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Mauritius [1] is a small island in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar.

Contents 1 Regions 2 Coastal areas 2.1 Cities 2.2 Other Destinations 2.3 Understand 2.3.1 History 2.3.2 Climate 2.4 Get in 2.4.1 By plane 2.4.2 By boat 2.5 Get around 2.5.1 By plane 2.5.2 By helicopter 2.5.3 By car 2.5.4 By bus 2.5.5 By metered taxi 2.5.6 By boat 2.6 Talk 2.7 See 2.7.1 Northern Touristic Zone 2.7.2 East 2.7.3 South East 2.7.4 West 2.7.5 The Interior 2.8 Do 2.9 Eat 2.10 Drink 2.11 Sleep 2.12 Work 2.13 Stay safe 2.13.1 Important telephone numbers 2.14 Stay healthy 2.15 Respect 2.16 Contact

[edit] Regions

[edit] Coastal areas

There are 9 districts

• Black River
• Flacq
• Grand Port
• Moka
• Pamplemousses
• Plaines Wilhems
• Port Louis
• Riviere du Rempart
• Savanne

And 3 dependencies

• Agalega Islands
• Cargados Carajos Shoals (Saint Brandon)
• Rodrigues

[edit] Cities

• Port Louis - Capital
• Beau Bassin
• Rose Hill
• Quatre Bornes
• Phoenix
• Vacoas
• Curepipe

[edit] Other Destinations

• Macabée Bel Ombre Nature Preserve
• Domaine du Chasseur Nature Preserve

[edit] Understand

[edit] History

The discovery of Mauritius Island was first made by the Arab sailors, at this time the island was a dense forest. There is no exact date of when Mauritius was discovered by the Arabs, it is said to be around the 9th century. But the Arabs sailors were not interested in settling on the island. Fernandez Pereira, a Portuguese sailor who saw the island decided to give it the name of Cerne. Discovered by the Portuguese in 1505, Mauritius was subsequently held by the Dutch, French, and British before independence was attained in 1968. But the Portuguese sailors were not interested to settle on the island. The first to colonise the island were the Dutch. They took possession of the island in 1598. The Dutch settlers came on the island by a bay in the south eastern part of the island which was named Warwyck Haven after the commander VanWarwyck, the bay is now known as Grand Port. Mauritius also got its name during this period; the island was named after the Prince of Holland Mauritz de Nassau. The Dutch left the island in 1710, but before leaving they had introduced on the island monkeys, sugar cane, and the java deer. But when they left Mauritius, there were almost no more dodos on the island as it was their main source of food. The dodo was a large flightless bird very sociable and very easy to capture. When the Dutch left the island they also left on the island the slaves that ran away from their masters. The French settled on the island in 1715 and also landed at the bay in the southeast and named it Port Bourbon. They made settlement on the north-western side of the island which became the harbour and was named Port Louis which is also the capital of Mauritius. During the French settlement there has been a lot of development in the country. Mahé de Labournnais whose statue is found in Port Louis in face of the harbour is known as the founder of the capital city. The British took possession of Mauritius in 1810 after a battle between French and British. From then Mauritius was under the rule of British until they attained independence on the 12 March 1968 within the commonwealth. Slavery was officially abolished in 1835. Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam also known as the "Father of the Nation" was the one who brought the island to independence and did a lot for the country. On the 12 March 1992, Mauritius became a Republic.

A stable democracy with regular free elections and a positive human rights record, the country has attracted considerable foreign investment and has earned one of Africa's highest per capita incomes. Recent poor weather and declining sugar prices have slowed economic growth leading to some protests over standards of living in the Creole community.

[edit] Climate

Tropical, modified by southeast trade winds; warm, dry winter (May to November); hot, wet, humid summer (November to May); Natural hazards : Tropical cyclones (November to April);but most cyclones usually occur from the end of December till March. Mauritius has only two seasons, winter and summer. There is not much temperature differences between the two seasons of the year. The climate on the central plateau is cooler than on the coastal areas. The West coast is much wetter and more humid than the East coast.

• Hottest part is the west coast
• Windiest part is the East coast
• December to February are the hottest month of the year
• The driest month of the year is October
• Coolest months are from June to August
• Mauritius Weather Actual weather report from the Mauritius region.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By plane

The Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport, : +230 603 6000, : airportinfo@aml.mru.aero, Website: http://mauritius-airport.intnet.mu. at Plaisance is the major gateway for travelers coming from abroad.

