Date : 16th March 2025
Travelled : 970 NM from The Seychelles to Mauritius
Visited : Port Louis
Stayed : Holland Americaโs Zuiderdam
As usual or what has become our new norm we go up to the crows nest cafe for a coffee around 6.30. Mauritius is already in view.
Our last two sea days have passed smoothly enough last night was a formal night so sport jackets and ties are required. It was a great meal followed by a show in the theatre.
Mauritius is part of the Mascarene Islands group which include three smaller islands all within the Republic of Mauritius. Standing 1,100 nautical miles off East Africa it is classified as part of Africa.
Google also tells us Mauritius has the highest GDP in Africa. From the Zuiderdam we overlook a new cruise port terminal, the new freeway and the carriages of a light rail pass in the distance. A huge amount of sugar cane is exported annually from Mauritius.
Some guests walk out, some on the mobility scooters and others in ambulances. Sounds grim but the Zuiderdam is a floating version of โGodโs Waiting Roomโ someone told us 6 people have passed away since the ship left Fort Lauderdale some 3 months ago.
We take advantage of the free shuttle bus from the terminal to Port Louisโ Caudan Waterfront. Itโs a beautiful series of waterfront developments pictured below. Pam enjoys wandering the shops as we make our way toward the colonial quarter.
Thankfully our only purchase a colourful souvenir Dodo. Did I mention the now extinct Dodo ๐ฆค is the national symbol of Mauritius.
Itโs only a short walk on to a series of old warehouses and other buildings some now museums. The is something of a tourist trail of murals but we soon seem to loose our way but an example appears below.
The first challenge of the day is crossing the freeway that divides the colonial quarter from the market quarter. There is only one underpass to safely cross and it wasnโt that easy to find.
The market quarter pictured below seems loosely divided into both Tamil and Creole areas. The shops and footpaths full of people. The market itself the usual mix of fresh fruit and vegetables and general house-hold stuff.
Nothing held our interest for too long, so we continued on.
Pictured below a late model Peugeot P50, other than the alloy wheels not much has changed since its first release in 1931.
We suddenly emerge into a wide palm lined boulevard titled grandly the Place DโArms. We take a short break in the shade.
There is so much traffic passing I was unable to get a better look at Government House, pictured below. Being Sunday it was closed but there was a lovely statue of Queen Victoria out the front.
So weโve enjoyed Mauritius as best we can on a hot and humid day. We make our way back easily enough once we find that bloody underpass again and make our way through the Caudan waterfront to the shuttle bus.
A bonus photo. The days seem to slide by on the Zuiderdam, luckily the carpet mats in every elevator are changed daily because it always feels like Sunday on the Zuiderdam.
Michael + Pam
One thought on “Port Louis, Mauritius ๐ฒ๐บ 2025”
Hi guys, why are you up soooo early – you’re on holidays. Pam’s a very hard task master!!!! Mauritius looks a very clean place. You wouldn’t find Rob for days in those markets – he looks at EVERYTHING ๐ ๐