Our Worst Stop Ever ! La Possession, Reunion
With so much focus on the music from creole artists throughout the Indian Ocean, and likewise other regions of the globe, artist Chanon has turned his devotion to the arts to the preservation of cultural Creole dances from Reunion.
March 24, 2014
La Possession, Reunion
After we left Mauritius, our captain announced that Reunion was just a short paddle away. Sure enough,the surprise as we awoke the next morning, were the white puffy clouds and the lush, green peaks of the mountains of Reunion. As usual, just as in most cities, we had free shuttle buses to take us to the nearest town. It was a 45 minute drive to the town of St. Gilles where we were told the beach was within walking distance from our drop off.
Surprisingly, this is a modern island with a French influence. It looks like the North Shore of Oahu and the highways, tunnels and the bridges were European in style. The roads were very clean,wide and it looked like we were driving on the German Autobahn. Sadly, when we got into St. Gille, all the shops were closed except for two coffee shops and one souvenir shop. Despite being a Monday, it looked like it was a ghost town. There was no public transport, or taxis to be seen anywhere.
The souvenir shop was selling very expensive items that looked like they were made in China. The first coffee shop was partly open. The lady said she was only selling coffee and nothing else, and take it, the coffee was Euros 3.50 a cup!
We walked toward the beach but there was an under tow in the water, and the beach was full of coral and there was not really a nice place to walk or sit. The lone supermarket didn't open until it was 12 noon. It gave people something to see and to look around,and a few people bought French wine. By half past 12, people were getting upset and angry and they all lined-up for the shuttle bus back to the ship with angry looking faces. The few people that chose to be dropped off at the port gates tried to negotiate with the taxi drivers that were there in the morning. We were informed that the taxi drivers were asking for Euros 300 for a mere two hour ride.
At Amadea Hotel, they charged our friend Howard, $7.00 for a glass of ice tea. As for us, we took advantage of their free Internet, which they were kind enough to give us the password for. The people that signed up for the HAL tours were the only ones that came back gleeful from the sights and scenes of this volcanic island. How we wished the ship stopped at Madagascar instead! Back on the ship, the local performers called the Mascareignes performed for us, helped to calm some disappointed nerves.
Maybe there is something to be admired about situations like this - something about making the best of everything!