Images from a beautiful, fascinating island nestling in the Indian Ocean. This collection encompasses the idyll of Mauritian beaches, the pure escape of holiday and the bustle of its capital city, Port Louis.
Two different times of the day in two countries. Sun-up on Dubai’s Jumeirah Beach, with a smattering of people enjoying the welcoming cool before the roasting heat of the day. And again when the sun was sinking slowly below the horizon beyond Gulf waters.
Dawn in Mauritius, on a deserted patch of beach in Le Touessrok, was relatively chilly. The promise of a blazing sunrise slowly faded and offered a muted show instead. In any event, sunrise and sundown are special times of the day and always enticing to the photographer.
See also: Stripped Sky Sumptuous sunset
235 Frangipani, Le Touessrok, Mauritius. Our address for a number of days recently. Not just a hotel room but a self-contained suite, comfortable and relaxing with the crashing of the waves to lull you to sleep.
One of the best features of our place in the sun was stepping out of the French doors onto the balcony. The Indian Ocean lapped just beneath it, and a blue expanse of sea stretched to the horizon. The private, paradise island of Ilot Mangenie could be seen across the water, and the white surf against the coral reef further beyond.
This was the end of winter in Mauritius, and refreshing winds occasionally made the balcony a bracing place to be. There was also some rain to complement the azure skies and sunshine that was also on offer.
As the autumn chill begins to bite in London and the time to buy winter coats beckons, these photographs are a warm memory of our home in the tropics.
The second part of our travels led us away from the stifling heat of futuristic Dubai and to the Indian Ocean island country of Mauritius.
The contrast couldn’t have been more marked – a fresh breeze was blowing across the island, and the hard work of negotiating the Middle Eastern city was replaced with relaxation and a touch of luxury at Le Touessrok.
It has its own private island – Ilot Mangenie – a boat ride away and a place where lazing in hammocks and beachcombing are the order of the day. These photographs will provide warming food for thought deep into the grey and chilly London winter.
