Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
SHOPPING IN MAURITIUS
Mauritius is increasingly promoting itself as a shopping destination, not least because numerous prestigious inter-
national clothing brands are manufactured here.
Before we give you the rundown on shopping on the island, a couple of warnings. First, avoid any seashell,
coral or turtleshell products - importing them into your country may be illegal. Secondly, taxi drivers in Mauriti-
us usually earn up to 20% commission from certain shops and other businesses to which they take clients.
Clothing
Although the textile industry has been eclipsed by China, it is still one of Mauritius' biggest earners. Many of the
brand-name clothes on sale in Europe, Australia and the USA are produced in the factories around Curepipe,
Floréal and Vacoas. Shoppers can save by buying at the source, and many of the bigger suppliers have outlet
stores where you can snap up items at a fraction of their usual retail price.
Floreal Knitwear in Floréal is renowned for its stylish sweaters and other knitted garments. The company sup-
plies Gap, Next and other international outfitters, but you can buy the same items before the branded labels have
been added for a fraction of the final cost at their Floréal emporium.
Handicrafts & Souvenirs
Locally produced basketry, essential oils, sugar, spices, rums, teas and T-shirts all make very portable souvenirs.
The Craft Market (
Click here
) in Port Louis' Caudan Waterfront complex offers perhaps the widest choice. Most
of the crafts and souvenirs sold at Port Louis' Central Market and the Grand Baie Bazaar (
Click here
) are of
Malagasy origin, like leather belts and bags, masks, embroidery and semiprecious-stone solitaire sets. For Rodrig-
ues' specialities,
Click here
.
Model Ships
It's difficult not to be impressed by the skill that goes into producing Mauritius' famous model ships. Small-scale
shipbuilding has become a huge business and you'll see intricate replicas of famous vessels, such as the
Bounty
,
Victory
,
Endeavour
,
Golden Hind
and even the
Titanic
, for sale all over the island. Model shipbuilding dates
back to only 1968, when an unknown Mauritian carved a model ship for fun and launched a whole new industry.
The models are made out of teak or mahogany (cheaper camphor wood is liable to crack), and larger ships take
up to 400 hours to complete. Men usually work on the structure and the women do the rigging and sails, which
are dipped in tea to give them a weathered look.
One of the best model-ship builders is Voiliers de L'Océan (
Click here
)
, in Curepipe. The company also has an
outlet, MAST (
Click here
), in Port Louis' Caudan Waterfront complex.
To get your goods home safely, shops will pack the models for carry-on luggage or in sturdy boxes to go in the
hold, and deliver them to your hotel or the airport at no extra charge.
