The Essence of Mauritius and Mauritius Top 10 Places
1. The Essence of Mauritius: Its People
Europe, Africa, India and China… The
whole world in one island! It is often referred to as the
‘Continent-Island’ due to its diverse cultures and ethnicities, and
Mauritians pride themselves on being able to live in harmony and respect
the different religions and ethnic groups represented here.
The striking natural
beauty and diversity of Mauritius are reflected in the warmth of its
people. The richness of their culture and heritage binds them together.
The Mauritian smile is genuine and the people are well known for their
hospitality and warmth. You will always feel welcome in this friendly
country.
The best way to meet
the locals is on the public beaches, or in the shops and market places
on weekends and public holidays. Going on guided tours with locals or
adventure companies are great ways to discover Mauritius and the history
and culture of its people. Discover their fun side by partying the
night away at one of the many nightclubs or parties on the beach!
The Essence of Mauritius: Mingling in Port louis
In 1735 the French governor Mahé de La
Bourdonnais made Port Louis a key harbor in this part of the ocean.
Today, it is the island’s capital city and is worth a visit to see why
Mauritius is hailed for its economic achievement. The best place to park
is in the Caudan Waterfront, from where you can easily walk around the
city, by far the busiest place in Mauritius during the day.
Feast your eyes on the colourful fruit
and vegetable market, and let your senses be awakened by the scent of
oriental spices in China Town with its restaurants serving delicious
dishes. Enjoy walking along the old cobbled streets and seeing the
original colonial houses and buildings that make this city so unique and
interesting. Discover the museums and monuments, and do some shopping
in the hundreds of shops selling everything from fabrics, to jewellery,
to world famous clothing brands, there really is something for everyone!
To top off your day, take a drive to the
Champ de Mars, the oldest horse-racing course in the southern
hemisphere. Or if you want a beautiful view of the whole of Port Louis,
visit the Citadelle, an old fort that once guarded the harbour against
enemy attack and from local rebellion. For another stunning view, take a
walk up the steps of the church of Marie Reine de la Paix, on the side
of Signal Mountain.
The Essence of Mauritius: Fantastic Beaches
Mauritius has the
most amazing white coral sand beaches and crystal clear lagoons, which
contrast vividly with the backdrop of black volcanic mountains.
It seems that Mother
Nature has chosen our beaches to try out a palette of blue, white and
sparkle! The best beaches definitely worth a visit are Pereybere, Flic
en Flac, Le Morne, Belle Mare, Blue Bay and Ile aux Cerfs. A day at the
beach is also a great opportunity to mingle with Mauritian families who
enjoy picnicking on the beach on sunny days.
A good way to
discover the differences between the North, East, South and West, is to
drive around the coast visiting the different beaches. Each region is
unique and has so many treasures waiting to be discovered. The North,
with its flat, sandy beaches and stunning weather, is action packed and
has plenty of activities on offer. The East boasts large turquoise
lagoons and is windier, especially in winter. The South with its wild,
steep cliffs is a stunning part of the island that is a must-see. The
West and South-West are hot and dry, perfect for surfing and
kitesurfing, among other activities.
The Essence of Mauritius:Water Wonders
Life in Mauritius
spins around the inviting warm waters of the Indian Ocean. Visitors can
take advantage of this water paradise by trying out a variety of water
sports and activities around the island.
There are water
sports galore to choose from: pedaloes, kayaks, water skis, sea karting,
surfing, windsurfing, stand up paddleboarding, glass bottom boats,
catamaran cruises, dolphin watching and big game-fishing… For the more
adventurous among you, there are an underwater walk, submarine trips and
parasailing.
Mauritius is a
well-known diving destination, and snorkelling can be done in most
lagoons, where you’ll be amazed at the sea life you can see not far from
the shore. In Blue Bay, a nature reserve, you can take a glass bottom
boat into the reserve and then snorkel in the lagoon – an experience
that you will remember forever!
If kitesurfing is
more your game, head for the windiest spots in the South and East all
year round, and in the North at some periods of the year. Hang onto your
hat!
The Essence of Mauritius:Sega Dancing
You cannot possibly leave Mauritius
without learning to dance a few Sega steps. Whether you have twinkle
toes, or two left feet, this vibrant local dance with its distinctive
African rhythm will have your hips undulating to the beat!
