Port Louis – Page 2 – Man in Mauritius

A walk, a wrap and a shine

You never know who or what you are going to come across, even on a short walk at lunchtime. I had gone out for a chicken wrap, a juice and a shoe shine and came across a blast from the past. People wear replica football shirts across the world, predominantly Liverpool and Arsenal ones here, but I was surprised to see this well worn one at lunchtime.

Also, the fabulous PEM, a local artist, was looking splendid as usual. He paints and also carves wood sculptures. He laughed out loud when I showed him a photo of Roy Wood, “Is that your Dad?” I asked.

I wonder if he does drive a Porsche; the paintings aren’t cheap!

The cobblers in the street today were busy but they had time to give me a good old fashioned shoe shine.

‘No polish, no shine. No polish, no shine’

Then the brush. (Note to self: Don’t wash trousers and towels together).

Strong fingers needed to stitch and repair

All the tools necessary to repair shoes and sandals

My foot was hot after a minute with the duster!

Good job I brought my sunglasses, my shoes are super shiny now!

Not what I had expected

Last weekend my plans changed from a typical holidaymaker’s view at the beach to what the residents actually see. Some interesting things and some images that struck me. It is not all sandy beaches, luxury hotels and turquoise lagoons!

The Mauritian flag is made up of four bands ; red for bloodshed, blue for the Indian Ocean, green for the lush, tropical vegetation and yellow for independence and golden sunshine. It proudly flies everywhere on the island. I bought a tie with these colours, unwittingly, many years ago. It has come with me.

There are a lot of statues in public and historical places, one of the most famous is of Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam, (SSR), ‘The Father of the Nation’, the first Prime Minister of Mauritius, who led the island to independence in 1968. Many Mauritians on their way to work pass through the road SSR is looking up at.

SSR looking up at Place d’Armes, in the centre of Port Louis

In the centre there are many offices, banks, local businesses and skyscrapers. Having walked for five minutes or so, the heat and humidity warms your body so much that it can be both a shock and a relief to go into an air conditioned building and see Christmas decorations accompanied by traditional songs referring to snow and winter wonderlands! (I haven’t found any Christmas cards yet but I am looking; six days until the last day to post!)

The Mauritius Commercial Bank (MCB) Head Office is a stunning 10 storey, 10,000 square metre building, at a business area in the centre of the island. It uses recycled products in its furniture, harvests rainwater, has low energy lighting and is strategically placed between North and South to virtually remove all direct solar gains. It may remind you of the media centre at the MCC at Lords cricket ground.

In contrast, the local market in Curepipe has a brightly coloured set of chimneys above which advertise one of the best known local brands, a paint producer.

Life in Mauritius has started!

After a few hectic weeks of packing, clearing, goodbyes and mild panic, Mauritian immigration greeted me warmly on my arrival at Plaisance airport. I am finally here, I thought. During my first few days on the island it has been a pleasure to meet so many friendly people who could not have done more to make me feel so welcome.

I have only had one real challenge so far that vexed me a little! I brought two suitcases with me and having opened the first at my temporary address (I move to Tamarin on the West Coast in December) I tried to open the second. The combination lock had jammed! Rather than resort to brute force I decided to leave it for the moment and manage with the clothes I had. I tried again a few days later and voila it opened as if by magic.

The weather has been splendid, the food delicious and the views amazing. You know you are in Mauritius when you see a view like I did in the wing mirror of my car on the first day I drove it from the dealer’s showroom.

Caudan waterfront was not too busy when I went for a walk and a cool drink in the afternoon. The shops were diverse and interesting and one walkway showed that umbrellas are not just there to keep the rain off! I am also looking forward to the freshly prepared vegetarian wraps at the Kauai restaurant.

Fresh and tasty wraps, salads and smoothies

Caudan waterfront looking up at Port Louis

I have had walks on the beach in Grand Baie, Pereybere, La Preneuse and Belle Mare and obviously had to enjoy the sea; is the water really 25 degrees all year around?

I managed to have an hour’s snorkelling in Blue Bay where I was amazed to see so many colourful fish so close to the beach.

This is a wonderful island with so much to explore, discover and enjoy.