One of the areas severely flooded in Port-Louis was in the Caudan Waterfront area, a favourite destination among tourists. A similar episode of flash flooding in the exact same place occurred the previous month, in February. It was then found that roadworks undertaken near a small stream had partially blocked it. When heavy rain fell, the blocked stream quickly overflowed and flooded the Caudan area.

Fail, fail, fail

You’d think lessons would be learnt and corrective actions taken yet a month later, the exact same situation occurred, with fatal consequences. The stream was still blocked, heavy rain fell, the stream overflowed and flooded Caudan, in particular the tunnels leading to it and an underground car park nearby and people within drowned. The Caudan tunnel literally filled up within 2 minutes, such was the volume of water. Watch this 2 minute video which starts filming the tunnel as starts filling up and ends with water to its brim.

Another cause for the flooding elsewhere in the Capital was the result of roadworks occurring on the motorway. Again, there seemed to have been a lack of drains made available for excess water.

 
Many fingers have been pointed at the weather forecast services for its total lack of warning. Weather forecasting is an inaccurate science and let’s face it, who will cancel a trip to the shopping centre on Easter even if warned of heavy rainfall?

 
Mauritius is regularly battered by cyclones every summer and these cyclones bring strong winds and heavy rain. The country usually faces it without severe flooding or people dying. In this particular case, the fatal consequences were not due to a lack of warning from the meteorological services and people being caught short without an umbrella but drains being blocked with the obvious consequences.

How to avoid this again in the future

The solution to avoid repeating these floodings is very obvious then. The implementation of drains should not be too difficult either despite Port-Louis being a heavily-built area concreted all over. On one side you have a mountain range which is at the back of the city. Opposite it is the sea. There is therefore a slope from the mountain to the sea. The blocked stream which flooded Caudan is called Ruisseau Le Pouce and takes its name from the mountain it originates from and flows to the sea. A natural drain. Even if space is at a premium in the enclosed area that is Port-Louis, it is still possible to build over such drains while still keeping them flowing and unblocked. The slope is already there to channel water to the sea.
If such drains are built and maintained, whether the weather forecast services fail or not in the future to predict heavy rainfalls, excess surface water will still be appropriately channelled away to the sea.

Advice for travellers

If you are travelling to Caudan in the future, the drains are still blocked and the water level is rising rapidly, don’t stay on low ground or worse in the tunnels or underground parking. Make your way to higher ground, torwards the mountains if you are in a vehicle and have time, or simply go the first floor or higher of the nearest building you can find. Don’t rush to the underground car park to save your car!

 
The good news is that due to the topography of Mauritius, it is very hard to get widespread flooding that frequently occurs on large spans of flat ground on continents. The centre of the island is a high plateau with rivers draining excess water from frequent rainfalls. Curepipe is a town on the high grounds inland that gets regular rainfalls but rarely sees any flooding, except a few localised ones that usually occur due to blocked drains. The flooding that occurred in the capital was also the result of blocked drains as explained and all the water flowed towards the sea where the Caudan area is located.

 
Tourist areas like Grand-bay and Flic en Flac were unaffected.

Further reading:

http://www.yashvinblogs.com/national-mourning-day-flooding/

http://www.islandcrisis.net/torrential-rain-mauritius-30th-march-2013/comment-page-2/

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Private islands

Relaxing means different things to different people. For some, it’s having one’s every need met by a team of discreet staff who smooth out the difficulties of daily life and make one feel like a millionaire or celebrity. For others, relaxing means having access to the best facilities, such as an exclusive spa, fine dining in elite restaurants or select accommodation and transport, while others prefer a more private luxury. Renting a private island, even for only a short time, can provide the illusion of status and celebrity for any traveler who chooses this type of luxury vacation.

Renting a private island can be costly, but there are more economical options. Instead of leasing the entire island for the whole vacation period, it is possible to rent one for just a day. Prickly Pear Island is one such island for rent and is only a short hop away from the Caribbean island of Antigua. Offering total seclusion with a buffet and bar included, this private little paradise will make any traveler feel like a star.

For those looking for a longer stay in a secluded paradise, another option is to visit a luxury island complex; it won’t be utterly private, but many of these destinations are small and the accommodation is widely spaced, so running into neighbors is unlikely. Fiji’s Turtle Island offers accommodation to only 14 couples at a time and is a perfect example of an all-inclusive retreat. The sense of isolation and tranquility in such resorts cannot fail to give the traveler a sense of relaxed well-being.

