Begin your journey in Mauritius with a visit to the capital city of Port Louis. Named after Louis XV of France, Port Louis has several things to keep you busy. The new Caudan Waterfront is believed to be the main tourist attraction here, with its trendy shops, cinemas, restaurants and a casino. But for those who wish to explore other places of interest, a trip to the Central Market is a must! The jostling crowds, the strange smells, some shops selling fake designer clothes, some offering herbal cures for every imaginable (or even unimaginable) ailments, mounds of tropical fruits and snacks of samosas and dal pancakes - these images will remain with you for a long, long time.
Known for their mania for horse riding, from May to November, the Champ de Mars (also called the Hippodrome) is thronged with enthusiasts. The race course was once a training ground for French troops and is also where the Mauritians celebrate Independence Day on 12 March.
At a mere ten minutes south of Port Louis, the Domaine Les Pailles offers a respite from the hustle-bustle and the heat of the city. There are about five restaurants and 3000 acres of grounds to enjoy. You also have the option of taking the one-hour guided tour in a little train or horse-drawn carriage and learn about the production of sugar and rum on the island. You may also drive around in Landrovers through the mountain where you can watch deer, monkeys and rare birds in their natural habitat.
One of the island's two natural lakes is Grand Bassin. It is situated in the crater of an extinct volcano and is a place of pilgrimage for a large number of Mauritians of Hindu faith. You can't possibly miss The Rochester Falls, one of the few waterfalls accessible to all. Watch the spectacle of water cascading over beautiful rocks, formed by the contraction of lava due to sudden cooling.
If there is one thing that will drag you away from the beach resorts in the north, it is definitely the Botanic Gardens, famous here as the Pamplemousses Gardens. French for 'grapefruit'. Of course, the plants displayed here are more exotic than the grapefruit. There are more than 500 plant species, one of the most notable being the talipot palm, whose flowers take about 60 years to flower and then the plant simply dies! In the huge Lily Pond, find the giant Amazon water lily, which has leaves measuring up to one and a half metres in diameter. Throw a coin in here and make a wish! Make sure that you visit this 62-acre Garden with plenty of time in hand. To make your visit easier, pick up a guidebook from the entrance, which will provide you with some interesting tidbits of information and even a map to guide yourself with.
A truly wonderful sight to behold is the Chamarel (coloured earth), which is a mound of undulating land stretching in contrasting layers of colour, and the patches of blue, green, red and yellow earth are to be the result of weathering. And what's even more remarkable is that this multicoloured earth neither fades nor mixes!
Casela Bird Park is set in the district of the Riviere Noire, stretching over 20 acres of land and contains more than 140 varieties, amounting to 2500 birds. Specimens from the five continents may be seen there, but the main attraction is the Mauritian Pink Pigeon, which is one of the rarest birds in the world. Other attractions here are the fishponds, tortoises, monkeys, together with orchids (seasonal), streams and small waterfalls, all adding to the remarkably peaceful atmosphere.
Off the east coast of Mauritius, is the island resort Ile Aux Cerfs. The island has two restaurants, a boathouse and miles of beautiful and golden beaches. Lovers of water sports can have a great day out in the sun and sea - a perfect haven of peace.
The Black River Gorges National Park protects much of the remaining native forests of Mauritius and provides opportunities for you to enjoy spectacular natural scenery and some of the unique endemic plants and bird life. Go on to some of the longest walking trails across the region, including one to the island's highest point, Black River Peak at 828 metres.
The beaches on the west coast of Mauritius are justifiably famous, and the beaches at Flic en Flac and Le Morne provide excellent windsurfing, water-skiing, diving and snorkeling. Flic en Flac is a popular place with Mauritians because of its proximity to Port Louis and the inland towns, and at weekends it can get pretty crowded. Le Morne is much more isolated and has been developed as an upmarket tourist spot.
The north coast of Mauritius, with its twin beach resorts of Grand Baie and Trou aux Biches, is where most tourists head to enjoy the island's white beaches and clear turquoise waters. Trou aux Biches is the quieter resort of the two and with its 3 km stretch of beach is ideal for beach-lovers. Hotels here offer windsurfing, waterskiing, sailing, diving and snorkelling, as well as trips in glass-bottomed boats. On the beach you can buy freshly caught fish, amazingly carved pineapples and seashells from wandering locals. The Mauritian sea never fails to surprise, with its multi-coloured fish, eels and coral beds - a huge sea of treasures and infinite wealth. Of course, you can't enjoy it till you see it up, close and personal - either dive into the water and watch the fish swim past, get into a glass-bottom boat or enter the submarine for that once in a blue moon discovery of nature's creations. You will enjoy a super encounter with the marine life and get a chance to see various wrecks dating back to the 17th century!
Together with watching the sea-life, Mauritius is one of the best spots in the world for deep-sea fishing. Blue and black marlins, sharks, sail fish, bonitos and tunas thrive in the tropical water around the island. A number of fishing clubs, some found in hotels organise deep sea fishing trips everyday. They would provide you with modern well-equipped boats with all the amenities and security for the best deep sea fishing experience.
Discover this beautiful island with a cruise in one of the sailboats around the island. Sail over the crystal clear waters and discover the hidden treasures of Flat Island and Gabriel Island and l'Ile aux Cerfs. Alternately, you may decide to fly over the turquoise lagoons, colours of the sugarcane fields and mountains covered with lush green vegetation.
Events
How else can you get the feel of the living culture of a nation if not in its folklore and music? Among the most popular art of Mauritius is the Sega of the African origin, which pulsates to the beat of the ravane, a circular drum, and other rhythmic instruments like the maravane. There are also the colourful Chinese traditional dances with the Ancestral Lions and Dragon dances being the best known. The sight of these mystical creatures brought to life by the precision and agility of the dancers is a must-see.
