There are several overlapping versions of this place, each independent and seemingly the only one; the people living inside them are not aware that just next door there is another piece of the same cake, farata of the same dough, bouillon brede from the same plant, briyani from the same pot and boulettes from the same broth going on. But ultimately they all mingle and form this one unique sizzling brew called Port Louis.
The main thing to say about the North is that it offers a warm and stable climate all year round; as easterly winds tend to come in further south. The beaches in this area are thus spectacular; with formidable white sand; those in the North West offering colourful sunset views. In the far north, sheltered coves interspersed with black lava rock formations; provide spectacular scenery for sunbathing and swimming, most of them with stunning views over the northern islands.
This stretch of coastline bears some of the most interesting spots, a mixture of historical sites, lookouts and viewpoints as well as a chain of tiny islands that are located on the southern reef, offering rare views of Mauritius as it must have appeared to the first settlers: a place of rare beauty with a dramatic silhouette and green shores. The road narrows along the coast, as it is nearly pushed into the ocean by the Bambous Mountain Range. This comes to a dramatic peak at the jutting land spit Pointe au Diable, where geographic factors played an important part in the positioning of the ancient battery; its cannons aiming on the main entrances Old Grand Harbour; once the main harbour of the island and fought over bitterly by French and English navy ships in the battle bearing the same name in 1810. Along this great ancient battlefield and cemetery of hundreds of faithful marines, the road leads along the narrow coastal strip, its dramatic setting enhanced by the beauty of nature.
One of the best features of this area is doubtless its wonderful climate. 350 days sunshine, glorious sunsets, a long and white sandy coastline, well protected by coral reefs, which all add up to it being one of the favourite and most exciting places in Mauritius. Flic en Flac is undoubtedly the busiest of its coastal towns, featuring many hotels and combining great beach life; numerous water sports activities and a breezy atmosphere with a budding nightlife. Further down the beach, Tamarin is also fast developing, the Tamarina Golf Estate and Riverside sports centre adding to the lifestyle in this once surfer and hippie-colony and nowadays high class environment.
Because of its rather rough and windy climate which can be chilly on a winter evening, this part of Mauritius was not deemed fit for tourist development until relatively late, which is why there are many original and old fashioned customs and buildings still to be seen and enjoyed. Small villages where fishermen proudly bring in the catch of the day; farmers tending to their crops; chicken running freely and women washing their laundry in one of the many brooks or rivers are not a rare sight to behold in this part of the country.
After the sandy beaches of Blue Bay, Le Chaland and La Cambuse, the coast becomes more and more wild and rocky, and the climate more and more breezy. There is nothing between the shores of Antarctica and Mauritius and although the harsh winds soften considerably before they hit Mauritian shores, their impact is still strong. The high plateau abruptly breaks off and its remains are crisscrossed with streams and rivulets tumbling down green slopes to be swallowed up by the ocean: the south is the most dramatic part of Mauritius. Its green fields which are moderately flat around l’Escalier, become steeper and steeper towards Riviere des Anguilles and around the backdrop of the Savanne Mountain Range around Chemin Grenier and Chamouny.
What can be termed “highlands” and is mentioned in the weather forecast as the central plateau together with “rain, foggy patches or lower temperatures“, is actually the largest and most densely populated area in Mauritius. Strange actually, one is tempted to think, but then one has to understand that most of its major towns and cities are not only conveniently close to each other, but also conveniently close to everything else on the island: schools, supermarkets, cinemas and all the other amenities of the civilised world. For someone living in educated Curepipe where most of the higher schools on the island are located, places like Mahebourg, Chamarel or Goodlands are highly underdeveloped and not even worth visiting due to the lack of activities. Needless to say that the highlands are criss-crossed by a net of good large and busy roads, with many bus routes providing good connections everywhere.
