Surfing 1
One word awesome. The surf break known as La Gauche de St-Leu 'the Left of St-Leu' has achieved cult status among surfies from all over the Indian Ocean. Certainly not for the faint-hearted, it instils profound respect if not fear even in the most seasoned surfers. The best season runs from May to October. Beginners should make for a spot called La Cafrine, which is a bit more innocuous, or head to La Ravine de Trois Bassins see pl89 or St-Gilles-les-Bains pi84 . To brush up on your surfing...
Stdenis
Francophiles will feel comfortable in St-Denis san-de-nee , the capital of R union. Except for the palms and flamboyant trees to remind you that you're somewhere sunnier and hotter , St-Denis could be easily mistaken for a French provincial enclave, with a flurry of trendy shops, brasseries, bistros, and boulangeries bakeries . Mmmmm those little pains au chocolat chocolate-filled pastries will linger long on the palate With most of R union's tourist attractions located elsewhere on the island,...
Visual Arts
Historically, Mauritian artists took their lead from what was happening in Europe and, in particular, France. Some of the 18th- and 19th-century engravings and oils of Mauritian landscapes you see could almost be mistaken for Europe. The classical statue of Paul and Virginie in Port Louis' Blue Penny Museum and the one of King Edward VII in the city's Champ de Mars were both created by Mauritius' best-known sculptor, Prosper d'Epinay. In the 20th century, the surrealist writer and painter...
Eating Drinking
Despite its size, Mahebourg is not a culinary treat and its nightlife is virtually non-exist-ent. The places below are the better options that exist. Chick's Resto Royal Rd pizza Rs 75 S 9am-11 pm OK it's not the Caf de Flore, but Chick's with its outdoor tables is about the only place in town to kick back with a cold beer and shoot the breeze with the locals. Pizza and chicken is also available. Le Croissant de Lune 716 4080 Rue de Labour-donnais sandwiches amp pizza from Rs 100 S 7.30am-7pm...
Medine Sugar Factory
Rather unattractively spewing out smoke into the countryside around Flic en Flac is the Me-dine Sugar Factory Map p102 452 0401 adult child Rs 150 75 S tours 9am, 10.30am, 12.30pm amp 2pm Mon, Wed, Fri Jul-early Nov , one of the country's biggest. If you get stuck behind a sugar-cane lorry overburdened by harvested crops somewhere in the region, you can bet it's heading here. During the cutting season July to early November it's possible to take a guided tour one hour of the factory. The guide...
Food
Food is likely to be a highlight of any visit with the huge choice of cuisine and some excellent restaurants throughout the country. Be aware that any restaurant aimed at tourists is likely to be anything from 50 to 200 more expensive than a local equivalent and that it pays to plan where you'll eat - many places offer up uninspiring, drab food simply because they're guaranteed customers from big resorts nearby. Choose carefully with the options in this book or ask hotel staff for advice. In...
pop Ncf
Centre de Flacq is a world away from picture-postcard Belle Mare and the coast. Here there's the chaotic bustle you'd expect to find in the east coast's main settlement, and while there's nothing much to see or do, it's well worth an excursion if you're bored of the beach. Five kilometres west of Centre de Flacq along the road to Quartier Militaire, the Flacq Union of Estates Limited Map p96 FUEL 413 2583 sugar mill is the largest and most modern on the island. Tours of the plant take place...
The West
Welcome to R union's Sunshine Coast, or R union's Riviera, or the leeward coast. However you label it, say hello to this 45km-long string of seaside resorts and suburbs running from St-Paul to St-Louis. Truth is, there's a bit of a Groundhog Day feel about this series of getaways along the RN1, and tourist development has got a little out of hand to the south of St-Paul. But this region does have a wealth of developed tourist facilities and attractions, including the best of the island's...
Shopping Qrd
Most people come to Curepipe to shop and few leave without some bargains. Try busy Ch teauneuf St for bargain clothing oudets. There are several shopping malls around the central crossroads. Of these, the Curimjee Arcade Royal Rd contains a collection of upmarket duty-free shops selling clothes and souvenirs. Further north, the glitzy new Sunsheel Centre Royal Rd is also worth a look. There's a lovely Indian fabric shop on the ground floor and oudets of Habit and Caf Cotton. The new Lakepoint...
