British, Indian and French influences make this destination a hotbed of cultural flavor and diverse, exotic-looking women. This killer combination sets Mauritius apart from other destinations, as does its bargain-basement vacation rates, which are more than fair for a true tropical paradise.
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One heads to Mauritius to relax, enjoy the beach and all it has to offer. With major flights leaving most European and American capitals, it has become a known vacation spot, but thankfully, prices remain as low as you'll find them anywhere else. Travelers can get by on $5 to $15 US a day for food, and $30 to $60 US a day for lodging. When you consider what you get (the sun, beach, beautiful ladies, and aquatic activities) this really is a steal.hotels
In terms of accommodation, one can stay in resorts, like Legends in the north-east part of the island, or the Radisson Plaza Beach Resort. These and other 3 to 5-star hotels are great, but a fair distance from the prime beach spots where the action is. Select La Pirogue or Sugar Beach Resort for comfort and convenience, as they are near the capital of Port Louis, a launching point to many of the destinations I suggest.To further tantalize you and provide a taste of all this country has to offer, I've prepared a packed three-day itinerary, in which all you need to bring is a bathing suit, suntan lotion and a relaxed attitude.
Day 1: Grand Baie
At Mauritius' most popular tourist center, you'll be visually overloaded as the white sand and blue waters almost detract from the rows upon rows of ladies that come here to tan all day long. To get you situated, Grand Baie is about 12 miles north of Port Louis and easily accessible by the efficient, albeit slow, Mauritian buses.
the wettest sports out there
In the late morning, after a breakfast of fresh juice and fruit, cruise the sheltered bay and you'll feel the relaxed energy that makes a visit here a must. Providing you've done your research or picked up a brochure or two from your hotel's lobby, you should be itching to do Grand Baie's most renowned water-related activities.Everything from yachting and snorkeling to water-skiing and simply swimming is available here. The perfect weather (it is so regularly sunny, you can set your watch to it) allows for prime conditions for all these exciting opportunities, which can come free of charge if you're staying at a resort like the Merville Beach Hotel.
If you want a snapshot of the beautiful reefs without getting wet, take a ride on La Nessee , a semi-submersible boat that gets up close and personal with all forms of aquatic life. Other out-of-the-ordinary activities include an undersea walk, la Jules Verne novel.
Wearing an astronaut-like helmet and lead boots, you can explore the Mauritian waters without having to swim up to the surface for air. Deep-sea fishing is also highly popular and available in the outlying areas of Grand Baie.
high quality eats
After outdoing yourself for a few hours enjoying one or more of these unique experiences, hit a restaurant to quell your hunger. Just outside of the beach area, you'll see why Grand Baie is often called the Cote d'Azur of Mauritius -- the shops and eateries reflect the trendy areas around them and are not tourist traps in any sense.Dine at Sakura Restaurant for prime Japanese fare or Lotus of the Garden for original cuisine in an Indonesian setting. For true local Creole food, you'll have to look at smaller, more intimate places around town.
stroll and party
Walk off the big meal by scoping out the women and other cool finds on Sunset Boulevard, a fashion center whose prices are unbeatable. After picking up new threads, head back to the restaurant area for some crafts and boutique shops which feature native art, Asian handicrafts and cheap jewelry. Drop off the loot back at your hotel (if you're staying in Grand Baie) and then prepare for a night out on the town.Here's your opportunity to meet and greet the lovely ladies you saw out on the water earlier, as they most likely do like the rest of the fun-lovers in Grand Baie and hit the discotheques at night. Visit the aptly named Club Climax, Banana Caf or Le Bambou -- all will allow you to drink and party up a storm. This should be the perfect way to top off your first day in paradise.
For only 80 Mauritian rupees (just under $3) tourists and locals alike can experience a living, breathing paradise. This is how much the 20-minute ferry ride costs for you to travel from Pointe Maurice to Ile aux Cerfs, an islet on the east coast of Mauritius.
A disclaimer: if you are staying near Port Louis in the west, you'll have to take a long bus ride to get here. Try and arrive as early in the morning as possible, since you need the whole day to enjoy the island.
Any effort to reach this slice of beauty is worth it. This will become evident once you set foot on the island's sprawling beaches. From this vantage point, you can see the enticing lagoon waters, prime sunbathing spots and straw-roofed bars, restaurants and shops.
