Far So Close

Far So Close Travel lover on the quest to explore the world. Digital content creator based in London.
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Before reaching Seven Coloured Earth, we stopped at the Chamarel Waterfall where we got to visit two viewing platforms w...
25/08/2023

Before reaching Seven Coloured Earth, we stopped at the Chamarel Waterfall where we got to visit two viewing platforms with one being on the parking lot level and the other required a little bit of climbing (100 m).

Undoubtedly the tallest single-drop waterfall in Mauritius at about 100m high, the Chamarel Waterfall is a striking piece of nature standing amid dense vegetation.

Fed by the waters of three distinct streams pouring into Saint Denis River, it has a powerful rush with a peak flow rate in excess of 40,000 m³ per minute.

Proceeding along the Seven Coloured Earth Geopark’s 3 km access road, which makes for a scenic drive to the geosite, don’t miss the waterfall’s viewpoint on your left.

Overhanging the ledge of a basalt cliff, the Chamarel Waterfall splashes into an oval pool before flowing down a 6 km tropical-forest-fringed canyon to Baie du Cap.

The sight not only floods the senses with freshness but it is also a spectacular showcase of millions of years of volcanic activity.

The dramatic landscape of Chamarel Waterfall was formed by lavas of two different ages. The layer of brecciated basalt near the base dates from between 10 to 8 million years ago, on top of which lies a second layer from the intermediate period between 3.5 and 1.7 million years ago.

If you like trekking you can take one down the secret valley of the Chamarel Waterfall. This trek of three hours will take you to the base of Chamarel Waterfalls, where you can have a swim in the pool as the waterfall showers you from its majestic heights.

This location, which is of outstanding beauty, will awe you with its sights and sounds evocative of a true tropical rainforest.

No wonder why the Chamarel Waterfall is ranked among the most sought-after sightseeing spots in Mauritius!

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After visiting the Chamarel Viewpoint we decided to continue driving towards the Chamarel Seven Coloured Earths, the mai...
20/08/2023

After visiting the Chamarel Viewpoint we decided to continue driving towards the Chamarel Seven Coloured Earths, the main attraction of Mauritius island.

While driving on B104 road in Chamarel we already saw a sign showing the way to the entrance to the Chamarel Geopark. Upon arrival we found a small cash register where we bought our ticket to visit the park.

Depending on what you want to see in the Geopark, the entrance fees are different. Since we only wanted to see the Seven Colored Earth and the Chamarel Waterfalls we paid 500 MUR per person (£8.50).

Once we paid for tickets, we continued our journey by car through the Geopark. To be honest it was one of the best experiences on the island and we drove through the Ebony forest with the coffee plantation being the main attraction.

The first stop was a Chamarel Coffee Plantation, which has been produced there since 1967 and was the only coffee grown and processed in Mauritius. It was made from the pure Arabica coffee beans, one of the most popular varieties in the world.

Chamarel’s plantations extended over 16 hectares at altitude of 280 metres above sea level. As we found out the coffee trees normally flowered in November with the first summer rains, then it produced bright red berries containing two coffee beans.

The fruit was harvested by hand between May to September by a team of experienced female pickers. The fruit covering coffee beans was removed and the beans inside were then dried and roasted using signature artisanal methods.

The coffee plantation was located within the Ebony Forest, a 50 ha conservation area for Mauritian endemic species with a rehabilitated indigenous forest (including rare semi-dry forest types), situated in Chamarel, in the south-west of Mauritius.

The Ebony Forest was established in June 2017, after 10 years of work in restoring and planting 130,000 endemic species. In addition to the reintroduced species, the reserve is home to some of the few remaining stands of original mature endemic Ebony forest.

The reserve has canopy walkways and view points and also runs guided tours or safaris. There is a museum, restaurant and educational facilities on the reserve. It is located next to the Seven Coloured Earths site, in the Chamarel area in the south west of the island, where we were going next.

