LIFE AND STYLE
The ‘Best Things to Do’ in Mauritius, according to The Times
In a report just published, The Times newspaper has released its selection of the ‘Best Things To Do In Mauritius”.
Mauritius is the stuff of fly-and-flop dreams: rustling palm trees, cane sugar beaches, spectacular marine life and a jet lag-busting three-hour time difference, wrote Yvette Caster. Even if Mauritius “typically tends to be the choice of holidaymakers in search of sun, sand and sea”, she urges visitors to “go beyond the beach, though, and you’ll find an island with plenty of museums, a wild interior to hike and a huge array of water sports.”
Here are the Best Things to do in Mauritius, according to the article published in The Times.
1. Swim with dolphins
Thalassophiles will love Mauritius and there are activities for all ages and abilities, from scuba diving and paddleboarding to family-friendly outings in glass-bottomed boats. But, for a trip you’ll never forget, take the opportunity to swim with dolphins or even whales. Local boat crews know their hangouts and you’ll spend a morning donning flippers and snorkels, leaping in to swim with them, trying (and failing) to keep up with the pod, climbing back on the boat, sailing after them and leaping in again. You’re most likely to see bottlenose and spinner dolphins — the latter really do jump and spin in the air.
2. Try a palm heart salad and superior seafood
A little like artichoke, cabbage and bamboo shoots, palm heart is the delicacy that one chef told me was “Mauritian caviar”. One restaurant that serves it with knockout views is Le Chamarel, while other top spots include La Table du Château (French and creole) and Le Château De Bel Ombre (set in a colonial villa). Hasu at Long Beach Mauritius, on the east coast, serves immaculate sushi, tender beef and theatrical desserts in an intimate setting ideal for couples and those seeking a memorable meal.
3. Hike Black River Gorges National Park
If you’re visiting Mauritius for the first time you’re probably going to want to stick to the beach, but if your dream holiday is action-packed, one of the easiest places to explore is Black River Gorges National Park in the south. A hike is a great opportunity to learn about the local flora and fauna such as the national bird, the Mauritius kestrel, and macaque monkeys. There are two information centres, 37 miles of hiking trails and plenty of picnic spots. Be prepared for all weathers and make sure you wear mosquito repellant to guard against near-inevitable bites.
4. Visit the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden
Those who favour a civilised stroll over an energetic trek should head to the north. The Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden, also known as the Pamplemousses Botanical Garden, was created in 1767 and is named after the first prime minister of Mauritius. Admire giant water lilies, the red national flower of Mauritius, boucle d’oreille (trochetia boutoniana), the spice garden and a huge variety of palms in the 81 acres of grounds.
ssrbg.govmu.org
5. Explore some amazing museums
Those long fascinated by the dodo in Lewis Caroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland can flock to the Natural History Museum in Port Louis to see a complete dodo skeleton and learn about the bird that became the country’s national emblem (it features on money, stamps and in many a gift shop in cuddly toy form). The Blue Penny Museum, which houses the 1847 Blue Penny and Red Penny stamps, is a must for philatelists, while the Postal Museum’s 200-year-old building is as much of a draw as its contents. In the south, Mauritian poet Robert Edward Hart’s coral-stone house turned museum is worth a look — or you can watch giant tortoises and discover a frankly terrifying collection of insects at La Vanille Nature Park.
6. Learn about the island’s sugar history
Sugar cane fields are part of the landscape and the island is known for its light muscovado and rum. To learn more about the history of sugar production in Mauritius visit L’Aventure du Sucre in the north. It’s set in a former sugar factory and has interactive exhibits and trails for all ages, along with information on the part sugar cane plays in green energy today. The aptly named Sugar Beach, meanwhile, serves an excellent afternoon tea on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 3pm until 5pm. Expect elegant macarons, Napolitaines (glazed Mauritian shortbread biscuits) and scones served with pineapple jam.
