Reunion and Mauritius: A Contrast of Cultures in the Indian Ocean

Hello, La Reunion Island.  It is a French Island in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Madagascar.  Terri felt under the weather, so I left the ship and hopped on the Shuttle.  I walked down to the marina, hoping to book a snorkeling trip, but they only had dive companies.  Although certified, I didn't feel I was in good enough shape to Dive, so I found a little swim beach to splash around in for a bit.

I love this place, and they drive on the right side of the road.  It's completely French to include the menus.  The Island is part of France, considered a province, and part of the European Union.  The official currency is the Euro.  It had that Europen feel, for sure. 

After swimming, I found a nice seaside cafe,  Leon, with a view of the ocean and harbor.  I had a great lunch of fried sardines and squid fritters.  It was unusual, great, and French.  

Reunion Island is basically a volcano sticking out of the Indian Ocean.  The largest mountain rises 10k feet, and an active volcano is on the Island's eastern side.  The Island is small, 60 miles long and 40 miles wide.  I would have loved to spend a few more days here to explore the beautifully green interior, but it's not on the cards.

After an overnight cruise, we reached the next Island of Mauritius.

Some notes on Mauritius: It is a very diverse island. It had a completely different feel than Reunion, which was more indigenous and original. French is spoken here but not part of France like Reunion. It is a separate country in the same island chain. Seventy percent of the population is Hindi, brought over from India to work the Sugar cane Plantations.

On our tour today, we took a small boat to an Island part of the national park. Then, we toured the old French Colonial town of Maheboug, which has a marvelous museum in a Colonial-era building.

A major naval engagement occurred between the French and the British in 1810. An extension of our War of 1812 with the British. Of course, the British won, and some French ships were sunk.

The boat ride to the island park and the tour of the Island were incredible opportunities to see the Island's wildlife. The island park was interesting, especially the grand fruit bat with a wing span of three feet. Tortoises were also running around the Island. One tortoise we saw was 120 years old.

Our last stop on Maurtanis was for an elegant lunch and a break from the cruise ship food. It was then back to the ship and on to Australia. I will miss hearing the French on those Islands. It was such a surprise and unexpected feeling that I will not soon forget.

Rock City: A Tennessee Christmas Tradition

Rock City is one of those places everybody knows about in the South.  It's like Gatlinburg and Dollywood, an indelible mark in American Southern Culture.  Everyone has seen the billboards and the painted barns near the interstate and knows the iconic See Rock City Birdhouse.   Usually, I avoid places like this.  Places that are all about commercialism, but this was a different type of place.  

Our daughter-in-law invited us to see the Christmas lights there a few years ago.  We were pleasantly surprised.  The Christmas lights were spectacular and showed me how wrong I was about Rock City.  The owners and staff go above and beyond to provide a wonderful, classic Christmas experience.

Rock City sits on a bluff on Lookout Mountain just inside the Georgia border next to Chattanooga in Tennessee.   From its overlook, you can see 4 states, Georgia, Tennessee, Virginia, and North Carolina.   The limestone formations are very unique and awe-inspiring.  With the Chrismas Lights, it's a tremendous experience. 

Traveling with family, we got there about 30 minutes before sunset. This provided great views and a stunning sunset.   Afterward, it was off to see Santa Claus., his house, and his workshop.  With darkness came the Christmas Lights, the real show at Rock City.   

Watching the kids is the best part.  They are truly memorized by everything.  Rock City is a Southern tradition that is hard to not enjoy.   

Capetown: The Cape of Good Hope

There are places you go in your life that leave you in disbelief.   Where you continually ask yourself, am I really here.  Something that feels like a dream you hope never to wake up from.  Capetown, South Africa, is one of those places.  Capetown, the largest city in the Western Cape, is the legislative capital of South Africa.  Has a completely different feel than the rest of South Africa.  A cleaner, more modern feel and scenery that leaves you breathless. 

Once we arrived aboard the Queen Mary 2, we spent two tremendous days in this South African City.  It was one of the highlights of our world cruise.  Arriving in the early morning, the city glistened with Table Mountain in the background.  It seemed like an idyllic place full of possibilities.  Although apartheid has ended, there are still two South Africans, one with a European feel and the other with an Indigenous African feel.  This is part of the lure that makes this place special. 

Our first day here was an adventure south of Capetown to the Cape of Good Hope, where the Atlantic meets the Indian Ocean.  We traveled by tour bus down the western coast, along a beautiful coastal road, back up against Table Mountain, a National Park.  We passed coastal towns and beaches.  Part of the trip is following a route that cuts a path through the side of the mountain.

Our first stop is a bathroom break at a rest stop perched on the side of the mountain overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.  The views in all directions were cinematic.   The hills seemed to be sliding in the Ocean.  A souvenir stand at the end of the parking lot was set against a cliff that fell into the Ocean.  These stands were at many places in South Africa, mostly at parks and tourist stops.

After our stop, we headed to the Black Marlin Seaside restaurant for lunch.  We ate outside, with fresh fish as the main course.  While leaving the restaurant, a Cobra Car Club showed up.  They meticulously parked their cars before entering the restaurant.  They do love their classic cars here.

After lunch, it's off to the main event.  The Cape Good Hope lived up to all the hype.  After a long drive through the uninhabited Cape Peninsula National Park, it felt like we were at the end of the world.  The Cape was a barren rock outcropping where the penguins seemed at home.  It was a busy place.  Everyone, including us, getting pictures at the Cape. 

After visiting the Cape, we took the cable train car up to the Cape of Good Hope Light House for fantastic views of the Cape.  The Historic National National Park was a once-in-a-lifetime visit.   I can now tell a story about how we have been there and done that, and we are much happier for it. 

It was a long trek back to Queen Mary 2.  There was a lot to think, but this stop in Capetown, South Africa, was more than we could ever imagined.