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The best two months of my life so far were spent in Mauritius in the summer of 2005. Thanks to the amazing hospitality of my client - Bernard, his wife Cecille, their little daughter and all my colleagues, Naveen, especially. I live in Kolkata, in India.

Mauritius: where the water turns clockwise in your basin

Abhijit Bhattacharjee
2006-02-19 13:42:15

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bricks. Only volcanic ash that can be mixed with cement to make concrete hollow bricks. The cement itself is mostly imported from neighbouring South Africa which is its largest trading partner.

The Dutch were the first to land in these islands, probably Arabs also. The Dutch are also associated with the disapperance of an ancient bird called “The Dodo”. This duck like large bird was found only in Mauritius in this whole world. And it has disappeared.

Then arrived the French and later the British and the slaves from Africa (mostly Mozamibique) and the laborers from India. The Chinese came mainly as businessmen.

And they each contibuted to the beautiful Mauritius of today in their own ways. Beautiful music, beautiful dance forms.

The country became independent in 1968 from the British and its first PM was Sir Sriseewasagar Ramgoolam. Its quite a well managed country. Most professionals have had their degrees from Europe or South Africa or India. The people are however always complaining of the politicians though. They are full of passion about everything they say. I witnessed the elections here. It was more like a football match, a street carnival and elections combined. It was fun, a bit like tintin comics, everybody participates in it. Every vote counts. And national average was 78% voting. There was a change of government. And the street festivals followed.

The neighbouring smaller Reunion island is still a French colony and is joked about as the southernmost point of Europe. Its a district of France, not a colony really, they say.

The capital town is Port Louis with many imposing buildings. The airport is on the far south east, the other side. The total drive could be a little more than one hour on the ample 6 lane Autoroute criss crossing the country, if its not office time when the traffic comes to a crawl. The more vibrant towns are Rose Hills and Quatre Bornes, Vacoas and Curepipe. And the tourist ...