An Unforgettable Trip to Mauritius
My trip to Mauritius happened back in September 2012. It was with my Beijing friend Mimi and her friend—three of us in total. The two of them departed from Beijing, while I set off alone from Guangzhou. We took a night flight, met up in Dubai, and then flew together to Mauritius. It was my first time traveling alone abroad to meet up with others like that, and I didn’t even have international roaming on my phone at the time. Looking back, I really admire my own courage. We flew with Emirates, and it was truly luxurious—plenty of food on board, and I probably put on weight from all those in-flight meals. Of course, there were many Black passengers, and sitting next to them, I could definitely notice their distinct scent.
We departed on September 29, 2012, first arriving in the capital of Mauritius, Port Louis. Mauritius Island, in the western Indian Ocean, was formed by volcanic eruptions. As an African island nation, it is probably more pristine and natural than Fiji. If I hadn’t met Mimi, this ‘little friend,’ I would never have thought of coming here. Of course, hotel bookings and itinerary planning were all handled by Mimi; I just followed their lead. However, some unexpected incidents occurred along the way, which I’ll mention later.
After we arrived, we stayed at a seaside hotel, enjoying the ocean views every day and strolling around the capital, Port Louis. It was carefree and delightful.
An Unexpected Accident on Deer Island—Thrilling and Dangerous!
On September 30, we visited Deer Island, a beautiful small island famous for its white sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters. While Mimi and her friend were doing a light balloon landing activity, she accidentally sat on a wooden crate on the ground and got injured. She had to be hospitalized and receive stitches—this will surely be an unforgettable experience for her. At that moment, I was completely panicked. The staff took her and her friend away, and I couldn’t keep up. With no international roaming or WiFi on my phone, I was terrified and couldn’t contact them. I had no idea what to do. So, remember to activate international roaming when traveling abroad!!! And definitely buy travel insurance!!! Fortunately, I eventually found them. But Mimi was hospitalized, and her friend stayed with her, so I had to return to the hotel alone. The next day, we were also scheduled to move to a different hotel. On a side note, if not for these accidents, this place—with few people and gorgeous scenery—is really great for water sports enthusiasts. I still think it’s quite fun here.
We had a ‘luxurious meal’ on the island.
Human potential is limitless. Without anyone to rely on, you can manage on your own!
Mimi and her friend both love looking good and taking photos. Each of them had two suitcases, and together with mine, that made five suitcases plus several large bags. Things were still unpacked, and with no one to rely on, I had to depend on myself. Believe in yourself—you can do it alone! So, in a flurry, the hotel helped me call a taxi to the next hotel. I checked in, connected to WiFi, and finally got in touch with Mimi and the others. Learning that Mimi’s injury wasn’t serious, a huge weight was lifted off my chest. Then I wandered around the hotel, looked at the beach, and waited for them to be discharged and rejoin me.
Heading out to sea to watch dolphins—so healing!
Mimi and her friend finally rejoined me. It was a blessing in disguise! The insurance was really helpful too. Then we went to Grand Bay. Grand Bay is on the northwestern coast of Mauritius, famous for its almost circular beach and calm waters, earning it the reputation of being the island’s most beautiful bay. The scenery here is serene and gorgeous—a perfect spot for photos and relaxation.
Grand Bay is a renowned snorkeling paradise on the island. As someone who doesn’t usually enjoy water activities, I still felt extremely relaxed by this sea.
The dolphin-watching trip had been arranged long ago with a local day tour. Mimi, still not fully recovered, stayed at the hotel to rest, while her friend and I continued with the plan. So we boarded a cruise and set out to sea. The Indian Ocean was so blue! The moment we saw dolphins surfacing, it was truly therapeutic.
Seven Colored Earths—Soil with Seven Different Colors!
On October 4, the day before our return trip, we visited the Seven Colored Earths. Located in southern Mauritius, the Seven Colored Earths are a natural attraction formed by volcanic eruptions and subsequent oxidation. This site is one of the rare places in the world with soil in seven different colors. The earth was spewed out by volcanoes, changed color through oxidation, and shaped by erosion into undulating, wave-like mounds. Under sunlight, they reflect different hues.
Mauritius is an African country that still retains its natural ecology. Even after more than a decade, the memories are still vivid—this was truly an unforgettable journey!
