what to do?

There are so many reasons to visit Mauritius. It is well known for Honeymoon as hotels give very attractive offers. There are lots of beautifully laid golf courses, the conditions for water sports are already explained, you can go hiking, fishing, biking or sightseeing.

in the north

We staid for one week on the island and decided to take two hotels one in the west and one in the south. On the day we changed we drove north instead of south. Our plan was to see the north and east of the island. It took us the whole day but it was worth. Thanks again to my driver :-)

We went shopping in Grand Baie, we stopped on deserted beaches up north and east and we tuned in to a reggae show an the radio and we sang along enthusiastically because everybody on the road did so. Maybe we just wished so but it was so much fun.

On another day we went hiking. We first went to Black River Gorges National Park. It is very steep but very green and the river was of a colour of coca cola. But I did not take to much attention as I had a problem. After the first steps the sole of my shoes felt apart. I had to find a solution.....

my dear old fellow ;-)

Black River Gorges N.P.

.....

 

The next hike was very interesting and my favorite one. Ebony Forest just south of Black River N.P. is a project to fight the invasive plants and to give more space to ebony and other native species. As we did not have to much time and a broken shoe we basically had to run up the steep and narrow path to the top. So we did not take the tour or visited the museum. I will do that the next time for sure.
It takes approx 40 minutes we were told. It took us 25! Breathtaking view from the top.

The last hike took us on the famous Le Morne Brabant in the south. To reach the top you need a
guide. We made it up to the shoulder were the stunning view could not really been capture with the camera.

All those hikes were quite easy but worth. There are no snakes are any other dangerous animals on the island.

from top of Ebony forest - mountain in the back is Le Morne Brabant

Another sight was 7 colored earth near Chamarel. Just beautiful. I can't tell much more, because even scientist do not know exactly how and why. Sometimes it is just better to not know as it gives room for your fantasy I think.



So what about you? When are you exploring Mauritius?

Seven colored earth

accomodation in paradise

lunch with birds in Lakaz Chamarel in the hilly south

The first 4 days on the island I had the chance to visit hotels, villas and apartments. You find everything from the small sell-catering apartment to the high class 5 star all inclusive resort. There are the beach hotels and the mountain lodges. So if you stay a week or more I suggest to mix north, south, east and west beach or country side.

Although the island is quite small the diversity of the vegetation and the scenery is very huge and interesting. For example around Grand Baie in the west where most of the hotels are located there is variety of shops, restaurants and bars. In the east and south it is much more calm and more original. The north is windy and more flat and in the south its quite hilly and green.

In the south you will find the best spots for water activities such as kite- and windsurfing. In a lost of hotels these things are included in the package.

Getting there and around

China Town in Port Louis

As Mauritius is an island you have to fly there. From Switzerland Edelweiss Air flies non stopp and then you have several airlines with good connections such as Qatar and Emirates. Tanzania and Kenya are not very far away so lots of people combine a safari and go then for the beaches on Mauritius.

The roads on Mauritius are quite good. In the hearth of the island around Port Louis the capital there are some lets call it highways. During rush hour they get stuck very easily. So plan your trip well. There are buses running but most of the tourist get a rental car or take part of an organized excursion.

our rental car

I really recommend a rental car for some days. You would miss a lot by just staying in the hotel. There are lots of villas and houses you can rent and for these people the car is a must. But don't forget you drive on the left...