On Saturday, I set out on a downhill journey that first takes me to La Plaine des Palmistes. I stop at a crafts village behind the Domaine des Tourelles, a historic estate once owned by a wealthy landowner who used to come here for a “change of scenery.” At 9 a.m., there aren’t many people around yet, and after visiting the only workshop already open—a sculpture studio—I cross the parking lot to head to the Réunion National Park Visitor Center : a small exhibition on the flora and fauna found on Réunion...

I head back down toward the sea and make a detour to the “grand étang.” From the picnic area, it’s a 45-minute walk to a lookout point overlooking a nearly dry pond… They explain that the water level varies depending on rainfall… and there’s a water shortage in Réunion right now…

I arrive at my landlady’s place in the middle of the afternoon. Having recently arrived on the island, we exchange some information and impressions.

Sunday, back to Saint-Denis

I’m going to check out the Tamil Temple of the Colosse. It’s a magnificent temple that’s open to visitors, but it’s closed on Sundays. A little further on is Colosse Park, a huge park with plenty of picnic areas ready to host Sunday picnics. There’s a pond between the park and the ocean, which is accessible right now because they’re in the middle of a rat extermination (traps and poison).
Then I try to follow the coastal path, which isn’t always possible. I pick it up again in Sainte-Suzanne, and this time I walk around the lighthouse. I had skipped it before because the path leading up to it from the trail is now inaccessible.
I arrive at my friends’ place in the afternoon...