Curepipe Curepipe is by far one of the most densely populated areas within Central Mauritius, and...
![A Must See Town In Central Mauritius.](https://mauritius101.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/Curepipe_Botanical_Gardens_-_Kiosk_for_Bands.jpg)
Curepipe Curepipe is by far one of the most densely populated areas within Central Mauritius, and...
Features information that is relevant to travellers who are thinking about and actively planning a visit to Mauritus.
Aapravasi Ghat is a district of port louis. This was the first site chosen by the British government in 1834 for the ‘great experiment' in the use of indentured, instead of slave labour.
Between 1834 and 1920, almost half a million indentured labourers arrived from India at Aapravasi Ghat to work in the sugar plantations of mauritius. The buildings of Aapravasi Ghat are among the earliest explicit manifestations of what was to become a global economic system and one of the greatest migrations in history.
Aapravasi Ghat is the remains of an immigration depot which was built in 1849 to receive indentured labourers from India, Eastern Africa, Madagascar, china and Southeast Asia to work on the island's sugar estates. Other colonial powers adopted system of indentured labour in place of slavery. This resulted in a world-wide migration of more than two million indentured labourers, of which Mauritius received almost half a million.
At present, only half of the Immigration Depot area as it existed in 1865, remains. The rest of the complex was lost due to unchecked infrastructural development in the mid-20th century. However, original structural key components still stand. These include the remains of the sheds for the housing of the immigrants, kitchens, lavatories, a building used as a hospital block and a highly symbolic flight of 14 steps upon which all immigrants had to lay foot before entering the immigration depot.
The Aapravasi Ghat site is now owned by the Ministry of Arts and Culture. The property is protected as National Heritage under the national heritage fund act 2003 and the Aapravasi Ghat Trust Fund Act 2001.
UNESCO declared Aapravasi Ghat as a World Heritage Site in 2006. It is one of two World Heritage Sites in Mauritius, along with le morne brabant.
Aapravasi is the Hindi word for “immigrant”, while ghat literally means “interface” , symbolically marking a transition between the old life and the new for the arriving indentured immigrants.
Anse Mourouk is another white sandy beach in Mourouk village in Rodrigues. The ocean is mostly shallow and the sea bottom is flat making it one of the best kitesurfing spots on the island. This is also where the Rodrigues International Kite Surf Festival is held annually. This Kite Festival is an event created and organized by the Rodrigues Kitesurf Association with the support of the Ministry of Tourism, Rodrigues Regional Assembly and the sponsors.
Balanced by a constant wind almost all year round, the kitesurf spot, Anse Mourouk’ is ideally located on a shallow turquoise lagoon for the practice of this sliding sport in complete safety in exceptional sailing conditions.
During this competition, Rodrigues will be vibrating to the rhythm of its kitesurf festival. Many experienced kitesurfing enthusiasts as well as experienced amateurs from the islands of the region and other parts of the world will perform for five days challenging each other in impressive aerial figures out of the waves.
There are many kitesurfing schools on the island which shows the popularity of kitesurfing in the region.
Pointe Cotton Beach is a popular beach in Rodrigues with sharp corals in the water. It will be good to wear water shoes for a more enjoyable swim. The beach, which is almost always deserted, is among the most beautiful beaches in the island.
The shallow lagoon that encircles the island is bordered by a protecting coral reef; 18 small islets lie within it. While Mont Limon and Mont Lubin, two volcanic peaks, stand guard over the island.
You can also take a walk along the right side of the beach to explore the large coral outcrop. The landscape there is completely different with strong wind and huge waves crashing against the cliffs. Rock formations of coral origin and shady casuarina groves surrounding the beach serve not only as a spectacular background, but also as reliable protection from strong winds.
The area of the island where the beach is located is replete with resorts and restaurants for every taste and budget.
The coastal shallow water guarantees a safe family vacation with the kids. Active leisure enthusiasts can go swimming, parasailing, banana boating and water skiing. A pristine turquoise lagoon with coral reefs is for scuba diving fans.
About an hour’s walk from Pointe Coton on the East Coast takes you to the cove of Trou d’Argent, a charming little sandy beach sheltered by two magnificent cliffs.
Cotton Bay Hotel is the nearest hotel. It is only 200 meters from the beach. It is a three star hotel. Tekoma Boutik Hotel Rodrigues is a 4-star hotel which is 1.3 kiliometres from the beach.
Île aux Aigrettes is a tiny coral island (27 hectares) just off the coast of the town of Mahebourg. It is the largest islet in the Grand Port bay, 850 meters off the south-east coast of Mauritius and roughly a kilometer from the coastal town of Mahebourg.
The island has been declared a nature conservation site and today is being preserved by the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation. It is also a popular visitor attraction – both for tourists and for Mauritians.
This island is considered an international standard for the protection of natural resources and endangered species.
