Hindi Yajna - A Celebration of Thanksgiving

For many of us in the United States, we think of outwardly giving our thanks but once a year, as we huddle around a turkey, mashed potatoes, and cranberry sauce.  In the Hindu religion, thanks is given and demonstrated whenever there is much to be thankful for.  No need to wait for a date on the calendar.  One of our family's dear friends recently found it due time to show her thanks for the good fortune she and her family have experienced.  Meeta and her husband gathered all their friends and family to their home this past Saturday night to perform a Yaj, a Hindu celebration of thanksgiving.  With the local priest presiding over the fire and ceremony performed in their living room, Meeta and her husband gave thanks for their eldest son's new baby, their youngest sons safe return from school, and Meeta's healthy recovery from a very dangerous surgery.  Everyone attended in full traditional garments to watch the elaborate ceremony.  As the ceremony concluded, long tables were rushed in and filled with typical Mauritian food.  Guests ate with their hands until stuffed and contented to retire for the evening.

  

Zip Line Over Mauritius

A few weeks back we spent the day zipping through mountains and sugar cane fields.  Attached to our harnesses we flipped, spun, and yelled at the top of our lungs.  This was actually my second time on these exact lines and it was no less exciting.  With two new house guests, Katie Ogawa and Paige Patrick, in addition to my girlfriend, Jena, I had to take them back to the Chazal zip-lines after my first amazing experience.


Located in the small southern island town of Chamouny, back in the green sugar cane filled mountains, is this wonderful hidden gem.  We spent the day flying across mountain valleys and swimming through waterfalls with our experienced and energetic guides.  To conclude our adventurous day, the wonderful local staff at Chazal had a traditional Mauritian meal prepared for us that left us stuffed to the brim.  We left quite content and exhausted.

Check out the video that documents our adventure.

Click Here Chazal Zip Line

One Little Monkey Sitting in a Tree, Two Little Monkeys...

It can be difficult at times to believe I actually live in Africa.  The news scenes of genocide, starving children, and unimaginable poverty are far reserved from this African island, as are the pictures of majestic safari creatures roaming around and filling the landscape.  Just as I needed a reminder of where I really am, a fuzzy little creatures darts across the road in front of me.  I slam on the brakes and put the car in reverse to find a curious little macaque monkey with 5 other friends perched in the trees off the side of the road.  We watched  in awe for twenty minutes as these wise looking monkeys curiously peaked out of the bushes before quickly darting back, just to return again seconds later.  This unplanned encounter served as a good 'oh I'm really in Africa' moment.

One with the Dolphins

We seem to spend a lot of time on boats here.  It might make sense considering the ocean is never more than 30 minutes away.  From the shore, the vast expanse of blue appears similar in every direction, but once out on the water we have never encountered the same experience.  This time the scene was dolphins, in every which way they surrounded the waters around us.  After more than an hour of searching, we finally located the pod of dolphins, numbering approximately 150 spinner dolphins in all.  We quickly suited up and plunged into the water, joining the stream of playful dolphins surfacing for air and diving again.  Our sea world creatures had no trainers, no practice, but sure did put on quite a show.

Now this Mauritian adventure would not be complete without a delicious meal on the beach and some good live music.  After reluctantly leaving our new dolphin friends behind, we jetted off to Ile Aux Benitier.  Two local Mauritians energetically serenaded us with their versions of popular American 90's songs as we enjoyed some grilled kabobs and chicken.

This post will soon be accompanied by a video of our dolphin experience that is still undergoing editing.