March 21, Reunion, France

Today we are docked in the Island of Reunion which is a French Island.  They speak English, French and Creole and are on the Euro and as true French the American dollar is not welcomed!  Only our military.  Okay enough of bashing the French as I happen to love France (country not government or people) 

We had a great tour today called Waterfalls and Rivers.  We left the port  20 minutes after the other buses as we were waiting for one couple!  This is the same couple who held us up back in Lima Peru. Pat and Ray, Ilene and Andy were sitting with us and Ilene told the man to hurry up in Spanish he just looked at her like she had 3 heads!  Some people are just so Rude I want to smack them!!!!!!  We finally drove about 40 minutes on very good roads for an Island (French standards were evident it was a nice surprise) to a vanilla plantation!  We were given a tour and learned why pure vanilla is so expensive.  We had the opportunity to purchase some and I did hopefully when we get to Madagascar we will be able to purchase some more as that is suppose to be the best vanilla in the world!

After our tour of the plantation we boarded the busses again and headed up into the mountains.  The greenery was fantastic and there were waterfalls all over.  We even had to drive through a small one.  We got out of the bus and took some pictures.  Anthony the young photographer was with us and got a few pictures.  It really was beautiful with the mountains, waterfalls and way way down the river.  Andy said that in Oregon that would be considered a stream so I teased him the rest of the trip yelling out for him to look out the right side window!  We then proceeded to a nearby town.  All I could think of on these windy roads up the mountain and later down was it would be a great run for the car club!  The town was very cute and we had ½ hour to shop in the stores.  We then met at the restaurant at the end of the street for lunch.  It was different but I did have a piece of the coconut chicken and rice and lentils.  Bill had that and tried the curried swordfish!  I tried the dessert but it wasn’t worth eating (disappointment was hoping for a chocolate moose or something really French)  We were told to be back at the bus at a certain time and again we had to wait for over 15 minutes and guess who it was that was late yep same couple okay now this is getting annoying what makes them think that they are so special they don’t have to follow rules.  33 of the 35 of us where back on time!!!!! RUDE!!!  Okay Becky is this better you told me to tell you how I really feel but I tried to censor it! LOL. 
We then proceeded down the mountain to the town of St. Dennis.  It is an old town we were taken to the market. I did not buy anything but Ilene had a ball buying for her granddaughters! Again we were given 30 minutes.  The three busses met up here and when we were all ready to go and the couple were not back we got a couple from the other bus who were also ready to go back to the ship and left the tardy couple to go with the other bus!

Other than rude people it was a delightful trip.  We were back on board around 4:30 we headed to the Bistro for Bill’s latte and an Ice Tea for me.  I just wanted a shower!  It was casual night and I knew I would not make the show.  We ate so fast as I was falling asleep at the table!  After dinner I went to bed Bill went for his cigar.  I was in bed, lights out no IPAD or book at 10pm!  And I slept like a baby.  Didn’t wake up until 7am.  Not sure if It was all the walking, the altitude, or the heat or a combination of all but I was exhausted. 
I will try to post pictures but the ship is having trouble again with the internet.  Midship cabins seem to be not getting any internet and I have to go to the computer room.  Last night I was there after the show till 1:00am posting about Mauritius!  So no promises. 

This was a beautiful stop glad we could see it!

Tomorrow is another sea day!

Vanilla Pods

Ilene and I with the Vanilla Pods Yum

You just wanted to start singing the hills are alive with the sound of music

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Entrance to Market in St. Dennis