The people of Mauritius are multi-ethnic, multi-religious, multicultural and multilingual. Wow, that’s quite something, right? There’s more from dear friend Wiki. Mauritius is highly ranked for democracy and for economic and political freedom. Good. That’s just what the world needs in these troubled times when there are blind sheep everywhere bleating ecstatically, voting to be controlled. “Take away my freedom. Please, pretty please. I love being controlled. It gives me a sense of being looked after, cared for.”

There’s more. Along with the other Mascarene Islands, Mauritius is known for its varied flora and fauna, with many species endemic to the island. Flora and fauna are just my thing. I am so looking forward to saying ‘hello’ to as many of them as possible.

The island is widely known as the only known home of the dodo, which, along with several other avian species, was made extinct by human activities relatively shortly after the island’s settlement. I have been reading on it. Dodos were native only to the tiny island of Mauritius. The birds did not have a reason to be fearful of humans, so when European explorers first landed in the 17th century, the dodos apparently could be picked up by hand straight from the wild. Isn’t it so sad that humans took advantage of that trust by killing them ALL? Not only that I read somewhere, though I don’t know for sure (and I don’t have the time to look for the link right now), that the last one was shot by a birder. A birder?!!! What sort of shitty birder shoots a bird with a gun?

Mauritius government uses English as its main language. That makes things easier somewhat.

Now if you are thinking why I am going on and on about Mauritius. There’s a reason. By the time you read this, I’ll have concluded the second leg of my journey and have landed at Port Louis, capital of Mauritius, for a short holiday. Posts from now on are going to be ad hoc (for a week at least), a picture or a few lines as time permits, for I must holiday (Yippee!), but also being the terrier with the bone that I am, continue daily blogging as well. I only hope the hotel WiFi cooperates. Then all will be well… for me. 😉

©Shail Mohan 2017