James Visits Mauritius

When I thought of Mauritius, I always had a vision of pure white soft sands and dazzlingly clear aquamarine waters. I envisaged relaxing on the beach in the glorious sunshine until watching the mesmerising sunset in the early evening and being fixated on the ever-changing skies; from turquoise to pink to red to purple, with millions of stars eventually emerging from nowhere. And to be fair I wasn’t far wrong. As Mark Twain said “Heaven was copied after Mauritius”, so whether you’re looking for the picture-perfect honeymoon destination, an island luxury spa retreat or just a well-deserved break in paradise, you will not be disappointed with Mauritius.

As you travel around the island you’ll notice the roads are lined with fields of sugar cane and in the distance the extraordinary peaking Moka Mountain range in the centre of the island. Stay in Trou Aux Biches on the North-west coast for a stunning beach to relax on and to see the best sun-sets. It’s a pretty resort lined with Casuarina trees that is close enough to visit some of the islands must-see places as well as being far enough away to feel like you’re on a remote island. Take a boat trip out and swim with the tropical fish in the coral reef, scuba dive or even do an under-water walk. There’s everything from five-star luxury resorts and boutique hotels, (such as Trou Aux Biches Resort & Spa and Le Cardinal Resort & Spa), to all-inclusive hotels, self-catering bungalows and villas to choose from.

Experience the Mauritian night life in Grand Baie and order one of the many exciting cocktails on offer at Banana Beach Club whilst listening to a live band playing a mix of up-lifting holiday vibes, new & old. The hundreds of restaurants along the main road from Mont Choisy to Grand Baie offer many different cuisines. The islands population consists of many different ethnic groups, including French-Mauritians (originally from France), Indo-Mauritians (from India), Creoles (from Africa), and Sino-Mauritians (Chinese), giving the island a diverse mix of wares to sample. Dining out can be a fairly expensive experience, so it’s always worth asking hotel staff and of course your fellow holiday-makers for recommendations to suit your taste and pocket. Try Le Capitaine with its romantic setting and sea views for some excellent sea-food at a reasonable price.

Take a day trip to Port Louis, the islands capital. Experience Mauritian life and mix with the friendly locals by taking one of the in-expensive, yet frequent local buses. In the city you’ll be reminded of the islands colonial past with the central post-office and its museum, the traffic lights & signs, policemen’s uniforms and there’s even a marble statue of Queen Victoria. The natural history museum houses a Dodo bird exhibit which was native to the island until it became extinct in the 15th Century. Visit the St.Louis Cathedral which is one of the island’s oldest buildings or the Port Louis Theatre which is the oldest theatre in the Indian Ocean.

The Cauden Waterfront is the place to be seen and to mix with the trendy and wealthy locals in Port Louis. With its luxury hotel & marina, shops, restaurants, casino and museums there’s plenty to see and do amidst the hustle and bustle. If you’re in Mauritius during the pleasant winter months, (between May and October), enjoy a Saturday afternoon spectating and people spotting at the Champs De Mars, (Ladies can enter the enclosure for free, gents a small charge). Sip a glass of champagne or have a glass of Phoenix, the local beer, or even try your luck and have a flutter on the horse races; a favourite Mauritian past time.

The main languages spoken in Mauritius are either French or English. As far as religion goes Hinduism is the predominant religion at around 50%, followed by a good mixture of Christians, Muslims, and Catholics. Visit the colourfully decorated Maheswarnath Temple in Triolet, the islands largest Hindu temple and take a guided tour with the High Priest who is never too busy to show you around.

Mauritius has a subtropical climate all year round, averaging 30 degrees during the summer & touristic high season, (November through to April), but also an impressive 25 degree average during the quieter winter months. So along with the faultless weather, the freshest seafood you will ever taste and the unspoiled beaches of powder soft sands, you’ll wonder why you haven’t booked your Mauritius holidays sooner! Mauritius really has something for everyone.