Grand' Anse

Once again a breathtaking view from Réunion with very pretty stamps. Information on the stamps was hard to find. Piton des Neiges is a mountain on the island of Réunion and the other stamp says Noix de coco et fleur topicale which means 'Coconut and tropical flower', from Martinique. Both probably issued in 2012.

There isn't much information findable concerning this beach, but the sender says it's one of the prettiest beaches on the island and is situated in the south. She used to go there often with her family to picknick, but due to her studies she had to move to the north side of the island. Apparently there has been built a 4 star hotel named Le Palm not too far away from it. Now there are much more tourists than before. She also says that this beach is very liked to walk and jog. Well, I don't see myself running there. I would rathersit and relax with a cocktail and watch the sun set!

Thank you very much Angélique!

Le cirque de Mafate

Another beautiful postcard sent from Réunion!

The Cirque de Mafate is a caldera on Réunion Island (France; located in the Indian Ocean). It was formed from the collapse of the large shield volcano the Piton des Neiges. The very remote and inaccessible cirque was settled in the 19th century by maroon slaves (i.e. slaves who had escaped from their masters), then later by poor white laborers. It owes its name to one maroon leader.

The cirque is entirely enclosed by mountains, especially tall cliffs, known as remparts, save for the sole river exiting, the Rivière des Galets ("river of the pebbles"). Inside the cirque, there are considerable declivities. The îlets are pieces of more-or-less flat lands, on which the hamlets are located.

The name "Mafate" comes from the Malagasy word "Mahafaty", which means lethal, an allusion to the difficulty for accessing the Cirque. The cirque has one village, La Nouvelle, and several hamlets: Marla, Roche-Plate, the Îlet-aux-Orangers, etc.

The Cirque is entirely public property, managed by the Forestry service, from which the inhabitants rent inexpensive concessions. There is no main electrical supply. Inhabitants thus produce their own electricity using solar panels (with battery storage), and occasionally diesel generators. However, fuel for the latter must be brought by helicopter at high cost. Because of the reduced available power supply, inhabitants systematically use low-consumption (fluorescent) light bulbs.

Similarly, all inhabitants use solar water heaters. These can be supplemented by gas-powered heaters — but gas canisters must also be brought by helicopter. [source: wikipedia]

Merci beaucoup Angélique!/Thank you very much Angélique

Réunion

Wow, one of the best cards I've ever received. You can't see it but this card is actually pretty huge!

Oh la la! After a long-haul flight, you step off the plane and you’re greeted with a bonjour. Then you breakfast on croissants and chocolat chaud (hot chocolate). At first glance, Réunion is like a chunk of France teleported to the tropics. But beyond the Gallic panache, you’ll soon realise it’s a resplendent tapestry, which also blends Indian, African and Chinese influences.

Jutting out of the ocean like a basaltic shield cloaked in green, Réunion is a mini-Hawaii, with astounding geographical diversity. Within an hour or two, the landscape morphs from lava fields to lush primary forest, from jagged peaks to sprawling coastal cities. The West is Réunion's Riviera, a long string of beach suburbs and resorts towns, including glitzy Boucan Canot. The pièce de résistance is Les Hautes & the volcano. Piton de la Fournaise is one of the world’s most accessible active volcanoes and depending on nature’s whims, you might even witness fiery-red molten lava. When the volcano has finished working its magic on you, there are horses to ride, majestic mountains to trek up in the Cirques, or paraglide from in St-Leu, drop-offs to dive from, big waves to surf, extinct volcanoes to fly over, and canyons to explore. But it’s not all about nature, landscapes and adrenaline – Réunion has its cultural gems as well, with stunning Creole architecture in cute-as-can-be villages, as well as colourful religious buildings and festivals.

We’ll be honest, though. Réunion is a tropical island, but one that doesn’t fit the cliché of a sun-soaked Edenic paradise. Sure, you’ll find appealing palm-ruffled stretches of sand, but none that rivals the super-sexy beaches that are de rigueur in the Seychelles or Mauritius. All the better for you: mega-resorts are nonexistent. Open the Pandora’s box, and you’ll leave the island proclaiming to the world that La Rénion lé gadiamb (‘Réunion is lovely’, in Creole). [source: lonelyplanet] 

Merci beaucoup Angélique!/Thank you very much Angélique!