Mauritius The Paradise Island.

by Frederic della Faille

Mauritius.

Mauritius is a small tropical island in the Indian ocean approximately 5-600 miles off the coast of East Africa and Madagascar and two hours south of the Seychelles. It is of vulcanic origin and is only 50 miles long by 30 miles wide. 

There are a couple of extinct vulcanos in Mauritius notably Trou aux cerfs at Curepipe which you are able to walk around the perimeter road at the top of the summit with fantastic views inside the crator and down to the coast and also inland across the plains. 

The following scheduled airlines fly from London Heathrow taking approximately 11 hours, Air Mauritius, British Airways, Virgin, Emirates via Dubai and Air France have daily flights via Paris Charles de Gaulle airport arriving at Sir Seewoosaguram Ramgoolam international airport in the south of the Island. I would advise travellers who fly with Emirates airline to check with the embassy if you are carrying medication with you as quite a few medicines are actually banned in the UAE and you may experience problems even if you are in transit. I think the customs allowances in Mauritius are similar to that of the UK and there are harsh penalties for the importation of illigal substances. 

Mauritius was first settled by the Dutch in the 1500′s followed by the French and then the British. The law follows the British Legal system and they drive on the left. The official Language of Mauritius is French and English. The country has a very multi racial population who originally were brought to the island to farm the sugar plantations. They came from India, china and Africa so there is a diverse influence of different cultures and religions including Hindus, Tamils, Muslims, and Christians all with their own temples, mosques and churches and traditions. 

The local language commonly spoken is French creole which is spoken throughout the island and most people are bi lingual. The slaves picked up French from their task masters and the language developed from then. 

The climate is very nice indeed and temperatures range from around about 20C in the winter months to the upper 30′s in the summer. It is not very humid due to the sea breezes that sweep across the island although the heat in Port Louis can become very oppressive. They have cyclones which develop between December and March. It is much warmer nearer the coast and can be quite cool in the middle of the island on the upper plateau. 

The capital of Port Louis has developed quite significantly over the past twenty years and there are high rise buildings mingled in with colonial type buildings. The water front has recently been developed and is known as Caudan water front. 

Port Louis is a major city with many international companies and banks in abundance. There is a massive market in Port Louis which is interesting and colourful to visit and a hive of activity. There are spices that you have never even heard of which ply on the senses……..sight and smells are amazing. That being said I think it rather prudent to avoid the fish and meat market. Knowing you are foreign the price of thngs are more expensive. 

Mauritius’s main economy was based on sugar refining textile production and now tourism. The currency is the Mauritian Rupee and there were approximately 50R to the pound and prices are similar to that in the UK with the exception of eating out although expect to pay more in tourist areas. 

There are many hotels dotted around the coastal regions ranging from basic accomodation up to super deluxe. The main tourist area is around the region of Grand Bay in the north of the island and is quite developed now. Another region that has seen significant hotel development over the years has been the area around Flic en Flac on the west coast. In fact there is accomodation to suit every pocket. 

There is a museum in Port Louis right next to a nice little park which is quite cool from the heat of the city which houses one of two known Dodo for which Mauritius is reknowned, the other being in the natural history museum in London. They were driven to extinction by the Dutch who hunted them down killing them for food. They are quite weird in appearance. Slighly bigger in body than a turkey with short legs and wings and a horny beak. A most peculiar creature. The Dodo is the national emblem of Mauritius where ever you go you will see it in some form or another. 

Things to do in Mauritius. 

The main tourist area is at Grand bay in the north of the Island and over the years it has been quite developed to western standards. 

Sir Seewoosaguram Ramgoolam botanical park formerly known as Pamplemousse botantical gardens. Here they have many species of plants and trees which are unique to Mauritius. One being giant lily pads ( Victoriav Regina named after Queen Victoria) They are like massive dustbin lids and they