The First Dutch Landing

Since I have quite some photos to share, I thought it was better to do two posts. This post is continuation of the previous post, although this is the start of the walk.

We took the express bus to Mahebourg. Most of the distance it goes on the motorway, but further South it goes through small villages and stops on every bus stop! From where we live, it takes approx 1 hour to reach Mahebourg (by bus).

We had a quick pop in at one of DH's aunts, before we started walking it up to La Vallee de Ferney; approx 7 km / 4.4 miles. DH's relatives almost fainted when they got to know we were going to walk that distance; 'oh, that's soooo far away, you'd better take the bus'!!!! But then again, Mauritians are known for not walking! (No offense to Mauritians!) :))

Lion mountain (480m / 1575 feet), a landmark at the Southeastern part of the island. It overlooks one of the oldest settlements on the island; the village Vieux Grand Port. After the visit to La Vallee de Ferney, it was too late in the afternoon to continue to this village. The mountain resembles a crouching lion, hence the name. There are trekking possibilities, which we hope to do one day.

An abandoned shop in the Riviere des Creoles village, just outside Mahebourg.

Across the road; another abandoned shop.

Do you notice the painted 'key' on the wall? It's an election symbol for the MLP-party (Currently ruling Labour party).

An 'endless' long stretch of the coastal road, just after the Riviere des Creoles village.

The other side of the road; sugarcane fields all the way up to the base of Montagne des Creoles (369m / 1211 feet)

The stone/paint on the stone, is what Mauritians call 'sugarcane field identity' - a kind of identification of the fields (each fields have one). Click to enlarge, and you will see;

F:503 - field number.

A: 40.79 - acres

H: 17.217 - hectares

M11 76,77 - variety of sugarcane created in Mauritius in 1976/77.

Nov: 01 - date planted (November 2001.

Avenue of palms,  leading to nowhere?! :))

I can't take my eyes off Lion Mountain.... that's why I almost missed the monument of the first Dutch landing - lol! Can you see it? Down there, to the left... Click on the photo to enlarge.

Impossible to miss!

What a sweet fragrance from the creepers covering part of the wall. The path leads to the monument of the first Dutch landing.

Ruins of a house.

I didn't get a photo of the entire monument. The 'platform' where it is built is not very big and there is no fencing, so I didn't take the chance falling into the sea! :0 !

The inscription reads; Hereabouts on 20th September 1598, Dutch Sailors under Wysbrand van Warwick, first landed and named this island Mauritius. This monument was erected in commemoration by the Societe de l'Histoire de l'Ile Maurice and unveiled on 20th September 1948. It was named in honour of Warwick's ruler; Prince Maurice of Nassau.

A bus loaded with school kids on excursion! They came to visit the monument - together with 3 teachers! - when we were about to leave. I hope none of them fell in the sea! :0!

View towards Vieux Grand Port, which we are going to visit/explore another day. :)

Mangroves in the sea near the Dutch monument.

  Hindu temple just after the first Dutch landing monument.

The entrance to La Vallee de Ferney is just a short distance from this temple. As I mentioned in the beginning, this post should have been published before the previous one.... Never mind... hahaha... I have covered the whole trip! :)

Another wonderful walk/hike, a distance of approx 12 km / 7.5 miles.  



La Vallee de Ferney Nature Reserve

Two weeks have gone by since our previous hike. The weather is just amazing these days; sunny with temperatures below +30C/86F. Neither too hot nor too humid makes it perfect for hikes. Since I have quite some photos to share, I'll do it in two parts.  

Yesterday we walked on historical grounds; La Vallee de Ferney - a 200 hectare nature reserve and the ruins of the first Dutch landing. This area is situated at the Southeastern part of Mauritius, approx 6-7 km/appr. 4 miles North of Mahebourg. Click here for a map of the area.

The former Ferney estate sugar refinery is the entrance to the Ferney Valley Nature Reserve. The refinery was built in 1743, one of the first sugar refinery built on the island. The buildings are beautifully restored.

The picnic area.
  

A mini-van took us a couple of km into the nature reserve, where we were met by a guide. He showed us some of the endemic trees, which was very interesting. Click here, and you'll get an idea of the track we followed as well as some of the trees we saw.  

Labourdonnaisia glauca - endemic to Mauritius. It reaches approx 20 m. It flowers rarely, perhaps once every 10 years. It is also known as Bois de natte, Bois de natte à grandes feuilles, Natte rouge à grandes feuilles. The tree is named after B. Fr. Labourdonnais (1699-1753), who was General Governor of the Isle de France (Mauritius) and Bourbon (Reunion Island)

Calophyllum Tacamahaca - native to Mauritius.

I don't find much info about the Tacamahaca in Mauritius. If you would like to know more about the trees, click here.

Cinnamon trees.

A 200-years old mango tree.

If the guide hadn't told us, we hadn't even guessed why some of the trees have red marks. The previous government was trying to force through a new motorway (we knew about that), with a tunnel through Bambous mountain. The red paint marks where the motorway was supposed to be built! This forest is one of the last remaining indigenous forest on the island. It has some of the world's rarest plants and animals, among them the world's rarest bird; the Mauritian kestrel.

Fortunate there were lots of protests and in the end the motorway project was cancelled and the valley/forest has been turned into a nature reserve. How great is that?!

Tabernaemontana Persicariifolia.

Psiloxylon Mauritianum, also called Bois Bigaignon. Endemic to Mauritius and Reunion Islands.

Part of the 3 km/1.8 miles long track.

The Ferney Valley is a controlled hunting area (stags/Java deer) as well. The hunting season is between June to end of September. There are lots of hunting towers to be seen in the valley. Actually we did see some deers in the distance, but they were too far to get a good photo. DH spotted some monkeys too - I missed them, because I was looking at some tree tops! :))

 

Stunning view to the Southeast coast; Pointe d'Esny to the right, Ilot Singe and Ilot Chat (the small islands).

