Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
and a shop with a permanent exhibition of Père Laval's robe, mitre, letters and photo-
graphs.
To get here, take a bus signed 'Cité La Cure' or 'Père Laval' from the Immigration Sq
bus station.
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Pailles
POP 11,475
Just a few miles outside of the capital, the strange sugar-estate-turned-theme-park
Domaine
formed into a cultural and heritage centre that makes for an enjoyable half-day excursion.
The facilities include rides in horse-drawn carriages, a miniature railway, a working rep-
lica of a traditional ox-driven sugar mill, a rum distillery producing the estate's own brew,
a spice garden, a quad-biking circuit and a children's playground. On weekdays it's also
possible to horseback ride around the estate. Call the riding centre,
Les Écuries du Domaine
(
286 4240; 8am-5.30pm Mon-Fri, to noon Sat)
, to make a reservation. There are also a number
of upmarket restaurants on the site.
To get to the Domaine, take any bus running between Port Louis' Victoria Sq terminus
and Curepipe and ask to be let off at the turn-off for Domaine Les Pailles (it's clearly
signposted). From the main road it takes less than half an hour on foot to the reception.
Alternatively, it's a 10-minute taxi ride from Port Louis or Moka.
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Moka
POP 8203
The most interesting of the Central Plateau towns, the country's academic centre and offi-
cial home to the president of Mauritius, Moka is a great place to visit for a taste of Mauri-
tian history. The scenery is dramatic here too, with waterfalls, valleys and the towering Le
Pouce in the background. Moka's main attraction, though, is the captivating colonial man-
sion of Eureka. Almost perfectly preserved from the mid-19th century, it provides a win-
dow to the island's plantation past.