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One day as we drove from Flic en Flac towards the Chamarel Seven Colours Earth, we stopped at the Chamarel Viewpoint. Th...
16/08/2023

One day as we drove from Flic en Flac towards the Chamarel Seven Colours Earth, we stopped at the Chamarel Viewpoint. The road was easily accessible by cars, although we had to drive up the mountain and some parts got winding with many serpentines.

Just before reaching the village of Chamarel, there was a stunning Chamarel Viewpoint with a small observation deck from which we had a magnificent view over the south-western coast of Mauritius.

Although the viewing platform was quite small and we guessed it could have been packed during the weekend, we’d planned to visit during the week quite early in the morning. Alternatively we would also highly recommend to come by just before the sunset.

Once we got there we found a restaurant nearby overlooking the Indian Ocean with a parking lots provided to stop for a while.

That’s where we got to admire panoramic views over the lush greenery and the turquoise waters of the southwest coast with Le Morne to the left, La Tourelle du Tamarin to the right and Île aux Bénitiers just in the front!

On the way up in the mountains we stopped by The Saint Anne Church of Chamarel which dated back to 1876. The chapel, located opposite the local church, was awarded the status of national heritage site.

Generally Mauritius island offers an inexhaustible source of architectural prowess in the form of temples, churches and mosques. There are many pristine churches dating back to the French and British periods that are to be on the must-see places in Mauritius.

The churches found in Mauritius are eye-catching and around 30% of Mauritians follow Christianity, the second largest after Hinduism according to the census made in 2011.

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15/08/2023

🇲🇺 Grand Baie, La Cuvette & Flic En Flac!

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To chase the most beautiful sunsets we came back to La Cuvette beach! To be honest few things capture the imagination li...
08/08/2023

To chase the most beautiful sunsets we came back to La Cuvette beach! To be honest few things capture the imagination like a tropical sunset – it's something to do with those mesmerising shades of orange, purple, red and yellow that has us transfixed until the last ray of sun sinks below the horizon.

What did we do afterwards? Enjoyed exploring new places to eat! Often described as the 'melting pot of flavours', Mauritius offers a wide variety of food from different cuisines.

Because it is greatly influenced by the tropical location of the island as well as the cultural diversity which characterises the country, you find many flavours being mixed to provide some of the most delicious food! Mauritian cuisine is true a blend of African, Chinese, European (mainly French) and Indian (mainly Bhojpuri) influences.

To be honest dining out in Mauritius is also very affordable. A typical meal in the restaurant costs around 300 MUR (£5) for a starter, 400-500 MUR (£8) for a main and 150 MUR (£2.5) for a pint of beer (Phoenix). The street food is between 100-300 MUR (£1.70-£5) per meal.

What we found interesting was that if you were shopping in supermarkets such as Super U, the cost of food is similar to what we pay in the UK. There aren’t many big supermarkets or small grocery stores around the island and once you find them, you have to queue at least 20 min to pay.

Because the sun set quite early in Mauritius which is around 6pm, we used to leave the car near our apartment in Flic En Flac and went out to explore new places to eat.

One of the most memorable ones we can highly recommend was Le Bougainville Restaurant. That’s where we got to try prawns with garlic and ginger with gravy sauce for a starter, seafood curry with Safran rice and tuna steak with chips for a main! The bill was only 1600 MUR (£28) for 2 including Phoenix beers!

What is you favourite cuisine? 🤤

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The Grand Baie public beach is situated at the very centre of Grand Bay district. Although it’s quite a small one, only ...
01/08/2023

The Grand Baie public beach is situated at the very centre of Grand Bay district. Although it’s quite a small one, only about 300 m long there are several rows of casuarina trees planted along the beach.

Grand Baie is considered to be the most ‘party’ beach in Mauritius and to some, the most unsuitable for swimming. One thing is certain that it’s the most lively and cheerful area of the island with bars and restaurants that don’t close at 8 pm.

Although the water at Grand Bay has an absolutely amazing light turquoise hue, most vacationers prefer not to get in, but to admire it from the shores.

