Goodbye Rodrigues - Hello Mauritius

Port Mathurin anchorage

Rodrigues is the very little sister to La Reunion and Mauritius and certainly punches above its weight as far as we are concerned.  At a size of 8 x 18 km it is said to be like the Caribbean was 50 years ago> It is laid back, good vibes and very safe, helpful and very friendly. After three weeks we leave to catch Mr Fedex who has difficulty in delivering to the island.


Non urgent yachtsman request - picture framing - the cabinet makers will do it - back within a week very good workmanship - price very reasonable.

Definitely needed replacing!

Urgent yachtsman request - new axle for steering pulley - phone Tim and Liz. They collected us from the dock took us to the metalworker and there were new ones in our hand by the end of the morning - what service.

Want jerrycans filled by a meticulous garage attendant with a smile? Take your dinghy to the petrol station at high tide. Not a drop spilt - exactly 20 l (+/- 0.00l) in each can.

How do you do the Sega (a dance that slaves did) someone will show. Dance the day away on Sunday at the night club starting at 1400 for the very very old becoming more youthful as night unfolds.

On the two and half day passage to Mauritius we kept expecting the wind and sea state to increase but it did not. So we enjoyed a downwind sail in only 15kn with 2 m seas.  The only downside (financially) being that a ? shark took a liking to the towed generator impeller but we had a spare. The shark probably had severe indigestion.

Approaching Port Louis

Mauritius with its mixture of new skyscrapers and old buildings is also friendly and helpful but on a busier scale.
Within a week the rig has been checked, mainsail repaired, bottom scrubbed and Richard is busy on the week installation and upgrade for a second Silentwind wind generator to replace the old Air-X that bit the dust in Cocos Keeling.

Touching up the paint

Health and safety isn't one of Mauritius' strengths - even in the open bar of a 4-star hotel at around 1830!