Stunning hotels

Hotel extravagance is yet another way to indulge on a luxury vacation. Pampering and wish-fulfillment are the order of the day in any number of five-star hotels located on some of the world’s most beautiful islands. What could be better than spending the day exploring a tropical paradise before heading back to the splendor and hedonistic glories of an award-winning restaurant, a well-stocked bar and world-class entertainment and shopping?

The island of Mauritius, located in the Indian Ocean, is just one destination that can provide exactly that mix of exotic spectacle and luxury. Explore the island, take advantage of the many fishing and diving expeditions out in the coastal waters and discover the natural wonders of the ecosystem, then refresh and relax in the sumptuous surroundings of one of the island’s many excellent hotels.

Boutique style

Small boutique hotels are scattered throughout the Caribbean arc, the island chains of Indonesia, the South Pacific and elsewhere. These intimate and often themed hotels are devoted to providing a luxurious experience for island visitors. Grenada, the Turks and Caicos Islands, and Bali are just three of the world’s most exceptional islands that offer stylish boutique accommodation for the discerning traveler in search of a luxurious and relaxing vacation.

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A recent trend report released in October by Hayes & Jarvis, a UK-based holiday firm that belongs to TUI Travel, revealed the top 10 most popular long haul holiday destinations worldwide:

1. New York
2. Thailand
3. Maldives
4. Las Vegas
5. Mexico
6. Mauritius
7. Dubai
8. Florida
9. St Lucia
10. Antigua

On the way up

According to Hayes & Jarvis, the Far East gained a lot of ground from the last report 6 months ago but New York takes the top spot because of its popularity for both summer trips and Christmas shopping. Twin centre holidays also helped it and Las Vegas secure top ranks. Twin centre holidays focus on two main cities not necessarily close to each other and are popular with holidays in the US.

Thailand features in second place despite the political turmoil of the last few years in part due to aggressive price cuts by Thai Airways.

Mexico’s presence in the list is due to direct flights to Cancun launched by British Airways as well as competitive all-inclusive holiday packages to this area.

Multi-centre holidays trend

According to this report, demand is on the up for multi-centre breaks in the Far East, combing destinations as far apart as the Middle East and the Far East and this apparently helped propel Thailand to the top.

Mauritius could copy this idea and pair up with neighbouring destinations to offer a holiday package: Dubai, Maldives and Seychelles could all be contenders and have already made their reputation in luxury travel.

Price-cut popularity contest

All in all, destinations that have seen the most growth have seen prices falling. This makes sense as holidaymakers in recession-hit countries look to save as much money as possible. Getting to the top of the list is nearly a matter of cutting prices. In fact, the report highlights the overall poor performance of the Indian Ocean region with Mauritius bucking the trend due to prices being frozen.

Here at MauritiusHolidaysTips.com, we believe there is much scope for Mauritius to climb to the top without the need to cut prices any further. The beaches are already there, the weather is great all year round, so add some serious marketing to spread the word and hopefully we can see better results next time. People want value for money – offer that to them!

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Something addictive

There’s something about a holiday in Mauritius that really gets under the skin; it would be too much of a cliché to say it was the inspirational beaches, the relaxation, the culture or the people. Yes, of course, it is a combination of all these things but somehow there seems to be something extremely enticing and somewhat addictive about this tropical paradise and I would love to return to celebrate our first anniversary and every one after that if I am honest!

Choosing the right hotel

Holidays in Mauritius have changed considerably since tourists first started visiting the island and it is now a destination which caters for everyone and it’s easy to book a hotel which appeals directly to the kind of person you are or occasion you wish to celebrate. After all, our holidays these days are well-earned breaks which are often difficult to coordinate with all the other relentless calls on our time. As a consequence it is important to make every second away from the daily grind count and choosing the right hotel is probably one of the most important decisions you will make, especially if it’s a honeymoon. Well, after choosing the right partner obviously.

There are so many to consider it is difficult to make a decision, but spending time doing just that will allow you to make the very best of that precious time away. I’m afraid I can’t offer any insurance against how you might feel at the sight of low cloud and winter rain on your return, but at least your memories will be worth replaying repeatedly.

Dinarobin Hotel

The Dinarobin Hotel for example is an absolute heart stopper and not only was it beautiful, but offered us every indulgence and was an extraordinarily romantic and memorable honeymoon destination, sigh, and I have treasured memories of watching the sun set over the Indian Ocean; this resort really is something truly special.

By the way, if you wish to sea the sun set, your hotel will need to be situated on the west side of the island, otherwise you’ll have to make your way there yourself. If you are a romantic early bird and wish to see the sun rise, you’ll have to be on the east side obviously.  The Dinarobin Hotel is at Le Mourne, on the south-west corner of the island.