• Air Mauritius [2] is the home carrier and operates a network of routes to the local islands and to international destinations in Africa, Australia, Europe and Asia.
• Regional airlines Air Austral [3], Air Madgascar and Air Seychelles [4] connect Mauritius with the surrounding islands.
• International airlines such as Air Europe, Air France [5], Air Zimbabwe, Austrian Airlines [6], British Airways [7], Condor, South African Airways, Air India [8], and Emirates [9] all serve Mauritius from their home bases.

Virgin Atlantic is due to start direct flights between London and Mauritius end of October 2007.

Visitors are required to provide accommodation details to the immigration service on arrival. Failure to do so could see you being sent home!

If you arrive in Mauritius from a country where malaria is endemic, you may receive a visit from the government health service and be required to give a blood sample for malaria screening.

[edit] By boat

The common way to enter Mauritius is usually by plane, and even though there are vessels that arrive at the port they are mainly cargo ships. The Mauritius Pride and the Trochetia are the Mauritian vessels that usually sails to Reunion Island, Rodrigues Island and Madagascar.

[edit] Get around

Bus and taxi services are best used in urban areas. Bicycles and motorbikes are also available for hire.

[edit] By plane

Air Mauritius [10] operates daily flights connecting Plaisance Airport and Rodrigues (flight time - 1 hour 15 minutes).

[edit] By helicopter

Helicopters are available for transfers and sightseeing tours

• Air Mauritius Helicopter, : +230 603 3754, : helicopter@airmauritius.com

[edit] By car

One major highway runs north to south, otherwise a good network of paved, if sometimes narrow, roads cover the island. Traffic drives, erratically, on the left.

Numerous car hire firms include major international and independent firms. Prices vary widely starting from 600 rupees per day. One such car hire firm is DH Car Hire.

Regulations: Drivers are required to be over 18 years old. Speed limits are 90kph (50mph) on the motorway and 50kph (31mph) in built-up areas. Seatbelts are compulsory. A foreign licence is accepted.

The following chart gives approximate travel times (in hours and minutes) from Port Louis to other major cities/towns/resorts in Mauritius.

Curepipe	        0:20
Grand Baie, North	0:30
Mahebourg, Southeast	1:00
Flic-en-Flac, West	0:30

[edit] By bus

Excellent and numerous bus services ply the island.

• National Transport Corporation (NTC), : +230 426 2938
• United Bus Service (UBS), : +230 212 2026
• Mauritius Bus Transport (MTB), : +230 245 2539

[edit] By metered taxi

These are regulated and metered (though meters are almost never used) and linked to provinces or hotels, printed on a yellow panel on the drivers' door. Tips are not customary for taxi drivers, but appreciated.

[edit] By boat

• Coraline, : +230 210 5944 (+230 210 6120), Website: http://www.mauritiusshipping.intnet.mu. Sails once a week to Rodrigues Island and to Reunion island from Port Louis Harbour. Mauritius Pride, launched in 1991, and Mauritius Trochetia, in service since 2001, are the two ships operating for the island. The ships also have Madagascar as a destination. Both vessels are used as passenger and container ships.

[edit] Talk

The official language in Mauritius is English. Virtually everyone speaks Creole closely followed by French, with English a not too distant third. Other languages are: Hindi, Urdu, Hakka, Bhojpuri and Chinese. Usually administrative papers are in English.

[edit] See

[edit] Northern Touristic Zone

Grand Bay was the first area of the island to fully experience the tourist boom. A shopping and leisure paradise, Grand Bay also happens to be the area where Mauritians head for when they want a fun-filled night out (restaurants, bars and discos). Recently renovated, La Cuvette beach is well worth a visit.

• Pereybere The wonderful Pereybere public beach is popular because of its shopping facilities, restaurants and pubs.

• Balaclava Ruins A few metres away from Baie aux Tortues, which 17th century sailors named after the many tortoises in the area, can be found the ruins of the old Balaclava estate. Visitors will be able to see the sea walls, whose initial foundations were laid down by Mahé de Labourdonnais.

• The Triolet Shivala The longest village on the island, Triolet offers an opportunity to visit the biggest Hindu temple, the Maheswarnath, first built in 1819 in honour of the Gods Shiva, Krishna, Vishnu, Muruga, Brahma and Ganesha.

