on a cold cold friday...

... today has been a very. very. cold day in Amman. How cold I don't know because I actually haven't been outside. It started with wind, lots and lots of it. More and more clouds came and the rain came, lots and lots of it. We stayed at home.

I started my day with a good cup of coffee and the Jordan Times, while the rest of the house was still asleep. There were a couple of interesting articles. One about Jordanian Politics, this one about water conservation (it made me smile) and an other one about press freedom in the Kingdom, among others.

Then as the weather went from bad (wind) to worse (rain), I cut vegetables, I steamed vegetables and I pureed vegetables for my ever hungry growing Bobsy. And now it is dark and still wet outside I decided to brighten my mood with some holiday pictures. I love holiday pictures on such a day... and of course they are from Mauritius! I needed some pictures that reminded me of summer.

Beach - I love this panoramic feature on my new camera... a Sony nex-5

end of the day...

Bibs...  

Sunset and the fisherman finishing his day

and the night pics as well... without a tripod! 

I can't wait for spring to arrive. I know that we need water in Jordan and it's good that it is raining - but I miss the sun already! 

Away from Amman: The Blue Penny and the Waterfront

The Caudan Waterfront has become over the years a tourist hot spot in Port Louis. It is a large shopping area, with restaurants, cafes, a cinema and even a casino. Obviously it is located by the water so it makes it perfect just to take a walk as well.

 

The shopping area is very large with both international brands and more local things. Pardon, a brand from Reunion Island is worth the visit. There is also a nice crafts market on 2 floors.

There are a few historical things to look at, as the Postal Museum or The Observatory.

The Observatory was built in the beginning of the 1830's and was the first of its kind in the Indian Ocean, used mainly for cyclone warnings and astronomic views helping the weather forecast in the harbour. It had a short life as it stopped operating in 1866 and the tower was brought down in 1880. The main building is still there, showing the architecture of the time and of course the evolution of the Caudan.

In the Caudan, you will also find the Blue Penny Museum - the museum is named after the legendary and very rare 2 pence blue stamp. There are the first stamps of the British Empire to be printed outside the United Kingdom, in 1847. One of these can be seen in this small museum.

Blue Penny Museum

The particularity of this stamp is that it says "Post Office" instead of "Post Paid" and about 240 pieces were sold before the mistake was noticed. The little story says that most of these stamps were used to send out  invitations to the Mauritian Governor's wife ball. 

The museum displays a collection of boat models, the postal story of Mauritius as well as a whole section on "Paul & Virginie", the famous book by Bernardin de St Pierre. It is the story of 2 young people who know each other since birth, fall in love and die on the wreckage of the Saint Geran. For those interested it is possible to dive and see the wreck. 

Opposite the museum there is a small art gallery, where we bought some lovely prints from Mauritian artists, worth a visit if one is looking for a small souvenir. 

Some more pictures of the Caudan...

Away from Amman: a couple of days at the Residence

We had the pleasure to spend two nights at the Residence Hotel in Mauritius. It was a pure pleasure, we had an amazing time. The hotel is located about 45minutes from Port Louis, on the East cost. Now the only real problem with that coast is the wind. There is always wind, all year around - during the summer month it doesn't matter, but the rest of the year it can get a bit chilly when the sun is not out and shinning. Having said that, it was still a fabulous stay.

The hotel has a lovely colony style and the feeling in the hotel is great. We were upgraded to a gorgeous junior suite and got some really nice amenities as well, including a bottle of Champagne, fresh fruit and some small almond muffins with banana compote. There is also a butler available, he can come an help you unpack your luggage, get your trouser pressed or anything else you can think of.

The pool and the beach now: the pictures speak for themselves. The beach is amazing, I guess it's about 1km long, and it is wonderful to walk by. The tides are quite strong and when it is low it is possible to walk really far out or stay by the rocks and find small crabs.

The sea...

And more sea...

The pool area is not so big and can get fairly crowded in the early afternoon. We were told it is heated, so the temperature of the pool should also be nice during the winter months. There is an outdoor jacuzzi as well. 

The pool area

The hotel as a very nice garden as well, as well as a kids club and of course a boat house where you can book snorkelling, glass bottom for free or scuba diving for a fee.

Kids Club

@ the boat house

I think the only thing the hotel is lacking is the sunset - but there isn't anything they can do about that, since they are on the wrong side of the island. But then, I love to walk on the beach at sunrise as well, so quiet. The service was terrific, all staff very helpful and friendly. We have stayed at quite a few hotels in Mauritius and I have to say that this one is one of our favourites so far.

Away from Amman: a view of Port Louis, Mauritius

When we are in Mauritius we live just north of the capital Port Louis. It is a very busy city, where Creoles, Chinese, Indians, Christians, Muslims or Buddhists live together.

There are a few things to look at in Port Louis, of course the Bazaar, the Waterfront, Aapravasit Ghat (world heristage site), the Citadel, to name a few.

Entrance to the Central Market, or Bazaar of Port Louis

The Bazaar: you will find everything here: Fruit, vegetables, meat, poultry and fish; then there is the more "tourist" side with all kind of souvenirs (t-shirts, crafts...), but also vanilla, spices or herbs. All prices in the later part are discussed - one small tip for the vanilla pods : some not so honest sellers soak the pods in water so they look more attractive, but a pod should be more on the dry side. This time I paid 200 rupees for 10 pods - they are now in a glass with a bit of sugar waiting to be used in Christmas goodies or in other "canard a la vanille".

Some examples of the different religions present on the island: the entrance to a Chinese Temple, the Mosque, the Cathedral and a Hindi temple. I admit the temple is from another city, not far from Port Louis. 

 And some other views of Port Louis...