That’s mainly due to close proximity of the pier and quite active boat and catamaran traffic inside the Grand Bay. To be honest we didn’t mind going for a swim and at the end of the day we watched the most spectacular sunset overlooking the bay!

Grand Baie beach attracts tourists by being in an immediate vicinity of eateries, bars, souvenir shops, nightclubs, shops and various tourist attractions.

We’ve had some beers from a local beach bar and street food from various food tracks located nearby. It was the most amazing moment to enjoy them on the beach while watching the sun setting behind the sea.

At the end of the beach there is a fish market where fishermen bring their catch to sell. It is advisable to come here between 1pm and 3pm to find some real bargains.

At this time, fish and other marine life on the shelves are fresh as they’ve been recently caught. Due to the high competition, prices here (as, by the way, in most stalls) are very modest.

Apart from that, the Grand Baie beach is located in the most developed area of the island with two large shopping centres, La Croisette Shopping Mall and Couer de Ville with a Super U hypermarket, dozens of boutiques, cinema, Ti Vegas casino, bowling alley, game rooms, restaurants and fast-food counters.

Located just a few kilometres from Grand Baie in Mauritius, the small picturesque village of Pereybere is a haven of pea...
27/07/2023

Located just a few kilometres from Grand Baie in Mauritius, the small picturesque village of Pereybere is a haven of peace for travellers who dream of authenticity.

Renowned for its superb public beach which is much less touristy than that of Grand Baie, Pereybère is located in a strategic location which provides access to the most beautiful sites in the north of Mauritius.

In 1845 a man named Charles Pereybere, hence the name of the village, owned land covering about 703 acres. Many years later in 1929 he agreed to sell his land to a certain Mr. Georges Castel.

As malaria had spread on these lands in the past, they remained uninhabitable until white Mauritians of French origin came to settle there and until later houses, camps and hotels were built. The

Although this public beach is just 150 metres long, it’s still one of the most relaxing on the island. It’s got rows of palm trees with white sands and blue crystal waters which are calm and safe for children to take a dip. There are also many food trucks serving food until 5pm.

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Located in the centre of the busy town of Grand Bay, La Cuvette is the small and intimate beach near the famous Royal Pa...
23/07/2023

Located in the centre of the busy town of Grand Bay, La Cuvette is the small and intimate beach near the famous Royal Palm Hotel, which is considered to be one of the best hotels on the island.

La Cuvette Beach is partially covered by trees which give natural shade. Although it’s a public beach, it is also an excellent romantic getaway summer spot.

In our opinion it’s one of the best beaches in Mauritius because it offers a much-needed break from the hustle of daily life with a view of boats docking in the nearby port!

The absence of coral reefs coupled with its clear waters adds an aesthetic touch to its beauty. Although there aren't any underwater activities that take place here, tourists are allowed to swim.

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20/07/2023

🇲🇺 Albion, Trou Aux Biches & Mont Choisy

One morning we went to Trou aux Biches, which is a small town with a public beach on the northern coast of the island Ma...
17/07/2023

One morning we went to Trou aux Biches, which is a small town with a public beach on the northern coast of the island Mauritius in the district of Pamplemousses.

According to the World Travel group, the beach is one of the most beautiful on the island and we got to experience in person. They awarded it the World's Leading Beach Destination at the World Travel Award for 2011.

The Trou aux Biches is a two-kilometre long white sand beach shaded by casuarina trees, snorkeling reefs, boutique shops and a supermarket.

Located between party Grand Baie beach and semi-dessert Mount Choisy, it stretches along the coast in a narrow strip of white sand and palm trees. In some places, the width of the beach does not exceed 3m and palm leaves hang directly above the water.

What we loved the most about this public beach was an opportunity to sample the local street food for a decent prince between 100-300 MUR per meal. That’s where we first tried Mauritian Magic Bowl (Bol Renverse) with Seafood and Seafood Fried Rice!

Although both were equally delicious, the Magic Bowl particularly stole our hearts. The name of this meal literally meant the upside-down bowl packed with fragrant veggies, steaming noodles and a fried egg, then theatrically turned over at the table to reveal the egg on top.

