 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|||||||||||||||||||
 |
 |
 |
|
|||||||||||||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|||||||||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
||||||||||||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|||||||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
||||||||||||||||
 |
 |
 |
|
|||||||||||||||||
 |
|
|||||||||||||||||||
 |
 |
|
||||||||||||||||||
 |
|
|||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mauritius Coastal East
During the last 20 years, the East Coast has undergone a rapid development. Apart from a few private bungalows built in the 1920's, it was untamed for many years.
Then, in the 70's, two modern hotels were built. They remained to be the only ones for another 10 years, until many more followed, now standing side by side right up to "Trou d'Eau Douce", turning the once longest wild beach of "Belle Mare" into a tourist attraction.
Except for the hotels, a few clothing factories and the village of " Centre de Flacq" , however, the East Coast of Mauritius remains just lightly developed and lightly populated as compared to the rest of the country.
The largest lagoon of Mauritius begins in the very south east at Pointe D'Esny and stretches over twenty-two kilometres, up to Trou-d'Eau-Douce, where it is joined by the lagoon of Belle Mare. The shallow waters, crisscrossed by deep canals, generate hundreds of different shades of green and blue on sunny days.
The lagoon of the East is not the sole attraction of this region. In the south-eastern part, especially around "Vieux Grand Port" the steep mountainside drops spectacularly into the ocean. With the lagoon on one side and the lush mountains on the other, this region offers without any doubt, the most scenic coastal views of Mauritius . This also due to the fact, that the view is largely unobstructed by buildings or high walls.
The East is generally a place of interest and, like the South, rich in colonial history. Every ruin or old building and every islet have their very own story to tell.
Many a pleasant moment may be spent during visits to "Ile aux Cerfs", "Grande Riviere Sud-Est" "Pointe-du-Diable","Lion Mountain" and the public nature parks such as "Domaine du Chasseur" or "Domaine Ylang Ylang", where the famous tropical flower perfume is produced and sold.
Ile aux Cerfs is an islet in the lagoon of "Trou d'Eau Douce" which is owned by a group of hotels but grants access to all visitors. Shuttle boats will take you there for a small fee. The disappointing aspect of Ile aux Cerfs is that it is frequently visited by Mauritians and tourists alike and the boat traffic is heavy, especially during holidays and on the weekends. The islet sports a few restaurants, shops and a golf course. The place remains nonetheless magnificent and well preserved, ideal for a day on the beach.
Grande Riviere Sud-Est is the islands longest river. It is partly accessible by boats which may be chartered in Trou d'Eau Douce. To go upstream and bath under the cascade that marks the last step before the river meets the sea is a delight. The vegetation is wild and rich, making it possible to spend most of the day in the shade while staying on the boat.
Pointe du Diable is the name of a strategic point along the coastal road. There, the French had erected a fort and a cannon battery to defend the entrance into the port against (English) invaders. Its stone walls are still there and traces of the great battle of "Vieux Grand Port" (1810) may still be found. Pointe du Diable is the ideal spot to stop for a rest as it offers a nice view. For those who like trekking, Lion Mountain is easy to climb and offers a magnificent view over the island and the lagoon.
Like the South, the East Coast faces the southeast trade winds, which prevail almost all year round. The weather is therefore likely to get very windy especially in winter.
On the other hand, this part of the island remains relatively fresh in summer. The beach of Pointe d'Esny is said to be the best spot for lazy summer days. Beware of sunburns as the fresh breeze may lead you to falsely believe that the sun is not hot enough to cause sunburns. T-shirt and bathing suit are all you need in summer (November to March.) Sweatshirts are welcome in the evenings during the months of September, October, April and May. During winter, (June to August) it may get cool as early as 5 p.m. and warm clothes are necessary after sunset.
Trou d'Eau Douce is, in our opinion, one of the most typical island villages and well worth visiting. Like most coastal spots, it is a weekend and summer resort for those who own beach cottages, but it is also a fishermen's village. It is as if it deliberately chose to remain that way despite the nearby hotels. Its houses, modest but well kept, are generally hidden behind as many trees and plants as could possibly grow on the tiny surface of the gardens.
The people of the area are generally regarded as being poor and uneducated. This may create the impression that they are a grumpy and unfriendly breed. In reality, the people of Trou d'Eau Douce are simply immersed in their own world and generally do not interfere with foreigners unless invited to do so. Clocks in living rooms are mainly for ornamental purposes as the lives of their owners depend much more on the tides and the moon phases.
Please Click Here to Download The Description In PDF  |
|
 |
| Print This Page | Mail This Page To a Friend? |
Contact Us |
PC to PC Phone Call |
||||