A few of the world’s rarest birds, including the kestrel, Pink Pigeon, the Green Gecko Phelsuma and the Aldabra giant tortoise can be seen here. Eighteen Mauritian plant species which grow on the island are classified as endangered or very rare.
One of the local species of ebony, Diospyros egrettarum (named after the island) is found here.
Gastonia mauritiana (“Bois boeuf”) forming part of the forest canopy here.
A non-indigenous Aldabra giant tortoise was brought to Île aux Aigrettes to take over the ecological role of the extinct Mauritian tortoises.
The Underwater Sea Walk is one of the most unique attractions that one must experience when visiting Mauritius. It is a good experience for all the non divers.
The underwater walk is a safe and fascinating walk on the ocean bed (about 3-4m depth), where you can witness firsthand the marine life of Mauritius, the beautiful fauna, corals, and a wide variety of fish, all in their natural habitat. The Walk does not require any knowledge of swimming or diving and you are not even required to remove your glasses.
A helmet with a transparent visor is placed on your head. This equipment weighs 45 kg. You should be strong enough to carry this weight on your shoulders. A special apparatus allows normal breathing under the water. This trip is not recommended for pregnant women. Life Guards assist in taking you underwater and accompany you throughout the walk to guarantee your maximum safety. Total time of the excursion is approx. one hour (walk itself takes about 12-15 minutes).
The operating hours of the sea walk are between 9:00 and 14:30. You should have your own swimming costume and a towel.
Port Louis is the capital city and main port of Mauritius. It is also the largest city in Mauritius. Port Louis was constructed in the year 1735 by the noted French governor, Mahe de Labourdonnais.
The Port is named in honour of King Louis XV.
Port Louis is surrounded by a mountain range, called the Port Louis Moka Range. Mauritius Capital Port Louis has conserved many historic and colonial buildings through the years. One of them is a fortification named Fort Adelaide or La Citadelle, built by the British in 1835.
The main tourist attractions in Port Louis include the Caudan Waterfront, Port Louis Bazaar, Police Barracks, the Mauritian Chinatown and the old Port Louis theatre.
There are three museums: the Blue Penny Museum, the Mauritius Natural History Museum and the Mauritius Stamp Museum.
The economy of the city is dominated by its financial centre, port facilities, tourism and the manufacturing sector which include textiles, chemicals, plastics and pharmaceuticals. Port Louis has the biggest port facility in the Indian Ocean region and one of Africa’s major financial centres.
Grand Bassin, known also as Ganga Talao is a lake situated in a secluded mountain area in the district of Savanne, deep in the heart of Mauritius. It is about 600 meters above sea level.
The Hindus of Mauritius consider the Grand Bassin as a Holy lake and that the water inside the lake communicates with the waters of the holy Ganges of India.
The Hindu community performs a pilgrimage there every year on the Maha Sivaratri (“Siva’s Great Night”), on this day they honor the Lord Siva. Beside the lake there is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and other Gods including Hanuman and Lakshmi. Also, overlooking the lake is the statue of Mangal Mahadev (Shiva statue) which is 33 meters, making it the highest statue in Mauritius.
The Grand Bassin Mauritius map gives you clear directions to the sacred lake and the tourist spots nearby that you can visit.
Also, don’t forget to take off your shoes while entering the Lake complex and the temples.
On this guided tour you will discover the making of teas, rum, vanilla, essential oils, and you will also stroll down the exotic gardens of the Bois Cheri tea plantation.
You will visit the Domaine des Aubineaux and its gardens. It is a colonial house built in 1872, which has been converted into a museum dedicated to the history of Mauritian Tea. In the gardens around Domaine des Aubineaux you will visit Camphor tree garden with a diversity of exotic plants as well as trees of the endemic forest, and enjoy the beautiful sight of the tea plantation.
After that you will visit Bois Chéri which is the second stop in this tour. The Bois Chéri is the first and biggest tea producer in Mauritius, operating since 1892. You will also get to see the tea production museum.
This tour will take 5 to 7 hours and includes the following:
A guide to walk you through the Domaine des Aubineaux;
Visit of a colonial mansion-museum built in 1872;
Photo exhibition of the 19th and 20th Century;
Stroll across the garden ;
Visit of La Maison des Essences;
Tour across the gardens of the Domaine des Aubineaux;
A guided tour of the Bois Cheri tea factory;
Visit to the tea museum;
Visit to the tea plantation;
A tea tasting session at the chalet (tea & biscuits);
A guided tour of the Saint Aubin house;
Visit of the “Rum” House and Tasting;
Guided tour of the Sugar Factory and Le Moulin du Domaine de Saint Aubin;
Visit of the Vanilla House;
Visit of the Anthurium (flowers) la greenhouses;
Visit of the tropical garden and spice garden at Domaine de Saint Aubin.
You will end your tour with a special 5 course typical Mauritian lunch at the highly recommended restaurant of “Le Saint Aubin”.