Wildlife, History, & Theology in Mauritius

In the past few days we have learned amazing things about Mauritius:

• History at a World Heritage Site called Aapravasi Ghat 
• Theology at the largest Hindu shrine in Mauritius
• Wildlife: monkeys and flying foxes!

Aapravasi Ghat was the site where half a million indentured servants were processed when brought from India after slavery was outlawed by the UK  in 1834.

Over 70% of current Mauritians are descended from the indentured, and "Arrival of the Indentured" is a major national holiday.

More fascinating history at this UNESCO page.

The largest Hindu temple in Mauritius is at the Ganga Talao, this mountain lake thought to be formed out of water from the sacred Ganges River in India. It is the scene of barefoot pilgrimages from all over the island during Shivaratri. 

We visited their shrines and accepted the priest's invitation for a blessing of health and protection, symbolized by red paint on the forehead. 

People love seeing monkeys in the forests and up in the mountains.

People are less thrilled to see the Mauritian Flying Foxes, otherwise known as Fruit Bats. Once endangered, their population has rebounded and now they are considered a pest. 

Trees are often covered by nets to protect the valuable Lychees from the bats.

These almost ripe Lychees are on the property of the Rose Hill Branch chapel where Jonathan was playing basketball 

Last Saturday the district RS organized a bus trip to the beach. 

 How's this for a setting for Relief Society activity? Palmar Beach on the east coast was balmy and the water was warm. I love how the forest grows right down to the sandy beach.

Finally, here are my two lovely piano students from the Flacq Branch: Alicia and Megan. The future of Mauritius looks promising with outstanding youth like these!