That’s day we didn’t stay long on the Trou aux Biches and after eating we decided to visit the more relaxing Mont Choisy Beach, which is an idyllic location with a rich history.

Mont Choisy boasts some of the island’s most popular happenings, including the landing of the first plane on Mont Choisy beach in 1933 or the first horse racing event in 1891.

It’s one of these beaches in Mauritius that families come to relax in the shades of the pine trees without a doubt. The white sand with pristine clean water is ideal for a quick swim. Since there are no rocks on this beach, its quite soothing to walk in the sand barefoot.

Mont Choisy is not only one of the most beautiful beaches in Mauritius but also the longest one, it provides comfort to each and everyone. Vast, with shady areas under the Casuarina trees, family picnics prove to be an excellent idea. Thanks to its clear and warm water, it is absolutely awesome for swimming, sunbathing and diving.

Albion Lighthouse, Mauritius 🇲🇺 Ever been inside a lighthouse that is still operational? Standing proudly on the edge of...
11/07/2023

Albion Lighthouse, Mauritius 🇲🇺

Ever been inside a lighthouse that is still operational? Standing proudly on the edge of the cliff and overlooking the sea, the lighthouse serves as guides for incoming ships to enter the harbour of Port Louis.

With an iconic red and white stripes from top to bottom, the Cave Point lighthouse was inaugurated in 1910 and is still intact. To access the top of the lighthouse, you have to climb up the 98-step wooden and cast iron staircase.

To get to the lighthouse can be tricky by road. As we were driving from Flic en Flac, we passed through Bambous and turned left at Canot.

Although you might wonder why you should bother with climbing all the way to the top, be sure that the effort is so worth the climb.

When we reached the top we were rewarded with magnificent panoramic views of the entire coastline from Pointe aux Sables to Flic en Flac.

For those who are afraid of heights, a walk along the trail that runs up to the lighthouse does also offer breathtaking views over the shoreline.

We recommend taking a break, closing your eyes and listening to the beautiful sounds of the waves crashing against the cliffs.

Not only is it a popular spot for photographers with the amazing background for pictures, but it also has an entrance to a cave which is inhabited by birds and bats under the cliffs.

That’s also where you find some daring cliff divers climbing the rocks for an impressive cliff jumping into the sea. You can quite often capture the sight of fishermen luring in fishes. The sunset promises to impress you with the beautiful fusion of colours of the sky, sun and the sea.

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We love flying with Emirates! Although it took us more than 6 hours to reach Dubai, the flight was comfortable with 2 me...
10/07/2023

We love flying with Emirates! Although it took us more than 6 hours to reach Dubai, the flight was comfortable with 2 meals and plenty of drinks on board.

During our stopover in Dubai we managed to revisit Mc Donald’s to taste our favourite ice cream and explore the airport once again with smoking facilities available for those in need!

Our second flight from Dubai to Mauritius took roughly 6 hours and because we were flying overnight, it was one of the most relaxing ever!

When landing at Mauritius airport, we were welcomed by the most stunning scenery of the mountains resembling the ones in the Jurassic World and the Indian Ocean with with the clear blue waters.

Upon arrival, we must have presented the Mauritius All-in-One Travel Digital Form, filled online before departing. This one included information such as our health records and details of where we would be staying during our holidays. We were also granted a visa on arrival for up to 30 days for EU citizens.

Once we left the arrivals, we went to purchase a local SIM card for £8 (20GB for 7 days) from Emtel mobile network (my.t). We also rented a car, Kia Picanto from Macondee Car Rental for £45 a day. The average petrol price was 69 MUR (£1.20) per litre and before you had tanked, you must have first paid.

Why is Zalipie worth visiting?Zalipie is perhaps one of the most beautiful villages in Poland and surely the most colorf...
27/05/2023

Why is Zalipie worth visiting?

Zalipie is perhaps one of the most beautiful villages in Poland and surely the most colorful one. It is known for its tradition of painting special, folksy flower patterns.

