoughts, in his bed.
Sounds the alarm at 8:00 and we are all somewhat 'dazed but evil seems past, there is no fever and decide to continue in the program of visits.
After breakfast we depart towards the capital Port Louis, we are heading south, past Trou d'Eau Douce, and we enter into the center of the near the town of Bel Air, where he begins a typical stretch of road that unravels Blanche at the foot of the Mountains up to the village of Camp de Masque, through lush sugar cane plantations, pineapple and bananas, in a beautiful rural landscape.
In late morning we reach the chaotic Port Louis and now we remember the Isola dei Cervi, whose peace and quiet there now seems light years away. Now accustomed to the quiet beaches and villages scattered across the island also a city of one hundred and seventy thousand inhabitants seems like a metropolis.
A fatigue parked at a secondary and, now, we head towards the typical market, located in the same place for over a century. We will venture inside and Federico, tired after a hard night, you can hardly drag his legs and soon ends up in his arms to mother.
The population of Mauritius is a veritable melting pot of races and the market is the heart of Port Louis: Indians and Chinese, Creole and European offer on their stalls, the more exotic variety of goods. We do buy some but we soon put a stop to visit the small, in spite of himself, is a ball with the foot and, above all, a rather heavy burden to carry. Leave the market, we reject an exchange of dollars in black preferring the safer, though perhaps less attractive, the bank and then try to enter the Jummah Mosque, the most important part of the country, but there is given the honor, so let's go back on our feet and we are approaching the car.
We move on the northern outskirts of the city to visit the Hindu temple tamoul Minatchee: a wonderfully dotted with colorful decorations and typically oriental flavor, probably newly built but still full of charm.
We take away the sandals and a little 'time to wander inside in search of the best angles to take some photos.
Have long Passaleva 13:00 when we return to the center of Port Louis in search of a supermarket and something to put on the teeth, but it seems impossible, we can not find it. We request the information then to a busy Mauritian in suits and ties, try to make them understand that we are looking for a place to buy something to eat: he looks around, points out several times a wrist watch, implying that fast, then tells us to follow him and us in front of a pizzeria. Now it's late and we follow his advice. Eat pizza margherita drink coca cola and then regenerated, we continue to explore the city. Especially Federico literally seems to have recharged the batteries and now energy bursting from every pore.
Adelaide climb on Fort, built by the British in 1834 as a defensive bulwark, and look at the panorama of the capital which unravels to its feet ... nothing exceptional, to be honest. Then we reach the Thane Pagode Thien, a tower building in Chinese style, quite bare and devoid of architectural charm ... nothing too special. Complete so the visit to Port Louis and we move towards its southern outskirts.
We arrive, after a short stretch of road, the Domaine les Pailles, an estate within which is an old rum distillery, which we reach with the help of a feature by a carriage folk coachman. We follow a course that explains the various stages of processing of sugar cane, including a mill operated by a large cattle with huge horns. Two unpleasant attendant, however, refuse to let us see while running, and this is because we chose not to participate in the guided tour, available only in English or French. The fact has contributed, together with the lack of experience, to make this a little disappointing, coachman separately.
Let us return to self and we move to the nearby villa of Eureka, which was built in 1830, was once the residence of the British royal house on the island of Mauritius. Its typical colonial appearance and far from the sumptuous integrates seamlessly with the surrounding landscape. We visit the park and the interior, furnished with furniture and hangings of the period, including a reconstruction of the dodo, the bird symbol of the island, come to more than three centuries ago by Dutch colonists, who appreciated the meat. In the end we leave the villa, on balance, satisfied and ready to go, however, is 16:00 and there is no time to go to the beach, then, calmly, we return to the hotel, while Sabrina, who had predicted a nap Frederick on the way home, falls asleep and the little remains awake and pimpante.
When we arrive all'Emeraude we fix the edge of the pool waiting for the sunset, while a short distance from us comes with a dry thud, a coconut. The collect and, under the curious gaze of Frederick, cleans the skin of filamentous matter, then him and gift him the door in the room as a trophy.
Writing postcards and, later, we go to dinner, then to grandparents telephone: immediately tells the small, enthusiastic, the history of the coconut and fish that has seen. Pleasantly then spend the night, cheered by a show of Sega, the traditional Mauritian dance.
