After spending some time at the Tamil temple (previous post), we continued towards the mountains. Since we'd never been on these roads before we had to confirm the exit (road) to the main road, by asking a local resident.
Part of Trois Mamelles (629m /2063 feet). Sugarcane fields on both sides of the road.
The Trois Mamelles.
To the right of Trois Mamelles (facing west) is majestic Montagne de Rempart 777m / 2549 feet - a very impressive mountain.
Corps de Garde - 719m /2359 feet - from another angle than usual.
Walking the road, we were facing Trois Mamelles and Mountain Rempart, Corps de Garde on our right hand side.
After awhile we reached Riviere St Martin (the river) at Bassin village, a tiny village "in the middle of nowhere" - surrounded by sugarcane fields. Very idyllic, if it hadn't been for the garbage at the river! :(
Obvious the riverbank is used for prayers/offerings. I'm not sure if this is a peepal tree, I didn't notice the leaves... Peepal is considered as a sacred tree, which you can read more about here.
... why on earth do people have to litter everywhere?! This is something tourists - most probably - won't see, a place not on the tourist map - so it doesn't bother anyone - does it?! I can't even remember I saw as much as one bin along the riverbank!
After crossing the St Martin River (bridge), we ventured into private property! YES! One of too many on the island! This area belongs to Medine Sugar Estate and without a written permission one is not allowed access! DH saw the "Private Property" (not even pedestrians allowed!) on this road, but I didn't see it... DH asked some guys resting under the huge tree to the left and they could tell; "just follow the road and you'll end up on the main road at the end of Palma!". There were no guard to be seen, so we just continued...
I'm not sure what tree this is, but I find them so beautiful and elegant. :)
Lots of greenery in this area. Pristine and tranquility (if it hadn't been for the traffic!)
Sugarcane fields in all directions.
Sugarcane was introduced to Mauritius from Batavia (Jacarta) by the Dutch in 1639. The French governor - Labourdonnais - started the sugar production and set up a sugar factory in 1744, using slave labour. By the time the British arrived - 1810 - there were 10000 acres under cultivation.
If interested, you can read more about the history of Mauritius here.
At the end of the "private" road I saw it; the sign! Terrifying - isn't it?! :))
There were surprisingly a lot of traffic on that road, and I'll be surprised if ALL the cars we saw had a permission to drive on this road!
The Hindu temple at La Louise - Quatre Bornes.
Part of Trois Mamelles (629m /2063 feet). Sugarcane fields on both sides of the road.
The Trois Mamelles.
To the right of Trois Mamelles (facing west) is majestic Montagne de Rempart 777m / 2549 feet - a very impressive mountain.
Corps de Garde - 719m /2359 feet - from another angle than usual.
Walking the road, we were facing Trois Mamelles and Mountain Rempart, Corps de Garde on our right hand side.
After awhile we reached Riviere St Martin (the river) at Bassin village, a tiny village "in the middle of nowhere" - surrounded by sugarcane fields. Very idyllic, if it hadn't been for the garbage at the river! :(
Obvious the riverbank is used for prayers/offerings. I'm not sure if this is a peepal tree, I didn't notice the leaves... Peepal is considered as a sacred tree, which you can read more about here.
... why on earth do people have to litter everywhere?! This is something tourists - most probably - won't see, a place not on the tourist map - so it doesn't bother anyone - does it?! I can't even remember I saw as much as one bin along the riverbank!
After crossing the St Martin River (bridge), we ventured into private property! YES! One of too many on the island! This area belongs to Medine Sugar Estate and without a written permission one is not allowed access! DH saw the "Private Property" (not even pedestrians allowed!) on this road, but I didn't see it... DH asked some guys resting under the huge tree to the left and they could tell; "just follow the road and you'll end up on the main road at the end of Palma!". There were no guard to be seen, so we just continued...
I'm not sure what tree this is, but I find them so beautiful and elegant. :)
Lots of greenery in this area. Pristine and tranquility (if it hadn't been for the traffic!)
Sugarcane fields in all directions.
Sugarcane was introduced to Mauritius from Batavia (Jacarta) by the Dutch in 1639. The French governor - Labourdonnais - started the sugar production and set up a sugar factory in 1744, using slave labour. By the time the British arrived - 1810 - there were 10000 acres under cultivation.
If interested, you can read more about the history of Mauritius here.
At the end of the "private" road I saw it; the sign! Terrifying - isn't it?! :))
There were surprisingly a lot of traffic on that road, and I'll be surprised if ALL the cars we saw had a permission to drive on this road!
The Hindu temple at La Louise - Quatre Bornes.
As you can see of these photos, Hindu temples in Mauritius are rather simple compared to Hindu temples in India. One exception is the Maheswarath Hindu temple in Triolet, which is very beautifully decorated.
The 'Shikhara' (summit). It represents the mythological 'Meru' or the highest mountain peak. The shape of the dome varies from region to region (in India) and the steeple is often in the form of the trident of Shiva.
A big metallic (brass?) bell hangs from the ceiling in the front porch of the temple. Devotees ring the bell to announce their arrival and departure.
Nandi the bull.
Offerings - coconuts and incense sticks - have been done.
Here you can read more about offerings in Hinduism.
(If not mistaken).
Sacred fig tree - also known as "Ashvattha" - in the temple's courtyard.
If you want to read more, check out this blog.
1 comment:
so many beautiful places to see!!thanks for sharing. We too here have way too much trash on the sides of the roads in places.
Karen
http://karensquilting.com/blog/
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