The Honest Jonny | BLOG

"Honest Jonny" seems to be loving the time off from blogging these days. Hopefully he has been doing his homework? This week's blog comes from non other than the "Lurker" himself - Steven Stuart. "Honest Jonny" was at least present for this experience... does that count?.

Swimming with the Dolphins in Mauritius

My first encounter with the paradise island of Mauritius is certainly my most memorable. Before traveling to Mauritius, my wife and I had to restrict our holidays to ‘invites from family.....', a weekend away in Dullstroom, golf tours (male chauvinist that I am) and stopping short of a caravan park at Salt Rock, we had all but given up on a family holidays. Little did we know that Mauritius, Beachcomber and Paradis Hotel would alter our perceptions of relaxation and hospitality forever

Having been asked to attend my fathers 60th birthday in Mauritius, we erred on the side of adventure and told the family we would join them at Paradis Hotel and Golf Spa on the South west of the island.

I will never forget the morning after we arrived and I stepped out of our perfect room, seeing the blue ocean lapping against the beautiful white beach sand.....A sight that is burned into my minds eye forever.

Thankfully, our travel party included my brother in law, whose first hand knowledge of the island and Phoenix (the local beer...and the best lager I have ever tasted), fast tracked our experience into something unforgettable. Together with the hotel staff's hospitality and his guidance, we had the experience of a lifetime....something my children still talk about to this day.

We never left the resort apart from 1 day when we went swimming with the dolphins.

It is a day that will take a lot to be surpassed. After a 30 min boat trip into the Indian ocean, we stumbled across a school of bottlenose dolphins. We were marshaled into the water by Bruno, our guide and against the back drop of the perfectly clear turquoise water, we chased the silhouettes of these beautiful creatures....practically touching them....At the time, it struck me that even the dolphins were relaxed and friendly!

Once we had exhausted our attempts to photograph, touch and swim after the dolphins we took a scenic trip back to Paradis. Just when we thought the day could not get any better, we were treated to perfect weather and some Mauritiun rum while we floated aimlessly a few hundred yards from the beautiful sight of the hotel and the ocean. Our euphoria (and the rum) transcended all of us into a place of utter happiness that I will never forget. Paradis was incredible and thankfully my family and I will have those memories remind ourselves how lucky we are....I suppose what I am saying is thank you beachtag, Beachcomber and Paradis for an unforgettable experience.

Fond Regards

Steven Stuart - a.ka. "the Lurker"