Finished entertainment salute and Sergio Simonetta, departing for Italy, and we will withdraw Room tomorrow morning we expect a levataccia to be able to take the catamaran "Roberto" departing from Grand Baie in the north of the island, at 9:00. Remain at sea all day and we would not have a problem: for now it seems Federico re ... speriamo bene!

Soon the alarm sounds: a little after 6:30 we are already in place and quickly get ready. Dall'Emeraude We must start by 7:30 for an hour later, in Grand Baie, in the far north of Mauritius: here we have an appointment with Roberto that will accompany us to the path of movement and all all'Ilot Gabriel ' Ile Plat, two places in the islands off the coast, beyond the coral reef that delimits.
We do a shriveled breakfast, courtesy of a waitress, even before the opening of the buffet and, immediately, we put ourselves in the street. Wrong direction a couple of times, but at 8:30, as planned we are the only traffic light in Grand Baie on the appointment with our man. There is no telephone and ... you never know, that we have forgotten, however tells me that is a slight delay and that in ten minutes will be on site. In fact by making arrives, warmly salutes and goes with us on self, then there is parking and the landing us.
The catamaran is moored on the other side of the bay, to load some tourists, and while talking with Roberto: tells us that in Mauritius, at the moment, there is Jean Todt (Ferrari sporting director), which will tomorrow to make the trip, but with a boat across to him ... be true? ... I have many doubts about this.
At 9:30 we climb aboard and take off in the company of the other eleven people plus four crew. Just outside the reef off the engines and Issan sails, wind and pulls, mindful of recent events, we protect the ears of Frederick with two wad of cotton. We address the big waves of the Indian Ocean, forming impression even when, like today, the sea is calm and determined sketches that occasionally come have already almost completely wet Sabrina, who chose to sit down, a position not too happy.
A half-way across the rocky island of Coin de Mire and continue, doubling on the left side, always at the mercy of the waves. After just over an hour and half enter the lagoon between the Ilot Gabriel and Ile Plat, preparing to land on it. Entered the wreck of an old rusty boat and descend on the island.
The beach is white and the sea great shame to the wind that will not invite Sabrina and Richard to come in the water, I will, waiting for the lunch, wearing mask and fins and give me a bath. The seabed there is rich coral formations and schools of colorful fish revolve around me: it is a paradise!
At noon we consume, sitting on the floor and in the shadow of an improvised tent, a great lunch of fish, meat and fruit, including bananas curious grilled lobster and a sublime, then go back on the beach: the meeting place for ' board is set for 14:45.
We still enjoy for a while 'the beautiful place of peace and tranquility are absolute, in front of us the deep blue sea contrasts with the thin line of vegetation dell'Ilot Gabriel and farther on the right stands the severe silhouette rocky Coin de Mire. I have a bathroom between the fish that swim in a forest of coral and snap a few photos, then it does so Sabrina and she may realize the wonder. As always happens in these cases but the time flies and soon we find ourselves in a catamaran on the way back.
Against the boat takes more time and two hours to get to Grand Baie, in the meantime Federico, cradled by the waves, you grant a nap, while the splash of water, luckily hot, continue to soak up the back and the seat, so that, upon arrival, before getting in the car, we must change all the clothes.
We start immediately for the Emeraude and meditate on the day just passed, it was memorable, despite the long journey at sea and, at times, it was not too pleasant. The small, reclaimed from the nap, it is now pimpante and talk to free-wheel ... the otitis seems light years away! We arrive at the hotel, with dark, at 18:30 and immediately go up in the room to prepare for dinner.
The evening does not provide entertainment, but there are two Italian girls, only our compatriots arrive after the departure of Sergio and Simonetta, so the chatter will be insured for a few days yet, and we will not be alone after dinner.

We expect a busy day, with many miles of bumpy road Mauritian forward to explore the high lands and the southern part of the island.
After breakfast we climb aboard our Suzuki Santana and, traveling along the east coast, we reach the town of Mahebourg, built where, in 1598, landed the first Dutch settlers. Today is a quiet town known more than others, due to its proximity to the airport. Hence we turn inwards and start to climb towards the plateau that dominates the region, passing through green tea plantations, and we arrive at the Grand Bassin, which, despite the name, is a small lake of volcanic origin, but also the most important place of worship of Hindus in Mauritius. Every year in February, it becomes a destination for a pilgrimage that draws the faithful from all over the country, and I am witness to the large parking lots, now empty, that are all around. The shore is dotted with small temples and altars, pervaded by an intense smell of incense. Let us walk a short while began to rain, and it is no coincidence that it does in this part of the island.
