Lunch with Sam and Rowan in Grand Baie

One of our first outings after arriving back was to touch base with our friend Sam, who we met last year in Mauritius. Originally from Joburg, Sam and her family have been in Mauritius for about 18 months, having moved their family business here. We first met when we lived next door in the same housing complex- we hit it off immediately as the "newbies" and the kids instantly liked each other.

 It was lovely to catch up with her after almost 9 months, and the kids picked up as if they had seen each other the day before. A quick lunch turned into evening drink and eventually supper- what a great way to get back into island life!

Friends, reunited

 Lazy Saturday afternoon in Grand Baie with our friend Sam.

 Engrossed.

 Desperate to steal a boat and sail out to the island to hunt for pirate treasure

 Still trying to steal a boat.

 Katie and Rowan

 Pirate-spotting

 Glam Sam

 PLEEEEEEASE can we take him home??

 In about a minute, the sunset went from average to absolutely magnificent.

 Untouched- no editing required for colours like these.

 Much to her delight, the barman lets Katie behind the bar. Relax people, its Mauritius!

James' School Play- On the Farm

James' class is much larger than Katies, so unfortunately I wasn't able to get photos of all the kids, but I did get some gorgeous ones of James and Stella as a pig and a duck. There were some ridiculously cute moments. James took his job as chief duck quacker very seriously, but refused to lift up his beak so he could actually see. Eventually he did, and when he spotted us, gave a huge grin and our secret little finger wiggle. That's my boy/duck :)

Here he comes, proudly quacking away.

 Stella, the Amish Piglet.

 Mischa, James' new friend. He is from the Ukraine, and speaks a little English, but hey adore one another and speak the international language of little boys- train sets and going down the slide backwards.

 Best quacking ever.

 Spotting his parents :)

 The Elliotts. Neighbours and friends.

Our local park

Two great things about this unassuming little park- fabulous views, and the street vendor that sells the best noodles in the north is right next door. Kids beg to play here all the time, and I get to sit with my legs in the sun and watch the fishing boats, eating freshly made chinese noodles. Yum!

Katies School play- The Gruffalo.

The Bunnies

 Gruffalo cast members

 Prepping in their classroom before the show- much excitement!

Pensive woodland sprite.

 Cutest tree ever?

 The python :)

 Beautiful Owl, played by Katie's friend Cameron.

 Excited cast members before their big debut.

A certain bunny opens the show:  "Mom, can you tell us a bedtime story?"

(Katies teacher, Christabel, is in white holding the mic.)

 Alex the Mouse.

 Cutest tree in the world.

School hall, Mauritian style.

 Singing the Gruffalo Song, mostly in broken English :) The cast members hail from Mauritius, South Africa, Ukraine, France, Malaysia and England.