"You gather the idea that Mauritius was made first and then heaven, and that heaven was copied after Mauritius."
--Mark Twain, 'Following The Equator' 1897
Thanks, Mark. I appreciate your observation, however, times have changed. A visit in 1897 is completely different from one in 2007.
Behind the fauxcadeville that is Le Caudan Waterfront and the smiles and helpful hands given to anyone with white skin we find a desperate people with an extreme misappropriation of wealth and raging rascism. Politicians are blatantly corrupt. The police and private security forces resort to brutal tactics of pervasive persuation. The majority of the GDP is aquired through the production of sugar, and with the EU setting a ceiling for the price of sugar, this archaic industry on which this developing country was founded could also be the death of it.
In the center of this photo is a home.
This house sits only a few blocks from the one above.
However, show me a country that doesn't have its difficulties. This country is well developed for being independent only since 1968.
Being moored virtually in the center of the capital and largest city, Port Louis, has its advantages. We're able to experience many worldy cultural offerings within just a few square kilometers. Sugar, with its ties to slavery, has made this country unexpetedly diverse. Originally discovered by the Portugese, Mauritius, being strategically located on the way to India after the Cape of Good Hope, has seen its share of immigrants, slaves, and workers over the years. People have come (or have been forced to come) from China, Africa, France, Britan, India, Australia, Germany, Saudi Arabia, and others. Over 22 languages are spoken here and unnumerable religions and their various sects are represented with Tamil temples, Chinese pagodas, Christian churches, Islamic temples, and many more.
The oldest theater in Mauritius.
John (the skipper) and I outside the produce market. Virtually anything a person could want is available from the thousands of small shops and street vendors.
Inside the market there are hundreds of vendors selling their home-grown fruits and veggies. The best strategy we've found is to return to the friendliest three or four stalls once every couple days; we then are considered a "client" and receive the best bargain.
Delve into China Town and discover goods from all over Asia.
Unless you're a philatelist and covet the Blue Penny stamp worth over $5m, Mauritius is probably most famous for its extinct turkey-size bird, the Dodo; the last of which was believed to be killed in 1680. This is an actual skelton on display at the Natural History Museum. I remember learning of this fearless, flightless bird in elementary school; but more importantly learning of the impact that man can have on a local community. Catching a single fish travelling through 2,400 miles of ocean was disconcerting. I wholheartadley believe and agree with scientists' predictions that our major fisheries are at risk of vanishing over the next 43 years. Our planetary community is at an extreme risk. Did we not learn from the fate of the Dodo?
Hugh and I have made a few new friends here. The people are incredibly open and willing to show us their city. The photo above was taken after a whole day of exploring the city with our three personal tour guides, Julien, Nagimal, Dilshad (Dils!). This Saturday John, Hugh, Julien, and I will be hiking to the top of Thumb Mountain, which you can see in some of these photos.
We'll be anchored at Grand Baie next week for a week or two. This is a huge, lake-calm bay at the northwest tip of the island and is surrounded by beaches and expensive resorts. Grand Baie is a major European and African tourism destination so we're sure to meet more people, including locals who go there on the weekends to relax at the many bars and discoteques and to meet foreigners. Fine by me since the women here are stunningly beautiful and, being so open to meeting visitors, I know we'll have a grand time.