Back when the sun instead we follow the path that unravels on the Plaine Champagne (which has nothing to do with the famous French wine). We are now in constant proportion, more than seven meters high, and we follow the most savage of the island, the only one that can still make the idea of how Mauritius was before the settlers arrived to eradicate forests. Today the whole area is part of the largest natural park in the country, situated between the mountain ranges of Rivière Noire Mountains and Savanne.
Along the way we stop at some vantage points, well marked, to observe the deep, lush valleys that slope toward the sea, then, slowly, begin to descend towards the coast, but, fortunately for us, continues to shine a magnificent sun .
We cross some small village and come to the beautiful waterfalls Chamarel, who rushed for over ninety meters in height in a tropical vegetation and stored in a highly theatrical spectacular, where the plateau appears, unexpectedly, end up not giving the other stream solution that not the great leap. We observe the spectacle of a scenic spot just in front and can be reached on foot, in a few minutes, then go back to self and continue along a bumpy road until the next natural wonder.
Walk a few miles and there we stopped in a parking lot from which, by walking, we reach the incredible Terres des Couleurs (the colored earths). The show is amazing: the erosion has caused soil in a series of gibbosity, dozens of hills of bare volcanic soil which, for the presence of mineral oxides, have a range of colors from red to green, the violet all'ocra. A real scientific explanation for this geological phenomenon, does not exist, and it seems almost bizarre that a painter has wanted to use his palette on the appearance of a vaguely lunar soil. The hills around, covered with green vegetation, and the deep blue of the sky, complete the magnificent scenery, and to better observe the place was even built un'altana wood, which, of course, go up, then conclude the visit following , walk the fence that borders, in practice, the boundaries within which are enclosed in those strange and fantastic dunes.
E 'already long past noon when we stop along the road under a tree: stretch the sheets on the grass and eat lunch fashioned an unusual, then, properly refreshment, we continue the descent towards the coast.
After hundreds of thousands of curves and holes come finally to the sea near the town of Baie du Cap, in the far south of the island, and here we follow the coast road in an anticlockwise direction. There we stopped a little further ahead, in a beautiful stretch of coast near Pointe aux Roches, and placed in the shade of a row, in a semi beach, white and lapped by a sea fabulous. Sin only for the time, which is flown away, so now there remain no more than two hours spent on site.
We do a bath of water and sun, only in the company of a Mauritian This is not a bar area particularly from tourism and our presence curious premises, so that, at some point, is close to us a man of color and looks, speaks only Creole, but we understand that he would like to make friends. We show available and then called his sister, who speaks English, then the rest of the family: they want all around him and makes known to them one by one. Comunichiamo to monosyllables and we can not cover all the degrees of kinship, but in the end salute them with a smile and leave the pen as a souvenir: a small matter, but so is enough to put them in difficulty, given that we now do not know how return. Parlottano somewhat 'with each other and then come with a baking dish with a rice-based they intend to offer. Immediately reject, but they are insistent, so satisfied them and tasting ... is piccantissima! With the mouth "on fire" and his eyes still glossy salute them again: they explain to us where we live and say they will come to find in the matter is considered again in the area, and, finally, give a packet of crisps a Federico. E 'was truly a beautiful experience, but not that far dusk and it was definitely made the time to return.
The road ahead is great and so all'Emeraude arrive at 18:30, as usual in the company of almost total darkness. Federico who wake up along the route, was asleep in the room and go up.
The after dinner is enhanced by the piano bar and the new Italian company, while on the phone comes a message of his grandfather: Schumacher, with his Ferrari is in pole position in the grand prize that will run tomorrow ... and the story of Roberto on Jean Todt loses any kind of reliability.

The sky does not augur well and big gray Nuvoloni loads of rain are crowded, a little 'anywhere in sight. We decided then to change the program of visits, which it proposed to spend the whole day at sea.
Proceed on the road leading south of the island and, given time, we stop around Curepipe, where there are some stores that sell fashions, of which Mauritius is a great producer, but also a public holiday and find everything closed. Then we continue towards the south, under a heavy shower, and we approximate the coast, but not reach the sea and a few km we stop first at Riviere des anguilles, where is the park of La Vanille. Meanwhile even the rain stops, and so we are about to visit.
