Mauritius, Japan and Madikwe - 3 different worlds

I ended a year of almost non-stop travelling with 3 very different destinations - Mauritius, Japan and South Africa’s Madikwe Game Reserve.

It would take pages to take you through all my experiences, but let me highlight just a few.

I stayed at Long Beach - Mauritius’ newest, daringly different resort. Forget thatch and desert island architecture. Long Beach is in-your-face modern, linear, minimalistic.

Somehow this unconventional island architecture all works brilliantly. There are rectangular spaces, stone steps, a black and white chequered floor in the central piazza, square stone arches that frame sea and sand views, straight lines and almost severe buildings that complement rather than clash with the indigenous gardens and tropical paradise views.

And I went parasailing for the first (but definitely not the last) time.

Japan was another world. Waking up in Tokyo was like waking up on a different planet. Rampant consumerism meets fragmented old-world tradition. It was autumn, and I have never experienced such gorgeous autumnal colours. Outside the cities, the countryside is breathtaking. 70% of Japan is covered in mountains, and the weather was so perfect - sunny and bright - that a full rare view of Mount Fuji was spectacular.

A visit to Kyoto’s geisha district was also memorable, where I met and chatted (through an interpreter) to a 17-year-old apprentice geisha.   

A vist to Japan must be on any serious traveller’s itinerary. When you go there you will understand why.

And finally - Madikwe Game Reserve in South Africa’s North West province. It’s malaria-free, teeming with game, and if you stay as I did, at Jaci’s Safari Lodge, you’ll be assured of superb game viewing, one of the most friendly, efficient and charming staff I have ever encountered, and - if you have children - this is the place to take them.

Families - as you can see - are truly welcome. 

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