7. Take a helicopter flight
It’s not cheap and it’s weather-dependent — but taking to the skies via helicopter is a unique way to see Mauritius and is the stuff of photographers’ dreams. If you’re lucky you’ll be able to spot the underwater waterfall optical illusion near Le Morne. Even if not, you can take in everything from Triolet in the north to Chamarel in the south, viewing the island’s many mountains, waterfalls, forests and patches of multi-coloured earth as you go.
8. Go shopping at Le Caudan Waterfront
With its Instagrammable Umbrella Square and designer labels this is unashamedly a tourist trap. But so what? Sometimes retail therapy makes for a fun day out. Here you’ll find modern coffee shops and brands including L’Occitane and Hugo Boss alongside art shops selling locally produced crafts. You can also take in a show at Caudan Arts Centre, a 430-seat venue staging concerts, ballets and plays. Meanwhile, films for all ages are screened at the cinema, Star Caudan, in British and French.
caudan.com
9. Take a food tour
If street food is your thing you’ll love exploring Port Louis central market with its fruit, herbs and spices. Although you could wander round on your own, for more insight into the African, Indian, Chinese and French influences that combine to create Mauritian food and the lowdown on where to find the best curries, pickles and gato pima (chilli bites), try a guided tour. Later, toast your day’s discoveries with a locally produced Phoenix beer or Grays rum.
10. Play golf and picnic in Île aux Cerfs
Île aux Cerfs is a 250-acre island about 20 minutes by boat from the mainland. It makes a great day out for golfers who can tee off among the palms and tropical plants at the Île aux Cerfs Golf Club, where the 18-hole course was designed by Bernhard Langer. If golf’s not your thing make a beeline for the beach, which is one of the best in Mauritius and perfect for sunbathing and swimming. Take a picnic or, for an upmarket alternative, try a privately booked barbecue lunch on the beach.
ileauxcerfsgolfclub.com
11. Get climbing
Novice climbers and children getting to grips with it for the first time will love the outdoor artificial climbing wall at Long Beach Mauritius. The experienced can progress to one of many expeditions scaling the island’s mountains, swimming in local pools and even climbing up waterfalls. Those who want the views without the slog, meanwhile, should head to the Chamarel 7 Coloured Earth geopark to see Chamarel Waterfall, which is the country’s tallest.
12. Admire Hindu temples
Hinduism is the main religion in Mauritius and the island is studded with temples and murti(images of deities), such as the 33m high red Lord Shiva statue and the largest in the world of Durga Maa (also 33m, she is depicted with her golden lion). Visit Grand Bassin, a sacred lake that lies in the crater of an extinct volcano in the south, to pay your respects, but remember to dress conservatively. A guided tour is your best bet for learning more about the sites, the gods and the most commonly celebrated festivals in Mauritius.
mauritiusinsideout.com
13. Visit the International Slave Route Monument
Mauritius was colonised by the Dutch in 1638 and named after Maurice of Nassau, Prince of The Netherlands; later the island came under French rule and then British, before becoming independent in 1968. Slave labour was used on the sugar plantations and at Le Morne Brabant, a peninsula in the south, you can find a reminder of the island’s brutal past. Runaways found refuge at Le Morne mountain but, when slavery was abolished, in 1835, legend has it that they saw soldiers, assumed the worst and jumped to their deaths. Another theory is that they were massacred. Le Morne Cultural Landscape is now a Unesco world heritage site and the International Slave Route Monument marks the fight for freedom of enslaved people and their tragic deaths.
mymauritius.travel
14. Try yoga on the beach
Close your eyes or stare into the sky as you lie back and meditate during a yoga lesson a world away from stuffy studios in crowded gyms. Hear the palm trees rustle overhead, breathe in the salty sea air and listen to the sparrows chirrup as your instructor takes you through warrior, downward dog and child’s poses. Long Beach Mauritius runs particularly good dawn and sunset sessions for beginners, although more advanced practitioners can book private classes too.
thehealthyholidaycompany.co.uk
Original article at The Times
