CHAPTERS OF GRATITUDE - Chapter 2

The start of 2025 reminds me so much like that of 2023; I began the year on a high, doing things that I loved to do, not necessarily waiting for people to tag along. Like I had earlier mentioned, I finally got to making a vision board, detailed (even if I say so myself) and that has really been my compass so far.

In keeping with this vision, I embarked on a trip (by myself), to the beautiful Island of Mauritius; and yes it is indeed a beautiful place. I had not done any research about the Island prior to my visit and it seemed impromptu, however, I had planned to go on vacation beginning of the year, to help me fully recharge for 2025 and my destination was supposed to be Angola; however, circumstances did not allow for that, hence the plan B.

But before I go into the details of the first trip(s) of the year, I should say that I have also kept through to other parts of the vision, some of which include, my medical checks (eye and oral), looking forward to the full medical and God be on my side, I come out with a clean bill. Next phase of course would be to stay consistent and deliberate with the choices I continue to make.

Now to the trips, like I had mentioned, I made a quick, seemingly impromptu trip to the Island of Mauritius (23rd January - 27th January). While this is considered an East African country, it was interesting to see that the people themselves do not actually see themselves as Africans, instead as Islanders. Another shocking revelation to me was that this was a true no-mans-land in every sense of it, evident in the blend of people and tribes; from Indians (who are the majority), to the French (major colonizers), East & West African migrants and people from all parts of the world. 

The immigration staff at the booth was very helpful, I spent less than 5 minutes with him, and he stamped my Visa on arrival (VOA) at no cost! apparently unlike other countries where you need to pay for the Visa, in Mauritius, this is not the case. Just after I picked up my luggage was when the real journey started. The second set of immigration officers asked me to step aside and went through my luggage meticulously like I have never experienced before. I was vexed (did not show it), but plastered a smile on my face and just watched and answered all the questions they had; finally I was let go and connected with my driver, then the journey began to Salt of Palmar.

At this time, it was around 3:50AM, I had spent the last 11 hours in transit to this beautiful Island (still unbeknownst to me at the time), and was finally on my way to the hotel with the sole intent to rest before the plans for the tour commences the next day. The first few minutes seemed okay, but I quickly realized that the roads were narrow, winding and dark; to make matters worse, the driver looked sleepy. So here I was, in a strange land, all by myself with a sleepy Indian-origin driver, driving through some narrow-dark road for about an hour; I would be honest, my heart was in my mouth all through the ride, till I finally got there; and I was not disappointed.

 

I was quickly checked into my room and it was interesting. one of the things that struck me first was that there was no TV in the room, instead, there was a small radio box, playing some smooth urban music, there was also a book shelf, fresh tea and kettle and very comfortable bed. I quickly had a shower, jumped into bed and slept off.

When I woke up, I took a long walk on the beach to savor the beauty of my surrounding, did some reading and settled in for dinner, had a decent meal and went off to bed again to commence my adventure the next day.

Day 2, 24th January, 2025: Catamaran Cruise Le Morne. My ride was just on time, 7AM, from the East of Mauritius, where my hotel is located. Once again, it was a long drive, this time inclusive of the traffic at certain points on the road, we got to the harbor point at about 09:05AM. I immediately settled in immediately, waiting for the paper works and by 9:30, I was on the Catamaran with strangers from Germany, Poland, China, South Korea and South Africa - all either as a couple or in a group- and my humble self. The three-man crew, all young Mauritian men, gave us the safety briefing, told us the journey and stops and set us sail. My first reach was a bottle of Phoenix Beer (The Famous Beer of Mauritius), while I got lost in the beauty of the Indian Ocean as we sailed away.

  

  

We had a few stops in the middle of nowhere, looked for the Dolphins (did not see any), went swimming and snorkeling, had some good food on board, then headed for the the small Island to spend some more time with nature on dry land, and then headed back to shore, after about 6 hours on water.

The drive back to the hotel was slightly easier, I got to the hotel about 7:45PM and went in for dinner and to bed.

Day 3, 25th January, 2025: The day started off slower than Day 2, activity was not planned to be as intense either, so we set off from the hotel by 8:45AM; destination? South Tour with Rhumerie de Chamarel. Let mestart with my tour guide, Patrick, an interesting 60 years old Mauritian (Indian descent), a grand father, with three grown up children, the last of which now lives with her boyfriend (he is still adjusting to this way of life). I think we struck it off almost immediately, and as we drove out of the Coastal Road in Belle Mare, he told me of the religion, tradition, history and all every tourists would like to know. Our first stop, a Catholic church (I cannot remember the name now), which holds the relics of Pope St. John II; it was at this point I confirmed my tour guide was a catholic and he confirmed I was as well; and we got talking as we drove along about the world order as it is now and the direction it was tending to.

We had a drive across the Island, went to one of the view points in the Island, the Hindu shrine, where I ate some local Indian food (a good idea it turned out to be), the dam and some historic sites on the Island. Our last stop was the Rhumerie de Chamarel distillery, where I went through the the Rum making process, did some tasking and purchased some of the best made Rum. The distillery was however not operational at this visit as this was the planting season. I must say, there is some reach history about the ownership of lands here and reminds me of the same story of betrayal, greed, exploitation and lack of vision across Africa from both its leaders and its people.

At the end of the about 8 hours tour, I arrived back at the hotel, get some good meal and dead off to bed.

  

  

Day 4, 26th January, 2025: After three exciting days on the Island, it was time for me to commence my journey back home; but not before I had an hour massage at the hotel, one last bottle of Phoenix beer and some large prawns. By 14:45hrs, I was ready to start my one hour journey from the Salt of Palmar to the Airport, which I must say, is truly of international standard, or at least, better than anything we have in Nigeria. My driver, was quite the character, an interesting fellow, who was widely travelled, had practically worked in the most of Europe and America, but decided to settle in Mauritius simply because of the quite life, peace and beautiful scenery it offers. Clearance through the airport was fairly easy and in no time, I was onboard the Kenya Airways from Mauritius to Nairobi; and this is where it all got tricky. My layover in Nairobi was a long 9 hours, finally took-off from Nairobi to Lagos at about 08:30AM and arrived Nigeria 27th January, 2025 by11:45AM.

Now, in keeping with one of the items on my vision board, I immediately got on a cab, went to the office, picked up my car and went to the eye specialist hospital to see the Ophthalmologist! Successfully went though my tests, reviews were good, signed off on my new lenses and headed home.

The beginning of 2025 has indeed been off to an eventful start, with good fortunes, adventure and prospects for an even more amazing year. I look forward to the days ahead and the rest of the year; and I am optimistic that as I have once again hit the reset button in 2025, so shall it be and long lasting shall it remain!