Sunday 31st July.
We departed Perth at 13.05pm via Air Mauritius for an 8 hour flight to Mauritius.
The flight seemed like it would be long but it did not feel like that at all after watching a couple of movies and having a good nap. The hostess/hosts were pleasant and the food definitely one of the best airline food I have had besides Singapore Airlines.
We arrived at Sir S.Ramgoolam International Airport during sunset at 5.45pm and our Aplus car hire was ready for us. Our luggage somehow managed to fit and of course, my Mum had an extra luggage piece. We hired a Toyota 7 seater Avanza, it was a good size vehicle for us to get around.
Sat navigation was perfect to have unfortunately due to a road closure on the M3 to Grand Baie and no new redirection course, we headed further inland off track for 30 minutes.
After turning around and re-routing towards Port Louis we were back on track for Grand Baie by the M1.
Our apartment in Pereybere called La Residence is situated on the North Coast of the island and a 1-minute walk from the beach. It was a great self-catering apartment with a pool and a gym.
http://www.booking.com/hotel/mu/la-ra-c-sidence-luxury-beach-appartments.html
Monday 1/8.
We started the day with grocery shopping at Winners. Oh, my what a store…it was huge.
My Aunt Cecilia and family were also staying in a house not far from us where we joined them for a Mauritian lunch.
A couple of hours later, we stopped past Port Louis markets briefly then picked up my Aunt Doris an hour drive away down south in Rose Belle and drove back up to my Uncle Berty’s for dinner at their home in Curepipe. We definitely did a lot of driving around Mauritius in 24 hours and saw a lot of the inland.
Tuesday 2/8.
James and I went on 13 minutes walk to the Coin De Mire beach across from us and along the seaside and rocks to the Pereybere beach and back.
Most of our day was spent relaxing at the apartment and doing more groceries at Grand Baie La Croisette Shopping Mall.
Dining recommendation- We enjoy a nice sunset dinner at Le Capitaine restaurant situated by the sea in Grand Baie.
http://le-capitaine.restaurant.mu/
Wednesday 3/8.
My Dad was also in Mauritius for a few months and drove an hour away to take us to his home in Flic en Flac but Mum had a medical emergency as she poked herself in the eye. We spent 1.5hrs -2hrs getting Mum medical attention and going back and forth from the medical centre to pharmacies. Not the best thing to happen whilst overseas. I insisted Mum wear an eye patch for a week to protect her eye.
Dad and his older brother Edwin took us to lunch at Rougaille de Creole.
After a delicious Mauritian cuisine, James and I walked to Harley Davidson and admired the hire bikes and booked a Harley Davidson for Thursday afternoon.
http://www.harley-davidsonmauritius.com/
We did a 2km walk around Grand Baie and stopped into the Diesel clothing store who had 50% off. However, we weren’t sure if the clothing was genuine or knock offs.
My parents later picked us up in Grand Baie which I was thankful by this point.
I spent the remainder of the evening cooking curry for 7 people, my Mum’s cousin came to visit. It was quite a challenge to cook in an apartment with only 1 large pot.
So far the trip had been more catching up with family, James and I were keen to start exploring the coast of Mauritius and its sites outside of the inner suburbs.
Dining recommendation-
Rougaille de Creole had great service and the food was very good. I highly recommend this restaurant.
Thursday 4/8.
Uncle Patrick, Frank, Mum, James and I visited Pamplemousse Garden and Chateau Labournnais.
Pamplemousse Garden is a botanical garden, it was good but not at all as grand as I had known it to be when I had previously visited a decade ago however it is still worth seeing.
http://ssrbg.govmu.org/English/Pages/default.aspx
A couple of hours later, we enjoyed a great lunch with rum tasting at Chateau Labournnais then explored the historic gorgeous 1774 Chateau before we picked up our Harley Davidson back in Grand Baie. The traffic was horrendous due to peak hour traffic but we made it just before 5 pm closing time.
http://www.domainedelabourdonnais.com/
As the sun was setting and the weather changed from sunny to rain, we rode past our apartment block to the top of Pereybere and admired the seaside before it started to rain.
Friday 5/8.
James and I woke early for our Harley Davidson ride along the West Coast for lunch at Dad’s in Flic en Flac with Uncle Edward and Dads friends. Was an awesome ride along the coastline and the traffic was not too bad either.
After an amazing morning on the bike & a good home cook meal at Dad’s, we walked to Grand Baie and enjoyed drinks and sunset at Beach House. Frank picked us up around 7 pm and we took them to Rougaille Creole where we were luckily enough got a table.
Later that evening, James and I caught a taxi to L’Enfants Terrible club at 11 pm. No one in sight except us for a good 15 minutes or so then the club started to get busier, however, no-one would dance until after we did at 12 pm. I can not believe James started the dance floor with me.