The whole village is painted and it charms people with its special atmosphere. There is no other place like as the paintings are everywhere – not only houses, but also barns, dog kennels, walls, furniture, fences, clothes, you name it!

Although there are more than 30 houses entirely covered with flower patterns, there are a few especially worth seeing. Most interesting of them are The House of the Women Painters and The House of Felicja Curyłowa.

Zalipie is a center of culture folk museums. When you visit, you can even see how the flowers are painted and also are able to make your own souvenir! What is also essential while visiting the village is Saint Joseph’s church. This striking building is covered with polish folk flowers from the inside, creating an unforgettable image.

In Zalipie not only can you admire these exceptional works of art, but you can also learn something about people who used to live in this village – their way of living, their inventions, their stories. It is extremely fascinating to explore and indulge in this creativity – it’s like a whole new world!

Apart from the paintings, Zalipie is surrounded by amazing green landscapes. It is full of trees, colorful gardens with hollyhocks (traditional flowers) and fresh air. Despite its popularity, the village is very quiet and is the perfect place to relax and unwind.

A brief story of Zalipie
The tradition of painting flowers initiated in the late nineteenth century when women in Zalipie started to cover surfaces dirty from soot with white paint and then, colorful patterns.

1. Their paint was made with powdered dye and milk.
2. The patterns soon became flowers and the tradition was becoming more and more popular.
3. Even during the WE II tradition was alive and the painters remained active.
4. One of them was Felicja Curyło, the most famous painter in Zalipie and whose house was almost fully covered with flowers.

Today, the tradition is continued in the village and has many followers. The truth is that through competitions, exhibitions and festivals the uniqueness of the tradition will never die.

During our stay in Warsaw we uncovered the hidden treasures of Praga district and embarked on a journey like no other! W...
20/05/2023

During our stay in Warsaw we uncovered the hidden treasures of Praga district and embarked on a journey like no other! We immersed in the rich history, vibrant culture and breathtaking sights that await you in this captivating neighbourhood.

From the iconic PGE Stadion Narodowy to the picturesque Vistula River Promenade with its legendary Mermaid Statue, Praga is a destination that will leave you spellbound.

We also visited the legendary PGE Stadion Narodowy, a world-renowned stadium that has witnessed unforgettable sporting events and epic concerts. Whether you're a sports enthusiast or a music lover, the stadium promises an exhilarating experience that will stay with you forever.

We much enjoyed a leisurely stroll along the enchanting Vistula River Promenade and let the gentle breeze and panoramic views captivated our senses.

The Promenade offers a serene escape from the bustling city and as you wander, you'll come across the iconic Mermaid Statue, an emblem of Warsaw's spirit and resilience. We posed beside this mythical creature, captured the moment and let the magic of Warsaw embrace us.

Praga district is a haven for art enthusiasts and seekers of hidden gems. We explored the streets adorned with vibrant street art, where every corner tells a unique story. We marvelled at the creativity of local artists as their colorful murals and graffiti breathed life into the buildings.

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Powązki Cemetery is a historic necropolis located in Wola district. It’s the most famous cemetery in the city and one of...
17/05/2023

Powązki Cemetery is a historic necropolis located in Wola district. It’s the most famous cemetery in the city and one of the oldest, having been established in 1790.

It is the burial place of many illustrious individuals from Polish history. Some are interred along the "Avenue of the Distinguished" – Aleja Zasłużonych, created in 1925. It is estimated that over 1 million people are buried at Powązki.

On the other hand, The Warsaw Jewish Cemetery is one of the largest Jewish cemeteries in Europe and in the world. Located on Warsaw's Okopowa Street and abutting the Christian Powązki Cemetery, the Jewish necropolis was established in 1806 and occupies 33 hectares (83 acres) of land.

The cemetery contains over 250,000 marked graves as well as mass graves of victims of the Warsaw Ghetto. Although the cemetery was closed down during World War II, after the war it was reopened and a small portion of it remains active, serving Warsaw's existing Jewish population.