• The Labourdonnais Orchards Discover a large variety of tropical fruit trees, colourful and perfumed exotic flowers. Trips on mountain bikes or hiking are possible.

[edit] East

• Flacq Market Flacq is one of the most important villages in Mauritius. This meeting point for inhabitants of the East boasts the country’s largest open air market. The extremely colourful market attracts a large number of people.

• The Waterpark Leisure Village Enjoy unforgettable moments sliding on the giant chutes, with family or friends. Relaxation and pleasure guaranteed.

• Ile aux Cerfs Ile aux Cerfs is a paradise for water sports and has the most beautiful beach in Mauritius. You cannot afford to miss this tiny island, delicately poised on the ocean, a real pearl in the Mauritian landscape.

[edit] South East

• Dutch Ruins At Vieux Grand Port, the oldest settlements in Mauritius, you can see the ruins of the first Dutch fortifications. Excavation work is underway in a bid to uncover an important part of Mauritian history.

• Ile aux Aigrettes Owing to the remarkable work accomplished by the Mauritius Wildlife Fund, the island has become an international standard for the protection of natural resources and endangered species. A few of the world’s rarest birds, including the kestrel, can be seen there. You can also discover the extremely rare Pink Pigeon, the Green Gecko Phelsuma and the Aldabra giant tortoise.

• Mahebourg Mahébourg is one of the main fishing villages on the island. Built on the magnificent Grand Port Bay it was founded in 1804 by the French Governor Charles Decaën.

• Domaine du Chasseur, Tel: (230) 634-5011, Fax: (230) 634-5261. Nestling in the Anse Jonchée hills, the Domaine des Grand Bois has splendid hunting grounds covering an area of 900 hectares. Stags, monkeys and boars live amidst the luxuriant vegetation of the hillside.One can watch a few species of endangered birds, including the kestrel. The Domaine contains four thatched-roof bungalows and a restaurant with a panoramic sea view. Take an opportunity to enjoy a delicious meal of venison. (The view is great and well worth the visit, but the food can best be described as average. The venison is very chewy.)

• Souillac A small seaside resort along the rugged coast of the Savanne district. A famous feature is the garden overlooking the sea and named after Dr. Charles Telfair. A popular viewpoint is found at the southern end of the village, right on the cliff top : Gris Gris.

• Blue Bay Bluest water and most amazing white sand beaches you will ever see...period. Take the trip across the island from Port Louis and see what this quiet place has to offer. Very busy with the locals on weekends. Try to go during the week. Glass bottom boats are an excellent outing.

[edit] West

• Martello Towers The Martello Towers represent the scene of the ancient rivalry between old colonial powers and the ingenuity of mankind. They are a milestone in the island’s history; they symbolise the end of slavery and the beginning of Indian immigration.

• Chamarel A winding road leads from Case Noyale village to the coloured earths of Chamarel: an undulating landscape of different and contrasting shades of colours. The different shades of blue, green, red and yellow are apparently the result of the erosion of the volcanic ash. The neighbouring waterfalls of Chamarel rise from the moors and the native plant life. The site possesses a rare beauty.An adventure park has also recently been opened at Chamarel. Much of the sand has been souveniered by locals. It is now sectioned off, but is not that impressive.

• Salt Pans Owing to the exceptional high level of sunshine the district receives, Tamarin is naturally the heart of salt production in Mauritius.

• Casela, Tel: (230) 452-0693/4 Situated in the Rivière Noire district, the bird park stretches over 25 hectares and contains more than 140 bird species from all five continents. Other attractions include fish ponds, tigers, tortoises, monkeys, deer and orchids. Also contains a nice playground. Well worth the trip for those with kids.

• Yemen Yemen Reserve may not be the largest game reserve on the island, but there is still lots to see. You will be able to get close to the herds of deer, as well as admire some splendid species of Mauritian fauna. A few rustic kiosks available in the reserve provide an unobstructed view of the sea. There you can sip a local punch while watching the sun going down.

[edit] The Interior

• Black River Gorges This national park of 6,574 hectares (16,244 acres) was created in 1994 for the protection of Mauritius’ remaining native forests. Visitors can enjoy magnificent landscapes, with endemic plants and rare bird species. A trail leads from the Pétrin information centre to an area of typical plant life and to a conservation area.