Sleeping Eating Vpd
Ferme-Auberge L'Ecorce Blanc S 0262 38 31 52 46 Rue Francis Rivi re d ind breakfast 30, meals 20 Aaargh, the 600m-long access road is dreadfully steep, but you'll be rewarded with sensational views over the coast. Perched on the side of a hill, way above town, this friendly ferme auberge farm inn is beloved by locals for its authentic home cooking by reservation . Sadly, the indoor dining room is as atmospheric as a dentist's waiting room. There are also four simple rooms that open onto the...
La Souris Chaude
With your own wheels, you'll need a code to enter La Souris Chaude residential area -phone your accommodation ahead and they will give you the code. Kitouni Guesthouse 0262 34 05 82,0692 60 84 05 http site.voila.fr kitoonyin French s d with shared bathroom 25 30 Kitouni means, er, 'naked bum' in Creole. Fear not, this is a respectable port of call on top of being a cast-iron bargain for budget travellers and surfies, with three tidy rooms, a kitchen for guests' use, a lounge with TV and a...
INFORMATION Kmn
Barclays Bank 234148 S 10am-2.30pm Creole Travel Services 234411 S 8am-noon amp 1-4pm Mon-Fri, 8am-noon Sat An agent for Cat Cocos. Can arrange tours and boat excursions. Explorer Internet Caf per hr Rs 60 S 9am-noon, 1.30-7pm Mon-Fri, 9am-6pm Sat Same building as Mason's Travel. La Digue Video amp Internet Caf per hr Rs 60 Mauritius Commercial Bank MCB s 234560 S 8.30am-12.15pm amp 1-3pm Mon-Fri Mason's Travel 234227 S 8am-4.30pm Mon-Fri, 8am-noon Sat Can organise tours and boat excursions....
Transport Around The Region
The following section covers transport between R union, Mauritius and the Seychelles. Be aware that if you're planning to travel to both Mauritius and R union, it makes much better financial sense to visit Mauritius first and fly on to R union, as return flights work out around 120 cheaper when originating in Mauritius. The flat fare system of flights from R union to Mauritius hikes the fare by 40 . Lonely Planet Publications _ 306 TRANSPORT AROUND THE REGION Air -i There are currently no air...
Tamarin Falls
These falls, roughly 8km southwest of Cure-pipe p90 , are awkward to reach but it's worth the effort for a beautiful, deep, cool bathe at the bottom of the series of seven falls. They are only accessible via a challenging trail that begins near the Tamarin Falls reservoir, south of the village of Henrietta, but you will have to explore to find it. It's best to take one of the local guides usually waiting around Henrietta bus station. There are buses to Henrietta from Cure-pipe every 20 minutes...
Maison de la Broderie
The originator of Cilaos' embroidery tradition was Ang le Mac Auliffe, the daughter of the town's first doctor of thermal medicine. Looking for a pastime to fill the long, damp days in the Cirque, Ang le established the first embroidery workshop with 20 women producing what later evolved into a distinctive Cilaos style of embroidery. Nowadays, the Maison del Broderie 0262 31 77 48 Rue des coles admission 1 S 9.30am-noon amp 2-5pm Mon-Sat, 9.30am-noon Sun is home to an association of 30 or so...
Whitewater Rafting
R union's best white water is found near St-Benoit. The Rivi re des Marsouins and the Rivi re du M t offer magical white-water experiences for both first-time runners and seasoned enthusiasts. A half-day excursion will set you back 45. Some companies specialising in rafting trips in the area Cilaos Aventure g 0692 66 73 42 www.cilaos aventure.com in French Oasis Eaux Vives g 0692 00 16 23 www.oasisev .com in French Run Aventures g 0262 64 08 22 www.runaventures .com
Sleeping Trh
Beau Vallon and Bel Ombre offer the widest range of accommodation in north Mah . t'liU'lIM Georgina's Cottage Map p274 a 247016 georgina seychelles.net Beau Vallon s d incl breakfast 45 60 K An excellent option if you're working to a tight budget, Georgina's Cottage offers eight rooms, a communal kitchen, a lounge area and a leafy tropical garden for added appeal. Luxury it ain't - the old-fashioned d cor could do with a litde sprucing up - but at this price it would be churlish to quibble. A...