The year 2020 was certainly not what I, or perhaps what most people expected it to be. A tumultuous year that turned the world upside down due to Covid-19. But amidst all the chaos, stress and sadness, I noticed a positive shift; a conscious mindset change in the way that people began to see themselves and their lives.

We still face numerous challenges, but in some ways, being “forced” to slow down has had its share of benefits. There is no denying the mental, physical and emotional toll this unprecedented event has taken on our well-being, but many have come to appreciate loved ones even more, reconnecting in ways that perhaps weren’t possible before due to our busy, stressful lives.

The pandemic has given us time to reset and re-evaluate how we live our lives and connect with others. For many, life has gained more meaning and the “importance” of material possessions has been replaced by experiences; collecting moments rather than things.

EXPERIENTIAL TRAVEL

Experiential travel is on the rise and while our travel plans came to a grinding halt this year, we can still plan ahead for when we travel again, albeit slightly differently than prior to the pandemic. Reunion Island is welcoming travellers once more and is the perfect destination to immerse oneself in unique and unusual experiences.

According to Wikipedia, the definition of “experiential travel, also known as immersion travel, is a form of tourism in which people focus on experiencing a country, city or particular place by actively and meaningfully engaging with its history, people, culture, food and environment.”

MEDITATION AND A VOLCANO

I thought back to a unique and special experience I had in Reunion Island in 2019. Meditation and a volcano? What do these two things have in common? Home to one of the most active volcanoes in the world, Piton de la Fournaise is around 500 000 years old and has been a proud UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2010.

This sacred and fascinating natural treasure is the most visited site on the island. Fortunately, the active areas of the volcano are not inhabited, so its eruptions pose little danger to the island’s residents.

Claire Rivas, mountain guide and meditation expert, has been practicing and teaching meditation for many years. Passionate about nature, she has combined her love for meditation and mountains and offers guided meditation walks and hikes around the island. The numerous health benefits for our bodies and minds when surrounded by nature are undeniable. With the addition of meditation and gentle yoga, I was keen to experience guided volcano meditation.

We met up with Claire at one of the viewing spots that face the spectacularly lush Vallée de La Rivière des Remparts.

A short drive later, we found ourselves looking at what seemed to be another planet – the unique, lunar-like landscape of Les Plaine des Sables stretched for miles before us. Volcanic rocks and sand with reddish hues are seen across this vast desert wilderness that leaves one speechless.

MINDFULNESS AND MEDITATION

Starting with some gentle yoga stretches, Claire shared a brief introduction about the benefits of meditation on the body and mind. Our hectic lifestyles tend to exhaust us with little time or energy to relax and be in the present moment.

Practicing meditation regularly allows us to slow down, breathe, concentrate and tune in to our feelings and emotions, enabling us to lead more balanced lives, reducing stress, tension and anxiety. Mindfulness focuses on the present moment, while meditation uses several techniques to achieve a state of mindfulness.

Paying attention to my surroundings and being in the present moment was a challenge at first, but the more I came to trust myself and my body with no judgement, the more calm and serene I felt. We partnered up with a member of our group for a short walk, taking turns to hold hands while they closed their eyes. “Showing” our partner the way by letting them know when to sidestep a stone, or watch out for a dip in the path, was both interesting and an authentic lesson about placing your trust in others.

Arriving at a rocky volcanic outcrop, we settled down to meditate. The time spent here was one of quiet contemplation, my senses elevated by the mystical surroundings, the energy palpable. Connecting to my emotions and releasing any stress and tension, this sacred space allowed me to truly connect with my body, mind and soul.

Feeling centered, calm and lighter in a way that I had not felt in a very long time, I knew then that meditation would become an essential part of my daily life. A year and a half later, I set aside time each morning to meditate and continue to reap the positive benefits of being mindful. This has helped me tremendously throughout a very challenging year.

Whether you have meditated or not, this unforgettable and unique experience is not to be missed when visiting #LaReunion. Fuel your love for experiential travel by visiting the Reunion Tourism Board’s website >> http://bit.ly/LaReunion-LivingItUpCapetown Immerse yourself in all that this ultimate one-of-a-kind destination has to offer.

#GOTOREUNION – REUNION ISLAND IS OPEN FOR TRAVEL

Reunion Island is welcoming travellers back again. A few things that are good to know:

• South Africans do not require a visa for leisure stays for up to 90 days.
• Strict Covid-19 safety and hygiene protocols are in place.
• Air Austral offers flights from Johannesburg to St Denis, the capital city, every week.
• A 4-hour flight from Johannesburg will have you in paradise in no time at all!

Disclosure: I was hosted on a media trip in 2019 by the Reunion Island Tourism Board. All views and images are my own unless otherwise stated. Merci beaucoup for the amazing memories and for sharing some of your beautiful island gems.

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Yours in Travel,
xoxo