• Eureka, Tel: (230) 433 8477, Fax: (230) 433 4951. Is an old Creole residence built in 1830, Eureka is an essential place to visit during your stay in Mauritius if you wish to immerse yourself in tropical sweetness.

• Ganga Talao - Grand Bassin Beyond La Marie and Mare-aux-Vacoas is found one of the two natural lakes of Mauritius. It rests within the crater of an extinct volcano. Ganga Talao is an important pilgrimage site and many Mauritians of the Hindu faith walk there during the Maha Shivaratri festival or the night fasting dedicated to Shiva.

• L’Aventure du Sucre, Tel: 243 06 60. Daily 9AM-6PM. Visit an interactive and ultra modern exhibition situated at the heart of an ancient sugarmill and discover the fascinating history of Mauritius and its sugarcane adventure exposed over 5000 sq meters! Then, let yourself be tempted by their boutique with its unique gifts, souvenirs and tasting of special unrefined sugars as well as local rum. Do not miss the opportunity to relish authentic Mauritian cuisine with refined flavours at their restaurant "Le Fangourin". Free access to the restaurant and the Village Boutique Beau Plan-Pamplemousses

[edit] Do

• Mauritius Catamaran Cruise – enjoy a wide selection of catamaran cruises all around Mauritius. Treat yourself to a memorable day, which will be one of the highlights of your holiday in Mauritius. A great cruising experience on a catamaran sailing through the crystal clear water, breathtaking scenery all around, stay on the beautiful white sand beaches, snorkel inside the lagoons, explore the local marine line, and enjoy delicious food and bar services. Today the selection of cruiseing destination is quite extensuive including cruises to: Gabriel Island, Flat Island, Ile Aux cerfs, west and east coasts cruise and many more. [11]

• Deep sea fishing (also known as Big game Fishing) surrounded by the Indian Ocean, Mauritius is ideally positioned to access the many exciting species of fish that frequent the warm, tropical waters. Depending on the time of year it is possible to catch Blue or Black Marlin , Sailfish , Wahoo , Yellow fin Tuna , Giant Trevally , Dogtooth Tuna , Bonito , Dolphinfish, Sharks and many more. The majority of the Big game fishing boats are well equipped with VHF radio, mobile telephone, G.P.S navigation system, radar, radio telephone, safety equipments, Penn International reels, life jackets, medical kits, fire extinguishers, flares, and all related fishing equipments such as fighting chairs and rods (usually 9). You can choose between half day trips and full day fishing trips . Big game fishing is best on the west coast of Mauritius because the currents swirl around the foot of Le Morne, creating a marine environment attractive to bait fish, which in turn attracts the larger fish. Boats usually accommodate up to 5 anglers and full day trips typically include both breakfast and lunch in the price. [12]

• Full day sightseeing tours Go on one of the full day sightseeing tours and discover the beautiful and the many sights of Mauritius. Choose between a selection of tours to see the different parts of Mauritius: Mauritius North Tour, Mauritius South & Southwest Tour, Mauritius South West Tour, Mauritius South-Chamouny Tour, Mauritius South-East Tour, Mauritius Complete Tea Route tour, Mauritius shopping tour and many more.[13]

• Safari Jeep Trips The Safari Jeep trip takes place in Yemen natural reserve park. The park is on the West Coast of Mauritius. The park hosts two of the longest rivers on the island – Rivière Rempart and Tamarin River – and is a haven for all sorts of native wildlife. The actual size of this natural reserve is of around 4500 hectares. The Yemen Park is the perfect setting for Safari trips were you will have a thrilling ride and will be able to see many beautiful animals such as Zebras, ostriches, African antelopes, Java deers, monkeys, ducks and geese in their naturals habitat, and will get to see extraordinary panoramic views of this breathtaking part of the island. [14]

• Views For a spectacular 360-degree view of Port Louis and the north, climb Le Pouce or ‘the thumb', at 812m (2,664ft). It is an easy 2-hour climb from the village of La Laura, and takes another 2 hours to walk into Port Louis.

• Tour the Moka mountains by quad bike, horse or 4-wheel drive at the accessible 1,500-hectare (3,700-acre) nature park of Domaine Les Pailles [15]. Travel to the sugar mill and rum distillery by train or horse-drawn carriage before dining in one of four restaurants.