Though the island belongs to Le Touessrok Sun International Hotel (voted number one resort hotel in the world by the readers of Cond Nast Traveller in 1998), everyone is welcome here, even if you choose to stay in another hotel.
melt on the sand
Start out the day with what Mauritius is all about: relaxing on the beach. Pick an area (secluded spaces are available if you want to spend time looking) grab a book, or binoculars if the ladies are out in full force, and just let time slip by.The sun, sound of the surf and lazy atmosphere will make you forget about all your stress in an instant. Sleep has been known to set in for most of the sunbathers at Ile aux Cerfs.
drink and eat on the beach
When you do wake up from your slumber, sit back at Lor Brizan Bar with a traditional afternoon tea, or, if you want something that packs a little more punch, a Pina Colada. There is also a very convenient beach bar service as well.Follow this up by taking a walk around the accessible section of the island's coast (the whole walk takes 3 hours if you're up to it) and the fact that there is heaven on earth will finally sink in -- the view of the palm trees, ocean and sand is indescribable.
Upon returning form your stroll, beachside nap or friendly banter with a pretty local woman, head to Paul & Virgine -- an open air alfresco restaurant -- for an early dinner or late lunch. They serve up fresh seafood on the grill under the shade of the palm trees -- nothing is sweeter than enjoying gourmet food and the scenery at the same time.
Grab an exotic sorbet from one of the beachside kiosks, but don't savor it too long, however, because the island's last ferry ride out is at 5 p.m. and an overnight stay is prohibited.
sega until sunrise
If you are staying at Le Touessrok, you can spend your evening learning the sega dance, unique to Mauritius and the Seychelles, as the resident live band plays near the main pool. Playing the "ambitious amateur" role will make the women (who love to dance) flock to you so they can teach you the traditional moves. Failing that, most choose to head back to their hotels on the west coast or Port Louis, which takes the bulk of the evening.Day 3: Port Louis
Finish off your trip to tropical paradise with something a little different. Mauritius puts its history and many-layered culture out for all to see in the capital of Port Louis. A relatively large city, considering how small Mauritius is, a lot of interesting sight-seeing opportunities await you here.
visit the city center
A good starting point is Place d'Armes, in the oldest region of the city. Check out the interesting buildings here, as well as the St. James and St. Louis Cathedrals. The Port Louis Market is nearby and represents a good place to grab some lunch. It is a prime place to see Mauritians in their comfort zone, haggling for fruits, vegetables, fish, crafts, and spices.The multiculturalism of the city is most obvious here, where people from all races and walks of life congregate daily. Remember that sellers can spot tourists a mile away and will not hesitate to quadruple prices for the souvenirs you want. To counteract this, make like locals and bargain like mad. You shouldn't have trouble in English, since it is as widely spoken as Creole and French.
Return to Place d'Armes and find a bench or table to sit and munch at the exotic fruits bought back at the market. When that's done, get more tastes of the varying cultures by visiting the Muslim quarter, centered around Muammar El Khadafi Square. Funny enough, the main mosque, Jummah, is not situated here. You'll find it in the city's bustling Chinatown area, another place worth taking a look at.
weird museums
If you are a taxidermy-lover, don't miss the National History Museum, which houses numerous sets of stuffed birds, both extinct and presently in existence. There's also a Worldwide Masks museum, which has a really interesting collection of tribal wear from all the continents.check out the waterfront
As evening comes along, you'll find that most of the city closes down. The one shining star now is Le Caudan Waterfront, a bustling area with shops, restaurants and bars. If you want to drop more money on souvenirs, try Le Talipot or Macumba. As for dinner, ignore the fact that the area has become somewhat Americanized (there's a Pizza Hut) and sit down at Grand Ocean City for Chinese or Kela Patta for Indian food.There is no real nightclub scene in Port Louis, but the waterfront area offers something just as fun to finish off your trip to the Mauritius: a casino. Test your might against Lady Luck with a couple of rounds of cards or at the slots. If you have the smoothness of James Bond, you might be able to pick up a lady at the baccarat table too.
pick your poison
Though it rarely needs to prove itself, Mauritius is so much more than your typical island resort. You can be astounded by its beaches, beautiful women, relaxing opportunities, and diverse cultures all at once. Add to this string of pros the cheap cost of experiencing it all and there leaves little doubt that Mauritius is an ideal vacation spot. Take it all in, you won't regret it.tips for the trip
Resources:
http://www.tailor-made.co.uk/tmt/MU/MU/Grand+Baie/
http://www.tropicscope.com/clients.asp?maincatid=2&selsub=®ion=6&Bnt_Submit=Go
http://www.ivillage.co.uk/travel/inspiration/beach/articles/0,,563215_570630,00.html
http://www.gowealthy.com/scripts/info.asp?aid=411
http://www.asiatravel.com/mauritius/letouessrok/
http://www.gate54.com/africa_and_middle_east/MU/trou/hotels/hotel_11290936.html
http://www.asiatravel.com/mauritius/letouessrok/
http://www.tropicscope.com/region_capital.asp
http://www.mauritius.com/1/information/info_files/places_files/portlouis.html
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations/africa/mauritius/attractions.htm
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