Indian Resort and Spa

Still, some of us love the security of knowing everything is paid for and there is nothing to worry about regarding drink or restaurant bills after a holiday to the Indian Resort and Spa is booked. This is another stunner where you can relax and/or sail, kite surf or windsurf knowing you are surrounded by a nature reserve and anything you might possible wish for.

The Saint Géran

Others however, enjoy the idea of a hotel that just gives them somewhere to sleep, perchance to dream, shower and change. The Saint Géran, fits the bill as it offers bed and breakfast and is surrounded by palm trees and lush gardens and its own lagoon one side of the hotel, there’s even a calm bay awaiting on the other side. It offers a brilliant base from which to explore and enjoy the whole of Mauritius.

Tailor-made

If any of these possibilities sounds like your kind of thing, then there are plenty of tailor-made hotels in Mauritius which will allow you to make the most of your time away; places where you can down tools and give yourself up body and soul to those whose only aim is to look after your every whim for the duration of this break. Enjoy it while you can!

The Holiday Place has over 25 years of experience putting together tailor-made holidays to Mauritius; click here to see their wide range of hotels, destinations and holiday ideas.

If you have an informative  story you would like to share with us, see our travel guest post page.

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On their website, they claim this prestigious event will help increase their visibility in the UK and that the brand will be visible worldwide as a result. Furthermore, the contest is described as promoting natural beauty and attracts considerable positive press.

All this couldn’t be further from the truth.

Miss England in… England

While in Mauritius, the Miss Mauritius and especially the Miss World contests remain very popular, in England, Miss World barely gets a mention, let alone Miss England which goes unnoticed year after year. And if Miss England is not widely broadcast in the UK, what do you think worldwide visibility is ? Who watches Miss USA in the UK or anywhere outside the US? Who watches Miss Australia outside of Australia?

The lack of prestige and publicity for Miss England is because the British view this beauty contest in a much different light. Many think women shouldn’t be judged by their looks and that these beauty contests promote just that, whether that beauty is natural or not! Most of them don’t watch or follow these beauty contests. Press coverage is often negative and one winner even got arrested for catfights: http://news.sky.com/home/uk-news/article/15440946

The British Way

On a sidenote, this is quite hypocritical as the British are obsessed with all things celebrity and plastic surgery. The famous Jordan is famous for nothing but her big bosom. Many women who have had breast enhancement surgery have recently been scared of leakage and cancer risks of their implants. Eating disorder is widespread with thin girls deemed anorexic and slim ones too fat.

Cultural awareness

You need to be on the ground, that is, in Britain to know what is and is not popular there. Just because an international contest is popular in Mauritius and elsewhere abroad doesn’t mean it’s also going to be successful in Britain.

The Eurovision contest is another similar example, albeit with greater visibility. England doesn’t do well in this musical competition and hasn’t been a winner recently, as a result, people tend not to be too interested. In East Europe, it’s a different story – the contest is hugely popular.

The right way…

But back to Miss England and the MTPA. Good money is being thrown away in the hope of increased visibility. A much simpler way to get increased visibility would be to advertise where people are, for example among commuters: on buses and on the London Tube. Commuters work and earn money. Many who take the tube in London work in the prestigious City of London, the financial district. They are the ones most likely to be able to afford a long-haul luxury holiday to Mauritius, not some couch potato watching pretty girls parading in bikinis.

Advertising on Google is à la mode but perhaps not the best way to increase visibility in this case. PPC advertising on Google is reactive advertising, only serving what people search for. If few search for Mauritius holidays, launching a huge advertising blitz on Google or any other search engine won’t change that. What you want is to grow the market and display advertising can do that – on TV, on buses, billboards and so on. The MTPA should make more people aware of Mauritius and the possibility of exotic holidays here.

Let’s hope the MTPA takes the hint…

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The dishes of Mauritius also contain French and European flavours and over the centuries all of these cuisines have blended their traditional dishes, herbs and spices together to create truly unique flavours.

The only word of caution with Mauritian cuisine is to taste food before adding extra chillies, as many dishes will be hot. Many of the staple fruits, vegetables, fish, seafood and meats are grown or caught locally and there are dishes to suit all tastes.

There are many restaurants available in Mauritius, particularly Chinese restaurants. There are also plenty of street sellers who can provide a variety of snacks that are popular with locals as well as visitors.

Below are 5 traditional dishes those going on holiday this year should try when visiting Mauritius:

Curry

Curry (cari) is a favourite food and there are plenty of side dishes to choose from, including rice, roti, niouk nien (dumplings) or mine-frit (Chinese fried noodles.). Cari poule (usually chicken curry) is available in most restaurants and often from street sellers.