Cross the gate of entry and we are in a zoo, where the predominant theme and that of reptiles. And 'now discharged our adversity to observation of animals in captivity, but no one could deny Federico emotion you can see, in a safe, large numbers of crocodiles, piled together, in every shape and size, coming mainly from Madagascar, but also from elsewhere. There is no shortage chameleons, iguanas and giant frogs, but also monkeys and bats (even off the track), all surrounded by lush tropical vegetation, so dense as not to pass even the drops of a brief and sudden shower.
The most beautiful part of the park is, however, the section devoted to giant tortoises that, undisturbed, wandering in a state of semi within a large enclosure of stones, where you can safely walk, showing the emotion of being in close contact with animals large and long, which can reach two hundred and fifty years of life! Pity that only the little, far too timid, not wanted to go on horseback to one of those huge shells to be immortalized in a memorable photo.
We finish the visit of La Vanille Park as the sun begins, tentatively, to pierce quell'odiosa blanket of clouds, then, slowly, it dissolves almost completely. We move further south and in the small town of Souillac, now near the coast, we begin to follow a few meager signs that should lead us to the Rochester Falls.
We un'impervia dirt road and then we enter one of the sugar cane plantations, within the network of rural cart that surround and separate the fields, we turn to a crossroads and then to another, the same as the first, and another, trying to memorize the route, and come to a fork where some Mauritian, sitting in the shade, seem to await our arrival. We suggest to park the car, then one of them tells us to follow him ... and so do.
Our new guide walks ahead of us and us to see the waterfalls, which are only eight meters high, but have a large quantity of water and are surrounded by a beautiful landscape, characterized by lush vegetation. We observe the jump before the upper balcony, with two guys in front of us, on the opposite side, who perform in a bold plunge and followed for granted the request of money, then descend to the base along a muddy path in which Federico inevitably slips dirty of land. Wash the legs in the waters of the river, shoot a picture with the falls behind us and go back to the car.
It makes a hot shocking, given the high humidity caused evaporation of rain in the morning and conclude the brief excursion into a bath of sweat, leave offerings, which the leadership does not want to share with its members, consequently causing a small spat, then, without mistakes, we back the way among the reeds and back to Souillac.
Just to the south town we go to see the ocean waves breaking on the reef from a vantage point called Gris Gris, then we start to go up the east coast to reach the inlet of Blue Bay. It is rather late, wrong way and lose a good half hour, so Sabrina will irritate some 'and when, finally, we arrived at the beach the minute hands have already made at least a couple of laps more than the normal lunch . The place is not bad, although it is full of Mauritian you enjoy on Sunday, but only if it is for almost all the time behind the clouds and not contribute to its positive outcome of the day. (A message arrives on the phone the day was more positive for Schumacher, who won the Grand Prix of Spain). It also stops another vendor necklaces, and we propose a coral red to one thousand rupees, we give him two hundred ... is outraged and says it goes. Of them a little back, please accept our proposal and make the deal ... but it will be a bargain?
Shortly before 17:00 rearranged backpacks and return all'Emeraude. The evening goes quiet in the company of only two people present in Italian besides us, of which, moreover, do not yet know the names, then we go to bed with the hope that tomorrow is, again, a beautiful day sun.

It 'the last day that we move to Mauritius and that is why we want to be sure to pass it in the best possible way, mindful of what happened in the previous one.
Above us the sky is blue and the sun shines, while the center and south of the island, most rainy statistically, are crowded yet Nuvoloni large, and should have made its move in that direction. Revolutionized the way of new plans and, after breakfast, walk the short stretch of road that separates us from Trou d'Eau Douce, turn the ribbon of asphalt that leads to Tousserok and arrive already at 9:30, all ' pier to the Island of Deer. Half an hour later landed for the second time, on what is, without a shadow of doubt, the most beautiful beach of Mauritius.
