13 July Mauritius island tour day 2 south east

Our second day took us south and east in search of waterfalls. Using Google Maps we followed the route through a village and down a narrow and winding road between tall sugar cane fields until we found a sign warning 'No swimming'. This was the inauspicious entry point to a beautiful waterfall called L'eau Bleue. We parked our small hire car amongst the cane and jumped a ditch into the field. In front of us was a line of trees atop a steep cliff and we could hear water below. We followed the path to the left and upwards until a side path through the trees lead us down to a pool of water. Looking up we saw the first waterfall feeding the pool at our feet and this tumbled down making the second waterfall. Returning to the top path we walked back to the no swimming sign and found the route to the lowest pool. Climbing down the steep path using tree roots for hand and foot holds and lo! We'd found the blue water – a very pretty place, tumbling water, a clear pool for swimming and green trees all around.

looking in to L'eau Bleue

Next item on Tour Jackster was Pont Naturel, a natural bridge on the south coast. The journey was as interesting as the view; we left the tarmac road and continued the last two miles on dirt roads between sugar cane plots to the coast. Here volcanic lava had reached the sea and cooled fast to form a rugged platform. Wave action had under cut the cliff to create a natural bridge. Le Pont Naturel.

pont naturel

Lunch was taken at a cafe in the coastal town of Mahebourg; a substantial biryani and chicken with a cup of tea made just for us. We walked along the promenade, tasted some very fine home made ice cream and met a party of special school children on a day out. All the children were hearing impaired and from less privileged families. We caught up with them and their London educated psychologist at a Coast Guard presentation. Sweet and generous Gary treated all the children and their teachers to ice creams and didn't mention it.

Mahebourg bay

From Mahebourg we took the east coast road all the way back to Grand Bay. On the way we stopped at Grand River South East (the village sign abbreviated to G.R.S.E) waterfall. You could take a tourist boat from the village to the base of the fall or you could park, where else but in the cane, and walk to the top of the falls to look at the tourists in the boats and the waterfall. The fall was pretty, the people watching addictive.

People watching at GRSE falls

Last call of the day and of our two days of exploring was watching the sunset at Cap Malheureux on the northern tip of the island. This is bay where the British navy landed in 1812 and chased the French out of the country. Which is why Mauritians use French for everyday and English as the official language of government and law. 

Cape Malhereux church

It's also a scenic spot to have you're official wedding photos taken.