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Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Mauritius?
We may be going there in November and I'm wondering if any Nesties have been and can share their experience. It looks like there is a lot to do, although we are perfectly happy to be beach bums while we're there.
Re: Mauritius?
I was very underwhelmed by Mauritius. We spent a day at ?le aux Cerfs, and while it's nice, I don't think it really lived up to the hype of being an incredible beach. We also did a full-day tour around the southern part of the island and visited the parks, the big Hindu temple, and the Seven Colored Sands. We knew going in that the Seven Colored Sands was kitschy and really small, so that was fun, since it was about the only place we didn't have our expectations set too high.
Honestly, I didn't get what all the fuss was about. And a few days later we were in the Seychelles, which was unbelievable. We started out just taking a city bus from Victoria to the beach at Beau Vallon, and it was so much more "paradise" than ?le aux Cerfs. Then the next day we were on La Digue, and I can really understand why Anse Source d'Argent is often on the lists of the world's most beautiful beaches. It was just stunning.
Here are my photos from the trip:
Mauritius: http://photos.megdesk.com/gallery/v/2011/indianocean/mauritius
Seychelles: http://photos.megdesk.com/gallery/v/2011/indianocean/seychelles/
zoegirlTX visited Mauritius a bit before me, and gave me some great info.
Great pictures! We were looking into Seychelles, but can't find a sporting event going on there in November. We have to go to a sporting event wherever we're going.
Our wedding on Wilson Island!
Ditto this, and the recommendation of Seychelles instead - stunning!
GAH! Quit recommending Seychelles when I just said we can't go there. You're torturing me.
We're going to Mauritius, I need advice on Mauritius. I think we'll be in the Blue Bay area (which looks stunning) but we'll be able to travel around.
We've been to beaches in Tahiti, Brazil, New Caledonia, and Hawaii so I'm not expecting it to be the best beaches I've ever seen, but we do like to get out and do activities like diving, snorkeling, and horseback riding.
Jells- Thanks for recommending a speedboat, I hadn't even considered that!
Our wedding on Wilson Island!
Here is what the hotel sent me prior to going:
1. Full day Speed Boat on the East coast
You will be able to cruise along the east coast.
Stop at Grand River South East Waterfall.
Cruise down to Blue Bay for swimming and snorkelling in the Marine Park .
Stop on an island for a barbecue Lunch.
Back to a very beautiful island (ile aux Cerfs) with sandy beaches and shallow water
Price for exclusivity of boat Rs 15000
Supplement for BBQ Rs 1500 per person.
As for transport from hotel to East coast, it is not included in this package.
2. Full Day Catamaran trip to the East Coast:
You will have a collective bus, which will pass through different hotel and pick you from our hotel to the east coast.
You will have the opportunity to explore the Grand River South East & its Waterfall and you will be able to swim and snorkel.
You will stop at Ile aux Cerfs BBQ lunch will be served on board by the crew.
Price Rs 3100 per person including Transport and lunch.
3. Dolphin Trip 3 hours Speed Boat along the North west Coast .
You will have the opportunity to sail with more than 200 dolphins
Price for exclusivity of boat Rs 14,000 including drinks and dry snacks.
4. Deep sea Fishing
42 ft boat Rs 23000 6hrs duration Rs 26450 9hrs duration
47 ft boat Rs 26450 6hrs duration Rs 29900 9hrs duration
50 ft boat Rs 34500 6hrs duration Rs 40250 9hrs duration
A maximum Number of 6 persons can be on the boat;
Transport Excluded at the cost of RS 3200 in a private Car
Option A. Set for a guided tour at the botanical garden of Pamplemousses to discover the rare species of tropical plants and trees, continuing this journey to visit the Sugar museum at Beau Plan, followed by a lunch at Tante Attalie (Table d?Hote) where the guest can admire about 30 old vintage collection cars.Option B.
At Domaine Les Pailles, experience the past of this old Isle de France, mythical stopover of the Spices Route , by discovering:
The 18th century ox driven Sugar Mill which still produces the tropical cane sugar, discover there still operational distillery for Rum and enjoy a drive by the gracious train Lady Alice and their Horse Carriages which will drive you through the Estate. Have lunch at Indra restaurant which is one of the best for Indian cuisine.
Maison Eureka: An elegant Cr?ole residence originally owned by British and French aristocrats in the 19th century, the Eureka Mansion provides an intriguing glimpse into colonial life.