There is low tide and c'incamminiamo on the eastern side dell'isolotto, looking for a place in the system. We stop in the shade of a row, with the immensity of the sea is dominated by the incredible beauty of its color before our eyes, in absolute peace ... is divinely! It remains a regret for what we could not and wanted to visit today, but we all need a day like the one that we are moving. The water of the sea, in front of us, it's hot, thin, rather than knee high, so we unforgettable swimming and long walks, always with the sandals on your feet, given the presence of many urchins is all too beautiful ( just about any sin my bowel disorder). Time flies and in a moment is noon: lunch and then continue to enjoy the show.
By mid afternoon we move in the internal part of the lagoon and then into the most crowded, given the proximity to the piers for berthing of boats, but in that same sea there are no urchins and thus consume a final, beautiful bathroom all 'Isola dei Cervi, then, slowly, the beach is empty and we are going to quell'imbarcazione that in a few minutes, takes us back near the parking lot where our car, with which we return all'Emeraude, while the sun is still eclipsed.
Settle the bill and return the car rental (all right), then go up in the room to place your bags for departure to the island of Rodrigues, which, according to a message recapitatoci at the reception, will take place tomorrow morning at 8:40 . Later dinner and then spend the last evening in the company of Paola Veronica and so are known and have been able in extremis but ... better late than never!

The sound of the alarm at 7:00 in the morning gave way to Rodrigues. With care we get up from bed and complete your bags, then we see, unfortunately, a stop in the bathroom: Sabrina also accuses some intestinal disorder and lacks the appeal that only Frederick, however, for another reason, is already under antibiotic prophylaxis and for this we hope to be spared.
Let's have breakfast and then go back into the room to take the luggage, we descend, we salute the Italian girls and soon after, punctual, arriving Mauritour of the van that will accompany us to the airport.
The driver, oddly, instead of following the coast road, as on arrival, passes through the center of the island and other auto imbandierate be in the same direction: their goal is probably Curepipe where, during the celebration of workers, held a rally. We, however, beyond the town and continue south. Just over an hour after we arrive at the international departure of Mauritius, around Mahebourg, we salute our escort, and enter immediately, let the dealer from which the luggage on board, while on the flight display screen 130 of the Mk 11 55 seems to be in perfect time.
The wait at the door number one is short and only a few minutes after the time specified, the Atr 42 takes share of Air Mauritius virando immediately to the east-northeast. Flying over the Indian Ocean and, after about seventy minutes, sighted the island of Rodrigues, the second, by extension, the rule (15 kilometers long and 7 wide): a piece of land surrounded by volcanic reef, on which not live more than trentottomila souls.
13:20 to land on the runway of the tiny airport Plain Coral: face the ladder of the aircraft and we move towards the acceptance of the luggage. The hall of arrivals so far as, or slightly more, a living room and the belt works by pushing the hand luggage, while the whole building an airport is not larger than a single family house.
Collect your luggage and go up on the bus that will accompany us to the Cotton Bay Hotel, on the other side of the island, where to stay for four nights. Along the route, with some foreign tourists, we see the landscape of Rodrigues, which is profoundly different from that of Mauritius: much more rugged and mountainous (the airport, at first glance appears to be the only flat piece of land) but above all completely devoid of sugar cane and still green, with several cows to pasture, which are magrissime despite the well of God that surrounds them.
We wander across the central part of the island and, after about half an hour, we arrive at the sea, Cotton Bay Hotel, which at first glance, it makes us feel good. We welcomed with music and with traditional cocktails, then we deliver the keys to room number 304, which now reach is very wide and well made, but no television as, moreover, the previous year.
We await the arrival of the luggage, wear your costume and come back in the open air, we reach the new pool and we arranged with the beds along its edges. Time is short: only three remain for days in Rodrigues, and then go immediately to book a trip, while Richard can not resist the temptation to fall into the pan, so the return from my brief conversation, the reach and I go down in water .
We have moved several kilometers to the east, keeping the same time zone, and for this reason, at 16:30, the sun is already low on the horizon line. We decided then to take a stroll along the coast to collect shells: the inlet and the beach are beautiful, the sea un po 'meno. Spend beautiful moments with the sun burning down the sky in front of us and, at 17.30, with almost total darkness in the room go back to await the hour of dinner.
The intestinal disorders seem almost completely gone and we put ourselves at the table shortly after 19:30: eat divinely notice and an Italian couple, but we can not know them. There is no signal for the phone, so we go in the room to call home, we do it through the reception and the nonna Anna takes a good fright when I hear English, but calm soon after with the voice of Sabrina. At our return, however, the two candidates papabili to a lot of chatter is gone and we just to enjoy the rest of the evening.

