Réunion, April 2019

Réunion is an island in the Indian Ocean located east of Madagascar and 109 miles (175 km) southwest of Mauritius. The island is an overseas department and region of France with a population of around 866,000.

Saturday afternoon, 27th April 2019

Marie and Jens's house, where Tony stayed. Marie is from France.Marie and Jens’s house, where Tony stayed. Marie is from France.

Tony and Jens walking along a path through trees and vegetation. Marie, Jens and Tony had lunch near this forest area, which is called 'Snack du Moulin'. The nearby freshwater springs are called 'Moulin de la Tour des Roches'. This area is roughly a 15-minute drive from St-Paul.Tony and Jens walking along a path through trees and vegetation. Marie, Jens and Tony had lunch near this forest area, which is called ‘Snack du Moulin’. The nearby freshwater springs are called ‘Moulin de la Tour des Roches’. This area is roughly a 15-minute drive from St-Paul.

Moulin de la Tour des Roches. A pool of water with a metal waterwheel at the end, part of an old water mill. Surrounded by lush vegetation. Located at Savanna, a part of Saint Paul.Moulin de la Tour des Roches. A pool of water with a metal waterwheel at the end, part of an old water mill. Surrounded by lush vegetation. Located at Savanna, a part of Saint Paul.

Tony, Jens and Zoé, Jens's daughter, next to the pool at Moulin de la Tour des Roches.Tony, Jens and Zoé, Jens’s daughter, next to the pool at Moulin de la Tour des Roches.

Looking out to sea from the sandy, Les Brisants Beach with the sun setting. Three bathers in the water.Looking out to sea from the sandy, Les Brisants Beach with the sun setting. Three bathers in the water.

Again looking out to sea, the sun almost set now.Again looking out to sea, the sun almost set now.

Sunday, 28th April 2019

Marie and Tony at the viewing point of Piton de la Fournaise volcano.Marie and Tony at the viewing point of Piton de la Fournaise volcano.

Piton de la Fournaise is an active volcano on the eastern side of Réunion. It is currently one of the most active volcanoes in the world with the last eruption before Tony’s visit occurring in February 2019. The English translation of its name is “Peak of the Furnace”.

Close-up of Tony and Marie whilst hiking near Piton de la Fournaise volcano.Close-up of Tony and Marie whilst hiking near Piton de la Fournaise volcano.

On volcano Piton de la Fournaise, Marie, Jens, Tony and Jourdan, their best friend.On volcano Piton de la Fournaise, Marie, Jens, Tony and Jourdan, their best friend.

Piton de la Fournaise volcano rising up immediately in front. The landscape is entirely new rock with no visible vegetation.Piton de la Fournaise volcano rising up immediately in front. The landscape is entirely new rock with no visible vegetation.

Tony and Marie hiking down Piton de la Fournaise volcano.Tony and Marie hiking down Piton de la Fournaise volcano.

Again Tony and Marie hiking down a trail. The surrounding landscape covered with rock and small scrubby plants.Again Tony and Marie hiking down a trail. The surrounding landscape covered with rock and small scrubby plants.

View along a trail near Piton de la Fournaise volcano. Cloud floating over a valley in front.View along a trail near Piton de la Fournaise volcano. Cloud floating over a valley in front.

Tony in the rocky landscape near Piton de la Fournaise volcano.Tony in the rocky landscape near Piton de la Fournaise volcano.

View over a lush grassy valley with hills and mountains rising up in the distance. Taken from the wooden balcony of Marie and Jens’s house in Saint-Paul.View over a lush grassy valley with hills and mountains rising up in the distance. Taken from the wooden balcony of Marie and Jens’s house in Saint-Paul.

Tony using his laptop with his friend Romeo, the cat, by his side on the settee.Tony using his laptop with his friend Romeo, the cat, by his side on the settee.

Monday, 29th April 2019

Tony and Jens on a motorbike near the house, Saint-Paul. Jens originates from Germany. He and Marie are married and have three children. They’ve lived in Réunion for many years.Tony and Jens on a motorbike near the house, Saint-Paul. Jens originates from Germany. He and Marie are married and have three children. They’ve lived in Réunion for many years.

Jens and Tony riding on the motorbike. They are heading to St-Denis, the capital town of Réunion. About a 30-minute drive from St-Paul.Jens and Tony riding on the motorbike. They are heading to St-Denis, the capital town of Réunion. About a 30-minute drive from St-Paul.

Tony by a stream close to Cascade Delices, a waterfall near to Saint-Denis, capital of Réunion.

Tony on the edge of a large rocky pool at the bottom of Cascade Delices. This waterfall is roughly four meters in height. A torrent of water can be seen crashing over the top.Tony on the edge of a large rocky pool at the bottom of Cascade Delices. This waterfall is roughly four meters in height. A torrent of water can be seen crashing over the top.

Another view of the waterfall.Another view of the waterfall.

Selfie of Tony taken while standing under a tree.Selfie of Tony taken while standing under a tree.

Tony on the rocky beach of Sante Suzanne. Waves can be seen crashing on the rocks and an excellent view along the coast beyond.Tony on the rocky beach of Sante Suzanne. Waves can be seen crashing on the rocks and an excellent view along the coast beyond.