Paradise – Club Med La Plantation d’Albion

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• 16 November, 2011
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2011 has been a whirlwind year, everyday life seems to speed past like a rocket.  I needed a break, some fresh air and relaxation. What I got at Club Med La Plantation d’Albion was everything I could possibly have imagined and more!

I arrived at 10:30pm from a very tiring flight in need of food and sleep, as I stepped off the coach I was met with the cheers and claps of 12 G.O’s (Club Med staff) and handed a cocktail. The sleep deprivation was lifted as I sat on a hammock in reception drinking my Dakari, some of the late arriving guests made it down to the bar but I decided to get some sleep so that I woke up fresh for my first day in Mauritius.

I was delivered to my room on a golf buggy, where my luggage was already waiting for me. A plate of anti-pasto, cheese and bread was sitting on the coffee table and my king sized bed was beautifully covered in native flowers and a welcome note from my G.O. This is a life I could get used to and I have only been here for 45 minutes!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I wake up early, too early! I decide rather than battling myself to sleep for another hour I will take a walk around the grounds, I am staying in the Zen area, a child free utopia where silence is a virtue. Directly in front of my room is a tennis court, a swimming pool and a trapeze area. I am astounded by the amount of all-inclusive activities, Golf, Kayaking, Snorkelling, Boating, a gym, tennis, flying trapeze lessons not to mention the beach and two luxury swimming pools.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It’s now 7am and I decide my day will consist of the Zen pool and nothing but the Zen pool I stroll down and sit on a sunbed, before I even have the chance to think I am handed a towel and asked if I want a drink…hmm… perhaps just a tad early. I laze about until 10:30 then breakfast, today I dine at Phare. You have to see the view from this restaurant to believe it. It’s amazing, 180 degree views of the ocean and Zen pool. Bacon, eggs, coffee and the most spectacular views Mauritius has to offer… Pure bliss.

Lunch is at La Distillerie, they call it a buffet, it’s not a buffet it’s a foodies dream. You are spoiled for choice, there are 7 food stations cooking up delicious culinary experiences before your eyes. I think I’m in heaven. I have a feeling that by the time the week is through they are going to have to roll me out of Club Med La Plantation d’Albion. I’m not exaggerating, it really is that good!

After more lazing about by the pool it’s pre-dinner cocktail time. Evenings at Club Med La Plantation d’Albion are a sophisticated affair with dinner and a show while donning a themed outfit (if you choose to partake). After an enjoyable evening of eating and drinking (all inclusive of course) I retire to my room, it has been a hard day of relaxation after all.

On day two I am awoken by a sound on my balcony, I open the blinds to see a beautifully coloured parrot sitting on the railing. Nature and luxury, I feel so lucky.

After breakfast I decide that I should enjoy some of the all-inclusive activities that Club Med La Plantation d’Albion has to offer. I head to the beach for the first Snorkelling session of the day. We are ushered by boat out to the Coral where we are met by a school of colourful fish! Amazing! Now for some Kayaking, I have never Kayaked before and I can’t believe how easy it is! I spend hours paddling about in the water. I am feeling so great, I haven’t had time to be this active in years!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I head over to the in-house  beautician to reward myself with a facial and massage for all my hard work today I am brought into the massage room which is infact outside (with walls so no one can see you) facing the ocean… So relaxing!

After my amazing day I head over to pre-dinner cocktails (tonight is White night) I am in the mood to party tonight and it is not long before I am up dancing a storm to the Robbie Williams impersonator. Champagne is flowing and before I know it, it’s 2:30am!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today is the day I have been waiting for! Walking with Lions at Safari Adventures Mauritius. We arrive to the sound of a roaring Lion, I get a little shiver of anticipation up my spine. We meet our Guide and Lion Keeper Nick, he instructs us all to pick up a stick, at this point I am nervous! He explains the the Lion’s we are about to meet are only babies, an 18 Month old male named Ginger and 16 month old female named Sinanga. Ginger and Sinanga were orphaned by their mothers and have been raised around people. The don’t hunt for their food, but they are still animals so visitors to the park must listen to the keepers.

The Safari group follows the Lion’s through the bush, observing their natural behaviour. For me, an animal lover this is a dream come true and I am in awe of these magnificent creatures. I didn’t think this experience could get any better until our guide allowed us to pat Ginger while he gnawed on a treat. We walk with the Lions for an hour and I really didn’t want to leave.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

While we waited for our ‘Walking with the Lions’ photo’s to be loaded on to a disk we watch the Tigers which are kept in a separate enclosure. The Tiger keeper chats to us through the fence, he mentions that for $7 we can come in and pat the White Tiger. I thought he was joking! This is a dream come true, there are only 1000 White tigers left in the world!! Of course the Orange Tigers are spectacular too! What a breath taking experience.

We are back at  Club Med La Plantation d’Albion  just in time for lunch… Delicious as usual. To make the day just a little more special tonight we dine at Phare. 5 courses of the most amazing food I have ever had the privilege of enjoying. When the meal is complete the head chef greets each table one by one, Club Med sure knows how to make you feel like a VIP. This day could not be any more perfect!

The end of my trip is nearing, I fill my day with Kayaking (I’m now a pro), swimming and Lazing by the pool. As I am walking back to my room I see the Flying Trapeze lessons taking place. I am terrified of heights but it’s included so I am going to try. I am given a quick lesson, Harnessed in and off I go,  climbing to the top… It turns out I am still afraid of heights! I was frozen solid at the top of the ladder.  The lovely (and very handsome) trapeze coach had to climb to the top of the ladder and help me down. At least the other guests got a good laugh out of it.  Haha

Tonight we glam up and go out with a bang, dinner is divine as usual and is followed by a fantastic trapeze type show.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I feel so centered, I haven’t thought about work or Uni all week, I don’t want to leave. I have found the meaning of life, nature, relaxation, great company and all-inclusive dining and drinks. I enjoyed Club Med La Plantation d’Albion so much that I am going back for my honeymoon next year.

Ruth Reilly.