[Dietmar]

Hi Eunice,

Yes, had a nice week end and how did your christmas go ? The weather here is very humid and warm at the moment. Couldn't imagine working without an aircon in the office at the moment. I guess in Singapore its Aircon everywhere ???

For us, we have mini farms for the breeding of pets and we do produce local food products such as chicken, eggs, pigs, fish etc. But we do have to import food products in general. But this dependence is ok as our location is considered a great centre for trading in the first place, and of course as a financial hub too.

Yes indeed, due to this beneficial location, and being a world market trading place, you actually benefit from low prices I guess, lower than if you would produce it on the scarce and expensive land you have left. So Singapore uses effeciently its land to make out of it the highest returns possible then. I can see that Singapore is really good at this!

By the way, some years ago I read somewhere that the Government was interested into introducing a plastic card for payments and remove coins and bank notes, did this actually get established ?

And I also remember that a trader once, bought Barings for 1$ ? or something similar, or sold it for 1$, this must have made headlines in Singapore, you still remember that ?

Our housing estates are well-lit with road lamps so if we stick to the "main roads", as a lady, I actually find it safe to go for walks alone, anytime. I used to walk 2 hours around my housing estate, in the middle of the night, to sort out my thoughts. And after a long night of partying, I can take a cabby home alone without worrying.

That makes it a safe place to live Well, here, for a lady, it wouldn't be safe to go walking around alone. It would actually be wierd as this is very uncommon. By they way, i thought you were a guy! ...especially cause of the football! lol!

The weather in Mauritius is actually similar to Singapore. We do get a slight feel of the 4 seasons, though the degree only range between 21 - 35 degree celsius. Summer (humid), then autumn (windy), then winter (rainy), then spring (sunny but not humid).

How about cyclones or hurricanes, you get any of those ?

Hopefully, your people can have a feel of watching football as a nation. Perhaps then both the international and local football scenes in Mauritius can revive to what it used to be. Though the danger is some people may get drunk and get too personal with the matches' results. But as far as I noticed, only a handful got out of hand so the rest of us just ignored them. Haha.

A few years ago, mauritius was doing well in african cup games, but now I hear nothing. But you are right, a good national team, playing abroad with locally well known players would stir up the national spirit. But helas its not at this level anymore...

Thank you for the information and insights. Whenever I come across a topic that involves Mauritius, you can be sure to "see" me around. Cheers.

Well 2009 is close around the door, so if we don't hear from each other till then I would like to take this moment to wish you a happy new years eve, a good start in 2009, all the best, good health and progress in your work and life. Take care, bye bye, Dietmar.