We get up from bed and go to breakfast, so we meet the people and the tours are asking about two that we booked, because one was in doubt. We understand that both confirmed and raised more than before we prepare to spend, in all serenity, the rest of the day.
We then head along the coast towards the south and, after twenty minutes of walking between the rocks and vegetation, we arrived at the beautiful Anse Ally. There system on white sand beach, in front of the magnificent colors of the sea, with ourselves: if it were not for a boat of fishermen, stranded on the sand, and some cottage in the distance, between the hills, it seems to be on an island uninhabited.
Between the enthusiasm of Frederick mount the curtain, which had not yet used to have some 'shadows, as we remain at Anse Ally all day, then consume a refreshing bath in the warm waters of the lagoon. I do a tour of patrol with mask and fins, but there are no fish, sea urchins, and only in industrial quantities. Every now and then, behind us, passing, walking, some local. They are all very nice: we cordially greet and smile.
Lunch between the last fishing resources, open a coconut and we all feel so small Robinson Crusoe, then we stretch, the sun, in absolute peace, with only the noise of the wind hiss in your ears: is total relaxation and the feeling really nice.
Dismantle the tent and immediately after a nap Federico ago, so we stay at Anse Ally until 16:00, then return to a path for more than the internal costs, saving a beautiful stretch of road.
Once at the Cotton Bay accontentiamo small, who wanted to take a dip in the pool, while we are on the edges systemic to enjoy the last few flashes of the sun. We await the sunset and crowned the outcome of a very pleasant day.
Let's go in the room to prepare for the cocktail of 19:30, the hotel offered to newcomers, then, after dinner, try the two Italians, but there are no more ... will be started. So there we sat quietly watching the stars, then we seek refuge in the bar, where the scene goes into a small show of Sega: we thus to deceive the time and spend the evening decently.

We expect the first of two planned trips within the lagoon of Rodrigues, and then, good now, leave the room and go to breakfast, while descending from the sky the most classic of tropical rain ... shortly after the sun shines, but clouds in the sky, there are so many and we can hardly avoid them all.
A few minutes after 9:00 we leave the hotel aboard a bus and up the road leading towards the center of the island. We stop in some villages to supplies of food we eat for lunch and meanwhile we retrieve the various components of the staff organization, which ultimately is particularly large in relation to the number of participants to more intensive, so that we end up asking how it is possible that we can to find the right economic response throughout the operation.
Descend towards the south coast between green grass and cows to pasture, with stunning views over the lagoon surrounded by coral reefs: it seems to be in ... "Tropical Switzerland".
We reach the sea and follow the road that runs along the west to arrive at around 10:00, near a stretch of rocky ravines in which there are few boats moored motor. Climb on board one of these, left facing the sea is choppy, although it is within the reef, and sketches, many times, we arrive wet while the ILO aux Chats: a small island, uninhabited, lapped by waters.
Shines a magnificent sun when landing on a beach, while the little boat goes away, probably, to expect on the other side of the island. Walking along a short stretch of coastline bordered by the extraordinary colors of the sea that frame a place wild and pure, certainly not yet affected by mass tourism. We find a starfish, and we give that Frederick holds in his hand and looks intrigued, then, of course, get in the water and continue the walk. Crossing the island, among mimosa and wild cotton plants, and we come to another beach where, meanwhile, came the boat, the fire is already lit and dinner is cooking on the grill. While waiting we moved into the sea: Sabrina takes the sun, Federico game, I'm needed for snorkeling and falls in water, but the fish even shadows. I'll be back on the beach and I say to the guide which reassures me: Later I will accompany "The FISCHERMAN" (man of the fish) in the right place! For now, I shall see those well-browned and lying on my plate, forming part of the good meal that is offered.
In the afternoon we return to the sea even if, unfortunately, some clouds, more and more intrusive, there are in between between us and the sun. Company makes us a family of Sidney, whose two sons play for all the time, along with Frederick, but I'm going with "The fischer-man" to see the fish and with us is also the father of two children in Australia that, given the situation, asks me if I know the Fiji Islands (it was in the Pacific Ocean and thus relatively close to his house): "I'm good to smorkeling!" I told him ... "I'm away" answer me, but ... who knows: maybe one day, however, will be within our grasp! Meanwhile, the fish man, who speaks only Creole, beckoned us to follow him: he knew exactly where to take us and we are not disappointed, as we see, inter alia, various moray eels, some strange and beautiful invertebrates lobster then met , we return to the beach. The sun continues to be desired and accompany the small to make a bathroom before you make the time to leave the island.
