What can be more delightful than tropical Paradise? Sunset with a glass of champagne in tropical paradise…
Every sunset has a different shade
Pink
Very Pink
The Snail after the wet spell
Krug in Mauritius… What else?
No comments required… It was a fine day sailing!
Pretty surreal
When at sea, you call the island the “continent”
A lot of people go to Mauritius and stay in their resort, just enjoying the luxury of the premises and the dolce far niente. I do find that to be ashamed as Mauritius has a lot to offer, and those luxury resort just reproduce our western world. Mauritius is like an Indian dish, very little meat, there’s mostly birds native of the island, bright vivid colors and warm spicy people. As I mentioned in my previous posts from 2009, the island’s population is Indian, Creole and French.
We went on a little road trip down the South West of the Island. Although I recommend going out of the resort, they are 2 very key information before you venture out: the drive on the left side of the road and drive at your own risk… unless you are used to driving in a developing country, hire a cab for the day.
We enjoyed the scenery and a wonderful lunch at the Barachois a unique little jewel of a restaurant by the sea.
Indian influence
Streets Indian town
Banyan are my favorite trees
They are a lot of lovely public beaches around the island
Bird enjoying the Beach
Small Temple by the sea
The wonderful Barachois
Food Glorious Food! Lunch at the Barachois!
Walking on water… Souillac
The different relief of Mauritius – Ilot Sancho
I’ve spent quite a few Christmas in the Southern Hemisphere, so it’s never really been a choc to my system. It’s just not that christmassy and that’s fine. I do have some wonderful memories of white christmas but I guess as you grow older your interest in this holiday changes.
Don Padre and duh-sista
Showing off my SF tan… My sister said it was very “Mad Men” since I have not seen an episode I’m not sure it’s a compliment
La familia
Sistas with Donna Aunty
After 3 long years without any summer… I am back in tropical Paradise for the holidays! The joy of feeling warm! What a strange feeling not to even think about carrying a jacket…
Our little family by the pool 
Sunset from La Pointe au Piment
Champagne!
It might sound cliche, but although the name promised grandness, I guess I just wasn’t prepared for its vertiginous greatness. The Grand Canyon is like nothing I have ever seen, it really pushes your conception of space. It is not only wide and across many hectares, it runs deep. You can see the cracks made to the surface of the earth and can only barely imagine the power and force that created such deep wounds.
It is most definitely a must see. We were lucky with timing, as there was not a lot of tourists. People had warned me of the crowed but during our little hike we were by ourselves most of the time. In terms of accommodation we stayed in Grand Canyon Village but not at the expensive hotels on the Rim, as to have a view you’d need to reserve a year in advance. We did however go for Diner at the most expensive Hotel, El Tovar and if the quality of the hotel equals the quality of the food, you would be crazy to stay there. Pretentious for no reason, we actually sent a dish back as it was just not edible.
This has been an amazing road trip, I am very glad my sister and I were able to see and experience another America than the coastal one we are more accustomed to. It has definitely made me more curious about the Native American’s history.
Grand Canyon entrance
Grandness
There was definitely a lot of dears even in the village
We woke up early to catch the sunrise on Monument Valley… majestic! Breakfast at the view was descent especially in comparison to diner. We were ready to be back on the road destination… The Grand Canyon!
En route we had been looking at the map and I had mentioned it was possible to see fossils from the Dinosaur era. My sister was excited about the concept and it seemed to actually be on the road to Grand Canyon.
Next to Tuba city, still in Navajo territory is a site where you can see dinosaur footprints, take pictures and even touch them… which doesn’t seem like a good idea for heritage purposes… I’m not sure what is the legal state of the site. When you arrive some young people will ask you if you want to see dinosaur tracks… there is no entrance fee, and I don’t think you necessarily have to use the local youngsters as guide, but I don’t really see how to refuse. They know the spots and will throw some “facts” about the fossils. Our “guide” was nice a little nonchalant, but polite, he walked us around throwing a few dinosaur names at us and water on the tracks and “fossils”. Although it is hard to tell what was scientific fact and what was just seeing random shapes in rock formations, it was a fun experience. From what I read the tracks are from the early Jurassic period, but I have not found a truthfully serious article on this.
Sunrise on Monument Valley
Monument Valley in the Morning
Elephant feet, AZ
Elephant Feet and our Ford explorer
Dinosaur tracks!
