9 OCTOBER

Lunch!
Our view from the living room
Our room.

CALLIE:
Today was big rugby day & Monique invited Bonnie (from Roman’s Pizza, who has been great in supporting Matla a Bana) & her sister Kerry over as she found out that they were visiting Mauritius in the same period. They were also not too big on the rugby but were keen to get together. It was a double header with SA vs Aus and NZ against Argentinia for the quarter final’s. Sadly we lost (some very controversial decisions ref!), but personally I think Frans Steyn could have made a huge difference, but suppose it was just not meant to be. Monique did her usual excellent host trick and after Klondike’s standard breakfast – there were no eggs, but prepared a great breakfast healthy breakfast with real muesli & good yoghurt , cheeses & selection of cold meats and lots of fruit !
The women had a great time hearing all the stories of their mishaps with bookings, & faults at their hotel room, no ham on pizza, no second helpings & not all drinks available. Monique widely acclaimed the benefits of checking details via Trip adviser first again – out of interest, I checked reviews of la Plantation hotel and there are some really bad ones ! – it is on a beautiful setting but had a owner change recently which might be the problem – Bonnie just advised that the sister hotel across road has burned down today !
We had slow chilled day further around the pool and Luc was in his element again – entertaining the ladies with his energy ! – Highlight for him and Bonnie was mission impossible to go snorkelling in 50 cm water ! He and Bonnie fell over laughing many a time for all the creatures ! and also as Bonnie warned him that she has natural buoyancy aids that would keep her afloat – that left him blushing many a time! For late lunch we had stunning tuna on the gas braai & great home made salad from Monique ! Not to mention the last of the “bargain” French chocolate 1848 & Cote d Orr –which the ladies enjoyed very much !

MONIQUE:
I must just tell you about our stunning self catering villa, Bel Azur. Admittedly, not one of the cheapest in town (one week here = same prize as Klondike with 2 meals!). But it is a two bedroom luxury villa/flat right on the beach. Although there are many rocks and very little beach, the sea views are stunning.
Then I also have to tell the about the whole snorkelling expedition. Luc decided that he was going to take Bonnie on a snorkelling expedition. He was very embarrassed when she told him that if they got washed into sea, he can just hang on to her because of her “buoyancy tools”! The two of them decided that they will be able to float all the way to India – but only if Roman’s will drop some pizzas from the air!
Well, then before that can happen, they will have to get snorkelling first! So, after sorting out gear, they hit the water. It turned out to be the entertainment of the day and Kerry and I are sitting on the beach screaming with laughter as the whole snorkelling expedition unfolds. First of all – they have to walk backwards. Then they have to find water deep enough to snorkel in. The snorkelling lasted about 30 seconds before Bonnie felt something creeping up her bum. She jumps up! Luc is in hysterics. One minute later they are back on the beach – done with snorkelling!
We chill out next to the pool most of the day. There is anti cyclone in Mauritius – which means everything is upside down – weather, water and wind. It however has not stopped us from ending up with a serious red sunburn at the end of the day.