As an idyllic dot of paradise in the warm Indian Ocean, Mauritius has much more to offer than just white-sand beaches leading into the azure seas of a warm lagoon and catamaran cruises out beyond the coral reefs in search of dolphins and whales.
Although Mauritius only has a brief history of human occupation it has many attractions, both natural and manmade. Arab sailors first discovered Mauritius around 950 but they did not settle nor did the Portuguese explorers who arrived in 1598. The Dutch were the first settlers, on an island without an indigenous population, but once the Dutch had felled the hard wood trees they wanted for furniture manufacture they departed.
On your tour of the South you will see part of the French legacy, they planted the fields of sugar cane and named the towns. Then in 1810 the English defeated the French, introducing the English language and a love of tea with milk.
Many tourists base themselves on the breeze-cooled beaches of the north coast. Summertimes offer a excursion which allows them to catch-up on the many charms of Mauritius’ South in an action packed day.
Views from the volcano
As Mauritius was formed from a volcanic eruption the rim of the now extinct volcano, Trou-Aux-Cerfs, makes a logical starting point. There are panoramic views of black rock peaks and across the fertile landscape to Mauritius’ five main towns.
Rising up alongside the crater is a new meteorological station. Mauritius has several microclimates and this high point, with plenty of showers, is a location selected for close study.
Model ship construction
Visit the model-ship factory at Voiliers de l’Ocean to watch craft-workers create replicas of many of the world’s great ships from plans imported from their country of origin.
Currently the 17th Century “Sovereign of the Seas”, from Charles l’s English Navy, takes pride of place in the showroom with its balsa skeleton and tea-stained sails. After over 700 hours of labour the ship is on sale for 250,000 Mauritian Rupees (around £5,500). On average the shop sells around ten of this model a year.
Lychee wine
Mauritius’s summer humidity does not produce the quality of grapes needed for great wines so one innovative Mauritian winemaker had a highly original idea.
Taste lychee wines at Takamaka Boutique winery. Winemaker Alexander Oxenham is making good progress developing a dry white and a sweet wine. A rosé, coloured by the red skin of the fruit, is a heady wine, pairing well with the spicy flavours of Mauritian cuisine.
Hindu gods and temples
After the Abolition of Slavery in 1825, the British colonial rulers looked to India for indentured workers for labour on the sugar cane plantations.
Consequently, today 52% of Mauritius’ population follow the Hindu faith. The 33 metre tall statue of Shiva, cast in concrete was a gift from the Indian government. But the Mauritians decided he needed his wife, and commissioned a second statue. Her many hands represent her many reincarnations.
Beyond the two giant gods a short walk takes you to ‘Ganga Talao’ – a lake sacred to Mauritian Hindus in Plaine Champagne. Amongst the incense scented air two temples sit on the banks of the serene lake.
Black River Gorges National Park
Macaque monkeys gather on the walls overlooking a waterfall and what remains of Mauritius’ ancient forests. The monkeys are drawn by the bananas the visitors provide.
It is estimated that just 1.3% of the original forests remains. Dutch settlers operated a lucrative trade in the hardwoods of mahogany, rosewood and teak, that were so fashionable for 17th Century furniture. With Rosewood growing at just 1 cm per year replenishing these forests will take centuries.
Lunch with a view
The Chamarel restaurant, reached by the Anaconda road which has 52 snaking curves, gives beautiful views of the shoreline and sea beyond.
The cuisine is light and typically Mauritian with the popular Blue Marlin as a starter then hake or chicken for the main course. Mauritius’ high proportion of Hindus means that beef rarely dominates menus.
Coconuts
Watch a muscular man with his machete slice open a coconut in the palm of his hand. Remarkably he still has all five fingers on his hand.
Nothing is wasted. The hairy husk is put on the sugar cane plantations as a fertiliser, coconut water is drunk, the flesh is eaten whilst the shells are fashioned into bowls and glazed.
The Chamarel Waterfalls
An information board points out that at a height of around 100 metres the Chamarel Waterfalls are almost the same height as New York’s Statue of Liberty.
The Mauritian summer, from November to April, when rainfall is higher, sees the Falls at their most spectacular. Waters cascade down against a scenic backdrop of luxuriant forests and dark mountains.
Coloured earth
Summertimes’ day excursion calls in on the “Seven Coloured Earths” which is the economy version. The south coast actually comprises of 23 coloured earths.
The phenomenon was created, after the volcanic eruption, by the earth cooling at different rates and at different times.
The original content (article & images) is owned by Michael Edwards. Visit the site here for other interesting stories.
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