Mauritius holidays in April: The paradisiacal island state in the Indian Ocean

Mauritius: where you can dance at ten weddings at the same time

There are these places in the world that I've always wanted to visit. But Mauritius was not one of them for me. Sure, if my friends suggested I go to Mauritius in the evening, I would have immediately exchanged the noisy cocktail bar for a paradise island without batting an eyelid, but otherwise I didn't exactly have Mauritius in my sights as the ultimate travel destination.

I don't even know why I've never been drawn to Mauritius, because the island paradise is extremely interesting both culturally and geographically. Speaking of paradise: If you open a travel guide about Mauritius these days, you will inevitably come across a famous quote from Mark Twain, which, according to the travel guide, should best describe the island:

First Mauritius was created, then Paradise. But paradise was just a copy of Mauritius.

Mark Twain

Mark Twain's connection with Mauritius

On his trip around the world, Twain also went to Mauritius and there are a number of diary entries from the work "Following the Equator" (Eng. Follow the Equator) about his stay. However, it is often concealed that the quote is only a small excerpt of his original statement. Because the original text goes like this:

Another resident will tell you that this is an exaggeration; that the two chief villages, Port Louis and Curepipe, are far removed from heavenly existence; that no one lives in Port Louis except by compulsion, and that Curepipe is the wettest and rainiest place on earth.

Isla Mauricia

Anyway, Mark reportedly left the island with a smile on his face. If Mark only knew that his quote was now being misused for marketing purposes, he probably would have ensured that his statements weren't simply taken out of context. Or maybe not?

Mauritius in April: An unplanned trip to paradise

Because anyone who has ever visited the Emerald Isle knows that the short version of the quote is not wrong at all. It even describes Mauritius suspiciously well. From where I know this? I seem to have a penchant for visiting places that weren't originally on my bucket list, travel list, or whatever list. And I have to say that these unplanned trips are among the most beautiful experiences of my life. That's what you call leaving your comfort zone and just getting involved in something new.

For me, however, it was more of a journey from the cozy comfort zone at home to an even more comfortable and paradisiacal comfort zone near the equator. Even the long flight with a relatively cheap airline was surprisingly extremely quiet and comfortable. Above all, the time really flew by. When we arrived, I was immediately overwhelmed by the color of the sky in Mauritius.

Mauritius Beaches: The Flic en Flac beach on the west coast of Mauritius

Our accommodation was on Flic en Flac beach, on the west coast of the island. The approximately 6 km long sandy beach is the longest stretch of beach in Mauritius and is ideal for long walks. After arriving at the hotel and having a very tasty, hearty breakfast, we quickly made our way to the beach. By “away” I mean a few meters until the sand massaged my feet.

Although I initially had concerns about the accommodation on Flic en Flac beach because it is a very touristy area, my doubts vanished when the kitschiest and most beautiful panorama I had ever seen spread out in front of me of an accommodation: turquoise, transparent water, tall coconut palms and directly behind it the “Le Morne Brabant”, a mountain like a green lighthouse. From the balcony of our room it was a stone's throw to the ocean. Simply fantastic – this is how your vacation can begin!

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Weddings on the beach: Not uncommon in Mauritius

But even on our first stroll, something unusual caught our eye: a wedding on the beach ! How lovely, we thought immediately, since Mauritius is known for being a popular wedding destination. And how often! We walked a few meters further and witnessed yet another tropical wedding. On the first day alone, we counted four weddings along the beach at Flic en Flac. The most impressive was definitely a traditional Indian wedding, which, if the hotel guests are to be believed, was celebrated for a full four days! For decades, people from all over the world have been coming to this island in the Indian Ocean to exchange their vows.

Mauritius - a melting pot of cultures

Mauritius is considered a melting pot of cultures. Christians, Hindus, Muslims, and believers of other religions live peacefully side by side here. Mauritians therefore refer to themselves as a "rainbow culture." This vibrant culture is also reflected in Mauritian, or rather Creole, cuisine . Typical Mauritian food is a blend of Indian, African, and Chinese influences. This unique mix is ​​truly an explosion of flavor on the palate. The dishes are always well-seasoned and often very spicy. Just as multifaceted as the diverse roots of the island's inhabitants is the landscape: from idyllic white beaches and vast sugarcane plantations to spectacular waterfalls and breathtaking mountain panoramas, it has it all.

Dolphin tour in Mauritius at Flic en Flic Beach

Already at the beginning of our stay we booked a dolphin tour from the hotel. There is a small colony of dolphins near Flic en Flac that keep dropping by because they are most likely being fed. We were pretty excited, although we had seen a few dolphins in America before, it is still an event. Unfortunately, this dolphin tour was more like an embarrassing hunt. The dolphins are "surrounded" by countless boats and catamarans, then one tourist after the other is pushed into the water. Therefore I cannot recommend them. During the tour I had seen more of the buttocks of a Frenchman, who jumped into the water as if stung by a tarantula, overtook me under water again and again to photograph the dolphins and thus blocked my view of the animals. Then I noticed that my snorkel mask was broken and I had to constantly swallow water. Then I only heard from our tour guide: "Madame, under the water! You must go under the water!” Oh no! I almost wouldn't have guessed that. I just didn't quite know whether to laugh or cry.

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Video Dolphins Mauritius

Discover Mauritius on your own with a rental car

On the fourth day of our stay, we rented a car and already knew we were in for an adventure… this was initially due to driving on the left, but also to the locals' rather unusual driving style. Therefore, I recommend that tourists, especially if they aren't very familiar with Mauritius, opt for a taxi, as it's a much less stressful and, above all, safer way to get around. Especially if you only plan to do a day or two of sightseeing, it's relatively easy and inexpensive to reach your destinations by taxi. While Mauritius isn't considered particularly crime-ridden or dangerous, you should still use your common sense. Tours to waterfalls, such as Rochester Falls , can be tricky, as some travelers have reported being threatened or extorted by local "tour guides." While this isn't the norm, it's best not to be too naive when exploring. We personally, fortunately, only had positive experiences. On our way to La Vanille Nature Park, we got lost and asked a man on his moped for directions. He drove us through narrow alleys and slums that strongly reminded us of India… We were already a bit skeptical and hoped we hadn't fallen into a trap, but he actually took us right to the park gates. When we thanked him warmly, he was simply delighted and drove off without expecting any "reward" or anything like that. It was a kind gesture that we will always fondly remember…

Find out where the monkeys are and what giant tortoises feel when their shells are stroked in the second part of my Mauritius report.

Until then, you will get a first photographic foretaste of the beauty of Mauritius.