The Mauritius Glass Gallery... this is where skilled craftsmen challenge the limits of their imagination and creativity! The exquisite variety of home wares made of 100% recycled glass is to-die-for!
Option C.
Visit one of the still operational Sugar Cane Factory of the Island at Mon Loisir and discover the process from raw materials to finished goods. (Subject to approval)
Nestled between the turquoise blue of Le Vieux Grand Port and the emerald green of a unique primary forest, Le Domaine d'Anse Jonch?e is a heaven of peace and a calm retreat, away from stressful cities and noisy places. Lunch will be at the ?a La Carte?restaurant on the hill.
The Biscuiterie Rault at Mahabourg has, since its creation, always been managed by a member of the family Senequethat dedicated their lives to this unique business and today they have reached the 4th generation and the biscuits are still made without any preservatives, neither sweeteners nor colouring agents. The most senior member of the family, Mrs. Therese Senequekeeps watching each baking batch.
At Ile aux Aigrettesaccompanied by an expert guide leading the way, walk along the rugged trail in a one and a half hour tour and experience the bubbling renaissance of an island and its inhabitants, a small and unique population made up of rare endemic species of the Mauritian flora and fauna. Accompanied by the distant cooing of the Pink Pigeon, discover along the way over 20 species of plants endemic to Mauritius .
Option D.
La Route du the will bring the visitors to discover firstly the Domaine des Aubinneaux at Forrest-Side near Curepipe, which is an old colonial ancient house nestle in a vast garden with its charming great beauty.
The journey will continue by a visit to the Bois Cherie Tea Factory where the visitors are invited to taste the different tea flavours of Mauritius .
A lunch at the St Aubin table D?h?te Restaurant in the south will end up this enriching trip.
Option E.
At L?Etoile dive in the middle of greenish side of Mauritius . Exceptional excursions site, it gives a deep emotional feeling to the amateurs of space and liberty, during their pedestrian tours, nature circuits by Quad, strolling around on a horse or biking. Under their amazed glances of following by spectacular landscapes, natural forests, luxuriant valleys, bright rivers, stags of Java and birds.
La Valee de Ferney is of a total surface of 200 hectares; convey an educational identity while giving the Mauritians and the tourists the keys of knowledge, for an efficient protection of the environment and a respect and a good management of the various components of the bioc?noses and biotopes.
Option F.
Port ? Louis is the capital and the busiest part of the island consisting of the traditional Market, the Caudan Water Front, several museums etc?.The main town of Port Louis is an interesting excursion away from the beach resorts and offers good shopping and sightseeing opportunities. It contains a colorful Chinatown district full of authentic shop-houses and restaurants and the busy central market is well worth a visit. Selling a wide range of local crafts and produce it has a lively, friendly atmosphere. The town offers an eclectic mix of buildings and monuments which include colonial residences and Hindu temples, Pagodas (which are only found in Port-Louis, total 11) and visitors are assured of a warm and friendly welcome from the local population.
Option G. Walk With the lion at Casela Bird Park on the west coast of the island. The rate is Rs 2300 for the walk of 1 Hrs with the lion including entrance fee at the Park , a prior booking is compulsory whereas the interaction which cost Rs 500 to have some photo with.Our wedding on Wilson Island!
Blue Bay is supposed to have some good snorkeling. We didn't get the chance (mix-up with our taxi driver), but we did stop off around sunset before our flight home, since it's so close to the airport, and the water was amazingly clear.
For diving, I've heard a lot about Flic en Flac on the west side of the island. There are a lot of other dive sites on the north and a few on the southeast. If you can block out all the bits about Seychelles and R?union, you might want to check out the Diving & Activities chapter from the Lonely Planet book. Actually, you can also buy the Mauritius section of the guide separately in PDF form, which is handy if you're not visiting the other islands:
http://shop.lonelyplanet.com/africa/mauritius-reunion-seychelles-travel-guide/mauritius-reunion-seychelles-mauritius-chapter-7
Browsing through my copy, apparently Mauritius is home to some of the world's best kitesurfing and windsurfing, and you can arrange beginners' lessons if you've never tried it.
Be wary of the places that taxi drivers and tour guides take you to eat around the tourist attractions. They're generally sub-par and overpriced. That said, in Port Louis we had some great chicken biryani from a street food vendor after a recommendation from a local taxi driver.
Our wedding on Wilson Island!
We snorkeled around the Hilton Moorea and Taha'a, too, and it is one of our favorite memories!
Thank you all for the advice, this has been really helpful!