Shortly after I graduated college, I spent a year working in Paris, France. While there, I befriended Nicole. She and I had very similar senses of humor (and naughtiness!) and became like sisters. She’s from Reunion Island. A few years ago, Nicole and her family visited me in New York City. We’ve been talking for years about me visiting her in Reunion, and, finally, now that I have time for long flights to faraway lands, I made the trip!

The one way ticket price from New York is over $1,000. I use miles for my flight, so I’m paying about $50 and will fly from New York to Paris, and then an 11 hour flight from there to Reunion. (Want more tricks to afford to travel full-time? Click here!)

Nicole and me in Reunion Island, finally!

Finally In The Right Place

With no sleep and a 6-hour layover, before my next 11-hour flight, I decide to see if I can upgrade. I head to the Air France lounge and find out it’s only $200. Since I’ve only paid $50, I decide to grab it. I find out I’m not entitled to the lounge, but end up sweet-talking my way in! I learn they have sleeping pods and head over to one.

Some time later, I go to my gate, only to discover I have to pass through immigration in Paris, as there isn’t any in Reunion. (Reunion is a French overseas territory, not its own country.) Even the Air France agent agrees it would be more efficient to have made us go through immigration when we landed in Paris, and, certainly, to have an immigration attendant near our boarding gate. After a six hour layover, I now have to walk 20 minutes to the other side of the airport, then back to the boarding gate. So, note, if you go to Reunion, you may have to go through this strange process, and they don’t tell you in advance. You go at the last minute. I’d suggest, when you land, finding out whether you can go to immigration immediately and save some hassle!

First views of Reunion Island

I’m happy to report that I made my flight, despite this hardship. After landing, I exit into a very small airport. There’s a small luggage belt, and, more importantly, one adorable security dog sniffing bags. He turns out to be very friendly, and nobody stops me from petting him before getting my bags. I step outside and there, in the distance, is a spectacular view of mountains. I’m spellbound, which takes my mind off my jet lag.

Nicole and her husband Patrick pick me up at the airport. I can’t believe I’m finally here! We stop for a coffee and then drive to their home. The roads are flat until we get closer to Entre Deux, where they live. It’s up winding roads that threaten to make me car sick, but I somehow make it! I’m treated to a perfect view out their dining room window.

The view from Nicole’s dining room.

A Few Things To Know About Reunion Island

Reunion Island belongs to France – its an overseas territory, not a country. It’s safe and located in the Indian Ocean, not too far from Madagascar. It’s 2 hours ahead of CET, and 8 hours ahead of Eastern time.

Yes, it’s true, there are lots of sharks in the water. So, be careful where you swim. On the flip side, there are also lots of whales. Have your camera ready!

Reunion Island is a mere 30-minute flight from Mauritius, so if you’re going all that way, allow time to see both places.

Reunion Island is small, but packed with very different landscapes, loads of hiking, and beautiful sunsets. It also has a reliable cyclone period every year with high winds and lots of rain. Make sure to time your trip well.

Here’s a map with many of the places I visited and some of the things I discovered while there:

Giant Avocados and Upside-Down Potatoes

First, I feel like I’m in an alternate universe when they show me the avocados. I know we have giant sloths to thank for spreading avocados around the world, and these may just be as large as the ones they ate. Some are the size of my head. And, they are delicious! We eat one a day.

Next, I learn that instead of “pommes de terre” (the word for potatoes in French, which literally means “apples in the ground”), Reunion has “pommes en air” – or air potatoes. Because they grow on trees! Crazy!

And, I saw the SMALLEST avocado of my life as well! And later ate it.

Pepper

While on the topic of food, I never really thought about pepper before, but I learned that it grows on the trees in all sorts of colors! Here are some of the pods Nicole picked off a tree and was drying to use later on.

Grande Anse

The first place Nicole takes me is the lookout point from Grande Anse. It’s a beautiful beach and we meet a man in a van who brews us some coffee and chats for a while. Then we walk along the beach and admire a perfect sunset.

A Volcanic Eruption

On my third day in Reunion, the volcano erupts! Nicole says that people pay good money to fly to Reunion just to see it happen, and so I am really lucky. We drive to the volcano road to watch the lava flow and it’s my first time seeing a volcano erupt in person! Along the way, we pass the sea, and I see a pod of whales – I must say, it’s a tough decision – whales or the volcano? I go for the volcano.

