Mauritius: Mark Twain’s heaven on earth

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Red roof church, Mauritius

Empty row boats moored at a beach in Flic-en-Flac, Mauritius

Girlings running under the shades by the ocean, Mauritius

Colorful underwater world, Mauritius

Inside Casela Adventure Park, Mauritius

Galaxy, Mauritius

Mark Twain once said, “Mauritius was made first, and then heaven; and heaven was copied after Mauritius.”

Located in the middle of the turquoise Indian Ocean, inhabited by a multi-racial, peaceful people and covered in great amount of golf courses, Mauritius offers travelers a myriad of water sports, mountain trekking, five star hotels, one of the world’s best botanical gardens, UNESCO World Heritage Sites and of course, breathtaking scenery.

With beaches that belong in a daydream, this island nation off the southeast coast of Africa lures far fewer travelers than it should, but those who go are richly rewarded.

I traveled to Mauritius last year and spent five of the most memorable days of my life there.

Where to stay

A peak from the hotel /CGTN Photo

Mauritius offers a wide range of top-notch resorts and hotels. I ended up at the Westin Turtle Bay, a hotel beautifully designed with natural tropical elements that included local teak and lava rocks.

It sits in the historical Balaclava, which is on the sheltered northwest coast of the island, an area that was once a breeding ground for green sea turtles. Sitting in a protected marine park, the 10 hectares of beachfront property are surrounded by gently swaying sugar cane fields.

The serene and elegant atmosphere fuses with tropical elements and natural designs at the resort. And an outdoor pool that overlooks the ocean and the beach provides the perfect location to capture the sunset.

Those wishing to venture off-site have their pick of outdoor activities. I had free use of the pedalos and kayaks, and also enjoyed a trip on the glass-bottomed boat to observe the coral reefs.

Tip: Most of the water activities are free of charge. The hotel is a 15-minute drive from the capital city of Port Louis and other northern attractions.

Port Louis, capital of Mauritius

Floating umbrellas inside the shopping mall at Port Louis. CGTN Photo

After spending the first day in the hotel, I drove some 13 km away the next morning and arrived in Port Louis, the capital city of Mauritius.

There is so much to see in the capital: Temples, churches, the central market, museums and landmarks of colonization.

The central market is a fun place to visit and the ideal location for finding many locally made products including textiles, Mauritian spices, fruits and souvenirs, all available for very cheap prices. Also, I was surprised to find images of the extinct Dodo – the national bird of Mauritius – on almost everything there. With no natural enemies, the species once thrived on the island, which was uninhabited until European settlers arrived in the 16th century. Soon after, the bird became extinct.

Tip: Port Louis is also the cultural and religious center of the country; you’ll find several places of worship for different religions. It’s very busy during rush hour and parking is scarce downtown.

Palm reading in Pamplemousses

Floating giant water lilies in SSR Botanical Gardens. CGTN Photo

Just 13 km northwest of the capital city sits the popular Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden, also known as the Pamplemousses Botanical Garden.

Constructed in 1770, this 62,040 acre expanse of land is the oldest botanical garden in the southern hemisphere, and hosts a wide range of indigenous and exotic flora such as giant lily pads, lotus flowers and frangipani.

One of the highlights is the long pond, which was built in the 18th century and is almost completely covered with giant water lilies. Over 80 varieties of palm trees from Asia, India, Africa and Central America thrive here. Some of the palms are really unique, like one enormous species of palm with leaves that are as big as two adults.

Tip: it is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and admission is 100 MUR (2.40 euros/3.30 US dollars). Also, you can hire a local guide at the entrance for a mere 50 rupees (1.40 US dollars); they’ll help you to distinguish a variety of species and scents.

Safari Adventures

Giant Seychelles tortoise gazing in Casela Adventure Park in Mauritius. VCG Photo

Located inside of the Casela World of Adventures, Safari Adventures is said to be the most visited attraction in Mauritius and in the Indian Ocean. It offers a variety of experiences to choose from, including an African safari, unique encounters with big cats as well as the island’s only dry toboggans and scenic zip lines. We booked the African safari online for some 50 US dollars.

“Who said you have to go on a safari in mainland Africa to see the beauty of African wildlife?” I said to myself while sitting in a cage as big cats roamed freely around me.

Tip: There are plenty of things to do at Casela World of Adventures, ranging from theme park rides to sea life areas, so you will definitely find something to enjoy. ah, don't forget to say hi to the giant tortoise.

The Seven Colored Earth at Chamarel

The Seven Colored Earth at Chamarel. VCG Photo

The Seven Colored Earth is a famous tourist attraction and the main draw of Chamarel village, which is primarily known for its beauty.

The colors of the natural phenomenon – red, brown, violet, green, blue, purple and yellow –developed as basaltic lava cooled and became clay minerals in the sand dunes.

Tip: Sunrise is the best time to see the Seven Colored Earth, and the nearby Chamarel Falls and Black River Gorges National Park are both worth a visit. The surrounding area is also known for its locally-grown coffee.

The island of Mauritius is a somewhat well-known destination for Europeans, but not frequented by many Americans or Asians, however its visa on arrival allows passport holders from more than 100 countries including China, Sri Lanka and Thailand to enter for two weeks to sixty days.

I suggest visiting during summer time which, in Mauritius, falls between November and May.

Even now, I can still recall the experiences I had in Mauritius and the excitement I felt, especially on clear nights when the stars sparkled in the sky.