This was described as Fossilized Dinosaur poop… However as I ventured on the internet I read this was not true. We were also shown “dinosaur eggs” but once again I read it was just a rock formation… As I am no Paleontologist, I’ll just be gullible and enjoy the ride
Rock formation or fossilized head as our guide hinted? He made us tap on it and explained that since it was hollow it was indeed a fossil… Not sure how scientific this method it
The road in the distance
The Grand Canyon
We arrived in Chinle by Canyon de Chelly after dark. It was a long road from Santa Fe and we felt we really deserved a nice beer after that drive. We went to the motel’s “restaurant”, well cafeteria, it smelt of canteen, quite dreadful really but the promise of a refreshing beer would conquer this foul odor. The waitress came by I looked bewildered at the menu, it seems the establishment was a family restaurant, that is to say no alcohol. And she indeed answered negatively to our request. A little miffed but still hopeful we went to the motel reception to inquire on any bar in the vicinity. The hostess looked at us with an uncomfortable smile as she explained… ” Navajo county is a dry county”…..
Que Miseria! I have never been in this situation, although America is generally borderline prohibitionist, carding you when you want a glass, with windowless bars, the no drinks what so ever seems just surreal. And now that we were right in the middle of Navajo county it seems we’d just have to go without.
This detail aside we had a nice stay, the Canyon de Chelly is a little gem. There was barely any tourist which means we could explore it and really appreciate its beauty.
I had to come to the evidence that I knew nothing about North America’s history. Never had I known a civilization prior to the settlers had built houses and villages. My general idea of Native Americans was that they lived in tepees, but there is more to the history of this continent.
Just like most human history it is tainted with rivalries for land, blood and betrayal.It is difficult to have a clear understanding of the history as it seems the subject is still somewhat controversial.
The Navajo, who seem to own the biggest reservation actually arrived quite late in the Canyon de Chelly, about 1700 they were coming from Canada. Before them, the Navajo say they were the “Anasazi” which in some guides mean “the ancient ones”, and some other it is said to mean “the old enemy”. This term is not specific anyway, as they were quite a few civilizations prior to their arrival.
The one civilization that intrigued me the most is the “pueblo”, it is the name that the Spanish conquistador gave them, as when they arrived they discovered those empty villages. The villages could shelter 2000 people, constructions were up to 4 storey high. It is unclear why they disappeared or left.
The Navajo History in the Canyon was not too peaceful at war with the neighboring tribes and the Spanish. In 1863, a US Colonel Kit Carson went on a rampage, killing and destroying their crops and cattle. Weakened the Navajo surrendered and were then forced to go on a “long walk” (deportation), from Canyon de Chelly to some exiled place in New Mexico, forced to walk for 300 miles, many died, those that survived did not receive a better treatment in Fort Sumner New Mexico.
Young Navajo artist in the Canyon
Canyon de Chelly
Ruins of a “Pueblo” in the rock
Boulders
Gorgeous weather once again
My sister having a good giggle
White house overlook – the only trail you can do without a Navajo guide. Should we had had more time we would have tried another hike.
Me goofing around on the bridge to the white house
Although it was cold it was lovely to see the canyon wearing its autumn colors
The white house is a “pueblo” as you can see it is intricate and quite complex built on both the ground and the rock.
Spider rock - Canyon de Chelly
After a lovely visit of Canyon de Chelly we headed for our next stop… Monument Valley in Utah. The drive was short and sweet which means we arrived in time for the sunset. Of our trip the View hotel in Monument Valley is the only one I will recommend. It is called “The View” and it holds its promise it is purely incredible. built in monument Valley all the rooms provide a glorious view of the valley. Yes it is a little expense but not much more than a hotel in Santa Fe and you get your money’s worth. Only down side… it is still in Navajo county so if you want to have a glass of Champagne while watching the sunset you better coordinate accordingly. Also the restaurant of the hotel is dreadful, but at least the prices are reasonable considering there is no other choice but eating there.
Sunset on Monument Valley
The always amazing Monument Valley at sunset – view from our room!
Sunset on Monument Valley… all that was missing was a glass of Champagne!
Beautiful change in the colors as the sun goes down
The Great hall at the View. It was interesting to hang out in the hall. The sunset was at 5:20pm so everybody went to diner early, but since no refreshments were offered we all just gather awkwardly in the hall. It is true that alcohol is our tool for socializing.