As the necropolis was established to replace many smaller cemeteries closer to the city centre, it was designed to serve all Jewish communities of Warsaw, regardless of their affiliation.

Hence, it is subdivided into several districts dubbed quarters historically reserved for various groups. Among them are three Orthodox (for men, women and one for holy scriptures), Reform Judaism, children, military and Warsaw Ghetto Uprising victims.

The cemetery, which has become a dense forest in the post-war period, is filled with monuments dedicated to notable personas such as politicians, spiritual leaders, inventors, economists and others.

Many of the markers are simple, others are elaborately carved and richly decorated. Large mausoleums appear in styles ranging from Egyptian revival to Art Deco.

Unlike other cemeteries in Europe, all the graves in the Okopowa Street cemetery have their backs to the cemetery gate. The tradition of placing graves facing the cemetery gate stems from the belief that at the future resurrection of the dead, the dead will rise up and be able to leave the cemetery without having to turn around.

However, in 1819, when one community member was accidentally buried with his head, rather than his feet, facing the cemetery gate, Rabbi Szlomo Zalman Lipszyc, the first Chief Rabbi of Warsaw, ruled that all future burials should be done the same way, to avoid causing embarrassment to the first one buried in this manner.

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Palace of Culture & Science Warsaw 🇵🇱The second tallest building in Poland with a total height of 237 m, the eighth tall...
16/05/2023

Palace of Culture & Science Warsaw 🇵🇱

The second tallest building in Poland with a total height of 237 m, the eighth tallest building in the European Union and in a Top-20 in Europe. The palace was a ‘gift of the Soviet people to the Polish nation’, offered by Joseph Stalin himself.

We visited the Palace if Culture and Science both, during the day and at night. The viewing terrace is located on the 30th floor of the building, at a height of 114 m where guests are brought by two modern lifts.

From here, we admired the entire panorama of Warsaw. To enter the viewing terrace, you must enter the building from the Parade Square (between Studio and Dramatic theaters), then go straight through the hall to the cash desks and from there to the corridor leading to the elevators, only the last two go up.

The architect of Palace of Culture & Science was Lew Rudniew. The tower was constructed, using Soviet plans, almost entirely by 3,500 workers from the Soviet Union, of whom 16 died in accidents during the construction.

The architecture of the building is closely related to several similar skyscrapers built in the Soviet Union of the same era, most notably the Moscow State University.

However, the main architect Lew Rudnev incorporated some Polish architectural details into the project by traveling around Poland and seeing the architecture.

The monumental walls are headed with pieces of masonry copied from Renaissance houses and palaces of Kraków and Zamość. Rudnev’s grand idea for the palace was an eclectic mix of Russian baroque and gothic details on a steel-framed tower.

There has been no more foreground building constructed in Poland after 1945 than the Palace of Culture and Science – or to give it its full title: ‘the Palace of Culture and Science in the name of Joseph Stalin’. And none more divisive and controversial, either.

The Palace of Culture and Science has been built in a mixture of then-compulsory Socialist realism with elements of Polish historicism.

It stands for everything Poland tried to reject after the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and the swift crumbling of the Soviet Union and better than any other building it epitomises the 44 years of the People’s Polish Republic.

Construction started in 1952 and lasted until 1955. The Palace was a cornerstone of the Warsaw to come, planned together with a majestic Parade Square.

During construction it was still surrounded by post-war ruins with people living in tenements cut in half by bomb craters, survivors of Warsaw’s razing by the N***s in 1944.

As the city’s most visible landmark, the Palace of Culture and Science was controversial from its inception. Many Poles initially hated the building because they considered it to be a symbol of Soviet domination and at least some of that negative feeling persists today.

Some have also argued that, regardless of their political connotations, the building destroyed the aesthetic balance of the old city and imposed dissonance with other buildings.

This contrast has been lessened somewhat over the years with the construction of several skyscrapers in the vicinity. Despite the controversies, the Palace became an internationally recognised symbol of Warsaw.

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