An Island Of Hidden Depth

With its island setting, Mauritius has historically been the perfect stop for sailors – indeed it is believed to have been first discovered by Portuguese sailors as far back as 1507, however, it was Dutch sailors in 1598 who really took a shine to this wonderful island. The docking port itself was named ‘Grand Port’, whilst the island was christened ‘Prins Maurits’ after the famous Prince.

With them, the Dutch brought sugar cane plants and to this day they flourish and provide a valuable source of industry for Mauritius. But for tourists, the real draw of the sugar cane plantations is the L’Aventure du Sucre exhibition – situated within an ancient sugarmill and offering tastings of some special unrefined sugars, not to mention homemade sugary rum sampling too. It’s an example of how history can be brought back to life with a little stimulus – in the form of old sugar recipes and a bit of tropical rum to swill it down.

Mauritius is an island that seems to take a deep sense of pride in nurturing its origins. It aims to keep history alive by retaining old traditions and preserving as much of its natural surroundings as possible. In this way it is a relatively unspoilt island, which has also managed to conserve many rare types of bird and animal. The Mauritius Wildlife Fund is internationally recognised for their protection of such species as the Pink Pigeon, Green Gecko Phelsuma and the Aldabra giant tortoise. These mythical animals sound like they could belong to a fairy tale – and indeed there is something undeniably magical about this whole island.

With its sapphire-coloured Indian ocean, pure sandy beaches, flowering orchards and warm weather, it has all the elements of a dream holiday. For Mauritians, you can tell that their island is held very dearly and you feel almost privileged to be able to share it with them. And, with Mauritius holidays it is guaranteed to be a rich experience, and one that you are unlikely to forget in a hurry.

But even when you encounter a little hustle and bustle – such as the city of Port Louis – there is still a calming and intriguing atmosphere that is infused with yet more history. Port Louis has many preserved ancient buildings as well as beautiful colonial architecture – like the old theatre house, which sits aloft a sandy street – and all set against the backdrop of the dark green Moka mountain range.

Mauritius is a very visual island and each attraction you visit and experience will leave its own mark on your memory – allowing the visitor to see that it really is an entirely unique and unforgettable place to visit.

Disclaimer:
The information contained within this article is the opinion of the author and is intended purely for information and interest purposes only. It should not be used to make any decisions or take any actions. Any links are included for information purposes only.