Get to Know Mauritius – the Perfect Family Beach Vacation in Africa
July 31, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Mauritius is a perfect beach destination for any serious holiday maker – whether as a couple on honeymoon or a family with children. Please get to know your destination.
Nestling some 3000 km off the east coast of Africa, just above the Tropic or Capricorn, is the beautiful tropical island of Mauritius. This jewel of the Indian Ocean boasts 160 km of beautiful coastline surrounded by coral reef, a breathtaking central plateau and dramatic picturesque mountains.
The Brief History of Mauritius
Mauritius was originally discovered by the Arabs in AD 975. Although they named it Dinarobin – meaning Silver Island – they left no evidence of their presence. In 12507, the Portuguese discovered it and gave it the name Ilha de Cerne, or Island of the swan. The Dutch, en route to their colonies in the East Indies – discovered it in 1598, naming it Maurits, after Prince Maurice of Nassau. In 1715 the French landed, calling it Ile de France. For years, pirates and bounty- hunters under French protection plundered the British vessels travelling to and from the spice and silk markets of the East. In 1810, the British launched a surprise attack against the French and conquered the islands, along with nearby Reunion. In 1968, Mauritius won her independence from Britain, remaining within the commonwealth. Today, Mauritius has little unemployment and a thriving economy, based mainly on sugar, tourism and textiles.
The Climate of Mauritius
The seasons can be divided broadly into a hot, wet season from December to April, and a pleasantly cool, dry season from May to November, making Mauritius a perfect year-round destination. Coastal air temperatures range from 22 degrees Centigrade in winder (72 degrees Fahrenheit) to 31 degrees Centigrade (88 degrees Fahrenheit) in summer. Water temperatures vary between 22 degrees Centigrade (72 degrees Fahrenheit) and 27 degrees Centigrade (81 degrees Fahrenheit)
Population and Languages
The population numbers just over 1 million consisting of Hindus, Muslims, Chinese, Creoles and Europeans. English is the official language and French is also spoken alongside Hindi, Creole and other oriental languages.
The Currency
The currency is the Mauritian rupee, divided into 100 cents. Notes are issued in denominations of 25, 50, 100, 200, 1000 and 2000 rupees: coins as 5, 20 and 50 cents and 1, 5, and 10 rupees.
Passports, Visas and Health
A valid passport is required by all visitors to Mauritius, as well as a return air ticket. Visa and vaccination requirements differ from country to country, please consult your nearest consular office or travel agent. There are no endemic diseases in the country and any poisonous insects or dangerous animals.
Packing – what to bring
Beachwear and informal clothing are perfect for daytime – cotton is ideal. The sun in Mauritius can be very strong so sunglasses and suntan lotion with the necessary sun protection factor should not be forgotten.
Dress cord in the evening is generally smart casual, and a light wrap can be useful.
The time zone
Mauritius time if fours hours ahead of GMT.
Getting there
Mauritius is served by a number is international airlines. Please consult with your travel specialist for further information. It is essential to reconfirm onward flights 72 hours prior to departure either with a ground operator or the airline direct.
Transfers
There are a number of options, from helicopters, through private transfers in chauffeur-driven air-conditioned limousines or 4×4 vehicles to minibuses and taxis. Several car hire companies are represented at the hotels.
Inter Island Transfers
Flying time to Reunion is 40 minutes and Rodrigues 90 minutes. Scheduled boat services operate to both islands.
Shopping
Mauritius is a shopper’s paradise. There are several different shopping areas, as well as bargains with can be found at the various local markets and independent vendors. In Port Louis, there is a large and colourful market, specializing in clothing, hand-embroidered linen, stunning Indian fabrics, souvenirs and spices. Nearby is the brand new Caudan shopping precinct offering intricate model boats, clothing, jewellery, books, Persian rugs, beachwear and souvenirs. Curepipe is the main residential town and specializes in model boats, clothing and beautiful knitwear. Cosmopolitan Craned Bay on the north coast of the island also offers some great shopping opportunities as well as some interesting restaurants.
Sightseeing and excursions
Port Louis, the capital city and the world’s latest Freeport, is a kaleidoscope of colour and activity, sights, smells and sounds. Scour the market for bargains, take a drive to the top of La Citadelle for the marvellous view, admire the grand 19th Century buildings, and see the re-constructed dodo and rare artefacts and the fascinating Natural History Museum.
