Mauritius - The North
Cap Malheureux
Cap Malheureux is the northernmost point of the island. The “Cape of bad luck” owes his name to an historic event of the year 1810. On 2nd December the British landed here to wrest the power over the island away from the French. Only a few days later the French had to sign a capitulation treaty.
Today Cap Malheureux is a popular place of excursions. From here you have a wonderful view on the island Coin de Mire offshore. Her form reminds of a seal who puts his nose out of the water. Furthermore the little, red-roofed church Notre-Dame Auxilatrice is worth taking a picture. Inside the church you can admire impressing woodworks and a holy water basin made out of a giant shell.
Photos of Cap Malheureux
Triolet
On the end of Triolet, near Trou aux Biches, the biggest Hindu temple of Mauritius is to be found. The temple Maheswarnath Shiv Mandir was built in 1891 in honour of the gods Shiva, Krishna, Vishnu, Muruga, Brahma and Ganesha. A temple servant will be happy to show you around and explain the importance of the different statues in the temple for a little donation.
Photos of Triolet
Pointe aux Piments
The only aquarium of Mauritius is located in Pointe aux Piments. The holidaymaker who is not able to go divining or snorkeling during his stay in Mauritius should take the advantage to take a look at the colourful underwater world of the Indian Ocean in this aquarium.
Photos of Pointe aux Piments
Grand Bay
Grand Bay is the tourist centre of Mauritius. Here you will find numerous shops and all kind of entertainment. The voyageur can stroll down the Sunset Boulevard and buy some beautiful clothes and souvenirs here. Afterwards he can take his dinner in one of the numerous restaurants; Chinese, French, Creol, Pizza; whatever one prefers. In the evening Grand Bay is the hotspot of the Mauritian nightlife. Bars and discotheques await their visitors.
Photos of Grand Baie
Goodlands
The little town Goodlands is visited by tourists mainly due to its factory for ship models Historic Marine. This is the biggest factory on the island. Mauritius is well-known for the manufacturing of ship models which are exported to the whole world. In the factory the visitor can marvel at these masterpieces and in the workshop he can watch the artists at work.
Photos of Goodlands
Poudre d’Or
In old documents and maps the small fishermen’s village Poudre d’Or appears regularly as a possible hiding place for pirates treasures. Thus it was in the 50ies that a farmer came across a suitcase full of gold coins while working on his field. Ever since treasure hunters from all over the world come to the little village. There is a reason why the name of the village means gold dust… Poudre d’Or has also been the setting for a dramatic maritime disaster, the sinking of the boat Saint Géran in 1744. This disaster inspired the poet Bernardin de Saint-Pierre to create his romantic novel “Paul et Virginie”. Today a memorial reminds of the catastrophe.
Photos of Poudre d'Or
Botanic Garden of Pamplemousses
The Botanic Garden of Pamplemousses is one of the main tourist attractions in Mauritius. A visit shouldn’t be missed out. The garden has its origin in the year 1736, when the French governor Mahé de Labourdonnais settled here. First gardens with plants from Asia and Europe were created and expanded over the years. The successor of Labourdonnais, Pierre Poivre had the ambitious goal to break the spice monopoly of the Dutch and constantly expanded the garden. In the year 1988 the botanical garden was given the name Seewosagur Ramgoolam Botanic Garden Pamplemousses in memory of the “Father of Independence”, the first Mauritian prime minister. His tomb can be visited in the park today.
The park measures 37 hectare and around 600 plant species from all over the world can be visited in it. The visitor can stroll on palmtree avenues and intricate pathways through banyan trees with their impressing aerial roots. His way leads him along fishponds, a bawn with giant tortoises and a deer park. The most famous spot of the park is the lake with giant water lilies whose leaves are supposed to be able to carry the weight of an infant. Another star of the park is the talipot palmtree. To see it in full splendor the visitor has to be very lucky: only once, after about 40 years the tree blossoms miraculously and then dies. Furthermore, an old sugar mill and a white colonial villa with a photo exhibition on the history of the Mauritian independence can be visited. Thus the visitor can spend a whole day in the Botanic Garden of Pamplemousses and will be enthusiastic about all the wonderful impressions he was able to gather there.
Photos of Pamplemousses
L’Aventure du Sucre in Beau Plan
In an old sugar refinery in Beau Plan, at about 300m from Pamplemousses, a museum has found its home which presents the Mauritian history and its relation to the history of sugar production. This is presented vividly with pictures and films. In addition, the visitor is able to view the old production machines. Thus the visitor gets to know the importance of sugar production for the island of Mauritius and its development.
La Nicolière
La Nicolière is still an insider tip amongst holidaymakers on Mauritius: a giant water reservoir which offers wonderful panoramic views on the North of the island.
Photos of La Nicolière
