Port Louis - Post Report Question and Answers

Unfortunately the dodo is long gone. Thanks a lot, Dutch East India Company... Mauritius is a volcanic island so the hiking is challenging but not impossible and there is the option of some rock climbing on the more perilous peaks. The views are spectacular from Le Pouce, the third-highest peak. I don't dive or snorkel, but I'm told there are some great sites for that around the island. Catamaran trips seem to be really popular, but they're not that kid-friendly so I've not had the pleasure -- if you can get 15 people together you can book a private boat and make it a day-long party. Rum is the national alcoholic beverage and there are more varieties than you ever imagined. Several of the big sugarcane companies have diversified into distilling, so you now have rum tasting room in the citadel, Ft Adelaide, in downtown Port Louis as well as at the sugar museum in Pamplemousses. Speaking of Pamplemousses, there is a national botanical garden there with a lot of endemic species (the ones the Dutch and French didn't kill off) on display there. One of my favorite things is Grand Bassin, the site of a massive annual pilgrimage of Hindus from all over the island. There's a massive statue of Shiva there, plus a bunch of temples for various Hindu devotions, definitely worth a look. - Jun 2014

If you love warm weather and outdoor activities, Mauritius is a dream assignment. Wonderful water sports of every kind. Gorgeous beaches and snorkeling. Great destination for friends and family to come for a visit (if they can manage the long trip here). A few small museum. Rich and diverse culture. Wonderful restaurants from high-end fancy cuisine to food off a cart downtown. - Feb 2009