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| Mauritius
Tours |
Mauritius
is the most accessible island
in the Indian Ocean, boasting
as much tropical paradise
as Maui or Martinique and,
better still, offering it
at a bargain price. Though
nestled up alongside Africa,
it's actually more influenced
by its British and French
ties and massive Indian workforce.
Here, you
can enjoy a dish of curried
chickpeas or a nice Yorkshire
pudding on the terrace of
a French café, sipping
imported wine or a thick malty
ale while listening to Créole
music and the conversation
of locals in any number of
lingoes.
Its range
of visitors facilities runs
the gamut from pamper-happy
beach resorts and organised
excursions to locals who'll
put you up in their homes
and rent you their cars for
daytrips. If you're looking
for a lazy beach vacation,
you could certainly do worse,
but don't forget the rambling
interior and the multicultural
capital Port Louis.
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Attraction
in Mauritius
Port Louis
Backed by mountains at the northwestern
end of the island, the burgeoning
capital of Port Louis is a relatively
large city (in proportion to the size
of Mauritius), though it contains
a relatively small percentage of the
country's total population.
During
the day, it bustles with snarling
traffic. By night, in contrast, all
is quiet - except for the swish Le
Caudan Waterfront, where you'll find
a casino, cinemas, shops, bars and
restaurants. There's a distinct Muslim
area around Muammar El Khadafi Square
and a Chinatown around Royal St.
Curepipe
The town of Curepipe owes its size
and prominence to the malaria epidemic
of 1867, during which thousands of
people fled mosquito infested Port
Louis for healthier, higher ground.
The bulk of Franco-Mauritians live
in outlying communities and come into
Curepipe mainly to shop.
With
the flavour of an English market town,
Curepipe is the centre of the island's
tea and model-ship building industries
and the best place to scatter your
money. The town itself is worth a
quick visit at most as the surrounding
countryside has a more universal appeal.
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Belle
Mare
A long, luscious, casuarina-fringed
beach along the eastern coast,
Belle Mare is best seen from
atop a reconstructed lime
kiln that's been converted
into a lookout tower just
inland from the beach. On
the far side of the road that
parallels the beach stand
the ruins of a sugar mill.
More substantial sugar mill
ruins hide behind Belle Mare.
Aside from swimming, which
is probably the best the island
has to offer, about the only
thing to do here is lie back
and relax. It won't take long
to get used to the idea. Belle
Mare is a long, rollercoastery
bus ride east of Port Louis.
Black
River Gorges National Park
This highland area southwest
of Curepipe is like no other
part of the island. About
6km (4mi) from Curepipe, Mauritius'
only mountain road reaches
the wall of the park's large
reservoir, Mare aux Vacoas.
Dotted with casuarina and
coniferous trees, it's more
alpine wilderness than island
paradise.
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Reaching Mauritius
Apart from a handful of people who
arrive by yacht or cruise ship, visitors
to Mauritius fly into the country.
Many flights originate in France,
but there are also flights from several
African, Asian and European capitals
as well as from the US (via Europe)
and Australia. You must have a return
or onward ticket before arriving in
Mauritius.
Cargo
ships ply the Indian Ocean regularly,
though few take passengers. You're
more likely to find passage on the
private yachts that call in at Mauritius
outside of cyclone season, berthing
at Grand Baie or Port Louis. Still,
opportunities are rare. About the
only guaranteed way to come or go
by sea is to book fare on the MV
Mauritius Pride, which cruises several
times a month between Mauritius
and Réunion, or to board
one of the cruise liners that periodically
drops anchor in Port Louis.
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