1 October - Cape Town to Mauritius

MONIQUE:
"Money, Money, Money - must be funny...." our two lady, emotionally absent band accompanied by their 80 year old pianist (who would have been taken straight to the hospital on arrival as he cannot stop coughing – as Mauritius has big thing with you importing any of flu - bird or swine wonder if they heard about “rugby flu”) has got it absolutely right. “Money, money, money”. It is because of money that we find ourselves in this very enjoyable situation.

Mostly it has to do with the Strydom’s having to renovate a house and having no budget at all. So two weeks in Mauritius is only possible if you go self-catering or 2 star. We decided to do both. So, week one is 2star, but with 2 meals, because no one is in the mood for cooking and week 2 is self-catering.

That brings us to our 2star. It would not have so disappointing was it not for the advertising campaign of the Four Seasons in the arrivals hall at Mauritius International Airport. We were welcomed with big screen TVs with bright coloured photos of luxurious rooms with glorious views over lush gardens and big, bright pools.

Then we arrive at Klondike – this is after travelling since 4 o’clock in the morning (it is now 6.30 in the evening), having 30 minutes duty free shopping and a very long slow drive through island traffic (on a late Saturday afternoon!). To discover Klondike is not the Four Seasons. Our taxi driver said to us “Klondike is good – you only need a bed to sleep” – we should have known! A good marketing team will describe the hotel something like this – quaint, family run business who has been welcoming guests for years, spacious family cottage in tropical gardens or sea view rooms with kitchenettes and private sleeping alcoves with children. Our bar overlooks the private beach and you can sip your cocktail whilst relaxing in the rim flow pool with great views over the ocean.

Here is the reality. Old and run down (but in their defence you can see that they have just painted the whole property – with very interesting colours). The garden cottages, are in the back – have not seen them, but glad we got the sea facing room. Our room, same state as hotel, kitchenette is there, but no utensils, alcove for children – small bed under window – however everything nice and clean.

So, now I sound like a real spoiled traveller on Tripadvisor - remember the Four Seasons images and visualise what we found – imagine the disappointment of some family members!

On the upside – it did not last long. The room is right on the sea and the sea views are spectacular! We have a small private beach. The pool is a rim flow pool, although it is rundown, but you can hang over the sides and check the dolphins.

The entertainment is “local” and like Luc correctly stated, whilst the Sega show is on, “local is lekker”. Oh my boy, you are so right. Our salsa dancers are real girls with voluptuous figures (I wonder how the girls look at the Four Seasons?), but they can move the hips and some other things, as Luc also noticed – “ma, daai tannie het darem groot tieties...”

And then the food – this is where it gets really good. Because the chef is also local (not transferred from another Four Seasons somewhere else in the world). We made full use of the buffet, continuously.... . Luc started with a Roti – and then he could not stop. I think Luc had about 8 filled with some or other vegetarian potato/chickpea dish. After which he said –“I am now a vegetarian”. Callie had two portions of octopus curry (and made up for Ingrid and me not wanting to eat this curry on our Seychelles trip). In short, the buffet was excellent. We cannot wait for breakfast!

The other upside of our 2star hotel – is that the whole SAA flight went to Fours Seasons or Club Meb – so we have peace and quite. Apart from the salsa show, the only other loud event was an 90 year old Indian lady, all dressed up in traditional clothes but who forgot to put in her teeth, celebrated her birthday. She got a cake with about 20 candles (cheat!!) and we all sang happy birthday!

Then there is unlimited, free wireless at Klondike – and this is why you can enjoy the octopus curry and the salsa “tieties” with us! But I think one of the biggest plusses was the bar tab at the end of the evening... R 125 for a beer, big bottle of water, diet coke and a virgin pina colada. Wonder how much they are paying at the Four Seasons!

When all cuddled up in the two large single beds, we realised that Klondike brought back many memories. It reminded me of a beautiful little hotel we stayed in Tamarindo in Costa Rico. To Callie it was a reminder of the Lake Malawi cottages where we spent many weekends during our 6 year stay there. Those are great memories –we know our holiday in Mauritius is going to be a great one!

CALLIE:
Arrived at Klondike hotel at the end of very long day -brightened by colourfultaxi dricer "Esaan"that gave us a quick cultural intro and update on the real status of Mauritius hotel has beautiful setting - rooms very basic and reminds of cottages at Cape Maclear - lake Malawi - mots important company is great =- beautiful wife and child and tomoroww we are going to love it !

LUC:
Today was a hard day allright . First we hade to wake up at 4 o,clock then get dressed i wore my springbocke t-SHIRT then we got into my grandpa's cars and i felt i did not do something exzackly then i relized i forgot to say bye to RED "grandpa STOP " i said and i quiqily said bye to red.OK iam going to go a bit faster. then wait iam sorry i am stoping all the time but i am tiered of saying then so i am going to say t ok . T we drove to the airport and flew to joburg t we did a lote of duty free shoping . T we went to the internatinol plane i watched movies , playing games and listining to music .When we arived in murisias we got a lift to the hotel it is so cool(the hotel).