Sailing around 15.00 hours on the route by the coast from where we started, with the rocky silhouette of the nearby Ile Ermitage on the right and the sun, spiteful, to head in the clouds and then leave immediately afterwards, overbearingly uncovered.
Moorings and come back on board the bus back to us: we follow the usual road that passes through the center of the island and home to accompany the various components of the staff, while Federico crushes a providential nap.
We arrive at the Cotton Bay shortly after 16:00, and thinking well, you could stay at least another hour to Ile axu Chats, more are changing the water to the pool and there is no swimming allowed. We give then a good crêpes and a beer, then there systems on beds waiting for the sunset. When it is dark in the room and come back later, after another excellent dinner, we can see a sketch of spettacolino unfortunately all recited in French, but still nice.

We have still remained a whole day to pass to Rodrigues and the alarm rings at 7:00, when, at 8:30, waiting for us for another trip by boat in the lagoon, the last course.
We are together agl'altri participating in the reception hall and we are definitely higher in number compared to yesterday. We make the new Australian company, but soon lost sight of them: a bus is not enough to upload, so we end up on the first and second.
Let us follow the path and, once again, the road climbs toward the center of the island, and a decrease in hairpin bends, practically in the opposite direction. We reach the sea near the capital Port Mathurin, a quiet little town inhabited by no more than a few thousand people, and continue along the coast to the western part of the island. At some point turn right and turn a dirt road that ends near a beach, where some boats are moored. Climb aboard one of these and take the deep: in the distance you see the flat shapes Authority and Authority aux Sables aux Cocos. We are direct about it, but the boat is slow and the island seems to move in our own direction, without ever appearing closer, so we use almost an hour to reach it.
When, finally landing at Ile aux Cocos Clocks are now close to noon and, now, come together in a short guided tour dell'isolotto that, lapped by a great sea, is an oasis of wildlife and bird . The small strip of land, half of which is inaccessible and classified as a reserve in full, is monopolized, in practice, from a large colony of birds, some perched 'everywhere, are relatively close, as they are accustomed to the presence of tourists .
At the end of the visit will give a refreshing bath, then have lunch and come back on the beach, but not for long. Almost immediately we are told to board the boats to reach the nearby Ile aux Sables, so we seem to understand, but obviously not well interpret the words and being conducted at the center of the lagoon, where the sea is not too good either . Invite us to take to the water for a bath, I go away, along with a few others, but it was more of a force that is not fun, then come back on board the small vessel that, immediately after, is broken on the beach from where we started.
After over an hour to arrive at the shipping point of shipment, we move on the bus, walk, backwards, across the road that passes through the center of the island and already at 15:30, we arrive at the Cotton Bay! ... It 'incredible! ... We spent all hours of the day for best road trip and was a little disappointed, not for the beauty of the places, but for his life!
We arranged around the pool to spend the rest of the day and waiting for the sunset, so I go to pay for trips and I take this opportunity to express in some way, my complaints, and then we go in the room and begin to prepare for the luggage, given the imminent departure.
After dinner, witness a performance of traditional music and dances rodriguensi, put on stage by a small group composed of local folk dancers and some feature a band, whose members, particularly the expressive features, are the portrait of sympathy. At the end of the show come back in the room and try to sleep, because tomorrow night, by plane, we certainly less convenient.

The holiday is coming to an end and the bags are almost ready, but we still have some 'time to go in the pool, in view of the fact that the departure is planned for noon. Sin which is not a wonderful day, indeed many of the most Nuvoloni gray that it flashes of blue sky and the sea is moved inside the reef. The key, however, is that it does not rain, because it is not cold and so we spend a pleasant morning until Federico does not give us the last, unwanted, surprise: while in the pool is beginning to say that I have evil to an ear! ... yet! ... and antibiotic we have more! Balance of the account and go in a room giving a little 'of calming, which is immediately effective: the only hope is enough to get home.
