Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
clusively seafood. The name is a play on words (it's opposite the old lime kiln, or
four à
chaux
).
Le Café des Arts
OFFLINE MAP
( 480 0220;
www.maniglier.com
;
Victoria Rd; menu Rs 3400; noon-3pm & 7-10pm Mon-Sat)
This in-
triguing dining option is located within an old mill that has been transformed into Victoria
1840, an oddly charming gallery space. Crisp white cloths are draped over the tables and
canvases of wicked brushstrokes adorn the cracked brick walls. The food, a modern nod
to traditional island flavours, mirrors the old-meets-new surrounds.
MAURITIAN
€€
Information
Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority
(MTPA; 480 0925;
www.tourism-mauritius.mu
; Royal Rd;
9am-4.30pm Mon-Fri, to 2.30pm Sat)
Has a kiosk at the public beachfront near Le Four à Chaud
restaurant but is of very little help as it only provides general information about the island
and a few brochures. It does not have details about getting to Île aux Cerfs and will simply
refer you to the private operators.
Thomas Cook Foreign Exchange
(Royal Rd;
8.30am-4.30pm Mon-Sat)
Getting There & Around
There are no direct buses between Port Louis and Trou d'Eau Douce - you'll need to
change at Centre de Flacq, from where onward services to Trou d'Eau Douce run roughly
every half-hour. Taxis cost around Rs 500 from Centre de Flacq, Rs 1800 to the airport
and Rs 1600 to Port Louis.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Île aux Cerfs
Like Marilyn Monroe and Cleopatra, Île aux Cerfs' killer looks have triggered its demise.
Once sparsely populated by
cerfs
(stags; imported for hunting from Java), this picturesque
island is now overrun with touts and tourists baking under the tropical sun or lazing in the
perfect, gin-clear waters. The obtrusive crowds and general summer-camp vibe may be
off-putting at first, but few people realise that the island boasts over 4km of sandy bliss.
