Magical Mauritius

Delight in the hidden gem of the Indian Ocean.

he Mascarene Islands (principally Mauritius, Rodrigues and Reunion), located in the Indian Ocean 400–500 miles east of Madagascar, initially benefited from remoteness. For millennia they evolved untouched by humans. When European nations set their sights on colonial expansion in Asia, the islands suddenly became strategically vital.

Modern Mauritius (which also includes Rodrigues and many smaller islands) is defined by that contested history. Through turbulent centuries it was ruled by the Portuguese, the Dutch, the French and then, from 1810 until independence in 1968, the British. These waves of settlers introduced their own flora and fauna; and unique local species, including the dodo, were wiped out.

At the same time, a distinct Mauritian identity emerged, with a population imported by the colonial powers from India, China and Africa. These diverse influences forged a language, Mauritian Creole, and a cuisine incorporating French specialties, curries, Chinese-style noodles and African root vegetables.

The main island of Mauritius measures approximately 40 miles long and 30 miles wide, covering an area of 790 square miles. You can see almost the entire island from the summit of Le Pouce (The Thumb), a mountain located immediately behind the capital city, Port Louis. The ascent follows along well-marked trails and proves relatively gentle until the last section, the so-called thumb. From the base of the thumb to the top is a strenuous 20-minute climb with sheer drops on both sides, but it provides the reward of a 360-degree