Eat something, take a quick shower and close the bags, one last photo shoot of Cotton Bay and in the end, we knock at the door to collect your luggage. E 'noon: we go to the reception and then go up on the bus that will accompany us to the airport, a whole bus at our disposal.
Walk across the island and, from above, we enjoy the scenery of green hills that stand out sull'azzurro of the sea bordered by the reef, with colors that stand out thanks to the sun is back, again, to shine.
We arrive in the tiny airport of Coral Plain Rodrigues, embark your luggage and put us on hold the plane, which landed shortly afterwards, so punctual, climb on flight 131 and Mk 14:10 Atr 42 takes the direct proportion to Mauritius: below us a sea of clouds, which thins out just over an hour later, when it landed, in perfect time, at 15:30.
Collect your luggage, leave from the arrivals door, pushing the cart, and return immediately after the departure in that, trying boarding luggage. We find the dealer, but we do understand that it is too early because there are still four hours on departure. To explain that we are coming from Rodrigues and that we were not happy to wait so long, so they accept the bags, which start already assigned Bologna (we hope to see them get along with us). Beyond the customs, we put the stamp out and surprise you, again, for the time: extend your arms and try once again to explain why, then we place on the chairs waiting room, telephone at home and do a little snack.
Are hard to pass so many hours of waiting and fortunately the ear of Frederick seems less severe than expected ... except spin. In the end, however, shell 20:00, and we put in the queue at the door number one (the same as Rodrigues) for embarking on the flight Af 3865. Climb on the plane, again the giant Boeing 747. We are on the row of ten, almost at the tip, and passengers do not ever stop going up, the minutes go by and I start craving for the delay, given the coincidence in time very close, from Paris to Bologna.
We are almost half an hour late and 21:10 when we are at the bottom of the track, while on the road outside the airport, some cars were stopping to see the departure of the big plane ... Then the roar, the impressive acceleration and takeoff.
Over Mauritius and shortly after dinner, but Richard gave to sleep even before you do so. Below us we see only clouds ... we close our eyes and reach in the little world of dreams.

Midnight shell certainly on the African continent, is midnight on Mauritius that the Italian, two hours away from each other. 4:20 and are now tuned to the second time, fly over the Mediterranean Sea, while below we see two islands separated by a narrow stretch of sea, and a smaller one in the middle ... toh those reviews are Malta, Gozo and Comino. Later over Trapani and Sicily, and Sardinia and then so many clouds, the sun is rising on the horizon.
We are slightly delayed and when we get the plane above Paris, not even appear to do so, makes a tour incredible and makes us lose any more time, then, finally, at 6:45, landed. The party flew to Bologna to 7:20 from the area "F" and we are in zone "A". Scalpitiamo as we look down the first of business class passengers, then, with Richard and backpacks in the back, we begin our trip in Paris at the airport: go up and down escalators, take a shuttle to flight, we check passports and baggage, then we run in the final rush and 7:10, a little 'accaldati, we arrived at the boarding gate ... we did! ... and we hope that the bags have not been as well. Naturally, then, the plane and the delay in the tunnel entrance is off to 7:35, after other people besides us, have arrived.
Af flight 1228, a Boeing 737, last of the six planes that had to take, it moves towards the runway and takes off a few minutes before 8:00. Go up to just above a thick blanket of clouds and the earth will review only when it appears, covered with snow, the Italian side of the Alps and a little later there is the unmistakable silhouette branched Lake Como, then begin to descend toward the airport Marconi Bologna, which landed at 9:10.
With some relief we get on the conveyor belt, the bags, to collect and we are approaching the arrivals hall, where we expect to grandparents. The kisses and hugs are a must, then we exit the airport, load the luggage on the camper and we leave in the direction of Forli. Frederick is a river in full, to speak freely, and along the way tell all the adventures, then we express our approval and considerations on the wonderful journey is nearing its conclusion: Mauritius and Rodrigues are certainly two tropical paradise, but we must move on discover their beauty, maybe we were a little 'too much time in the car to walk the streets, but it was necessary to do this and one day more would have made the visit less hectic, but we have not been granted and in the end we lacked. We are glad the holiday went well, and otitis apart, we go home with some great memories. We still have negl'occhi the green hills and the blue expanses of the sea, but soon come back to reality and go beyond the road to Villanova ... few minutes later, at 10:33, we are, again, at home.