Tag 85-87: Mauritius - A cyclone is approaching

PORT LOUIS

Port Louis, the capital of Mauritius, is located on the northwest coast of the island. With a population of around 170,000, it is also the largest city in the country and the administrative and economic center of the republic. Surrounded by mountains in the hinterland and the beautiful sandy beaches of the Indian Ocean, Port Louis presents itself as a cosmopolitan, modern city that also offers numerous historical sights and cultural treasures, such as the oldest racecourse south of the equator and the famous Blue Penny stamp. Two-thirds of Mauritians are descended from Indian ancestors who worked on plantations after the abolition of slavery. The everyday life of the locals is best experienced in Port Louis on the centrally located market square. The main sources of income are tourism, as well as the sugar, wood, and paper industries.

At around 3 p.m., we reach the southwest corner of Mauritius and turn north. The impressive mountains are shrouded in dense clouds and appear as silhouettes on the horizon from time to time. The first signs of the announced cyclone are unmistakable. Two hours later, the AIDAmar docks in Port Louis harbor in light drizzle.

The captain announces the release of the ship for shore leave, but also has bad news. The weather forecast for tomorrow is mixed with showers. In addition, due to the cyclone, the port of Le Port on Réunion will be closed and we will continue directly to South Africa after leaving. We didn't expect that.

Uwe, Pius, and I go ashore for a first glimpse. At the terminal, there are taxis and a driver named Ismir offers his services. To do some shopping, he takes us to a shopping center 20 minutes away (the one at the harbor has already closed) and then he wants to show us the waterfront. After a short negotiation, everything adds up to 50€. It starts to rain heavily and Ismir sprints to his car to pick us up here. During the shopping and later at the waterfront, he waits as agreed and picks us up again. This gives us a positive first impression of Port Louis. We can build on that tomorrow.

The next day at around 10 a.m., we really meet Ismir again and start the tour to the south, as discussed yesterday (about 5 hours for 160€). Our first stop is the long-extinct Trou aux Cerfs volcano, which is overgrown with dense vegetation. Next stop is the Grand Bassin Temple with its two large painted steel sculptures. Then we reach our main destination, La Vallée Des Couleurs Nature Park. First, we decide to walk through the park, but now heavy rain sets in. We adjust our plans and book a car with a driver, waiting time one hour. Fortunately, the rain subsides just as the driver arrives. Schak uses a new Ford pickup truck. That's great. While he explains the first viewpoints to us, his true passion emerges. He takes creative photos and videos with our phones. Amazing! We are degraded to models who pose and move according to his instructions. The results are worth seeing, the approach unique, and we have a lot of fun. As the round comes to an end, heavy rain starts again and continues during our entire taxi ride back. We are such lucky people.

To our surprise, we learn that we will stay one more day in Mauritius.

It is also raining this morning with gray skies. We want to go into the city for shopping again. And oh wonder, it stays dry from 11 a.m. We meet Ismir again, who wants to take us on a tour of the north of the island. We have to disappoint him because we are only going to the city) and rush through the shops of the waterfront, buy small souvenirs and gifts (e.g. spices).