After the challenging yet rewarding conditions in Madagascar we decided to have a relaxing beach session in the neighbouring Island, Mauritius, off the south east coast of Africa. This is the beautiful holiday resort island where Elissa had hoped to spend our honeymoon – at least we still got there.

This week relaxing by the pool and having all our meals prepared for us was brilliant, and it was a luxurious change from beans and rice.

This is what we were looking forward to in Mauritius....

We stayed at a resort called Blue Lagoon Beach Hotel on the south east coast of the Island. It is a very nice hotel on the beautiful lagoon of Blue Bay and a very popular area to visit. It is also only 10 minutes from the airport (Taxi cost 500 Mauritius Rupees – $20 AUD). Taxis are not cheap in Mauritius so if you are staying across the other side on the East Coast in or near the capital of Port Louis, be ready for a $60-$70 USD taxi fair and an 45min or so car ride.

The stunning waters of Blue Bay, South East coast Mauritius...

Anyway back to relaxing and having fun…. We booked the all inclusive (as we enjoyed our all inclusive in Mexico very much) which mean’t all meals AND drinks (including alcohol) are part of the deal. This translates to cocktails by the pool and three meals a day plus pancakes and coffee at 3pm. It also included a gym (although there wasn’t much equipment) and a spa treatment facility offering everything from massages, pedicures, manicures and facials. There was free use of boats and windsurfers too, so we worked off some of our indulgence occasionally. For only $221 per night (for two) this 4 star hotel had plenty to offer. Early May is not peak season which helps.

Each day we would enjoy a buffet breakfast and buffet or al a carte lunch and dinner.

Elissa enjoying nightly entertainment... The hotel bar area was a nice place to hang out... and perhaps update our website with free wifi...

There was entertainment every night too. This guy was hilarious, he thought he was Lionel Richie, Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder all in one!!!!

This was lunch one day. We were quite impressed with the food...

We did leave the resort, albeit only twice. Once was to go snorkelling. Blue Bay has a fantastic coral reef called “The Coral Garden” located very close by in a Blue Bay Marine Park which we highly recommend seeing. You can actually access it from the beach if you are a decent swimmer but its better to go in a short charter boat. There was plenty of colour and life.

The water was warm and clear....

This bloke can skin dive....

We also left the poolside to visit the closest town called Mahebourg and the markets there. We recommend catching a bus there, it is only $1 one way. The shops and markets are pretty cool as is the seaside area. The market hasn’t got the Mauritius price tags that are obviously hiked up in the resort stores.

There was also a really good fruit and veg market... we obviously didn't need this!

We loved this place and recommend a visit there if you are keen for an exotic Island escape!!!

A few more photos in our gallery:

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