Curries and other Indian dishes entered Mauritian culture in the 1830s, with the importation of Indian labourers to work on the sugar plantations. By 1845, Indians comprised around one third of the population of Mauritius.

Curries are available in a variety of flavours, including the very hot Creole curry, often containing fish or meat. The Carri Sauve Souris, or bat curry, is also a local delicacy, as well as octopus curry and wild-boar curry.

Curries are available for both lunch and dinner. Lentil or bean curries are popular, along with meat, fish or seafood varieties. Mauritian curries are similar to the Indian versions. Vindaloo, masala and other types are just some of those on offer.

The key ingredients of most curries are tomatoes, garlic, ginger, turmeric and curry leaves. Unlike Asian curries, it is unusual for Mauritian ones to contain coconut. They will more commonly contain herbs such as thyme and parsley. If you feel adventurous enough, you can try cooking your own Mauritian curry.

Gateau Piment

Gateau piment or chilli cakes, are available from street sellers in small paper bags. These are popular snacks for many of the locals. They are tasty and usually served on bread and can sometimes be available as a side dish. They are usually eaten red-hot but can also be eaten cold.

With their French name but Indian origins, all visitors should try gateau piment. Made with split peas (dhal or dholl), they also contain red or green chillies, coriander, onions and cumin. Shaped into balls, gateau piment are then deep fried until golden brown.

Picture credit: http://mada.forumactif.com/t500-gateau-piment-et-sambos-les-zanatanys-adorent

Rougaille

Rougaille is also a very popular traditional dish. Served hot, this Creole tomato dish also contains onions, chillies, garlic and spices. It is often an important food at weddings and other ceremonies and is frequently a side dish with curries. Once rougaille is cooked, a variety of foods can be added, such as peas, soya, fish, meats, or even gateau piment. It is also a very quick dish to prepare, taking around ten minutes.

Fruit Salad

Mauritius offers many exotic fruits and fruit is a key part of the daily diet. Fruit salad is a popular dessert, often served with a side of unripened pickled fruits. A fruit salad can contain any number of fruits, such as apples, oranges, pineapples, mangoes, lychees, pawpaw, guava and other unusual exotic fruits. A favourite snack is sliced pineapple with chilli salt.

Millionaire’s Salad

As well as fruit, local salad leaves are available. For seafood lovers, a Millionaire’s Salad is an ideal opportunity to experience the best of this local produce. This consists of salad leaves and a palm tree heart, a vegetable taken from the inner core of certain palm trees.

A variety of seafood is then added to the salad. This includes oysters, shrimp, crayfish, prawns, smoked marlin and crabs. Sauce rouge (red sauce) is used as dressing on the Millionaire’s Salad.

These are just some of the many popular dishes that are available in Mauritius. All visitors to the island should take the opportunity to try as many of them as possible, especially since it is difficult to experience these unique food fusions anywhere else in the world.

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You can help the Chagossians return to their island in the Chagos Archipelago in the Indian Ocean by signing this petition on the White House website:

https://wwws.whitehouse.gov/petitions#!/petition/us-government-must-redress-wrongs-against-chagossians/gPRF7hmz

A few decades ago, the British leased the island to the US. In the process, the inhabitants were displaced to make way for a US base. This was one of the bases used to carpet-bomb Afghanistan and Iraq.

To court

The Chagossians went to court against the British government to get their home back. They were unsuccessful and under the helm of Gordon Brown, the government decided to create a protected marine park there in the hope that the environmental lobby will be powerful enough to keep the Chagossians off the island. The creation of the marine park is now in question.

Meanwhile, the islanders are now turning to the US government o help get justice done. You can help them simply by signing this petition to help gather more than the 25000 signatures needed. The deadline is on the 4th of April.

https://wwws.whitehouse.gov/petitions#!/petition/us-government-must-redress-wrongs-against-chagossians/gPRF7hmz

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The organisation met this 12 January 2012 in Doha, Qatar with many big names from the industry of travel for the Grand Final Gala of the World Travel Awards 2011.

3rd time in a row!

If there was ever any doubts as to the status of Mauritius on the world travel scene, these have been well and truly dispelled as the 2011 award is the third time in a row that the country wins this title, ahead of tough competitors such as the Seychelles and Maldives.

Best beach too

And if this is not enough, Mauritius also won the title of World’s Best Beach with that of Trou aux Biches against famous beaches such as Cancun, Bora Bora in the Pacific and Key West in the USA. In addition, Mauritius also won numerous other awards within the Indian Ocean category such as best hotel and best cruise port. At the international level, Mauritius was nominated for the World’s best honeymoon destination and even in the World’s Leading destination category, which was won by India.

