Go C Mauritius
Often described as a lost dot in the immensity of the Indian Ocean , this Island is an explosion of tastes, flavours and beautiful blue waters. I was so excited when Mauritius finally opened up to international tourists again. They had been under lock down for a long period of time due to COVID so the island holidays were put on hold for South Africans. I was lucky enough to get a flight on their opening day but on Kenya airlines, so didn’t fly direct. As I always say the journey is just as much fun as the destination, check in was not easy, it took an hour and even flying business class there was none of the “ special treatment “ finally aboard I was eternally grateful for my reclining and comfy seat next to the window. Interestingly the food for business class and economy was the same, but we did receive the inflight toiletry bag. I loved flying Kenya airlines, I found the crew friendly and warm with a smile on their face.
Arrival in Mauritius was another story, we required a vaccination card and a PCR test, on arrival all passengers had to do another free PCR test at the airport and then they came around to our hotel and did blood tests. More time was spent questioning us about our health than anything else. Once I had my luggage I was then taken aside by the police and questioned for over half an hour, basically as a women flying alone this raises questions. They emptied my bag, searched everything, scanned it again, took notes on my documents and then finally deiced they should let me go as they couldn’t find anything wrong.
Based on this welcome to Mauritius I will never again return. I have traveled to more than 50 countries and never once been treated this way. It left a bitter taste in my mouth and quite frankly there are far more beautiful islands to visit. That said I will share some of the places I experienced as they were beautiful and I loved seeing them.
Stay at lux Hotel
If its 5 star luxury you want then this hotel has it all. Located on the magnificent beach front, it has an enormous pool, perfect to lounge around all day and sip cocktails or enjoy one of their yummy ice creams.The tranquil waters and soft breeze give way to a totally reimagined retro-chic tropical resort in Grand Gaube, on the north coast of Mauritius. It is enveloped by undulating coves, the calmest of lagoons and is blessed with two tranquil beaches.
Botanical Gardens
The oldest botanic gardens in the southern hemisphere with over 650 varieties of plants, the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanic Garden, commonly known as the Pamplemousses Botanic Garden, is a 60 acre site that owes its development to Pierre Poivre, the French Intendant of Mauritius. The garden was initially opened as a private garden by the French governor of Mauritius nearly 300 years ago, and later it became the national botanical garden of the island.
Ganga Talao Sacred site
Commonly known as Grand Bassin in Mauritius is a crater lake, about 550 metres above sea level. It is by far the most important Hindu site on the island. In 1972, the then Prime Minister of Mauritius, Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam, brought Ganga (Holy) water from Gomukh, India, and mixed it with the water of Pari Talao and renamed it as Ganga Talao. Mauritius is the only place where Maha Shivratri is a week-long festival. Maha Shivratri, the Grand Night of Shiva, is celebrated only on a single day around the rest of the world including India.
Le Bois cheri tea farm
Tea is a favourite drink on the island. The Bois Cheri tea plantation started in 1892 and today is the largest tea producer of tea on the island. They offer tea tasting and have a restaurant with sweeping views.
Pont Naturel
To take in the whole panorama, one must get to higher ground. At the natural bridge , a true labour of love
wrought into shape by the brute force of the elements, get up close and personal for some jaw dropping pictures and unforgettable views of the wild South. This was my favourite of all the locations, a very windy day it was rather hairy walking along the bridge with the surging sea crashing about me, I just wished that I had more time to spend here.
Red roof church
The iconic red church is one of the most renowned churches on the island. The Roman Catholic Church, The Notre Dame Auxiliatrice Chapel is famous for its vivid red roof against the bright turquoise sea and azure sky. This simple chapel was founded in 1938 and is dedicated to the Virgin Mary
Located ten minutes from Grand Bay is the small fishing village of Cap Malheureux. It translates to “Unfortunate/Unhappy Cape”, due to the numerous ships, which floundered there in the past.
Port Louis
The capital of Mauritius. Known for its French colonial architecture and the 19th-century Champ de Mars horse-racing track, the oldest race course of the Southern hemisphere. The Caudan Waterfront is a lively dining and shopping precinct, the biggest attraction being the umbrella lined street. Nearby, vendors sell local produce and handicrafts at the huge Central Market. The Blue Penny Museum focuses on the island’s colonial and maritime history, along with its culture. China Town is in the centre of the city, with its impressive gateway , the Sino-Mauritian culture in all authenticity and flavours is waiting to be discovered. The countless restaurants make one dizzy with all the specialities from the Far East on offer.
Salt Pans
The Tamarin Salt Pans are amongst the oldest salt farms in Mauritius dating back to the 18th century.This is sadly the last place in Mauritius that salt is produced using traditional methods that have not changed in over 200 years.Sea water is pumped directly from the lagoon into large black cobblestone ‘pans’ and simply left to evaporate. I was so excited to see the pans and lucky enough to be able to go inside
Chamarel
In the South of Mauritius , the Vallee des Couleurs is set on an authentic natural site. The 7 coloured earths are a geographical formation found in the Chamarel plain. Even if one were to mix the colours together they will still settle into separate layers again. The undulating surface, which is totally unique and several millennia old, results from chemical interaction between the air and volcanic ash produced by the eruption of the Bassin Blanc volcano. While there make sure you go and see the Chamarel Waterfall which is 272ft high, the highest waterfall in Mauritius.
Panoramic restaurant
When you leave the Chamarel rum estate pop into the Varangue Sur Morne restaurant down the road. The gift shop had me rather excited and I found some lovely hand crafts here including a beautiful shopping basket that I couldn’t resist buying. The restaurant offers breath taking panoramic views of the edge of the Black River Gorge National Park with seating on a covered porch. It sits at a 600m altitude.
Old sugar mills
Driving around the island one will see old sugar mill chimneys peeking out of long grass and amongst old buildings. The first sugar mill was at Grande Rosalie, also known as Villebague. It is the oldest commercial sugar mill in Mauritius, started in 1744 but operated some years later. The site is now a National Heritage. There were more than 250 around the island at one point. However, with time, due to economic and war issues in mainly European countries, the price of sugar has been constantly decreasing since the end of the 1880s. The total number of sugar mills’ chimneys now in Mauritius is 110, including those which are still active.
Fruit and veg market
Market day happens twice a week , you can buy everything from fresh fruit and veggies to textiles and my favourite the freshly cut coconuts ready to drink. A few metres from the Northern Bus station , this historic place is loaded with local culture. Its vibrant and full of energy.
Mauritius, a volcanic island is only a 4 hour flight from Johannesburg , the vibrant island with its silky soft beach sand, turquoise bays , sparkling lagoons is what island holidays are made of.