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Original poster

Honeymoon in Mauritius - help me pack, please!

37 replies

vitaminC · 30/05/2013 19:01

Believe it or not, I've never actually been on a real holiday before (and I'm 40 this year), other than interrailing round Europe when I was 19 and a few week-long camping trips with my kids a couple of hours from home!

Neither my DH nor I had a honeymoon with our previous spouses, so we really wanted to do something special this time. We fly to Mauritius next month for 10 days and I have no idea what to pack! I'm told average daytime temperatures in June are 20-25°C...

Also, I've put on a bit of weight recently due to some medication I'm on - was a 10/12, but now a 14 (VERY hourglass), so not sure what I really have that still fits for summer as still in winter clothes due to crap weather here or what really suits me now. I may need to buy a few pieces, I think.

I have shoes covered Wink. Could you lovely ladies please suggest a capsule wardrobe (and an idea of number of items) I could take, that will be suitable for
a) beach
b) touristy stuff
c) dinner (the resort has a formal dress code for dinner)

Thank you all for your help.

OP posts:
MummyAbroad · 30/05/2013 19:08

sorry "bite" not "bit"

Original poster
vitaminC · 30/05/2013 19:15

Oh, shit. Are the mosquitos a big problem there?

OP posts:
middleagedspread · 30/05/2013 19:17

Please take some fancy frocks, I've been a couple of times & found the french make a real effort at dinner.
My white stuff cotton dresses & spangly flip flops were not enough.

Laska42 · 30/05/2013 19:18

Every year for 2 wk hol I take 5/6 long dresses (jersey ones, - try Fat Face, Monsoon, Boden ,White Stuff, Laura ashley or TKmaxx, Wallis H&M ,BHS ebay, etc etc . ) , 2or 3 bikinis /swimsuits , 3 pr Accessorize sparkly/beaded flip flops, , 3 cotton beach kaftans , 1 fine cream, and I blue/turquoise pashmina-size scarf and only about 5 prs knickers and 2 bras , (one dark one white with s clear straps.)

Plus beads and bead bracelets, a couple of sarongs. and a floppy Hat
Easy dress up / dress down and mix up.

I live in beach kaftans and bikinis during the day ,and long dresses in the evening maybe using sarong as a wrap all can be rinsed out overnight and dried so take some travel wash from Boots .

I used to take shorts and t shirts and skirts . never wore them ... I used to take enough knickers for everyday and found I only wore then in the evening under my long dresses , so they could be rinsed out and dried easily ..

All fits in a smallish suitcase and as long dresses are jersey material , no need to worry about them getting crushed

Original poster
vitaminC · 30/05/2013 19:31

Thanks ladies!

middle I'm French, so I like to make an effort for dinner Smile. Good to know that cotton dresses and spangly flip-flops are not formal enough, though. I would have expected in a beach resort that things would be less dressy than in the city where I live!

Laska that's really helpful, thank you. I have 2 long dresses, so will need to invest in a few more. DH bought me a lovely new bikini and matching sarong for mother's day last week, but I'll take a couple of others too.

I only own one pair of (denim) shorts and had thought about buying more, but might not bother now. I actually tend to wear a lot of skirts with a vest top and sparkly flip-flops here in summer. I've never owned (or even tried on a kaftan Hmm)

Travel wash is a GREAT idea! Thank you!

OP posts:
AuldAlliance · 30/05/2013 19:41

Are you staying in a smart hotel? If so, you'll need something for the evening meal, but IME anything goes, really. (Though we always stayed in v downmarket places, so I could be misleading you.)

It is windy at that time of year, due to trade winds, so bear that in mind and take something warm to cover up, especially in the evening.

IIRC there is quite a bit of coral so you might want to take protective footwear if you're planning on exploring the reefs.

Laquila · 30/05/2013 19:50

I second the kaftan/beach cover-up recommendation. In somewhere like Mauritius I think you'll find them useful for lunch on the beach/at the beach bar/in hotel restaurant. In my experience, the sparklier, the better! (I.e. every other bugger will be wearing sequinned ones so you may as well join the bandwagon and go equally embellished!)

I would also recommend a pair of linen trousers (useful for cooler/rainy days and if the mozzies get too much for you in the evening). Personally I also find a couple of pairs of shirts useful for sightseeing, but I guess it depends what you're planning on doing during the day.

I also agree re long dresses - basically anything that can be dressed up or down is going to be useful. Another item I've had a lot of use from on recent holidays is a jersey blazer from Zara - cream marl, very versatile, dresses things up and doesn't crease.

