Mauritius Part 2: Casela Nature Park and Chamarel

 We were not beach bums the entire week, and did get out to see more of the island. One day we went to Casela Nature Park, which was about 30 minutes from our house. They had lots of wildlife, a small safari, adventure activities, and even some rides. We enjoyed walking through the park and seeing lots of animals. There were turtles of all sizes in the park.

These guys are slow and gentle. The kids loved them.

We all rode the roller coaster. They were small cars and you self-braked as you went along the course. Caleb was old enough to ride alone so he had fun not braking and going as fast as he could. Benjamin and I rode together and Nathan and Eliza went in the other car. It was Eliza’s first roller coaster and everyone enjoyed it.

More rides.

Eliza was sad she was too small for the monkey swings, but had fun waving to her brothers as they flew by.

Afterwards we at lunch and then headed over to catch the safari.

They had a little 45 minute safari through the park, where we saw lots of deer, zebra, ostrich, and some other animals. It was a beautiful landscape and neat to see them run free.

Here comes the ostriches! All of a sudden they started following our car…come to find out they knew it was feeding time.

After the safari, we fed the giraffes.

It was a fun way to spend the day. Our final day, we had to check out early mid morning but our flight was later that night. It was a perfect day to explore the central part of the country called Chamarel, located near the Black River Gorges National Park. Chamarel is a little town that has beautiful nature, a waterfall, 7 colored earth natural formation, and a great optical illusion museum, which is how we spent our day. The rain mostly cleared up that morning, but it was still a very cloudy day.

We are thankful the kids are so flexible and easy going, they are up for almost any adventure.

The seven colored earth is a natural formation of sand dunes that have 7 distinct colors. 

The heavy rainfall the day before probably affected the coloring, but it was colorful. We walked around the dunes, got some coffee and macaroons, then went to the museum.

The Mauritius flag was so colorful and happy looking!

The Curious Chamarel was a really neat optical illusion museum that had half the exhibits outside and half inside. Creative, ‘you are here’ sign.

Would you think otherwise? Benjamin trying to catch the money? Great 3D art!

This is two pieces. If you look closely the post is about 15 feet in front of the tabletop that is on the ground. Caleb was practicing his yoga and impressing us with his strength and flexibility!

She loves to swing.

This illusion is a mirror underneath the table, that makes it look like you are floating.

Good balance guys…

Big boy and little daddy.

Just a pretty little girl.

Upside down house.

The toot chair…most kids favorite :)

This was a fun room to visit…

The tables turned. We got in trouble too.

Watch out!

You had to make it through an escape the room to enter and a mirror maze to exit. It was a very creative and fun museum.

We stopped at a restaurant with a great view of the rainforest and the coast for a late lunch, before heading to the airport.

We loved visiting Mauritius! It was such an unexpected surprise of beauty and relaxation, and so much fun to spend the week together here.