We make sure that our customers are given the best service by taking care of their needs and also leisure time.
Le secret de jasmin is only a few minutes from famous and realxing beaches like Grand baie, Perebere and Cap malheureux beach and also well-known shopping complex like Grand baie la Croisette and Super U Grand-Baie.
History
The main island was visited in 1505 by the Portuguese. Next came the Dutch who briefly settled in the island during the 17th century and named it Mauritius after Maurice of Nassau, Prince of Orange. After the Dutch left, the French moved in at the beginning of the 18th century, to give way to British rule in 1810. The country gained its independence in 1968 and has remained a model of democracy, ever since. Mauritius became a republic in 1992. It has a President as Head of State, while executive powers rest in the hands of an elected Prime Minister. The territory of Mauritius is made up of several islands that includes Rodrigues, Agalega and St Brandon.
Location
The country is part of the Mascarenes Archipelago, which also includes the French island of Reunion and Rodrigues. It is in the South-West Indian Ocean region, about 1,250 miles off the East Coast of the African mainland. The main island has a total surface area of 720 square miles, with a coastline of over 200 miles, much of which is protected by coral reefs. The capital city, Port Louis, where the cruise terminal is located, is on the north-west coast, about 25 miles from the international airport at Plaisance.
Economy
In the past, the country’s economy depended mainly on sugarcane but has now become increasingly diversified thanks to the development of the textile and tourism industry, financial services (with a strong global business sector) and ICT services. Its economic performance is recognised as one of the most impressive in Africa.
Population
The Mauritian population is among the most ethnically diverse on the planet. As soon as you set foot on Mauritian land, one thing will strike you: the people. With their spontaneous smile, you will instantly feel welcome. This warm attitude is rooted in the people of Mauritius and the result of an extraordinary mix of cultures, religions, and ethnicities. These differences unite people and all the communities live in harmony by nurturing their own culture and heritage and sharing them with visiting guests. If you want to understand and discover Mauritius, it is essential to mingle with its inhabitants. A stroll through the heart of towns and villages, a stopover in shopping centres, or a day at the beach to meet the picnickers, are among the activities are advisable. You can also contact local operators for guided tours. Partygoers will be able to meet locals in night clubs, especially during weekends when night life is more active. Spontaneity, hospitality, and sharing are what you will bring back from your foray into authentic Mauritius.
Cuisine
An island with so many different cultures can only offer an extraordinary culinary richness. Mauritian cuisine is indeed rich from its origins and its blending. On every table in Mauritius, whether in a hotel or at home, you will taste flavours that may remind you of other countries, but that are unique to Mauritian culture. The dishes are rather spicy, but very tasty and suitable for foreign guests, most of the time. If you want to have a more authentic experience of Mauritian cuisine, you must try its street-food. Outlets are found everywhere, from street corners to markets or shopping malls: dholl puris, chili cakes (“gateaux piment”), samoussas, dumplings (“boulettes”), bryani, or fried noodles… Food forms part of the lifestyle of Mauritians. Hotels offer more and more themed evenings where you can taste these delights during your holidays in Mauritius. Food festivals are also held throughout the year, such as the China Town culinary festival, which focuses on Chinese-Mauritian cuisine, and the Port-Louis bread festival, among others.
Culture: religious festivals
TColourful is perhaps the best word to describe the many and different religious festivals celebrated in Mauritius. The Chinese New Year celebration is characterised by various dances; during the Tamil Cavadee festival, devotees make their way to the temples, their body pierced with pins; and for the Hindu festival of Maha Shivaratree, thousands of pilgrims, often carrying richly decorated kanwars’’, walk from all over the country to the sacred lake of Grand Bassin. Like Christmas,the Hindu festival of light Divali’’ has a national dimension just as other Hindu, Muslim and Christian celebrations.
National Heritage
Mauritius has two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: • The Aapravasi Ghat - where indentured labourers from India and elsewhere disembarked • ‘Le Morne’- the mountain that symbolizes resistance to slavery. The country is also known for its biodiversity. It is rich in endemic plants and bird life, with a growing number of nature reserves and parks, and has enjoyed notable success in saving some endangered species. Mauritius is the only country where the dodo bird once existed. The size of the island allows passengers to discover numerous shore excursions and tours without spending too much time in travelling from point to another, and properly dive into the cultural offering of the island thus making the most of their time ashore. Popular Excursions around the island include: Pamplemousses Botanical Garden, or Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden, is one of the most visited sites in Mauritius, and the oldest garden in the southern hemisphere. Another key attraction of Mauritius is the Seven-coloured Earth located in the heights of Chamarel. An unexpected site formed by a geological phenomenon that gave to the earth a palette of seven colours. This unique place deserves to be seen. The beaches of Mauritius are evocative of dream, escape and sunshine. The island is surrounded by beautiful white sandy beaches and cliffs that offer, together with the blue lagoon, an extraordinary scene that varies according to the seasons and the time of the day. The coastal landscapes also change according to the region, they are nothing alike. On the east-coast, Ile aux Cerfs, an isle set in the lagoon a few minutes by boat from the coast, is one of the most visited sites by tourists and can be the perfect day out at the beach for cruise passengers.
The Central Market in Port Louis offers a true taste of local life and culture. It is a real feast for the senses, with vibrant fruits and vegetables piled into pyramids, the aroma of exotic spices, the colourful clothes and the must-try street food that on its own is a journey around the world, with Mauritius having influences from India, Africa, China, Europe, and the Middle East. The Caudan Waterfront is also popular excursion with this modern seaside promenade, high-end boutiques that share their space with local artisans, as well as museums, entertainment centre and restaurants and clubs. To learn more about the history of the island, starting at the port itself, at the Aapravasi Ghat, where indentured labourers from India and elsewhere disembarked is a must-visit site. Next up, visit the Natural History Museum, followed by a stroll in the peaceful Jardin de la Compagnie, the garden next to the museum. A little further on, on Vieux Conseil Street, the Photography Museum is worth the visit with the history of photography in Mauritius. At Caudan Waterfront, you can also pop in the Blue Penny Museum, also rich in Mauritius' history. The newly opened oceanarium, Odysseo, right across the jetty at Les Salines is already a favourite amongst the tourists due to the easy and quick access. Odysseo is the largest oceanarium in the Mascarene Archipelago and one if its kind in Mauritius with over 3500 specimens in 45 aquariums and 55000 m2 of visit area to make the most of a half-day activity. Port-Louis seen from above is also fascinating. To gain height, the two sites that come to mind are the Citadelle and the monument of the Marie Reine de la Paix. The Citadelle, also known as Fort Adelaide, built during the British era in the early 19th century on top of a hill near the Champ de Mars, offers a beautiful panorama of the capital. The monument of the Marie Reine de la Paix, a place dedicated to the Holy Virgin by the Catholic community, is located further south at the foot of Signal Mountain; it gives a different but equally enjoyable view.