Pamplemousses Royal Botanical Gardens, a short 15 minutes drive from the bustle of Port Louis houses, and astonishing array of rare indigenous flora as well as a small deer and some giant Aldabra tortoises from Seychelles, where they are an endangered species.
Grand Bay offers intimate art galleries and a wide variety of boutique clothing and fascinating souvenir shops.
Eureka House is a beautiful restored Creole-style house situated in Moka. Reputed to be one of the largest houses on the island, it has 109 doors and windows. Tea is served on the wide verandah.
Domaine les Pailles is a gracious estate which will delight nature lovers, gamblers, gourmets and horse-riders alike. Ten minutes drive south of Port Louis, the architecture is in traditional style.
Ile aux Cerfs, is five minutes on a taxi-boat from Le Touessrok, this idyllic tropical island has restaurants, bars and numerous water sports.
Domaine du Chasseur, a privately owned nature reserves nestles in the Bambous Mountains offering spectacular views down to the sea. Wild boars, hares, guinea fowls and monkeys abound. There rare Mauritius Kestrel can be seen by visitors at this naturalist’s haven.
Maheboug, once the capital of the island has an unspoilt, rural atmosphere and a visit to the Naval Museum is well worthwhile. Relics from shipwrecks and battles, portraits and the bell of he renowned Saint Geran are housed here. Admission is free.
Black River Gorges, Grand Bassin, Plaine Champagne, Chamarel
The black River Gorges carve dramatically through the Black River National park, where the rare Paille-en-Queue and pink pigeon thrive. Marvellous place for a nature ramble through the park. An extraordinary phenomenon is the seven coloured earth at Chamarel on the Plaine Champagne. The sacred lake at Grand Bassin is a place of pilgrimage for the Hindu people of Mauritius.
Casela Bird Park allows visitors the opportunity to enjoy a peaceful stroll through beautiful gardens where some 2000 birds of 150 different species live in 85 aviaries.
Solomon Okila is the Editor African Voyages Ltd website. The African Travel Guide and Tourist Information and Information Centre for African Hotels, Lodges and travel Information
Golf Holidays in Portugal – Where to Go
July 31, 2008 | Leave a Comment
With the promise of balmy weather and a growing collection of some of the best courses in Europe, golf holidays in Portugal have plenty to offer the avid golfer. While there are good courses throughout the country, the majority are concentrated in the Algarve and near Lisbon, with a couple of hidden gems on the nearby island of Madeira.
The Algarve
Golf holidays in the Algarve have become hugely popular in recent years, with Portugal’s south coast rapidly turning into one of the most significant golfing destinations in Europe. The region draws thousands of holiday goers each year with its combination of glorious weather, excellent beaches and relaxed atmosphere – all features that make it equally appealing to those interested in a golf break in Portugal. Vilamoura has become famed as something of a golfers’ paradise, and while some of the best courses in the region are concentrated around this resort, there are numerous other courses in the region that shouldn’t be missed.
Top Course:
• Monte Rei – This course only opened in 2007, but has quickly established itself as one of the best courses in Portugal. A golf holiday to Monte Rei will allow you to enjoy a superb and challenging course designed by Jack Nicklaus himself.
Top Hotels:
• Vila Sol Spa and Golf Resort – This resort is truly luxurious. Placed next to the Vila Sol Golf Course, it offers top class dining and outstanding quality of service, and the beautifully furnished rooms are the perfect place to relax after a hard day’s golf.
Lisbon
The advantages of golf near Lisbon are obvious – so close to the capital, transfer from the airport is quick and painless, and this region also has some of the best courses to explore while on a golf holiday in Portugal. The golf hotels are also of superb quality, offering five star facilities, individual character and outstanding service for the ultimate luxury golf holiday.
Top Course and Hotel:
• CampoReal – Nested in wooded hills and valleys and designed by Donald Steel, this course is jaw dropping to look at. But it is about more than just the scenery at the CampoReal, with the course presenting a good challenge for even the most experienced golfer. Attached to it is one of the finest golf hotels in Portugal, with an outstanding club house, full spa facilities, and three top quality restaurants amongst its many features.
Madeira
Located almost a 1000 kilometres off the west coast of Portugal, a golf holiday in Madeira offers the perfect taste of island relaxation to help you focus on improving your game. Long renowned for its wine and world famous New Year celebrations, the island is now beginning to attract golfers with its two courses and range of five star hotels.