Mauritius has claimed its place on the world scene in travel and has been acclaimed more than once or twice for what it has to offer holidaymakers. And of course, if you don’t believe it, come and experience it for yourself! If the beach is not enough to lure you, how about Mauritian food?

Source: http://www.worldtravelawards.com/winners2011-1

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Florida isn’t a destination that appeals to everyone, many assume that it is a place just for kids (and grown-up kids), but there is more to the Sunshine State than meets the eye – holidays to Florida are truly like no other and it is now easier and more affordable than ever to get there and have a good time.

Walt Disney

Naturally, Disney World holidays are among the most popular for families and groups of friends. The magical allure of Walt Disney World® Resort’s four distinctive theme parks and two water parks, combined with the thrills of Universal Orlando Resort®, entices people from the world over.

Orlando

Orlando holidays offer not only world-class theme parks and attractions, but fantastic shopping opportunities in its numerous outlet malls and mixture of excellent restaurants, particularly on the famous International Drive where guests can sample a wide range of fare including steakhouse grills, tasty seafood venues and fast-food eateries.

The Sunshine State’s gems

However, 2012 Florida Holidays are not just limited to Orlando, hiring a car is advisable, not least so you can drive to the more out-of-the-way attractions, but so you can take a leisurely and scenic route to experience some of the State’s true gems: the stylish buzz of Miami, the beachside ambience of Clearwater and St Pete’s or even the lush, swampy Florida Everglades on the stunning Gulf Coast.

Cheap Florida

If you think it’s an expensive destination, think again. Cheap Florida holidays are easy to find, thanks to a multitude of excellent independent travel agents out there constantly sourcing and promoting the best deals on the market. You can opt to fly direct with the likes of British favourites Virgin Atlantic or British Airways, or pick a classic US carrier such as American Airlines, Delta or United Airlines, which are also a great choice for multi centre holidays. Accommodation types and prices are varied, but for a family or large group why not pick a superb-value villa or condo? The more people in them, the better value they become, plus they offer freedom and flexibility that you miss out with big resort hotels.

You can write here too in the form of a travel guest post. See our guidelines.

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Use the links below to jump to the section that interests you. If you wish to share your experience, leave a comment or submit a guest post. If you have any activities to add to the list, please get in touch.

Content

Beaches

Watersports

Museums

Places to visit

Eating out

Outdoor pursuits

Hiking

Shopping

Beaches

Here are some of the most popular and beautiful sandy beaches of Mauritius. There are others such as Albion and Coin de Mire which are less busy. Try to avoid visiting beaches during the weekends as they get very crowded – Mauritians go there to relax after a hard week’s work!

1. Spend a few days at the seaside resort of Grand-Bay in the north to sample some of the best beaches: Mont Choisy, La Cuvette and Pereybere.

2. Flic en Flac beach is on the dry west coast.

3. Belle Mare and Palmar beaches on the windy east coast.

4.Blue Bay in the south-east of Mauritius. It’s not far from the airport.

5. Le Morne beach is in the remote south-west corner of the island and a bit more quiet but no less spectacular. You can find it easily be being guided by its mountain, Le Morne Brabant.

Watersports

There is a plethora of watersport activities to choose from, although many such as the jetski and the water ski are only available from luxury coastal hotels and resorts.

6. Hire a pedalo at Pereybere public beach.

7. Tamarin on the west coast and the south coasts are popular surfing spots.

8. Feeling lazy? Take a catamaran cruise for the day with barbecue. Set sail from Grand-Bay. You’ll find many there to choose from.

9. Explore the lagoon floor whilst staying dry by hopping on board the semi-submersible vessel the Nessee. You’ll find it to the left of Grand-Bay Public beach.

10. Walk among fish. That’s the underwater sea walk using scuba equipment. No need to know how to swim. Available from Grand-Bay.

11. How about an underwater scooter ride this time? Sit on a specially-adapted vessel that will propel you forward under the sea. See www.blue-safari.com and read an account on the Daily Mail.

12. Swim with dolphins at Tamarin. Although this may not be a watersport, it’s still a great experience.

13. You’ll be able to combine snorkeling and a catamaran ride when going dolphin spotting at Tamarin.

14. For serious fishermen only – deep sea fishing, also known as big game fishing. Head to Tamarin or Black River to find your charter boat or your hotel may organise one for you. The Blue Marlin, Black Marlin, Tuna, Spearfish and Dorado are some of the big fish you’ll be able to hook out of the depths of the ocean.

Museums

15. The Blue Penny Museum at the Caudan waterfront, Port-Louis. Mauritius is famous for many extinct species – not only the dodo but also the famous Blue Penny and Red Penny stamps which you will see displayed in this museum.