Also, I've said it before on these boards and I'll say it again...you can't overestimate the usefulness of a pair of flat metallic sandals on holiday! I have an old gladiator-style pair that I wear practically every evening on hols.

Original poster
vitaminC · 30/05/2013 19:52

Yes, Auld, we're staying in a 5*-luxe hotel (got a really good rate, as it's a honeymoon deal and it's the low season in Mauritius!). We're on the N-E coast, which is the least windy, I'm told, but I'll definitely take something to put on in the evenings, as I hate being cold!

Not sure what you mean by protective footwear? I have some rubber sailing shoes, would that be sufficient? I hadn't thought about taking them, but I may go and dig them out now. Thank you!

OP posts:
MrsPHollywood · 30/05/2013 19:53

We honeymooned in Mauritius. We were there in August (many moons ago). Dresses for dinner, but pack a cardigan/wrap or two. I was caught out as it can get cool in the evening. Have a lovely time.

Original poster
vitaminC · 30/05/2013 19:58

Laquila that's very helpful too. My XH worked in the UAE, so I have a few sparkly shawl things he bought me, which I shall take!

I do own 2 pairs of linen trousers (one beige, one white), but I never wear them as I don't know what to wear on my top half - I worry about them being transparent around the bum Confused

Gladiator sandals sound like a good idea. And I've seen a jersey blazer in H&M I was considering buying, so I'll definitely get that.

This thread is making me all excited about going. I can't wait now Grin

OP posts:
Laska42 · 30/05/2013 19:58

How about this? for a really Glam but wearable dress?

Original poster
vitaminC · 30/05/2013 20:06

Ooh, that's lovely, Laska, although I'd have to find a strapless bra in my size...

I was also thinking of ordering this one.

OP posts:
Original poster
vitaminC · 30/05/2013 20:07

Thanks to you, too, MrsP

OP posts:
Laska42 · 30/05/2013 20:14

I have this one from Monsoon, its really lovely'
(oh and thanks to you i've just ordered the Boden one above Hmm
they have 20% off today though if you go through here

AuldAlliance · 30/05/2013 20:15

Well, I'll probably be banned from S&B forever, but I meant jelly sandals or something similar that you can wear underwater to protect the soles of your feet from urchins/coral, etc. But you can probably get them cheap out there.

Your honeymoon sounds as if it'll be lovely; I lived nearby for 9yrs and am very envious of you...

Laska42 · 30/05/2013 20:18

oh you are in France ..that offer above might not work then .. like the pink one though this is also nce, like th Hibiscus Mosaic

Original poster
vitaminC · 30/05/2013 20:25

Ooh, thank you for that, Laska, I was looking for a code earlier Smile
I can't get the Monsoon link to work - it redirects me to their French homepage. Could you give me the name of the dress?

Auld I have some foam, surf-style flipflops which would probably sufficient, then. I wear them for walking on pebbly or shaley beaches, so they would probably be fine for the coral, I guess.

This is going to be a once-in-a-lifetime trip, so I want to make the abosolute most of it I can!

OP posts:
Laska42 · 30/05/2013 20:28

yes Monsoon dress is Arana Maxi Dress

item code 3531930814
£79

Original poster
vitaminC · 30/05/2013 20:31

Thank you!

OP posts:
Original poster
vitaminC · 30/05/2013 20:43

Well, the Boden offer only works on the UK site, but as the free shipping also applies to overseas delivery (!), it works out much cheaper to order the stuff from the UK - with the 20% off - and have it shipped out here.
Am ordering the iris maxi dress and the one I linked you to, plus a cardigan. Can't make up my mind about the backless one... Confused

OP posts:
Laska42 · 30/05/2013 20:49

well ias ts free returns also ( from here, so also France? ) and even though I have already got a new dress for this year (the monsoon one) I thought id give it a go as it was 20% off. ( can't really afford it though) Hmm

ill be taking ones from last year and year before again also luckily long is still in fashion

Original poster
vitaminC · 30/05/2013 20:54

Yes, the couple of maxi dresses I own I've had for a few years. I don't have a huge budget either, but I'm going to have to invest as not much still fits, unfortunately!

I've bought some cheap tops and cardigans from H&M, but I'd rather pay more for decent quality bottoms and dresses...

OP posts:
Laska42 · 30/05/2013 21:02

..and because its your Honeymoon (which means its the Law to buy new stuff!Grin! ,

Congratulations and may you and your new DH have many very happy years of married life before you .

Original poster
vitaminC · 30/05/2013 21:14

Aww, thank you, that's very sweet of you!

And yes, it's the law, lol. Which is why I've just ordered this Grin

OP posts:
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