• Safari Quad biking Trips Experience an adventurous Quad biking activity in the most amazing natural setting! quad-biking activity in the 4,500 hectares of Yemen natural reserve park. More than a quad bike outing, it is a trip through a real safari. During the trip it is possible to see deers, zebras, ostriches, African antelopes, wild boars and many more; this a very big added bonus to this activity.[16]

• Head to Grand Baie, for watersports such as parasailing, an underwater walk, submarine and semi-submersible scooters, or to La Cuvette, a long silky beach with clear water between Grand Baie and Cap Malheureux, for sailing, windsurfing and waterskiing.

• Swim at the northern beaches such as Trou aux Biches, shaded by casuarinas, Mont Choisy, a 2km (1.2-mile) narrow white stretch of sand curving north from there, and Péreybère, a little cove between Grand Baie and Cap Malheureux.

• Diving [17]When you dive in Mauritius you explore coral reefs, multi-colored marine life, ship wrecks dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries, as well as some ships sunk more recently which create beautiful artificial reefs. There are numerous dive sites strewn all over the island. One of the most well-known and popular dive sites in Mauritius is the Cathedral, which is located off the Flic en Flac on the western coast of Mauritius. Other dive sites in Mauritius include the Whale Rock and Roche Zozo that is an underwater rock pinnacle and the submerged crater near Ile Ronde.You can go on a dive safari or diving trip to any of these dives sites and many more . Mauritius, almost completely encircled by a barrier coral reef, is home to many sponges, sea anemones and a variety of multi-colored fish such as the Damselfis, Trumpet, Boxfish not forgetting the playful clown, as well as Mauritian scorpion with its unique orange color. Most of the Dive sites are located on the west coast around Flic-en-Flac or in the north, at Trou aux Biches or at the Northern Islands. The best time to go diving is from November to April with very good visibility underwater. The Mauritius Scuba Diving Association (MSDA) can provide further information (website: www.msda-cmas.org).

• Speedboat from Trou d'eau Douce to the popular island playground of Ile aux Cerfs for beaches, golf and watersports. Or, for a quieter day, a catamaran to the Northern Islands - Gabriel Island, Flat Island and Gunner's Quoin.

• Hike in the Black River Gorges National Park, a 6,794-hectare (16,788-acre) forest, to see indigenous plants, birds and wildlife. Black River Peak trail goes to Mauritius' highest mountain, while the Maccabee Trail starts nearby and plunges into the gorge to Black River.

• Lunch For an adventurous lunch of roasted wild boar, duck or deer curry with one of the best island views, try Domaine du Chasseur's alfresco Panoramour Restaurant. This domain is the best place to glimpse the Mauritius kestrel in the wild.

• La Vanille Réserve des Mascareignes [18] is commonly referred to as ‘The Crocodile Park', for its thousands of Nile crocodiles. It is the only place worldwide to breed aldabra tortoises and also has deer, monkeys, boar and an insectarium.

• Rodrigues Island [19] Tiny, rugged, volcanic it lies 550km (340 miles) northeast of Mauritius and is known as the ‘anti-stress' island. The capital, Port Mathurin, is only seven streets wide, with a Creole population. Rodrigues offers walking, diving, kitesurfing and deep sea fishing.

• Hiking and Trekking Hiking and Trekking in Mauritius with its breathtaking views of mountains, rivers, forests and more in a hiking trip through the fields, trekking on a zip line or on a bike, and discover this magnificent nature paradise [20]. Mauritius being a volcanic island has several breathtaking summits and valleys to explore on foot. The island is well known for its natural beauty. In addition to the traditional trekking activity you can also go on a unique adventure activity of trekking with the zip lines [21].

• Horse racing - The Mauritius horse racing club commonly called the Champ de Mars was founded in 1812, making it the oldest horse-racing club in the Southern Hemisphere. Horse racing is the most popular sport in Mauritius, and you can expect to have about 30,000 visitors in each race day. The horse racing season usually starts in April and ends normally in late November. With an average of 9 horses per race, some goes to a maximum of 12 horses. On average some 60 horses participate on each racing day. It is highly recommended to go and experience the electric atmosphere of horse racing in Mauritius. For those interested it is also possible have a VIP treatment in each of the VIP suites while enjoying snacks and drinks and a clear view of the race from your private balcony [22].