16. Since you are already at the Caudan knee-deep into stamps, head further north to Port-Louis Waterfront to visit the Post Office, an 1868 building and the Postal Museum.

17. Still at the Port-Louis Waterfront is the Windmill Museum, next to souvenir shops. You will see photographs of the old Port-Louis while your kids can play in the children’s area in front.

18. Top off this cultural tour with a visit to the Aapravasi Ghat, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Aapravasi Ghat, meaning immigration depot in Hindi, was the landing place for indentured labourers in Mauritius, akin to what Ellis Island represents in US immigration history. Today it retraces the history of immigration in Mauritius.

19. Visit the National History Museum to see how the dodo looked like in a stuffed replica.

20. The sugar museum l’Aventure du Sucre at Pamplemousses. If you must visit only one museum, this is it – the whole history of Mauritius is accurately depicted there because sugar is indelibly linked to the development of the island.

21. After sugar, it’s tea. Visit the Bois Chéri Tea Museum in the depths of the island on the high plateau. If you have been spending all your time on the coast so far, you will be taken to an entirely different world where greenery has taken over, humidity rules and fog is ever present. This is where the tea plant thrives, on slopes to drain away water. Learn about the history of tea in Mauritius, the visits of the Cutty Sark, now docked in Greenwich, London and see how tea is produced in a real, working factory. End your visit in the shop where you can also sit and sip tea of course, accompanied by locally-produced biscuits.

22. After tea and sugar, it’s now the turn of biscuits. Visit the Rault Biscuit factory deep in the countryside on the outskirt of Mahebourg, amid plantations of tapioca plants known as manioc locally. The factory is not a museum but as the equipment has not changed from 100 years ago, you will be taken back in time. The site is not easy to find though. As usual, end your visit with tea and the famous biscuits.

Places to visit

It’s not just the beach or watersports that will entertain you in Mauritius. Take the time to explore further inland.

23. Walk among lions at Casela Nature Park. Take the safari tour and view the multitude of birds.

24. The Vanilla Crocodile Park in the south has the largest number of tortoises reared in the world, 2000 crocodiles and other animal and insect species. You can even eat the evil crocodiles afterwards or carry them away as handbags – there’s a shop and a restaurant!

25. Watch and bet on horse racing at the Champ de Mars Racecourse in Port-louis, nestled at the foot of the mountains. Saturdays only but it gets pretty packed. The Champ de Mars is the oldest racecourse in the southern hemisphere. It served as the site for rallies and manifestations leading to independence in 1968, somewhat similar to the Tallinn Song Festival Grounds and the 1988 Singing Revolution.

26. Enjoy the vast splendid gardens of SSR Botanical Gardens in Pamplemousses.

27. Every country has a Chinatown and Mauritius is no exception. Find it in Port-Louis, slightly north of the city centre.

28. Sharks, sea turtles and colourful tropical fish to be found at the Mauritius Aquarium in Pointe-aux-Piments.

29. Every holiday should include a pampering session. Most luxury resorts will have a spa and beauty treatments otherwise head to Grandbay Gym Hydro Spa for some hydrotherapy.

30. La Citadelle is an old building in ruins formerly used as a lookout post for the port. There is not much to see there but beyond as it has a great view of the capital. Concerts are occasionally held there.

31. Marie Reine de la Paix is a site for religious catholic gatherings. It has been built as a series of manicured terraces cut into the foot of a mountain. Its most famous gathering was for a mass held by the pope John Paul II in 1989. It usually serves as the site to hold outdoor mass when there is no church big enough but for you, it will provide another great view of the harbour and a beautiful green space.

32. Gamble at the Caudan casino. You can’t miss it as its entrance looks like a ship.

33. Take a stroll along the architecturally beautiful Caudan Waterfront and Port-Louis Waterfront after you have lost all your money at the casino and cannot afford anything else. Night is a good time as the heat and brouhaha of the day are replaced by beauty and romanticism with the gentle sound of waves and soft lighting in the background.

34. Facing Port-Louis Waterfront is the Place d’Armes, a boulevard fringed by majestic Royal Palm trees who see off cyclones year in, year out. You will be greeted by a statue of Mahé de Labourdonnais at the beginning, credited for much of the development of Port-Louis, and the Parliament building at the other end. You’ll see a statue of Queen Victoria at that end, proof the French and British can suffer each other.

35. If there are any shows available, do not miss visiting the oldest theatre of the Indian Ocean, the Municipal theatre, on Jules Koenig Street, built in 1822 with up to 600 seats on 3 levels and a magnificent dome ceiling and chandeliers.

