INDIA BUSTLE
ON A LUSCIOUS JUNGLE ISLAND
BUSINESS CLASS LAY FLAT FROM JFK TO PARIS. I PASS OUT FOR 6 HOURS OF SHITTY SLEEP AFTER A GLASS OF CHAMPAGNE. 48 HOURS IN PARIS IS JUST A FLASH OF ESPRESSO AND CROISSANTS. 13 MORE FLIGHT HOURS OVER OPEN OCEAN TO A SPECK OF TROPICAL VEGETATION AND A VOLCANO.
MAURITIUS
FRANCE AND BRITAIN TAKE TURNS OCCUPYING THE ISLAND AND BRING SLAVES FROM AFRICA, MADAGASCAR AND INDIA TO PRODUCE SUGAR CANE ON THE ISLAND. THE LABORING POPULATION TOOK INDEPENDENCE IN 1830’S. THE ISLAND BECAME AN INDEPENDENT TERRITORY IN 1968.
SINCE THEN IT HAS BECOME A TROPICAL PARADISE THAT COMBINES THE TERRAIN OF KAUAI, THE BEACHES OF THE FLORIDA KEYS AND THE GENEROUS POSITIVITY OF JAIPUR LOCALS.
THIS IS THE PLACE TO DISCONNECT AND DO ABSOLUTELY FUCK ALL. RENT A VILLA WITH A POOL BY THE OCEAN WITH A CHEF AND FULLY RELAX. THE SOUTH END OF THE ISLAND IS MELLOW AND REMOTE. THE NORTH SIDE IS WHERE THE ACTION IS AT. CHOOSE ONE OR DO BOTH.
LOCAL SPIRIT: RUM
ACTIVITY IDEA: VOLCANO SUMMIT HIKE
LOCALS SPEAK: ENGLISH / FRENCH
A QUICK POOLSIDE RECHARGE. OUR VILLA IS SUBLIME BUT SOON I CRAVE THE MORE TANGIBLE REALITY OF SOUILLAC STREETS.
AIRPORT BOUND. A MONSOON SWIRLS IN AS OUR TRIP COMES TO A CLOSE, THREATENING TO HOLD US ON THE ISLAND A FEW DAYS LONGER. MY DRIVER SPEEDS THROUGH A DOZEN SMALL VILLAGES AS RAIN PELTS THE VAN.