Enjoy sunset on the Indian Ocean in Mauritius
It’s been Arab, Dutch, Portuguese, French and English, acted as a vital stopping point on the route from Europe to India, and made fortunes for its landowners out of the sugar cane trade.
Now Mauritius, a little green jewel in the Indian Ocean, is a happy blend of old French families, English, Indian, Creole, and African, all living together in perfect harmony on a tiny picture-postcard island.
White sand beaches, turquoise waters, palm trees and supremely luxurious accommodation (morefive-star resorts per sq m than anywhere else in the world!) have now created yet another role for Mauritius, that of the ultimate romantic and honeymoon destination.
However, to fly all that way to the Indian Ocean and then spend your time sitting by the infinity pool, lazily raising your hand for another cool drink, hardly does justice to this ancient island, this historic culture.
If all you want is sun and luxury, then you could get it far closer to home. Do the place justice.
Rent a car (they drive on the left, as do we, so there’s no problem there), get out and explore Mauritius, and see just how much more there is in this amazing place, from forested ravines to deserted coves, brightly painted Hindu temples to lively street markets, tea plantations to whispering groves of sugar cane, roadside food stalls to the island’s own rum distillery.
And everywhere you will be met with flashing smiles, warm welcomes, a genuine delight that you are there.
The Mauritians seem to have achieved the desirable ultimate — every kind of culture and religious belief, practice and background blending into one harmonious whole with courtesy and charm to visitors their first instinct.
Expensive?
Mauritius is notorious for its high prices, but that’s only if you really indulge yourself (for example by always taking taxis, ordering big brand name drinks, dining out at other hotel restaurants, etc).
You have only to look at the majority of locals to realise that they must eat, drink, get around, shop, far more cheaply since they couldn’t possibly afford the tourist prices. Follow their example.
If you enjoy a drink on the balcony at sunset (as who wouldn’t?) then buy your favourite tipple at a good price in the local supermarket down the road.
Ordering from the hotel bar is asking for trouble unless your package includes everything. Most travel agents will advise an inclusive deal for that reason.
However, if budgeting is a consideration, half board would work out considerably less expensive, and (unless you really must have wall-to-wall food and drink on tap 24/7) it’s usually all you need.
Plus it gives you the opportunity to sample street food and outdoor snacks as you explore the island.
Stand at dusk above the Black River Gorge and wait for the unforgettable sight of the flying foxes emerging from the dense forest far below to hunt by moonlight.
Take an easy half-day’s hike to the Tamarind Falls with their series of seven spectacular cataracts.
Drive past tea plantations with women in colourful robes picking the leaves in age-old tradition, before suddenly finding yourself on a vast ritual avenue leading to a gigantic Hindu temple with a 100ft statue of Shiva smiling down on you.
Try the delicious street food, sample the famous Chamarel rum. Visit the Botanical Gardens with their famous giant lilypads and spectacular trees.
Trek through the rainforest. Wander through coastal woodland and discover tiny sandy beaches where women in bright saris wade out to lay flowers on shrines which stand in the shallow warm waters.
And revel in the genuine friendliness and delighted smiles of the locals, whether they speak English (most of them) Creole, French or Hindu.
Port Louis, the capital, echoes the splendour of other days with fine buildings, monuments and statues (including a disapproving Queen Victoria).
Walk along by the harbour, taking a break for a cooling coconut juice straight from the shell, explore the Le Caudan waterfront shopping area.
Traffic gets pretty jam packed in Port Louis, so be prepared for delays, and it’s useful to note that on-street parking requires discs, plural.
You can buy a book of these at most newsagents, and put up one for each quarter hour you intend to stay there.
Failure to observe this will result in a fine, but that’s not a real downer, since it’s only about €10, and you can pay it at any post office. Plus get a genuine smile in return!
: Mauritius has a tropical climate with year-round sunshine and warmth.
The summer months are from December to April, when it can be extremely humid with temperatures in the high 30s, while the cooler (by their standards) winter runs from May to November with temperatures between 18 and 24 degrees.
Prices are highest at Christmas/New Year, lower during summer months.
: Emirates from Dublin via Dubai probably offers the best deals (around €800 in July/August); several other airlines also offer flights via their own hubs.
You will have to change planes at least once, since only Air Mauritius serves the island itself.
A good travel agent like Trailfinders can work out a package based on the area you want, the time you want to go, the hotel you would like, and the extras you require.
They are also good at finding special offers as, for example, 14 nights for the price of 12.
A hint: transferring from the airport to your hotel by private taxi can cost a bomb; if you’re thinking of renting a car, pick it up at the airport and look after yourself from there on.
Several huge shopping malls in different island locations, for example Port Louis and Grand Baie, offer all the big name brands in clothing and luxury goods.
If you’re looking for bargains, cheerful street stalls sell brightly-coloured cotton shawls, scarves and sarongs to remind you of your trip.
Don’t forget to pick up a dodo – this was where they finally became extinct, but the little models are everywhere.
Probably the Constance Le Prince Maurice at Poste de Flacq, with villas on stilts over the water, a floating restaurant, not just one but two 18-hole golf courses, infinity pool, spa, vast wine cellar and international chefs.
It’s around €4,000 for a fortnight in August, and €16,000 in December.
Or the Lux Belle Mare with individual thatched suites, the largest swimming pool on the island, a spa, naturally, and three golf courses.
That’s around €3,000 for a fortnight in August, and €11,000 in December.
Coin de Mire Attitude, Bain Boeuf. On the north of the island, close to Grand Baie, this delightful little hotel has its own spa, and although it can’t boast three golf courses it more than makes up it in charm and friendliness.
Meals are served under a thatched roof by the pool, and you can take free trips around the lagoon in the hotel’s own glass-bottomed boat.
It’s about €1,500 for a fortnight in August, and €3,000 in December.
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