1 am home due to an early speed boat island hopping adventure in the morning. Was fun to get out and have a dance and a few giggles.
Dining recommendation-
Rougaille Creole was superb and the service. The restaurant may not look fancy but the food was definitely the best on the island.
Saturday 6/8.
At 7.45am we met our speed boat at Grand Baie beach. The boat trip was to Coin de Mire, Ile Plate and Ile Gabriel.
The speed boat was perfect and the best way to visit the islands and enjoy a full day out. We were literally the first people on Ile Gabriel. Early morning is the best time to head out as all the tours come out about mid-morning.
The crew on a speedboat were cool and offered us alcoholic drinks at 9 am. And of course, we all agreed.
Whilst the crew set up camp in a private spot amongst the trees the 4 of us explored a bit of Ile Gabriel, took photos and frolicked in the sea. The ocean was gorgeous and by 11 am the island was busier.
The crew organised a lovely lunch with BBQ meats, salads and banana flambe for dessert. The BBQ lunch was one of my favorite tour lunches ever served around the world. Banana flambe is a fabulous easy dessert to make with rum and sugar sprinkled over the halved banana on a barbecue grill.
Around 2 pm the crew attempted to take us to Ile Plate just across from Ile Gabriel, however, the water level was too low and too far from shore and the boat got stuck briefly. We then headed to Coin de Mire and both James and I snorkeled in the sea. I still can’t believe I jumped into the deep blue sea without safety in numbers. Even though my Mum didn’t say anything I’m sure she would have been quietly freaking out.
I had an amazing full day at sea with James, my Mum and Patrick and it is a day James and I never forget. The tour was booked through Barnes who rents out the Residence Apartments.
http://www.barnes-mauritius.com/en/contact
Sunday 7/8.
My family dropped us a Port Louis for the day. The markets closed at 11.30am so we snuck in just in time to get some souvenirs and a few packets of curry powder.
Walked over to La Caudan shopping mall and the mall was closed so we went to La Labournnais hotel and enjoyed drinks and a nice curry with free Wi-Fi too.
http://www.labourdonnais.com/bars-at-labourdonnais-business-hotel-mauritius/the-post-box-bar.html
The centre of the mall was decorated with umbrellas, it was a pretty sight.
Before heading to La Citadel we browsed the La Caudan Casino, it is quite small but worth visiting the pirate inspired building.
http://www.caudan.com/arts-leisure-entertainment/casino/
After the brief casino visit, we walked 20 minutes to La Citadel. The Citadel was closed, thankful the guard was kind enough to let us through. Wow, what a great view of Port Louis and afar, it is definitely worth a visit. We were very grateful for the private self-tour and tipped the guard.
http://www.mauritius-tourist-guide.mu/listings/tourist-attractions/la-citadelle/
My family picked us up at La Labournnais hotel on their way back to Perybere.
Sundays are not the right day to head into Port Louis as the shops close mid morning or not open at all. We thought we would take advantage of a lift into town nevertheless, we still had a good day.
After quite a late lunch we ended up at Ti Kouloir, a tiny noodle bar in the back streets of Grand Baie that my Uncle Roland recommended. The tiny restaurant was packed and so many people were coming and going, either to sit or take away. We ordered takeaway, the food was delicious and the cheapest food in Grand Baie.
https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Restaurant_Review-g488103-d2687375-Reviews-Ti_Kouloir-Grand_Baie.html
Monday 8/8
Our day started at the National Archives in Coromandel, Patrick and Frank were researching more information about our family tree. I was happy to be there to hear about our ancestors and see how much research goes into the family tree. After an interesting morning, we drove to Souillac on the south coast where we had lunch with my Mum’s family and went on a small boat ride to Baie du Cap. The view of the south is breathtaking and we could see Le Morne. Le Morne is a popular spot with a long stretched beach and is also popular with surfers, kite surfers and paragliders. It also has the most gorgeous mountain in Mauritius that my cousin climbed during this trip. I, of course, was not game to climb a mountain with ropes until fully researching, perhaps next time.
http://www.trekkingmauritius.com/the-morne-brabant-trekking-mauritius
This was our last evening with my family up North, we dined at Rougaille Creole our favorite Grand Baie restaurant. The hospitality is warm and the food delicious. The beef curry was my favorite and the eggplant fritters that are complimentary. At the end of your meal, you are also given a digestif (alcoholic shot).
Tuesday 9/8
Early wake up for our last day on the North Coast. I have always loved the North Coast although I have found the beaches to be quite smaller than I remember due to a lot of development.
Resorts I recommend you stay are Club Med La Pointe aux Canonniers or Mauricia Beachcomber Resort & Spa who offer great facilities for tourist and you are well looked after.
Hope you enjoyed Part 1 of Delicious Mauritius, Delicious Mauritius Part 2 – From the North to the East Coast will be published soon.
christinetravels 