Wednesday Walk Challenge : The coastal walk on an Indian Ocean island (Rodriques)

Today I want to take you with me along the north-eastern coast of a small island. This mountanious island is located in the Indian Ocean and is a part of Mauritius. But these two island are located some 500 kilometers apart. Rodriques is only 12 kilometers in length, and when standing on the highest point, Mt. Limon (398 m.) you can see the whole island. Because of its mountains, the island offers great hiking with lots of trails to choose between.

The eastern part of the island is known to have the best beaches and also the best hike along the coast. We were staying in a hotel 4 km. east of Port Mathurin at a place called Baladirou. This also happens to be one of the starting points of the Coastal Walk. Then it follows the coast around the eastern part of the island to Pointe Cotton. My sister and I started at 05.45 and were back for breakfast at 09 o'clock. When we started the sun was just about to rise in the horizon. The water level was low and we saw fishermen in the water. We did not know what they were collecting, but we guessed it was shells. The trail is well marked and easy to follow. The landscape did vary between sandy beaches and parts consisting of rocks and sometimes we felt we were walking in a forrest.

As we kept walking the light changed and we had many stops to enjoy the morning light. But we also took time to study the vegetation, like these cactus with fruits. We were not quite sure if we could eat them, so we only enjoyed to look at them. Suddenly a herd of goats would run past us and start climbing the rocky wall. Moutain goats for sure! they were quite sure footed. They are domestic animals, but roams freely.

We have now passed quite a rocky part that did cause us to take it slowly. The rocks were wet and could be slippery. Then back into the trees before we reach a beach. Again we took time to enjoy the beautiful light and look at all the shell collectors in the water. We have now passed quite a rocky part that did cause us to take it slowly. The rocks were wet and could be slippery. Then back into the trees before we reach a beach. Again we took time to enjoy the beautiful light and look at all the shell collectors in the water.

After a break on the beach we returned to our hotel the same way. The sun was high above the horizon. The light was beautiful. We couldn't help but stopping many times just to enjoy the beauty. It was definitly a beautiful morning.