A tropical paradise. (Mauritius)

Member Name: garymarsh6

Product:	Mauritius
Date:	25/11/08 (191 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Warm friendly people.

Disadvantages: Having to come home and back to reality.

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 are very tempting to leap over. They are very unusual. There are several trees planted by Prime ministers and Royalty along a walkway near to the Sir Seewoosaguram Ramgoolam memorial in the park. There are also giant Tortoise there which can also be found in other sites around the island.

Mauritius is surrounded by a natural coral reef and deep sea fishing is available throughout the island for blue marlin etc. The waters are crystal clear and you can snorkel or dive to view the fantastic coral reef. The fish are so tame they come right up to you and you can feed them by hand. The colours are out of this world. The beaches are very good with white sand and although probably not the best beaches in the world they are never the
less very beautiful. Nude bathing is not permitted and even topless bathing is frowned upon. It is best to respect the locals and cover up as all the beaches are public beaches despite hotels coming right down to the water front.


Ile aux Cerfs is a small Island off the East coast of Mauritius and you have to take a small boat to this beautiful place. There is a large lagoon where you can swim and snorkel and it is very safe indeed. I shouldnt really tell you about this place because it is one of my favourite places on Mauritius. There are various water based activites available off shore such as water skiing, and para gliding. There is a restaurant here with delightful food.

Other places include Casela an animal park with a variety of animals from different continents including tigers. It is on the West coast.

Down south there is a crocodile park and also some ruins of the original Dutch fort built during the initial habitation of Mauritius.

Black river noire gorge is a natural park and devoted to the preservation and conservation of nearly extinct animals such as the pink Pigeon. Gerald Durell from Jersey zoo was instrumental in preventing the demise of the Pink pigeon and it is now a off the critical danger list. You may even get the chance to see wild deer or monkeys as you drive through this area.

There are two places which show a natural phenomena following vulcanic activity which has left the earth a multitude of colours. The first is called Chamerel or seven coloured earth ranging from blue, green, yellow, orange, red, purple, and various tones of brown. The other place is a recent find called Les Vallee of coluers nature park again this is on the South Eastern coast.

There are several religious ceremonies notably the Tamils and their cavedee which are celebrated at various times throughout the year. The main ones being in Early January or March.

The devotees make a vow or promise to the Lord Maruga and by doing so they fast for ten days sleeping on the floor at their homes.

On the day of the cavedee they meet at the river to bathe in running water. They hype themselves up into trance like states prior to having pins inserted right through their cheeks. They then push their tongues out and another pin is inserted so that they are uable to put thier tongues back into their mouths.

Some adorn the whole of their bodies with pins and some pull trolly like carts which are pulled with the aid of ropes attached to hooks that are piercing the skin. They also carry a small wooden cavadee on their shoulders which are ornately adorned with colourful flowers. Some of the devotees even walk on shoes of nails.

Observers shouldnt wear leather shoes or other leather articles such as belts or bags as this can induce them to hit out at you with Bamboo sticks. On reaching the temple the pins are removed and the devotees who have also been carrying milk to the temple offer it to observers and pilgrims.

After this ceremony there may be walking on fire at the temple which occurs just before it gets dark. This is fascinating to watch as well. The people walk across hot charcoal and do not burn their feet. This is a very colourful ceremony.

On the plateau at Grand Bassin there is a lake in an extinct vulcano which has become a Hindu religious pilgramage site. It is known as Ganga Talao. There is a temple in the middle of the lake and temples surrounding the lake. A Massive statue has recently been erected which can be seen from quite a distance.


I know this is a personal review of Mauritius and I am certain I have not mentioned lots of things to see and do. I think the best advice I can give is for you to visit yourself and experience the diverse cultures, the hospitable friendly people who greet you with such wonderful smiles.

A good thing to note is that there are no snakes on Mauritius. Mogoose were introduced which got rid of them. There are lizards which keep the mosquitos down to a minimum. My one piece of advice would be to make sure that you take suntan lotion with you especially if you are fair skinned and particularly for children for protection against the tropical sun.

The negatives about Mauritius are that it gets dark at six Oclock in the evening. It is not gradual it is like someone turns the light off. Evening activities are mainly based in and around the hotels and there is not much night life outside the tourist areas.

The biggest negative is having to leave Mauritius to come home.

Summary: A tropical paradise,..... Heaven on earth!