• Parasailing For those looking for a fun sea-air activity, you should definitely try parasailing. You will be rewarded with a breathtaking bird's eye view of the beautiful lagoon and beaches. This is the ultimate way to enjoy your holiday. The parasailing begins with a short safety briefing. Then you will be taken by boat to the launch pod where you will take off and start the parasailing. No steering is actually necessary as the sail follows the course of the boat.[23]

• Water Ski Water-skiing is one of the most popular water sports in Mauritius. You can enjoy water skiing along several of Mauritius’ coasts and also in few of the country’s lakes. The best area for water skiing is considered to be the north area of the island, along the coasts, where the lagoon provides full protection from the big waves of the open sea and offers ideal water skiing conditions of very calm sea.[24]

• Swimming with Dolphins - Go on a speed boat trip and swim with Dolphins in the open sea. You can choose between 2 hours trip, half day and full day trips where you will get to swim with the Bottlenose Dolphin and the Spinner Dolphin, which have made of the West Coast of Mauritius a place for them to rest before going to the deep sea for their fishing.[25]

• Walk with Lions & Cheetahs Experience a one-on-one encounter with Lions and Cheetahs! Feel the adrenaline rush, the sense of excitement and know how it is to be so close to these amazing creatures. From the moment you meet the lions, your adventure shall begin. Under the coolness of the trees you can take pleasure in viewing the lions from very close, see them playing and hopping on the rocks of the river banks and scaling the trees. The lions roam freely amongst the participants giving them the unique opportunity of being in close contact with them.[26]

• Blue Safari Submarine see the wonderful underwater tropical fish without even getting your feet wet. Going underwater to 35 meters depth on board of a real submarine. You will get to visit a shipwreck, explore the rich coral reefs, and observe and encounter various species of fish. The submarine is air-conditioned with fully transparent-glassed cabin so you will enjoy exceptionally clear panoramic views of the extraordinary underwater world. At 35 meters undersea, you may see some rare species and will explore the underwater world just like on any other traditional safari.[27]

• Underwater Submarine Scooter Adventure Pilot your own underwater scooter by yourself or as a couple to 3-4 meters depth in full safety. Comfortably seated one behind the other, you breath freely and naturally in a broad common, transparent and panoramic cupola which allow you to discover and to enjoy full the view of the reef and marine life, while communicating all along with your partner. You will receive full briefing about the easy control of the underwater scooter, and will be equipped with a diving suit for warmth and full safety.[28]

• Rock climbing – Rock climbing on the South West coast of Mauritius. You will get to experience rock climbing in a beautiful setting Of the Belle Vue Cliffs, where the caves of "La Pointe aux Caves" are nestled and in close proximity from the famous lighthouse of Albion. This a great outdoor sport where you will learn the basic techniques of knots, safe climbing and rock progression from Mauritius’ top professional guides. As part of rock climbing excursion you will be trained on some breathing exercises to maximize climbing performance over rock faces and cliffs. [29]

• Waterfalls Tamarind Falls on the Interior portion of the island is an incredible string of about 7 waterfalls surrounds by green mountains and is tucked away beyond a sugar cane filled. Bring something to swim in as the are numerous pools beneith certain falls to take a dip in. There are some spots that require getting a little dirty and some traction on your shoes, but it is well worth it.

[edit] Eat

When leaving Mauritius, don't wait until you go through passport control if you want to have a snack. The coffee shop after passport control is not value for money. You would be better off visiting the snack bar before check-in and taking your purchases through with you.

Mauritius is a paradise for the senses, not only for the eyes with its beautiful landscape, but also for the palate. Gastronomes will find a variety of flavours and aromas inherited from the different migrations through its history. Culinary traditions from France, India, China and Africa, the best-known and appreciated cuisines in the world, have been passed on through generations.

Depending on the region, rice or a variety of flat bread called chapattis or roti called farata by the local people, is eaten with curries. The extensive use of spices like saffron, cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves and herbs like thyme basil and curry leaves are the common ingredients that provide some powerful, yet subtle, savour. Dal a variety of lentil soups are many and varied according to which type of lentil is used, vegetables and beans, and pickles accompany the dishes. Dholl puri and roti, originally an Indian delicacy have become the fish and chips of Mauritians.

Biryani from Mughal origins is a dish expertly prepared by the muslim community, with meat mixed with spiced rice and potato.

