the viewing deck: Summer Africa 2nd Week-end Solo Trip: Adventures in Mauritius

Mauritius Island (Le Mourne, Charmamel, Port Louis) week-end adventure
November 09 to 10, 2018

2nd among the 3 Summer Africa week-end solo trip following the success of 4 consecutive week-ends only in Southern Europe last Sept. 2018 to maximize the Schengen Visa validity. Week-end adventure never ends indeed from 2018 Summer Europe to 2018 Summer Africa. My 9th country to visit in the Continent of Africa following the Seychelles just last week-end, 66th solo backpacking trip, total of 84th countries visited so far and of course, usual budget do-it-yourself itinerary from arrival to departure. On this trip also I started to create the #lakbay100 quest to visit 100 countries as Philippine Passport holder.

Summer Africa 2nd Week-end Solo Trip: Adventures in Mauritius

MAURITIUS
timezone - UTC +0400H capital - Port Louis language - English currency - Rupee (MUR) 1 USD = 34 MUR
visa - Philippine passport holders are eligible for Visa for sixty days on arrival (free of charge)

A visa is an official acknowledgement issued by the Immigration Office/Embassy/Consular of Mauritius, indicating that your application to enter Mauritius has been reviewed by an Immigration Officer and that the officer has determined you are eligible to enter or transit in Mauritius for a specific purpose. A visa, therefore, simply allows the bearer to travel to Mauritius up a port of entry and does not implicitly guarantee right of admission into Mauritius. The final decision to admit a non-citizen rests with the Immigration Officer after examination at the point of entry in Mauritius. He/she decides how long the person can stay for any particular visit. Visas and Extensions of stay are issued free of charge.
http://passport.govmu.org/english/passport%20and%20visa%20requirement%20in%20mauritius/pages/visa-requirements-in-mauritius.aspx

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT MAURITIUS
1. The main island of Mauritius (called Mauritius) is only 28 miles wide and 40 miles long. It is of volcanic origin and is almost entirely surrounded by coral reefs.
2. Mauritius is the only African country to have a Hindu majority
3. Mauritius is a volcanic island that first rose above the waves eight million years ago.
4. Mauritius is almost entirely surrounded by coral reefs.

Summer Africa 2nd Week-end Solo Trip: Adventures in Mauritius

2 DAYS WEEK-END SUMMER TRIP IN MAURITIUS PREPARATION AND ITINERARY (NOV. 2018)

Preparation:
Nov. 09 Flight Dubai to Mauritius 355 AED
Nov. 10 Flight Mauritius to Dubai 415 AED
Riverside Studio Apartment (payment upon arrival)
Total: 770 AED

Day 1: November 09, 2018 Friday
0025H ETA Dubai Airport
0225H ETD Dubai; Flight EK701
0910H ETA Mauritius; immigration and check-out; exchange $90 = 3,078 MUR
bus #198 to Trianon 34; bus #163 to La Louise 12; lunch 60; bus #5 to La Gaullette 34
1400H Hotel Check-in; water 25; magnet 100; bus #5 to Le Mourne 24
1430H ETA Le Mourne hiking (500masl) (1.5km + 3.6km trail from main road to summit)
free registration, no guide required, hike at my own risk
1530H Southwest viewpoint, best 360 view on the mountain
1600H Continue Hiking, reached only around 400masl due to trail steepness and less rock climbing experience; back to southwest viewpoint to relax
1700H ETD Southwest viewpoint
1800H ETD Main road; bus #5 to La Gaullette 24; dinner + breakfast tomorrow 315
1900H Hotel apartment payment 1N 1,400; relax and sleep; beer 200
Total: 2,228 MUR

Day 2: November 10, 2018 Saturday
0630H ETD Hotel
Bus to Charmamel Junction 34; Bus to Charmamel 24
0720H ETA Seven Color Park; Charmamel Waterfalls; snacks 60
0930H bus to Case Noyale 24
0945H bus to Flip en Flap Junction 34
1030H bus to Flip en Flap 24; Flip en Flap beach stroll; mango 35
1130H bus to Port Louis 34; Waterfront stroll; mcdo lunch 194
1345H ETD Port Louis; bus to airport 34
1520H ETA Mauritius Airport
1655H ETD Mauritius; Flight EK702
2355H ETA Dubai
Total: 497 MUR

TOTAL: 2,228 + 497 = 2,725 MUR ($80) + 770 AED ($210) = $290