Mauritius, Solo～
Deciding to embark on this journey alone was completely unexpected. After half a year of busy work, I had dreamed of sitting with 'him' on a beach in the Maldives or Fiji, watching sunrises and sunsets in perfect bliss. Things didn't go as planned, and in the end, I set off on this trip filled with both disappointment and abundant hope.
Travel can help untie the knots in your heart. Meeting so many people and experiencing so much can make you stop obsessing over life's imperfections. And Mauritius is exactly such a place – the 'paradise' Uncle Mark spoke of. To me, 'paradise' was never just about beautiful scenery; it's a state of being. After this journey, that feeling is deeply imprinted on my soul. The people living here, rich or poor, brim with boundless love and kindness for life and for others. Every smile on their faces encourages you to live happily. This is a pearl in the Indian Ocean, a land of peace and harmony.
Day 1 I booked the hotel and flights on Ctrip in just three days, then waited for this goalless trip. The flight was tedious. Onboard, I finished Bi Shumin's 'Thirty Thousand Miles in Africa', which filled me with even more anticipation for this mysterious, ancient land...
I chose Long Beach Hotel – probably named after its relatively long stretch of white sand. The hotel was very clean, and the lobby had Mandarin-speaking staff, so communication was clear. After getting to know the restaurants and recreational facilities, I put down my luggage, freshened up, and changed into a long dress. It's still winter in the Southern Hemisphere, and the sea breeze was a bit chilly. But I didn't care any more; my heart only wanted to embrace the blue sky and the ocean.
A friend said these photos reminded her of 'Half Sea, Half Flame'. I don't want such a tragic story – even travelling alone, my heart still holds the most sincere hopes for the future. (I took the photos by setting up my selfie stick on a tripod and posing from a planned angle. So, you can still take photos even when travelling solo~) A holiday is meant for rest and relaxation, so on the first day I just ate, drank, and booked an evening body spa. It was soft and soothing, making me drowsy. The fatigue from the flight was greatly relieved, and I was ready for the next day's western tour. Tonight was breathtakingly beautiful...
Day 2 Mauritius is a small island ringed by beaches. Hotels are built along the coastline, and tourist routes follow the same logic. Apart from Port Louis in the centre, the main sightseeing areas are divided into four routes: north, south, east, and west. The northern route, with the Red Roof Church, skydiving, and Port Louis, I saved for Day 4. The south mainly features natural sea views like Pont Naturel, which I left for the last day. The east is a day trip to Île aux Cerfs. Today's western route covered Casela World of Adventures, the Seven Coloured Earth, Trou aux Cerfs volcano, and a ship model factory. I booked a one-day tour on Ctrip (also available on Taobao). The day started at Trou aux Cerfs. It's actually a natural lake formed by an extinct volcano crater – nothing too special – so we quickly moved on to the ship model factory.
Later, my driver, a local guy I called 'Little Black', asked me why all Chinese tourists come to buy ship models. I smiled and didn't answer. Truth is, I didn't know either, but I bought some too. Perhaps it's an appreciation for the craftsmanship, perhaps just following the crowd, or perhaps a whole lot of other 'perhaps'... For Mauritius, 75% of products are MADE IN CHINA. These might be among the few locally made items. The island doesn't develop its own industry; it mainly relies on agriculture and maritime trade. Often, locals tell me, 'China has been really good to us.' I can't claim to be fiercely patriotic, but at least this sentiment is not something you feel in Europe.
Seven Coloured Earth is named after its multi-coloured soil, formed by volcanic ash. It's only a small patch of land, but the entire hill was bought by a tycoon and turned into an attraction. Actually, I thought our Danxia landform back home could rival it. Both are masterpieces of nature, and Danxia impresses with its sprawling grandeur. Yet with increasing erosion, who knows how it will look decades from now.
Casela World of Adventures is probably the largest park in Mauritius. I saw a few animals here and there and booked a solo quad bike ride to go deeper into the park, finally seeing the Africa you expect.
The giant tortoise, said to live hundreds of years, made me wonder how many generations of visitors have been captivated by its little eyes.
In Bi Shumin's writing, the African continent is vividly documented. Mauritius, as a small island south of Africa, enjoys an island climate while retaining Africa's natural character. Africa is considered the cradle of humanity, where our ancestors first stepped out into the world. The resilient, never-give-up spirit persists across the vast African plains. Casela, even though protected, still allows local flora and fauna to grow freely, following their own will.
Day 3 A day trip to Île aux Cerfs. The awkward moment was bound to happen: 17 tourists, and I was the only single woman. But it was fine – I have good mental fortitude. Let others have their sweetness; I have my own romance. Travel is personal. Amid everyone's surprised looks, I savoured my freedom alone. The sea activities included parasailing, a glass-bottom boat, and underwater sea walk. Not exactly thrilling, but pleasant. Just too short; I barely felt satisfied before they were over. If you come on your own, I'd recommend spending a full day cruising the sea – that could be a great option. Many people also go on catamaran cruises to see dolphins. I skipped that, partly because I wasn't interested, and partly because I can't swim, which took away the biggest joy of being in the water.