The end of the track ends at the restaurant; an old hunting lodge. If we had wanted something to eat here, we had to book in advance. It was a bit late in the afternoon; almost 3 o'clock. The mini-van took us back to the entrance. We signed the guest book and off we went.
 While waiting for the bus, we got a pirate taxi who took us to 'la gare' (bus station) in Mahebourg. From there we had another one hour bus ride and 30 min walk to reach 'la case' (home). :)

To read more about La Vallee de Ferney's work; click here.

Bean fritters

I should stop following Sadie's blog; 'What's Cooking in your World'! lol (Sadie, I'm kidding!) There are so many yummy recipes and what inspired me this time, is Cecena - a dish from Niger. The dish calls for black eyed peas, which I usually get at one of the supermarkets, but not this time... :( Since our 'hiking season' has started, I always look for some easy 'take away' food to make, put in the freezer and just defrost when we go for a hike.

I have used the recipe from Sadie's blog as 'base', skipped the green chili pepper and added other spices to it. 

It's easy to make; soak beans overnight. In the blender they go - to a smooth paste.

Add finely chopped onions...

... garlic and  ginger...

(don't forget the egg!) :)

... to a paste.

In addition to these ingredients, I added

- black pepper

- cayenne pepper (powder)

- cumin (powder)

- coriander (cilantro) leaves ( finely chopped)

- curry (karipouley) leaves (finely chopped)

- salt

Fry on medium heat. Well, that depends on your oven.

(You will forget about 'swimming-in-oil' when you taste the fritters!) :D

Voila! :)

DH made a yummy touch to the fritters, by using Taco Seasoning!  (no photo - we have eaten it all!) You can also make your own taco seasoning, lots of recipes at the net.

Taco Seasoning gravy

- 1 can peeled tomatoes / or chopped tomatoes

- onion chopped

- garlic

- curry leaves

- garam masala

- water (approx 1 cup)

- little bit oil for frying

- 1 taco seasoning

Heat oil in a pan and fry onion and garlic.

Add curry leaves.

Add tomatoes. If using whole tomatoes, crush them a little bit.

Add water - depends how thick/liquid you want the gravy. 

Stir in taco seasoning, let it simmer for a few minutes.

Add bean fritters and simmer another couple of minutes.

Delicious!

Don't forget to visit Sadie's blog for more yummy recipes! 

 

Hike in the 'jungle' - Tamarind Falls

Ah! What is more joyful and memorable than a hike in the 'jungle' with friends?!

We were supposed to do this hike one week ago, but something came up and it had to be postponed. We were a bit worried how wet and slippery the track would be after raining cats and dogs for a couple of days, but it wasn't that bad after all.  

DH and I have been to Tamarind Falls/reservoir several times, and we figured out we hadn't done this hike since a friend's visit in 2005!

Tamarind Falls - or Sept Cascades - which it is called too, has 7 drops (hence the name; 'seven waterfalls'). The total height is 293m / 961 feet. The falls are diverted into hydro power, so rarely the falls are seen in its full power and beauty as on this photo (taken 2 years ago).

 I didn't take any photo of the falls this time, but if you hop over to Elzaan's blog, there is a photo of the falls, many other photos and lots to read! :) 

We set out around 08:30h in the morning, the best time to start a hike. Meteo predicted fair weather with local showers in the afternoon... We had such beautiful weather; sun, but not too hot.

View to the west coast; Flic en Flac.

The track leading to the base of the waterfalls.

DH and I are supposed to know the area... hm.... Embarrassed to say we missed the better entrance to the track and ended up in a 'mosquito hole'! I don't know what kind of blood suckers those mosquitoes are; not even the anti-mosquito stick worked! :( To our defense I can say we did the 'old' track earlier; through a small vegetable garden, so we were not totally lost even if that part of the 'old' track now is overgrown and a bit difficult to find.  

Approx halfway down the track is a shrine built into the mountain. I believe it must be in remembrance of a person who lost his/hers life in the ravine. Candle lights were burning when we passed.

Lush - and humid.

To the left side of the track you can see 'fatak' (Creole). 'Fatak' means 'tall grass'. Locals make brooms - 'balye fatak' of the flowers of this plant.

After a steep downhill walk, we finally reached the power station (no photo) and the river.

We had a rest and lunch at the river bank. Elzaan had made some delicious doughnuts - so yummy! Bean fritters and tea for lunch too. It felt good to fill up the belly as well as empty some of the weight in the rucksacks before starting the climb to the summit.

Rocky, Tamarind river at the base of the falls. 

Reflections in the river from the sky above.

Fairytale forest...

Came across this beauty on the river bank... no idea what it is...

 Betel climbing on a big rock.

Big termite nest.

Paper wasp nest - we saw a couple of nests in the area - here is one of them.

The hike/climb to the summit - Henrietta village - is steep, but not very strenuous. What 'killed' was the high humidity - phew!

We got on the right track this time and didn't end up in the 'mosquito nest'! We walked it straight up to where we had parked the car - and just in front is another Hindu temple.

We are not sure what kind of Hindu temple this one is; it could be either a Telegu- or Marathi Hindu temple...

Look at the blue sky! It was such a wonderful day, but we didn't see much of the blue sky and sun from the 'jungle'.

Aah, it was such a wonderful hike! Fresh air, lots of greenery, the only sounds from the river and the birds, tranquility and solitude - best of all; with wonderful friends!

Thank you friends, for yet another wonderful hike - and sight-seeing! :)

...and meteo was right; it started raining soon after we reached home!

Don't forget to check out Elzaan's blog to read more about the hike!