Palates and Perambulations

Outside of the major resorts, there are myriad activities worth investing in for a day out in Mauritius

- Text and Photography by Bruce Dennill

Market value

Port Louis, the Mauritian capital, is well worth a visit, with the shopping options useful for any visitor looking for a souvenir or gift and new additions to the infrastructure aquariums, museums, and more - adding texture and interest for tourists with different tastes.

The Central Market bustles with activity and radiates a rainbow of colors. There's not a great deal of range in the stall offerings, with fruit and vegetables taking up most of one half of the space and crafts, curios, clothing, and accessories (handbags and the like) the other. If you've been before, you'll be able to save yourself the hassle of haggling with every single trader by making a beeline for wherever your favorite locally grown vanilla tea or other destination-specific treat is on sale. The confidence you'll display as a result may be enough to stop endless re-tellings of the same story about the best deal ever.'

Eat and walk

If you've built up a hunger while beginning your sightseeing, consider combining furthering both agendas with a food tour of the city - Taste Buddies offer a great option. The concept is excellent value for money, as the tour includes a guided walking tour around town, taking in Port Louis' history, architecture, and culture, as well as inside knowledge of what's good to eat, with options cherry-picked from the cosmopolitan local communities.