And so it begins: Mauritius

Mauritius

May 7 - 14, 2011

Mauritius is an island in the Indian Ocean, located 2,400 kilometers (1,491 miles) off the southeast coast of Africa. It has a total area of 1,860 square kilometers (781 square miles), and a coastline of 177 kilometers (110 miles). The Republic of Mauritius also includes the barely populated Agalega Islands and the Cargados Carajos Shoals, as well as Rodrigues (population 35,000). The capital, Port Louis, is situated on the west coast of the island, and has a population of approximately 136,000. The population of Mauritius was estimated to be 1,179,368 in July 2000, with a population growth rate at 0.89 percent. The population is relatively young, with 26 percent of the population under 14 years of age, 68 percent between 15 and 64, and just 6 percent over the age of 65. The life expectancy for the population is 70.98.
Mauritian society is a heterogeneous one. The 2 main population groups are the ethnic Indians, who make up 68 percent of the population, and the Creoles, mixed race descendants of African slaves and colonial settlers, who comprise 27 percent. Other groups include Chinese (3 percent) and white Franco-Mauritians (2 percent). The ethnic Indians are further divided into Hindus and Muslims, with the Hindus being the majority. Nevertheless, the inhabitants of the island tend to view themselves as Mauritians first and foremost.
Given that Mauritius has such a small land surface, population growth and immigration are discouraged by the government. Population density is already very high, with 571 people per square kilometer (1,479 per square mile), compared with an average of 45 per square kilometer (117 per square mile) for the world as a whole.

Checking out the driving range at the resort, before we go to the Botanical Gardens. Yes, Rick, you have to come, you can't stay back and golf! You will like it!

Entrance to Botanical Gardens

The Entrance Gate - splendid and beautifully modeled main wrought iron entrance gate was a gift from François Liénard de la Mivoie. It is alleged that it gained the first prize at the International Exhibition at the Crystal Palace in England in 1862. On each of the pillars is found the Coat of Arms with a lion and a crown on top. Pamplemousses Gardens, more formally known as Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Gardens, is one of the most visited attractions in Mauritius. Opened as a private garden by the French governor of Mauritius nearly 300 years ago, the gardens served as a major horticultural research center for the French and British during the colonial period. Today it's home to dozens of varieties of palm trees, as well as medicinal plants, fish ponds, and an amazing collection of Queen Victoria water lilies. Pamplemousses, French for “pineapples,” is one of a number of places across Mauritius with a produce-inspired name.

It is populated with more than 650 varieties of plants among which are the famous Baobabs, the Palmier Bouteille, the ineluctable Giant Water Lilies, dozens of medicinal plants, a large spice garden and many more.

One of the main attractions of the botanical garden is the 85 different varieties of palm trees brought from different corners of the world. Other indigenous species of plants are also exhibited here.

Pamplemousses’ gardens are perhaps best known for two things: palm trees and water lilies. There are royal palms, talipot palms (which flower only once over a 40-year lifetime), bottle palms, raffia palms, toddy palms, fever palms, sugar palms, fan palms – if it’s a palm tree and it grows in Mauritius, your bound to find it here.
Unfortunately, I can't remember the names of all the palms, but none the less, they are still beautiful to see. The base of this tree is huge. It's 300 years old.

Talipot Palms - large palms with huge palmate leaves, about 3m 50cms, in diameter is the Talipot Palm (Corypha Umbraculifera meaning bearing its flowers at the top in the shape of an umbrella). They bear flowers only after they are 40 to years old; not a century as is popularly believed. The remarkable bunch of flowers with over 50 million tiny blossoms that are produced may attaina height of 6 meters above the tree. The tree dies after flowering. It's then cut down and another one planted. They keep alternating palms so that every year one blooms

Thought this was interested. The fruit grows on the bark of the tree.

This is a seed pod - huge

Roots are grown on the outside of the ground. Different for a palm.

Water Lily Pond - The rectangular water lily pond has at least three species of Nymphaea with white, pink or blue flowers and the famous great water-lily of the Amazon (Victoria Amazonica). Its huge floating leaves with a raised edge are most remarkable. On two successive days, the flowers open late in the afternoon and remain open until the middle of the following morning. On the first evening, the flowers are creamy white with a delicious fragrance and the second day they turn pink. The water lilies are a geographic anomaly, since they’re actually originally from the Amazon. They grow from 2 - 6 ft in diameter and they have been known to hold a small child's weight, not that I'd trust it.

These were my favourite. It is so beautiful. Too bad the life span is only a few days.

This type of bamboo grows a foot a day. It grows continuos for 8-10 weeks, then stops growing. This tree is hollow except at each section is solid.

More Water Lilies. This pond was completely covered.