Eating out

It’s time to fill that belly of yours. Here’s a quick guide on what food to look for. From eating on the street to fine dining and everthing in between, you will find more varied choices than in London or Paris combined.

36. You don’t believe it? Vineet Bhatia is a Michelin-starred chef with his London Chelsea restaurant and now runs the Rasoi by Bhatia restaurant at the St Géran in a stunning light and water décor.

37. You can also grab a dholl-puri on a street corner and eat right there. Sellers are usually found in or near markets: Quatre-Bornes Market, Rose-hill Market and bus terminal,  Grand-Bay beach, Port-Louis Market…

38. You will also find more than dholl-puris in these market places. Try fried noodles, boiled noodles, halim (spicy soup), gateaux piments (chilli cakes with no chillies!), samoussas, other fried snacks and plenty of sweet Indian cakes. Port-Louis Market in particulr has a dedicated food section.

39. There are plenty of food outlets and sellers near and beyond the market in Port-louis, especially in Chinatown and the Company Gardens catering for busy office workers.

40. Le Fangourin Restaurant is set in a pleasant outdoor surrounding at l’Aventure du Sucre Museum.

41. The Langouste Grisée on the outskirts of Grand-Bay on the main road, specialising in sea food as its name suggests.

42. King Dragon Restaurant on the Royal Road of Quatre-Bornes, famous with the locals for its Chinese cuisine. Make sure you reserve a table before you go.

43. Varangue sur Morne in the heights of Chamarel in the south of the island, where you pay for the view of the south coast as much as for the food.

44. The Restaurant La Table du Chateau at the Chateau de Labourdonnais, a stately home converted into a museum in Mapou, just after l’Aventure du Sucre at Pamplemousses.

45. Your own hotel’s or resort’s restaurants. There are often several to choose from. Rasoi by Bhatia at St Géran was already mentioned.

46. If all these fail to whip up your appetite, there is always MacDonald in Port-Louis and KFC in many places to fall back on.

Outdoor pursuits

A visit to Mauritius is all about making the most of the weather and nature. Here’s what you can do.

47. Deer and boar hunting. Deer hunting season is from June to September while boar hunting is all year round. You can even enhance your hunting experience by staying in a hunting lodge. See www.lechasseurmauricien.com

48. Horse riding at Domaines les Pailles at Port-Louis, Black River, Mont Choisy Leisure Park or Mauritius Horse Trails at Union Ducray Sugar Estate in the south.

49. Cycle around the coast or inland on off-road tracks. It’s as easy as hiring a bike or joining a group for an organised ride such as by Yemaya Adventures.

50. Sea kayaking to explore mangroves and other remote places, see Yemaya Adventures again.

51. Quad biking, provided by Casela.

52. Zip-lining on the Rando Fun trail at Casela again. You’ll get Nepalese bridges, BBQ and a swim in the canyon too.

53. Play golf. You’ll find a golf course at your resort – the Telfair Golf & Spa Resort specialises in the golf experience, at Vacoas’ Gymkhana Club or the famous 18-hole golf course on its dedicated island Ile aux Cerfs, belonging to Le Touessrok.

54. Speaking of islands, take a day cruise with drinks and barbecue to one of the many small islands dotted around Mauritius – Gabriel Island and Flat island in the north, Ile aux Cerfs in the east and Ile aux Aigrettes in the south east for a guided tour on this protected nature reserve.

55. Multi-coloured earths? That’s at Chamarel where you can also relax in the coffee shop, visit the small shop and most importantly, view the highest waterfall on the island where water drops 83m.

56. Take a short boat cruise at Trou d’Eau Douce into the mouth of the river Grand River South East up to the waterfall.

57. Along the wild south coast, view Le souffleur, where powerful waves batter the rocky cliffs and make water spout out high in the air. Not far is Gris Gris, where legend has it that it is steeped in black magic. If you don’t believe that, you’ll still get to take some cliff walks.

58. Visit Grand Bassin in the middle of the island on the high plateau. It is a lake and a site of pilgrimage for Hindus.

Hiking

59. Before you get to Grand Bassin, you will reach a junction called Le Pétrin. Turn left to go to Grand Bassin or turn right to Le Pétrin for guided or unguided walks in nature. There are boardwalks over marshlands.

61. Instead of turning left or right at Le Pétrin, continue straight and turn right later to head to Plaine Champagne where you’ll be able to pick guavas in winter when it’s the season or simply admire the stunning scenery.

62. Le Pétrin and Plaine Champagne are both in the Black River Gorges National Park, a lush mountainous area in the south of the island covered by the last vestiges of the ancient forests that once covered Mauritius. The highest mountain of the country, Piton de la Petite Rivière Noire, at 848m, is found there.