You can buy many snacks on the streets of Mauritius including the famous gateaux piments or chilli cakes and vegetable or meat samosas along with octopus curry in bread. The tomato and onion based dish called Rogai is a variation of the Ragoux of France and all mauritians eat this dish often if not daily.

Mauritians have sweet tooths and make many types of 'gateaux' as they are called. The cakes vary and you can find cakes very much like at home and others similar to Indian cakes like Gulab Jumman and Rasgoola among many others.

Check out the queues where the street sellers are selling their type of snacks and the longest queue will probably have the tastiest food on sale and is very cheap.

The dinning possibilities are vast, consisting of hundreds of restaurants all around Mauritius offering a selection of local cuisines: Mauritian, Creole specific international cuisines such as Italian, Chinese, French, Japanese and many more.

Regarding the prices, one can choose to eat local Mauritian food on the street for less than 1 euro, or eat in one of the top class restaurants offering gourmet lunch and dinner for over 100 euro.

For most Mauritians, daily practice is to eat during the daytime on the street sides, street stalls or in small local restaurants. This is a recommended way for the tourist to discover the local traditional food, enjoying the tastes of Mauritius and do so for very cheap.

The Mauritius Restaurant Guide is the main source for information on restaurants and bars in Maurituis.

[edit] Drink

Mauritius produces a wide range of cane rum. It is very cheap and is a nice drink when mixed with cola and ice. Don't forget the coconut water with a dash of lime and a splash of local rum over ice.

If you are staying in a hotel where the drinks are wildly expensive consider collecting your tipples while you are out and about from the local village shops or supermarkets where the prices are much cheaper.

The local beer Phoenix is considered to be one of the best in the world and costs around 30 rupees (less than one pound sterling) for a pint. Serve very cold. Delicious ! =]

[edit] Sleep

• Beachcomber Hotels, Website: http://www.beachcomber-hotels.com

• Alpha Villa, Website: http://www.alphavilla.co.uk

• Royal Palm, Website: http://www.royalpalm-hotel.com. A Member of the Leading Hotels of the World

• The Oberoi Mauritius, Website: perfectescapes.com/Luxury_Hotel-PID1702-Pointe_Aux_Piments_-The_Oberoi_Mauritius.html. Luxury resort on Mauritius

• Hilton Mauritius Resort and Spa, Website: perfectescapes.com/Luxury_Hotel-PID1750-Flic-en-Flac_-Hilton_Mauritius_Resort_&_Spa.html. The Hilton is very close to Casela Nature Park.

• Dinarobin, Website: http://www.dinarobin-hotel.com. An elegant 5-star beach resort with spa

• Paradis, Website: http://www.paradis-hotel.com. 5-star golf resort

• Shandrani, Website: http://www.shandrani-hotel.com. Resort for action-packed holidays, for families, couples, and nature-lovers.

• Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Website: perfectescapes.com/Luxury_Hotel-PID1695-Flic-en-Flac_-Taj_Exotica_Resort_&_Spa_Mauritius.html. Beautifully designed right on Tamarin Bay.

• Trou Aux Biches, Website: http://www.trouauxbiches-hotel.com. Ideal for weddings and honeymoons

• Le Meridien Ile Maurice, Website: perfectescapes.com/Luxury_Hotel-PID1727-Pointe_Aux_Piments_-Le_Meridien_Ile_Maurice.html. Beachfront on the bay of Pointe aux Piments.

• Le Victoria, Website: http://www.levictoria-hotel.com. Family holiday resort.

• Le Canonnier, Website: http://www.lecanonnier-hotel.com. Set on a private peninsula.

• Le Prince Maurice, Website: perfectescapes.com/Luxury_Hotel-PID1728-Poste_de_Flacq_Mauritius_-LE_Prince_Maurice.html. On an isolated peninsula. Very remote and exclusive.

• Le Mauricia, Website: http://www.lemauricia-hotel.com

• The Residence, Website: www.theresidence.com. 5* Hotel in the style of a plantation house; popular with honeymooners.

• Labourdonnais, Waterfront, Port Louis 5* excellent hotel convenient for Port Louis and many restaurants around the area. Popular with businessmen. Excellent Guest Relations, business centre. Has trade delegations.

[edit] Work

Mauritius is an ideal place to live if you have your own business, especially if you can earn your money overseas. The government has set up a new visa category as of October, 2006 catering specifically for the self employed.

