The dreamy tropical island of Mauritius is just north of the Tropic of Capricorn in the warm Indian Ocean. Climatically, there are two principal seasons; warm with frequent rain from December to April and cooler and dry from May until November with temperatures ranging between 22-31C. Water temperatures vary little between 22-27C and this is why a holiday in Mauritius makes the perfect end to an African safari – after all they are neighbours really, with just a little bit of blue sea in between.
English is the official language in Mauritius, with French widely spoken as a legacy of colonialism and Creole being the colourful mother tongue of much of Mauritius. The Creole history is traced in museum Eureka House. Ethnically multicultural Mauritius blends distinctive traditions from the age of maritime discovery and trade, now reflected in the fusion cuisine combining Indian, Creole, Chinese and European. The commercial heritage is evidenced in the numerous colonial villas of French, Dutch and British plantation owners dotted throughout the island. Formerly, sugar cane production was the island’s mainstay cash crop, accounting for 90% of cultivated land and 25% of the nation’s exports (the currency is the decimal Mauritian rupee).
The landscape is the result of ancient volcanic activity which has given rise to forested mountain, glades and waterfalls. Evidence of the original volcanic eruption (8 million years ago) can still be seen around the central plateau especially at Curepipe which has fine views from the edge of the Trou aux Cerfs crater. The highest peak is Piton de la Petite Noire to the south-west. The diverse array of fauna includes large flightless birds, giant tortoises, lizards and large insects. As all schoolchildren know, the Dodo met its sad demise here, but there is considerable conservation efforts to keep several other species, including the Mauritian kestrel, pink pigeon and echo parakeet, from going the same way
The flora extends to more than 700 native species (some threatened), many of which together with myriad exotic species are preserved in the renowned Pamplemousse Botanical Gardens. Prize specimens include the giant Victoria Amazonica water lilies, Banyan trees, and many species of palm including the remarkable Tailpot which flowers only once every 40 to 60 years before dying. Related activities exploring this natural heritage are trekking, deer trailing, horse-riding, mountain biking and quad biking. But of course, Mauritius is primarily a beach holiday destination with associated watersports and diving centres established all over the island attracting SCUBA enthusiasts. Other popular excursions include glass-bottomed boat coral reef trips and deep-sea fishing. Day-trips to the outlying islands often depart from Grand Baie, the island’s trendiest town. Up here in the north-west of the island off Poudre d’Or is the site of the sunken St. Geran ship (1744), that inspired the romantic novel Paul et Virginie by Bernardin de St. Pierre; an imaginative addition to Mauritian folklore. In the south however, the scenery changes to a more dramatic coastline with vantage points looking over black volcanic rock to windswept Gris Gris and at the Point aux Roches look-out tower.
Port Louis is the capital of Mauritius, located on a waterfront with both new and old rubbing shoulders. The cosmopolitan town centre has pavement cafes, restaurants and designer shops, while traditional trading continues as it always has in the raw meat, fish and vegetable markets. Just nearby are stalls selling desirable Mauritian baskets and sarongs, spices and curios, but come prepared to barter for a good bargain. There’s haggling of a different nature at the Champ de Mars, the southern hemisphere’s oldest racecourse, where the sport of Kings is taken seriously and big money changes hands.
" You gather the idea that Mauritius was made first and then heaven, and that heaven was copied after Mauritius.’’ Mark Twain:
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