Traveling tends to magnify all human emotions.Peter Hoeg
Mauritius has much more to offer than white sand beaches (Read more).On our second day we set out for a full day North Island tour, where we visited the capital city- Port Louis, along with Place d’ Arms with its French colonial buildings, eventful Champ de Mars racecourse, the exotic Caudan Waterfront and the mall. Explore Mauritius and the best Non beach destinations in Mauritius with us.
After a scenic drive we reached Fort Adelaide (also known as La Citadelle). It was built in a very strategic location on higher lands of Port Louis at 240 feet above sea level. The construction of Fort Adelaide started on 1832 and completed after almost ten years. Fort Adelaide offers a vast panorama on Port-Louis and its harbour. The British built this fortress in fear of a civil war from the remaining French settlers on the island and also for the purpose of guarding the harbor against enemy attacks. The views from this fort are spectacular.
We then stopped at one of the famous movie shooting locations in Mauritius –Marie reine de la paix. Made famous by Salman Khan in the Bollywood flick ‘Mujhse Shaadi Karoge’.
Port Louis is the Mauritius’ largest city and the economic and administrative centre of the island. Right off the main square you can stroll besides the palm-lined Place d’Armes. You can see some wonderful French colonial buildings, especially the Government House and the Municipal Theater. The Port Louis Waterfront and the Le Caudan Waterfront shopping complex is a must visit. The full of life Port Louis Waterfront offers exciting shopping and entertainment venues combined with world-class hotels and restaurants overlooking the Port Louis Harbor.
The African sun drains you out and after a hectic day, it feels like heaven when you’re back to the hotel.
It was New years eve and the resort had arranged for some celebrations for the start of new year 2013 – Our first together as a couple. We were invited by the hotel for a gala dinner and a performance by the local artists which was a complimentary add-on to our itinerary. Quite impressive! 
The sega performance by the local ladies will have you grooving to its measured rhythms. You can clap along with the musicians as the local women sway to it in fabulous flowing skirts and they invite you shake a leg with them. The party was brilliant and went on late night with fireworks, champagnes, dancing etc.
The next day we thought of exploring the city ourselves, what best than on foot. The food is delightful, and the cultures of all those who came by the island makes up the cuisine. There is Dhol Puri, Bacon and Eggs, Rougaille and Biryani. You get amazing seafood here as well.
Weather plays an important role in Mauritius, and when we over there, there was a storm due to which we had to cancel many of our tours, such as, zip lining, walking with the lions etc. however, we had a beautiful time in the hotel as we got to pamper ourselves and explore nearby beaches as well with black clouds hovering at a distance.
Little do people know about the nightlife in Mauritius. It is quite underrated, but lots of fun. Grand Bay is undisputedly the center of the Mauritian nightlife. During the day, it offers a large choice of fashion, craft shops, hotels and restaurants and during night, it hosts most of the island best bars with foot-tapping music, casinos, and night-clubs. If you are the partying type, getting a feel of the country’s happening nightlife is a must.
We with our new friends went to the famous Buddha Bar night club which is the busiest club in Grand Bay (Read more). Here the parties pick up, generally at around midnight and last till the early morning hours. I must say it gets crowded after 1 AM but it was fun.
We did try our luck in casinos , not sure many of you would know this: gambling is legal in Mauritius!
209 years ago, Mark Twain first set foot in Mauritius and he said “Mauritius was made first, and then heaven, and that heaven was copied after Mauritius”. I completely agree to him after our stay here; some things never change. Read more of our Mauritius journey here – Read more.
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This is Aldrin and my partner Amoli. We bring you "Earths Pilgrim" - a unique insight into our travel escapades while leaving life in a cubicle. If you are looking for some inspiration to break the shackles of a regular life, then you are the right place. Read more about us- Click here.