Prior to the lunch meetup with the Yiptongs (of whom 90% I have NEVER met in my entire life), my relatives who hosted us since Day 1 brought us around for some sightseeing.
We went to a place of worship, where many Indians go there to pray and cleanse their souls with the holy water in the lake/river.
Spotted an old school ice cream and snacks van along the way, and the path that led to the Black River Gorges National Park had small stalls selling touristy items.
We then proceeded to the Chamarel Waterfall and Coloured Earths.
Chamarel Waterfall (as described on the board)
The waterfall is supplied by river St Denis and Viande Salée, and is more active from December to April with the summer heavy rainfalls and the cyclonic period. It is about 100m high and has 2 different lava flows.
Oops, K and I are standing on the wrong side of the family.
Coloured Earths (as described on the board)
This natural phenomenon is due to decomposed basalt gullies. The hot and humid climate helps in the decomposition of the basalt into clay. As a result of total hydrolysis, the soluble elements such as silicic acid and cations are washed, leaving a large composition of iron and aluminium which constitute a ferralitic soil.The iron sesquioxydes have a red and anthracite colour, whereas the aluminium sesquioxydes have a blue or purplish colour.
According to my Dad, the place was not blocked off many years ago, when he was a little boy. And he mentioned that my Grandmother told him that no matter how the sand is being mixed up, the colours will go back to the way it was originally. Such a pity they blocked the area, otherwise I would have wanted to try and see it for myself if the sand will really go back to its original state after being mixed.
After a whole morning of sightseeing, it was finally time for the lunch meeting with the other Yiptongs!
Lunch venue was arranged by our relatives, and I must say that the place was BREATHTAKINGLY BEAUTIFUL!!! Basically, the place was just a single building with a large hall and a lot of outdoor seating, with a gorgeous view. Take a look at Andrea Les Lodges!!!!!
After a lot of ooh-ing and ahh-ing, and after self-introducing 1000 times to all the various relatives, lunch is finally served! Indian cuisine at its best!
We took a walk around the area post-lunch and it was a wonderful hike as the air was cold and fresh. And my eyes feasted on beautiful scenary.
This is my family, and it is not even 1/4 of all the Yiptongs. And yes, my family is of all sorts of race and different ethnic groups. Yiptongs are cool like that. =p
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