• Investment Promotion Agency of the Government of Mauritius, : +230 203 3800, : contact@investmauritius.com, Website: www.boimauritius.com. Extremely helpful government agancy

[edit] Stay safe

Be alert for your own security in Mauritius. Exercise common sense and look out for suspicious behaviour, as you would anywhere in the world. Be a smart traveler. Before your trip: Organize comprehensive travel insurance and check what circumstances and activities are not covered by your policy. Register your travel and contact details, so that you can be contacted in an emergency.

Crime levels in Mauritius are low, though petty crime is on the rise. Most crime against foreign tourists is petty crime, although incidents of assault and rape occur. The rate of crime is higher in downtown Port Louis, and in the coastal tourist centres of Grand Bay, Pereybere, Flic en Flac and Tamarin. Security risks increase after dark especially on beaches, city streets and in other secluded areas. There have been incidents of tourists being assaulted and robbed while staying at beachside bungalows run by unregistered proprietors.

[edit] Important telephone numbers

The Tourist Police service (Police du Tourisme), : +230 213 2818

[edit] Stay healthy

Mauritius is a risk area for infection with dengue fever (also known as "breakbone fever" from the muscular paroxysms sometimes induced). No vaccine is available. However no cases of dengue fever have been recorded in the country for several years now.

Since 2005 during the high season a certain type of mosquito called the Aedes albopictus causes the viral illness Chikungunya and the insect is more likely to be around in the daytime.

It is important to use anti-mosquito protection at all times. Mosquitoes are more prevalent in rural areas but they can also inhabit the beach in the tourist zone and may lead to swollen joints and/or rashes. Symptoms last from one week up to several months depending how seriously you are affected. Some people recover quickly but it can take several months to recover completely.

It shouldn't put you off visiting Mauritius. Just take good care to cover yourself completely in the best mosquito repellant you can find and re-apply again after swimming. Sleep under a mosquito net. Spray the bedroom well before going to bed with a good repellant and take an electric repellant to plug into the power supply. You can buy plenty of repellants of all types locally in mauritius quite cheaply including bracelets for kiddies.

Here is a website with comprehensive information on the Chikungunya virus - Health Protection Surveillance Centre’s website: [30]

In 1991, 86% of the population had antibodies indicating that they had been exposed to the hepatitis A virus, following an epidemic of the disease in 1989. Hepatitis A vaccination is generally recommended for travel in East Africa (and most other places) by the CDC.

Due to recent efforts transmission of schistosomiasis in Mauritius has been "virtually eliminated", according to the [31].

Many of the beaches are infested with sea erchins. It is a good idea to either buy or bring plastic shoes when venturing into the water. This is generally not a problem at the big hotels.

Reef fish in Mauritius have been found containing a neurotoxin similar but not identical to that found in Caribbean reef fish.

It is important not to eat peanuts or take alcohol if you eat coral or reef fish like sea bass, snapper, mullet, grouper, there are many more. The fish eat the toxic algae that grows on the coral reefs. Don't eat intestines or testes of the fish as higher concentrations of the toxin collect here. The symptoms include gastrointestinal upset, vomiting and diarrhoea and sometimes numb feelings of the arms and legs. More info: [32]

[edit] Respect

When tourists go to Mauritius, many look for the typical Mauritian. They will not find them. There is no typical Mauritian, as Mauritians are a sum of different cultures. You have white Mauritians, African Mauritians, Indian Mauritians, Muslim Mauritians, Buddhist Mauritians ... the only thing you should know is that they all have different ways of life, and most of the time do not mix together. Each ethnic group fits a role in the Mauritian community.

The Mauritians all get on well together and respect each others traditions and way of life religions and customs. They are proud of their country and join together on many occasions to celebrate being Mauritian, especially on Independence Day, March 12th, achieved in 1968 when Dr Seewoosagur Ramgoolam (now deceased) was Prime Minister. He is now regarded as the revered father of Mauritius. Presently his son Dr. Navinchandra Ramgoolam is the Prime Minister.

Each morning the children sing the national anthem in the playground before commencing classes and it is a joy to hear them sing.

Glory to thee Motherland, 
O motherland of mine. 
Sweet is thy beauty, 
Sweet is thy fragrance, 
Around thee we gather 
As one people, 
As one nation, 
For peace, justice and liberty. 
Beloved country, may God bless thee for ever and ever.

[edit] Contact

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