We are going to Mauritius in November, it's the start of their summer at that time of year, been there a few times before but not in the past five years.
I can't wait to walk out of the plane into the bridge and feel the hot air sweep around me. It gradually gets warmer and warmer as you walk along the tunnel into the terminal. But nothing can beat the blast of hot air in your face as soon as you walk out of the terminal into the carpark. It literally takes my breath away, I find the change in atmosphere so sudden, cool aircon to tropical humidity and heat.
Then there's the drive to our hotel, we always stop at the same place to get coffee and a breakfast muffin. Anybody who has been to a Lux Cafe will know exactly what I'm talking about!
The feeling of walking around for hours, wearing nothing more than a bikini and wispy beach dress.
The smell of sunscreen.
The lovely warm, slightly fuzzy, detached, floaty feeling I get after a few cocktails, when it's still early in the afternoon and we have the whole day ahead to do nothing.
The warmth of the ocean there, its like walking into a hot bath.
The smell of tropical rain, a sort of heavy, burnt wood, sweet smell.
How "sexy" I feel, if that's the right word, walking around in the smallest, lightest bits of clothes I can get away with, and not feeling self-conscious because everyone is doing the same. I haven't explained that very well. I mean the whole thing of being almost naked for hours on end, doing "ordinary things" like sitting at a bar having a drink. But in this case the bar stools ar in the pool and you swim up to get a seat. Then sut there in your bikini, slowly getting all buzzy and relaxed. I just find the whole thing so, I don't know, "sexy".
The heat in Port Louis. Walking around with sweat literally dripping down your back. The chaos of the markets there.
Watching the gorgeous Sega dancers.
The friendliness of people, always smiling.
Just the whole feeling of difference.