Top Courses:
• Santoro de Terra – Located in the mountains of Madeira, Santoro de Terra was designed by Robert Trent Jones, and features some truly astonishing views. A challenging course, especially when the wind is up!
• Palheiro Golfe – Overlooking Funchal and the south coast a round at Palheiro Golfe is as much about enjoying the scenery as it is about perfecting your game, and is a great course to play on while on a golf break in Portugal.
Top Hotel:
•Casa Velha Do Palheiro – Perfectly placed next to the Palheiro course in the hills near Funchal, this luxury hotel prides itself on its quality of service, and features a sauna and outdoor pool to help you unwind after a round of golf.
Morgan Clarke is the Chairman of Your Golf Holidays, a company that has been providing bespoke golf holidays for over 25 years. They are experts in the world?s best places to play, including golf holidays in Portugal, Belgium, Spain, Italy, Dubai, Morocco and over 20 other countries.
Eating Around the World
July 31, 2008 | Leave a Comment
During our six and a half year circumnavigation in Dolphin Spirit we visited 56 countries and ate in 50 of them. The only time we were ever sick was after eating at a McDonalds in Egypt – that exotic food will get you every time.
In fact that bit about exotic food is totally untrue. After having lived and worked in more than 100 countries over more than 30 years, I have had food poisoning just three times, the above incident being the second. The third was in France where I dined one night on fish soup followed by fish in puff pastry.
I attribute my survival to one simple rule – eat the food of the country you are in. In Sudan I ate lamb tartare (minced raw lamb) regularly, with occasional side dishes of sheep eyes and testicles, and suffered no ill effects. When in Brazil, I ate lamb tartare at an Arab restaurant, and spent the next two days unable to leave a bathroom. That was the first food poisoning, and the one from which I developed the “eat local” rule.
In the south of Columbia we stopped for lunch at a roadside “restaurant.” An open drain ran through the middle of the dirt floor under the open-sided thatch roof. Chickens, dogs and children chased around the few tables, which had the beneficial effect of keeping the clouds of flies in constant motion. We ate steak, well done, with boiled yams, washed down by beer directly from the can, with no problems.
Which brings me to the first codicil to the rule – grilled meat, well done, and boiled, skin-on vegetables, can be eaten anywhere. Unless you have seen the steak cut off the just killed beast and placed on the grill, then rare is an invitation to disaster, outside of the better restaurants in the cities. If refrigeration is rare, then the meat should not be.
During a visit to Asmara, the Eritrean capital, by good fortune we stumbled into a room reserved for locals. It had weapons and game heads on the walls, low tables, stools and couches each covered with an individual baby goat skin – a wonderful ambience. Dinner was a four foot diameter platter, lined with pancake like sour bread, and covered with heaps of various local dishes, all meat, mostly goat. Correct procedure was to tear off a piece of bread and scoop up some food with it, all with the right hand of course, as the left is reserved for more intimate cleaning functions. Left-handed me had some etiquette problems.
That introduces the second codicil – learn the local customs in advance. In Taiwan, when you are asked to pick the snake you want to eat from out of a slithering heap, just go ahead and pick one. After cooking and smothering in delicious sauces, it will taste just like the delicious sauces, and you know it is fresh. It is perfectly okay to decline to drink the warm snake blood you will be offered, but very bad form to not select the snake.
I have eaten almost every type of meat there is from rat to elephant and turned down only a few. Raw monkey brains is not something I even like to be in the same room as, particularly when they are still attached to the monkey. For some reason, I cannot stand rabbit – yes, I comfortably eat rat, snake and flying fox, but won’t eat rabbit.
Travel is about broadening knowledge and gaining new experiences and this includes experimenting with new foods. In other countries there are hundreds of fruits and vegetables with tastes that range from bland to delicious and which are never seen in the US. So, even if the thought of eating meat that may not have come out of a US supermarket is revolting, try a new fruit a day. Do remember to eat only fruit you have peeled yourself, never pre-cut, pre-peeled or un-peeled.
Oh, yes, I was poisoned a fourth time, through eating an already cut watermelon I bought at an Indonesian market to quench my thirst. Break the rules and you will be punished, even if they are your own rules.
Lawrence Pane circumnavigated with his wife and young son, and his expertise in the areas of sailing, cruising and travel, expressed through two books, numerous magazine articles and very popular seminars, has informed, assisted and entertained a wide audience of sailors and non-sailors. Visit Chasing Sunsets to enjoy the photos, buy the books, and check up on coming seminars.