Day 4 This was the most exhilarating day of my seven-day trip. I'd booked a skydive long in advance. Worried about unstable weather, I kept praying this activity wouldn't be cancelled. Luckily, the skies cooperated, and everything went smoothly. Today I had a private car (bundled with the skydive booking, a bit expensive at 650 RMB). The skydive was scheduled around noon, so we set off from the hotel in the morning, heading first to the Red Roof Church for the obligatory tourist photos.
Thanks to actress Cherrie Ying's wedding, this church is well-known to Chinese visitors. Many couples come here to take wedding photos or hold their ceremonies. The interior is small but still functions for services.
The moment I jumped from 6,000 metres, I screamed, releasing all my frustration, pressure, and mixed emotions. Soaring through the clouds, I thought, if there really were a pair of eyes looking down on all living beings here, what a compassionate heart that would be. But I'm just an ordinary mortal; occasionally tasting this sensation of piercing the sky was enough for me.
Costs: Skydive RMB 2,350
Private car RMB 650 (because I booked the skydive through the travel agency, the car was mandatory)
Photos: 4,000 rupees (~RMB 800)
Video: 4,000 rupees (~RMB 800)
Photo + Video: 5,000 rupees (actually, video alone is enough, since photos are just frames from it)
After skydiving, I stopped by Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden (entrance: 200 rupees). Because it was the wrong season, many flowers weren't blooming, but I still felt the grandeur of the royal garden. The giant water lilies, disappointingly, had only one or two flowers open, yet many people still came especially to see them.
I then headed quickly to Port Louis. After the adrenaline rush, I felt a bit tired, so I quickly bought souvenirs and returned to the hotel. Port Louis is the largest city and capital of Mauritius. Many international companies have set up here, but you can't deny it's still not that developed, with narrow streets lacking the grandeur of my Beijing.
One thing to note: Port Louis has many shops selling raw pearls and shells, but it's better not to buy them here. Although Mauritius is an island nation, it doesn't produce pearls; most are imported from China. Don't think you'll get a bargain on marine souvenirs.
On the way back, I quietly watched the sunset, soaking in the island's tranquillity as night fell.
Day 5 Time flies. Day five was for the southern coast. Setting out from the hotel, the weather shifted between sunshine and rain. First stop was Grand Bassin. Since two-thirds of Mauritians are of Indian origin – some say brought as labourers during British and French colonial times – they practice Hinduism. Grand Bassin is considered a branch of the Ganges by locals, a holy site for the Hindu god Shiva. Here, statues of Shiva and many other deities I can't name are enshrined. Swimming and fishing are forbidden in the lake year-round; it's used only for worship. The name 'Sacred Lake' explains itself.
The priest at the temple applied a vermillion mark on my forehead, the third eye, to bless me and wish for peace and health. I silently prayed that everything and everyone around me be well, and that my restless feelings of parting and sorrow settle into peace.
Wherever there is an ocean, there is a 'Land's End'. Here, no lovers whisper; instead, there's a 360-degree expanse of endless sea. For a moment, I almost felt like I could float up from the sea and drift away with the wind.
On the way to Pont Naturel, my driver Mike asked me why I came to Mauritius alone. I smiled and said, 'It's just me.' Perhaps my English isn't as nuanced as my Chinese, because he said I was a very lucky girl, completely missing my sense of loss. I asked him why. He said, 'Because Mauritius has a special gift for everyone who comes to see her.'
As we reached Pont Naturel, the rain had stopped. No other tourists disturbed this magnificent scene. The vast blue sky met the sea – maybe this was 'paradise' comforting me.
Because I was wearing my qin outfit, I really wished I could hold a Fuxi qin and sit on the bridge, playing a melody just for this sea...
On the journey back, Mike asked if I wanted to stop at a shop. I said sure, not expecting another surprise.
A young girl there painted a 'mehndi' pattern on my hand, symbolising beauty and happiness, bringing this solo journey to a perfect, regret-free conclusion.
(Costs: Private car 500 RMB)
Day 6 Returning to Beijing. My heart was full of tangled thoughts, but I had to leave. What I'd been avoiding had to be faced. Farewell to blue skies and vast oceans, sunshine and sandy beaches. The smog of Beijing and the real life beneath it is my reality. The transition from paradise to the mundane happens in just 11 hours of flight. When my feet touched the floor of Beijing Capital Airport again, I made a decision: to bid farewell to the past me, who was tangled and wronged; to follow my true heart in choosing life and love. I returned from my solo trip, and I broke up.
So, as I write this travelogue, I am incredibly calm.
Thank you, 'paradise', for all the beauty you gave me~