Each resort has its own Sega show, which
is a perfect way to end an evening. The spirit of Africa resonates
through the musical instruments – usually ravanne, maravanne or triangle
are played, while the songs, sung in Creole, depict the Mauritian way
of life. The Sega folkloric dance has been registered by UNESCO on its
Intangible Cultural Heritage list.
If you want to keep moving to the beat
you can purchase a range of Sega music in all music stores around the
island. This folk music will bring the tropical beat into your home, and
keep the Mauritian flame alive. A well-known Sega artist is Ti Frère
but there are dozens to choose from, each with their unique flare. Why
not buy a few, share them with your friends and teach them the Sega
moves you learnt in Mauritius…
The Essence of Mauritius:Pamplemousses Botanical Garden
This is undoubtedly
one of the most visited attractions in Mauritius. Created over 300 years
ago by the famous French botanist Pierre Poivre, the garden is the
oldest in the Southern Hemisphere and boasts a plethora of indigenous
plants.
See if you can spot
Pierre Poivre’s statue in the gardens. Count yourself extremely
fortunate if you happen to see the Talipot Palm, which blooms once every
30 to 80 years! There are also giant tortoises, Java Deer, and the
spectacular water lilies. Take a break under one the many gazebos
throughout the place and enjoy the tranquillity and charm of this
beautiful and unique Pamplemousses botanical garden.
The Essence of Mauritius:The 7-coloured earth of Chamarel
This world famous attraction is a unique
volcanic geological phenomenon resulting in seven colours of earth
swirled together to create a beautiful feature. Found in the stunning
region of Chamarel, this is a treasure not to be missed.
Chamarel rises 283 meters above sea
level and is reached by a panoramic route, which cuts through the
luxurious tropical forest surrounding it. There are many places to stop
to admire the exquisite view and take photos. One of these spots is an
83-metre high waterfall.
After visiting the 7-coloured earth, you
can take a trip to the village to see the picturesque Church of St.
Anne which was built in 1876 and is a sought after feature by visitors.
This typical Mauritian village is well worth the detour for its family
restaurants, and the drive back through the scenic Chamarel to Baie du
Cap is magical.
The Essence of Mauritius:The art of Sugar, Rum & Tea
Mauritius’s history and prosperity are
linked to the sugar cane industry. Sugar cane was introduced to
Mauritius by the Dutch settlers as far back as 1639, but it was the
French Governor Mahé de Labourdonnais who opened the first sugar estate
in 1743.
Today, sugar is no longer the backbone
of the island’s economy as it has been for many years past, but its
by-products, such as rum, remain extremely popular. The L’Aventure du Sucre museum in Pamplemousses will give you a fascinating look at how the countries history is intertwined with sugar.
The Tea Route is also extremely popular
with tourists and allows you to visit traditional tea plantations, tea
factories, and museums to learn about how tea is made. Sample the
delicious and unique tea blends, most notably Mauritian vanilla tea,
among the world’s best! Make sure you buy some to take home.
The Essence of Mauritius:Cultural Heritage Sites
Government House, a French colonial
building built in 1738, the Port Louis Theatre steeped in history, the
beautiful Central Post Office and Court of Justice buildings, and the
old prison adjacent to them, all deserve a visit.
Two UNESCO world heritage sites –
Aapravasi Ghat and Le Morne – are well worth visiting as is the Vieux
Grand Port historical route which houses several historical monuments
including the Dutch landing site.
If you want to take home memories other
than seaside ones, we recommend you swap your flip-flops for some
walking shoes, step out and enjoy the rich historical heritage of
Mauritius.
The Essence of Mauritius:Culinary Experience
It’s delicious, it’s
Mauritius! Foodies will be in their element in a country that offers
everything from Michelin-star chefs, fine dining, and enticing roadside
snacks sold by street food vendors. The delicate ‘heart of palm’ salad
is famous in Mauritius and something to try if your budget allows.
Sample the ubiquitous
street food: dholl puris, samosas, gateaux arouille and gateaux piments
both on and off the streets of Mauritius, in the many small restaurants
and takeaways (“snacks”). Visitors will soon learn that eating is
extremely popular among the local population.
Cultural festivals, such as the Chinatown Festival, are known to attract thousands of Mauritians for their food offerings.
Source: All picture and contents are of http://www.tourism-mauritius.mu/en-int
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