The road is “La Route Des Laves” – and is where the lava always flows down when the volcano erupts, which is around once a year. During the day, I can’t see much. We go for a walk, and when we return, and the sun begins to set, things heat up…literally and figuratively. I’m lucky to chat with a couple guys who have a super telescope and get some amazing views of the lava. This is an epic event!

Le Cirque of Cilaos

There are three “cirques” on Reunion. As I understand it, they are created by glaciers and erosion and end up as a kind of giant bowl shape, surrounded by mountains. Cilaos was also important for runaway slaves who took refuge here, believing they were safe from recapture.

While Cilaos isn’t far from Entre Deux, the drive is fairly long because, no joke, there are 400 turns, and some of them are hairpin. (I’m not sure who counted the turns, but I am going to believe they are right.) I took extra motion sickness medication in preparation. The other important thing to note, is a substantial change in altitude. While I didn’t notice it so much on the way up, when we came down the next day, I was sick for a full day after. 

The town is beautifully surrounded by mountains and we enjoyed walking around it, and some hiking as we made our way back the next day. (In my related video, see where we ate one of our best meals!)

Local Towns And Markets

I enjoy exploring some of the smaller towns, like Saint-Pierre and Saint Joseph, which has a weekend market, some wonderful street art, and small winding streets that lead to unexpected views. I also discover some interesting Indian temples. It’s such a fascinating hodge-podge of cultures, colors, and nature! Not to mention that the people of Reunion are lovely, down to the butcher where Nicole takes me before he leaves for his annual vacation.

Picnics and Chicken Feet

We enjoy an ocean-side picnic a few days after I arrive. And, while we’re there, a whale shows up! The randomness of being on a beach and a whale swimming by is pretty rare for me, so I have fun trying to snap some photos and watching it swim around! (Catch my video of the whale in my Reunion video!) Picnics apparently are a regular occurrence in Reunion, and I’ll happily enjoy meeting new people and trying new foods a lot while I’m here!

At a birthday party for one of Nicole’s friends, we have a picnic, and it’s the umpteenth time I’ve seen chicken feet! Everyone enjoys them like a delicacy, so I decide to try them. There is definitely a barrier to overcome. The feet, more than the parts of chicken I’m used to eating, really make me realize what you’re eating. I will say, I did not find them as delicious as Nicole and the others, but they weren’t bad.

Walks Along The Beautiful Sea

The coastline of Reunion is gorgeous and has a few feats of nature. One of them is a blowhole – what’s unique is that it’s a cave that was formed under water after a volcanic eruption. The water blows out of the cave, instead of the other way round. It’s called “Le Souffleur” and you can find it in Saint-Leu. 

Another spectacular place is Le Gouffre, in L’Etang Salé. It’s a lookout point where the ocean waters violently weave among a semi-enclosed rock formation. Unfortunately, there have been some suicides here, and you’ll see memorials, and a reminder, to mind your distance.

During my first week in Reunion Island in addition to visiting Piton Le Grand Anse, we take a walk along the beach closer to Saint Joseph. It has a stunning contrast of lush green next to blue sea, as well as some fascinating trees. There are apparently colorful geckos in this area, too, but they didn’t show themselves while we were there. 🙁 I will have to go back again!

Entre Deux

The town of Entre-Deux was in the running for Most Beautiful French town, so they were quite proud of it. I spent a couple of hours walking around taking photos of the fascinating houses in the town like this one.

The Turmeric House

Some other fun facts about Reunion – they are known for lentils! I had no idea. And, there is a large turmeric industry so we went to the turmeric house. I learned how it’s made, got some SUPER turmeric (great for inflammation!), saw my first field of turmeric, and also learned that Reunion has it’s own ginger. It’s different from the Chinese kind we have in the US, and apparently doesn’t go bad!

Le Parc Des Palmiers

One of the final places I visit this trip is the Palm Park (Parc Des Palmiers). Imagine a public park where people jog and relax, surrounded by lots of different species of palm trees! Pretty unique and fascinating to see.

And of course, it wouldn’t be a trip to Reunion without seeing its national bird…

An Interesting Bridge

On one of my final days on Reunion, I get a photo that may seem spectacularly unexciting. In fact, this bridge turns out to be exceptional. It’s the longest bridge in the world with no support column in the middle! (Watch the video below to see more.)

Three weeks fly by, and there is so much more of Reunion to see. I’ll have to leave it for another visit. Make sure to watch the video to see more of Reunion and what makes it so special.