63. The Domaine d’Anse Jonchée, a nature reserve in the south east makes for a hike rich in wildlife, including deer, wild boar and the Kestrel bird, a previously endangered species. End your visit at the restaurant high up in altitude.

64. Still in the same corner of the island is Vallee Ferney for more hiking opportunities. The area is a protected nature reserve. There is also a restaurant there where you can end your visit. If you cannot make the guided walk, a bus will take you to the restaurant.

61. Climb Mountain Lion, a mountain in the south east that bears an uncanny resemblance to a lion’s profile. Read more on http://www.lonelyplanet.com/mauritius/sights/mountain/lion-mountain

62. Climb the Corps de Garde mountain in Quatre-Bornes. You’ll need to start from the end that slopes up gently. There is a football pitch at the start of the trail. From the top of the mountain, you’ll see all the way up north to Coin de Mire and all the way south to Le Morne. You can’t see to the east because the high plateau inland blocks the view.

63. Climb Le Pouce, a mountain between Port-Louis and Moka. It’s perhaps the easiest to climb and in fact, there is no climbing, just walking. The mountain takes its name from looking like a thumb at the top when viewed Moka-side.

64. If you want something more challenging, climb the Pieter Both mountain next to Le Pouce. Beware, many people have lost their lives in the past trying to conquer it. Yet, serious mountaineers still come from all over the world to rise to the challenge. The mountain is easily recognisable by a large boulder atop.

65. Enough of mountains, let’s take to fresh water. Head to Tamarind Falls also known as 7 Cascades for obvious reasons. Start your hike at Henrietta. The waterfalls are simply stunning and make for fantastic pictures. You can even go for a swim in one of the secluded pools.

66. Visit Trou aux Cerfs , a now extinct volcanic crater in Curepipe. There is no hiking to do there unless you feel brave enough to walk down the steep sides into the centre where a small stinking lake awaits you.

Shopping

67. The Caudan Waterfront and to a lesser extent, the Port-Louis Waterfront next to it are shopping magnets for tourists. There is a food court should you go hungry.

68. For something more local, visit Port-Louis Market across the road from Port-Louis Waterfront. There is a food section as mentioned already but also a souvenir section where you can get straw hats, wicker baskets, postcards etc.

69. If you are in Grand-Bay, visit its market for souvenirs. Take the road opposite the public beach that goes inland, walk for 5 minutes until you see it on your right.

70. For more upmarket shopping in Grand-Bay, Sunset Boulevard Shopping Complex awaits you on the main road but don’t make any comparison with Hollywood’s Sunset Boulevard!

71. If you are staying in one of the many self-catered accommodation in Grand-Bay, Super U hypermarket will provide you with everyday necessities. There are also many other shops next to it and a huge car park.

72. If you are closer to Pereybere, you can visit Store 2000, a smaller supermarket on the main road. You’ll have to park on the side of the road though.

73. If you are in Mahebourg, don’t miss its busy market where you can get clothes.

74. Quatre-Bornes market is also popular with locals and tourists for its textile products. Fruits and veg market days are on Wednesday and Saturday while clothes and other items are on Thursdays and Sundays. It can get very busy and hot during market days.

75. Need some warm clothes for winter back home? Why not buy direct from the factory before they get exported and have VAT and excise duty slapped on them? There is a factory outlet at Floréal. Most of the sweaters produced in Mauritius are for exports so grab them there quickly.

76. Bagatelle Mall of Mauritius is a newly opened shopping destination where 130 shops awaiting you on the motorway between Port-Louis and Réduit.

77. Cascavelle Shopping Village is due to open in November 2011 and the shops will spread over 10 000 m². Luxury shops, a colonial architecture and palm trees everywhere will all try to make the shopping experience a delight. It is located at the Flic en Flac junction in the west.

78. Head further down the road to Ruisseau Créole at Tamarin where you will find more high-end shops and a food court to refresh yourself if you are doing some watersport activities in the area.

79. There is a retail park at Trianon, dominated by the hypermarket Jumbo. Trianon is found at the major motorway roundabout at St Jean, Quatre-Bornes.

80. If you’ve liked Super U in Grand-Baie, there is another one at Belle-Rose in Rose-Hill, if you head east from Trianon.

81. Ebenway is a supermarket at Ebene, dubbed the Cyber City.

And a bonus one…

Getting married in Mauritius is now well-established and popular. If you’ve already tied the knot, fear not, you can always spend your honeymoon here.

Get this brief PDF guide on activities to do with contact details and addresses.

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