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Mauritius Places To Visit
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Port
Louis |
Capital and main port of Mauritius, the city was founded by the
French Governor, Mahé de Labourdonnais, in 1735. The harbour
is sheltered by a semicircle of mountains. The city has plenty of
character and, in some quarters, signs of its past elegance are
still evident. Off the main square, the palm-lined Place
d'Armes, there are some particularly fine French colonial
buildings, especially Government House (built in 1738) and the Municipal
Theatre, built around the same time. There are two cathedrals,
one Protestant and one Catholic, a fine Supreme Court Building,
some 18th-century barracks and the Natural History Museum
(exhibiting Mauritius's most famous bird, the extinct Dodo).
On the outskirts of the city, at the foot of the mountains, is the
Champ de Mars, originally laid out by the French
for military parades, and now a racecourse. The splendid Edward
VII Avenue and Fort Adelaide, a citadel
fortified in the time of William IV, offer the best views of the
racecourse, city and harbour. South of Port Louis is Le Réduit,
the French colonial residence of the President of Mauritius, set
in magnificent gardens. Other places of interest include the Jummah
Mosque in Royal Street and the Chinese Pagoda.
The Domaine Les Pailles nature park nestling at
the foot of the Moka mountain range covers an area of 3000 acres.
Among the attractions are a natural spring, a spice garden, a replica
of a sugar mill and an old rum distillery. Trips through the park
in 4-wheel-drive vehicles, horse-drawn carriages or trains are also
possible. |
Northern Mauritius |
To the north of Port Louis are the Pamplemousses Gardens.
These, created at the end of the 18th century, are known to naturalists
throughout the world for their large collection of indigenous and
exotic plants, including the giant Victoria regia water lilies and
many species of palm trees. Of particular interest is the talipot
palm, which is said to flower once, after 60 years, and then die.
There are also tortoises here, some of them over 100 years old.
Facing the calm water of the lagoon between Pointe aux Piments
and Trou aux Biches is the Aquarium
populated by 200 species of fish, invertebrates, live coral and
sponges, all originating from the waters around the island. An open-circuit
seawater cycle of one million litres runs through the 36 tanks every
day. The Aquarium offers a unique opportunity to admire the colourful
treasures of the Indian Ocean. |
Western Mauritius |
The island's main residential town in the west of the country,
Curepipe, provides good shops and restaurants.
Between Curepipe and Floreal lies Trou
aux Cerfs, a dramatic, extinct crater 85m (280ft) deep
and more than 180m (600ft) wide, which offers extensive views of
the island from its rim.
Open daily, Casela Bird Park is set in the district
of the Rivière Noire, stretches over 20
acres of land and contains more than 140 varieties, amounting to
2500 birds. Specimens from the five continents may be seen there,
but the main attraction is the Mauritian Pink Pigeon, which is one
of the rarest birds in the world. Other attractions are the fish
ponds, tortoises, monkeys and orchids (seasonal). Trees, streams
and small cascades all add to the remarkably peaceful atmosphere.
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Southern Mauritius |
Domaine des Grands Bois covers over 2000 acres
of magnificent parkland, rich in lush and exotic fauna. Ebony, eucalyptus,
palm trees and wild orchids provide the backdrop for stags, deer,
monkeys and other wildlife.
Near Souillac, in the wild south, La Vanille
Crocodile Park breeds Nile crocodiles imported from Madagascar.
The site offers a vast park with a nature walk through luxuriant
forest studded with freshwater springs. A small zoo of animals found
in the wild in Mauritius is also located here.
Situated nearby, the Rochester Falls can be reached
by a road which crosses a sugar plantation that is open to visitors.
Water cascades over spectacular rock formations. Spectacular joints
have been formed by the contraction of lava due to sudden cooling.
Within a short distance of Bois Cheri, Grand Bassin
rests in the crater of an extinct volcano, this is one of the island's
two natural lakes. It is a place of pilgrimage for a large number
of Mauritians of the Hindu faith.
To the southwest lies Plaine Champagne, the highest
part of the central plateau (740m/2430ft), from where there is a
superb view of the Rivière Noire Mountains
and the sea lining the horizon. The forest-clad slopes contain some
fine specimens of indigenous timber and interesting plants peculiar
to the island. For the keen birdwatcher, the mountains are the habitat
of most of the remaining indigenous species.
A twisting, tarred road leads from Case Noyale
village to Chamarel. This is an area of undulating
land of seven contrasting layers of coloured dunes: blue, green,
red and yellow earth, believed to be the result of weathering. The
nearby Chamarel Waterfall emerges from the moors
and the primeval vegetation and is very beautiful.
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