Founded by French governor Mahe de la Bourdonnais as his private park in 1735, the gardens eventually became an important tool for French horticultural espionage, as French spies got their hands on seeds of precious spice plants that were cultivated by other empires, using the gardens as an incubator, both literally and figuratively, for the French to launch new agricultural industries. Even today, the gardens remain a botanical research center, with a fine collection of medicinal plants. But for the majority of visitors, Mauritians and tourists alike, the gardens are the island’s finest collection of exotic flora.

Tortoises brought from Seychelles, males can weight over 250 kg, and live to 100 years.

Deer. Not quite as big as our Canadian Deer, but still Deer. They had alligators that were brought in from Madagascar, but we just left Madagascar, so didn't need to see them again.

Red Earth. Lots and lots of sugarcane.

Very lush

We visited a Safari park.

These guys didn't care that we were inside their cage. I, of course, stayed back, but not too far, as we needed to stay together as a group. Like in the wild, you lag behind, it shows weakness, and that's what they prey on.

This is a once in a lifetime, only because I'm terrified of these big animals. They did give us a stick, like that's going to beat them off. They fed them first, so they wouldn't be edgy. (Thank you)

Rick playing nice with the cat. I think they sedated them.

Hanging!

This little one, was quiet, until we came closer. Nice kitty!

Hey, what you doin'. Did I say you could take my picture?

Another cat. This one was awake, and apparently enjoyed the petting...

Rick getting a little closer and braver

Children on lunch break. All school children have uniforms. Different uniforms represent different schools and grades. They use the public bus system or walk.

Sugarcane was introduced in the seventeenth century by the Dutch. Sugar cane is vital to the economy of Mauritius. In 2004 it accounted for 19% of the value of exports and 5% of the country’s GDP. About 90% of the arable land, and 45% of the total area of the island is devoted to growing sugar cane. It also provides direct employment for 60,000 workers and small planters. Driving down the roads, all you saw was sugarcane, as it wasn't harvested yet. Here's a picture we where able to take on the top part of the road-you can see the ocean behind the sugarcane.

Some big buildings. Very clean city.

Port Louis is the capital of Mauritius. It is the largest city of the country and main port, which borders the Indian Ocean.

Driving around the island. We landed on the Southeast, hotel on the north, and toured through out to the west.

A typical road. Sugarcane on both sides. See how wide they are. Just ahead by the tree is a bus stop. (above) Pedestrians don't have the right of way and need to be careful for oncoming vehicles. When driving, sometimes you can't see the people either as their covered by the sugarcane. Need to pay attention while driving! Mauritius drives on the opposite side of the road from Canada. The picture on the right has a cleared out area on both sides so you can turn around (or that's what we used it for). Little roads signs here (in fact, none)

The Sugar Mill

The Mauritian sugar industry has witnessed constant evolution and it has always kept pace with the technological changes. In 1801, 60 sugar mills were producing 3000 tonnes of sugar. The cane mill then used was known as the "frangourine". The industry was very labour intensive. The governorship of Sir Robert Farquhar sugar industry experienced tremendous evolution and in 1820, 106 mills were operating all over the island. The use of steam power in the place of draught animals undoubtedly increased the production.

Development progressed at a steady pace and in 1958, there were 259 factories, the biggest number ever known. The sugar production approximated the 130,000 tonnes. The following thirty years did not bring about important changes to the sugar industry.

An outburst of malaria coupled with unfavourable climatic conditions lead to the abandonment of the whole estates situated within the coastal belt. The setbacks urged planters and millers to improve cultural methods and manufacturing techniques.

The record sugar production was noted in 1973 when 21 factories produced 718, 464 tonnes of sugar. The number of sugar factories has been reduced to 11, but the sugar production is expected to increase. So in 2004, there is only 11 sugar factories operating all over the island.

Playing in his element

Flowchart of Sugar Process

Outside the museum for a coffee, enjoying the view

He's had enough, and wants to go! (sorry Rick, I just had to post this picture)

Stayed at Legends, a very beautiful resort, all rooms have an ocean view

A view of the ocean from our balcony

Our view

Leaving the resort-more touring

Very warm water

Pool # 3 of 3 We hung out here mostly

Night view from the balcony

Security letting us out of the resort

On our way for the Glass Bottom Boat Tour

Away we go...

Pictures of corral through the glass bottom boat

Can you see the fish? Neither can I, but they were there!

Coming back from the boat ride

A crab trying to camouflage itself

The driving range. Good thing I can't hit far, as the grounds keeper takes a bucket and manually picks them up

He had his work cut out for him when Rick starting hitting

Random pictures around the resort

Coy fish in the pond, A very fung shey resort

Back from playing tennis

Pool #2 of 3

Water skiers

Bird with long beak

Random photos

Nice boat. Thought it might come rescue us when we took out the kayak

Let's hope our luggage makes it home, cause receiving our luggage Day 4 of a 7 day vacation is not good, apparently our luggage decided it needed to go to Paris for a 3 day holiday!!!