We've decided to add this new section for every country we visit. In every country, we've noticed some recurring, consistent themes which help give each place a unique national flavor. We thought we would share these "Country Impressions" with you all to give you a better idea of what our day-to-day life is like in each place we visit. Also, at the bottom of this page you'll find some examples of "What Things Cost". This is for you other travelers out there interested in what travel costs are like here.Impressions of Mauritius
Enjoy!
General Impressions
- A very colorful place. Mauritius, as an island in itself, is nothing special. There are places with better beaches, better diving, and better sightseeing opportunities. But what makes this island country so unique and attractive is the unique cultural mix. Where else can you find such an amazing mixture of cultures (Indian, European, Chinese, and Creole) living in peace with one another?
- Mauritius can be cheaper than you might think. We discovered quickly that there are two levels of expense in Mauritius: very cheap and very expensive. There is little middle-range, and that applies to lodging, food, everything. Our first two days, we were in shock at how much our most basic, unattractive motel-like hotel room in Flic en Fac and meals at good restaurants cost. Then, after some searching around, we discovered affordable Mauritius. If you go with a self-catering apartment or studio and eat in smaller, local restaurants and food markets, it's amazing how little you can spend. Especially considering that Mauritius is a tiny island in the middle of the Indian Ocean which relies on imports for much of its food and consumer goods.
- A clothes shopper's paradise. Mauritius has established itself as one of the world's leading centers for fabric and clothing manufacturing. Many big name brands from the West, including Ralph Lauren and Hugo Boss, have their clothing lines manufactured here. The factories only export the quantities specified by the manufacturers. The surplus is then sold over-the-counter at factory outlets in Mauritius...usually at discounts of 50-70% off US and European retail prices. Shirts, dresses, and even high-quality suits are all unbelievably good deals here. Alas, it was impractical for us to haul along a new wardrobe through the remainder of our trip. Otherwise, we'd be coming home with a lot of new clothes!
- Get your food on in Mauritius. Mauritian cuisine, an interesting blend of spicy, colorful Creole, Indian, Asian, and European influences, is pretty tasty stuff. From the cheap, dollar-a-plate street vendors to the exclusive, upscale European-style restaurants in the bigger resort towns, the food is universally good. Our favorites: freshly-cooked stir-friend noodles from our man Ken the food stall dude at Pointe aux Canonnieres, and any of the mildly spicy creole dishes served in any restaurant.
- Hey, people do speak English here. So many people we talked to prior to our arrival on Mauritius warned us that our French had better be up to par. According to these sources, "Nobody speaks English." We felt fairly confident in our ability to get around, since Jen can speak French. But we were pleasantly surprised that, indeed, most Mauritians can speak English just fine (hey, it's their official language, after all). That's not to say they prefer to speak English (they're more comfortable with French or, more often, Creole), but they certainly can converse with us English speakers just fine.
What Things Cost
(All prices are converted to U.S. Dollars)
Spring Water (1.5l bottle)...................$0.30 Orange Juice, fresh squeezed (glass).........$1.25 Coffee or tea (glass)........................$0.30 Beer (bottle, from store)....................$1.00 Breakfast at local restaurant/cafe...........$2-4 (usually included w/room) Lunch or dinner at food stall................$1-2 (often better than restaurant food!) Lunch at local restaurant....................$4-10 Dinner at local restaurant (3-course)........$8-15 per person Dinner at upscale restaurant (3-course)......$15-30 per person Lodging, self-catering studio................$50-70 (usually seafront) Lodging, self-catering 2 bedroom apartment...$70-150 (usually seafront) Room in a 3-star hotel (double)..............$100-200 (always seafront) Room in upscale resort (dbl).................$150 to sky's-the-limit! Taxi ride around town........................$2-4 Car Rental, 1 day compact....................$30-40 Internet useage, 1 hour......................$2.50
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