Globerovers Magazine, July 2019

Island LIFE
Mauritius, Indian Ocean
Photo: Janet-Lynn Vorster
Statue of Lord Shiva, the tallest statue on the island, at 33m (108 feet).
nine districts, one city, four towns and
134 villages. The capital, Port Louis, has
around 140,600 inhabitants.
In this first part of a two-part feature
on Mauritius, we focus on the climate, life
in Mauritius, the botanical gardens, Mauritius
Tea Route and the sugar industry, and
we swim with the dolphins. We will add
tips for travellers, a few interesting facts
about Mauritius, and pique your curiosity
a little on wreck diving. For those interested
in mysteries related to lost continents,
there is a section for you too.
In the next issue, we look at Mauritius
by district, each with its main attractions
and beaches. We visit the islets around
Mauritius, give you some ideas on where
to shop and which bazaars to visit. We
wrap it up with useful information on how
to negotiate with the local taxi drivers.
Highlights of this beautiful island
include idyllic beaches, snorkelling, diving,
sea kayaking and boat trips to waterfalls,
nearby islands or around the coast.
Visit vibrant local markets and purchase
speciality items like handcrafted wooden
boats. Explore the Black River Gorges
National Park, visit the caves and blowhole
on the rugged southern coast and dare
to try the longest zipline in the world.
See waterfalls such as the jaw-dropping
Chamarel falls. The Seven Coloured Earth
sand dunes in Chamarel are an amazing
natural phenomenon. Not to mention the
temples, historical places, fishing, cuisine,
rum and tea.
In short: Mauritius has something for
everyone, young or old, adventurous or
just curious to experience a little piece of
paradise.
Photo: H. Hach
The Climate of Mauritius
There are only two seasons in Mauritius:
summer and winter.
Summer, from November to April,
has an average temperature of around
26°C. January and February are the hottest
months with temperatures hovering
around 28°C. Humidity is very high during
summer, particularly in the coastal areas,
and so it can become sweltering hot. High
rainfall, tropical storms and occasional cyclones
are pretty common during summer.
Winter is from May to October, when
Island LIFE • Mauritius |
69