August 26th

Yesterday 8-25, we left Dubai. We headed out around 0645 and caught bus to the airport. (We were able to downsize our baggage. We left behind the purple roller bag.) We arrived around 0730 for our 1010 flight to Mauritius. When we got through security, we went to the lounge. It was actually the check-in area for a hotel in the airport. The service and food was excellent. (But Jeff had a sore throat, congestion; plus, he started having bowel issues yesterday. He went to the Pharmacy here and bought some Imodium. So he really was not able to enjoy it as well.) There is a hot buffet and a cold/dry breakfast area. Boarding started at 0930. Today we are flying on an Airbus A380-800. It's a double decker-so to speak! There are two levels!!  We are on the top level. This is way cool!  We took off on time even. The service on board was exceptional. We were served a lunch: I had South African chicken curry. Jeff just ate the bread and cheeses from mine and his trays. We also had real service utensils. The stewardesses'/steward's were very attentive and were always bringing around water/juices. Total flight time was 6.5 hrs. We exited on the main level so we had to go down a flight of stairs in the aircraft!! 

Welcome to Mauritius!! Can't wait to unfold it's mysteries!

By the time we had our luggage and met with someone to acquire our car rental, it was sunset. We headed to our Airbnb, which we have for the whole time here- 30 days. As we were getting there, Jeff is feeling worse, and looking a bit greenish.  🙁  Plus, he is driving and it's on the incorrect side, the left!  We did see a couple of Hindu religious “floats” on the roads- don't know if there is a festival happening. (Google did not list anything.) Finally, we made it.  A lady was showing us the place, but poor Jeff I could see he just wanted to crash. (Also, I started having diarrhea! My oh my!!) Finally through the ins and outs- the lady left. We just went to bed.

Today, we awoke and Jeff didn't want up yet. I came into the front room and puttered around, and even laid back down awhile. Jeff, finally feeling a bit better, got up and around about 0900. We went out to a get a SIM card for our phones- ended up just getting one for my phone, because there's only one plan available and has a bunch of gigabytes, (that we probably won't even use from the one phone). They had a Hypermart right there, so we went in. It is a more upscale store, more pricey. We got some essentials, then went back home. Jeff was exhausted. (I don't think he caught what I had. It was so long ago, but that is how I was- exhausted and felt puny.)  We ate a small brunch, both scared to eat, but Imodium has helped.  Anyway he took some ibuprofen and went back to bed. I did laundry and started catching up on blogging. Jeff awoke again and wanted to go back out to another hypermart. This one is crowded and more reasonably priced. We got pretty much everything else on our list. (The checkout lines were very long- backing up into the isles. So I got in line while Jeff gathered the last bits that he could find.)  By the time we were through check out, it was sunset. We found another Pharmacy and Jeff got some cough syrup and antihistamine. Jeff laid back down. I made some pasta and he and I ate supper. He went back to bed.

So we still haven't really explored Mauritius, (this is some of why it's mysterious).  We have only seen a glimpse of the beach that is so close to us.