Mauritius - Mauritius, Reunion and Seychelles - page 314

Extensions for a further three months as a tourist are available from the Passport & Immig-
ration Office ( 210 9312; fax [phone]; Lislet Geoffrey St, Sterling House, Port Louis) . Applications must
be submitted with one form, two passport-size photos, your passport, an onward ticket and
proof of finances. Two letters may also be necessary - one from you explaining why you
want to stay longer, and one by a local 'sponsor' (it can be someone providing accom-
modation). Providing you can satisfy these demands there should be no further problems,
but since quite a few visitors overstay their entry permits, there are 'get tough' periods.

WOMEN TRAVELLERS
There are no particular dangers for women in Mauritius, and you won't feel out of place
travelling solo either. It's still sensible to avoid walking alone along heavily forested trails
and roaming around late at night outside of resorts, particularly as most places have very
poor or nonexistent street lighting. Port Louis is one extreme example where it really
would be foolish to walk about alone after dark, especially near the Jardins de Compagnie
(a favoured hangout of pimps, drug addicts and prostitutes).

Getting There & Away

AIR
Mainland Mauritius' only airport is Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport (SSR; 603
6000; aml.mru.aero) . If you're going to be island-hopping around the region, you can cut the
cost of individual fares by buying an Indian Ocean Pass. The pass covers Air Mauritius,
Air Austral and Air Seychelles flights between Mauritius, Réunion and the Seychelles and
their services to Madagascar, Comoros, Mayotte and the Maldives. The pass, which is val-
id for two months, must be purchased outside the region from any of the three participat-
ing airlines. You must make a minimum of three different flights. Fares are discounted by
about 30%. For details of prices contact the participating airlines.

Air Austral ( 202 6677; www.air-austral.com ; 5 President John Kennedy St, Rogers House, Port Louis)

Air France ( 202 6747; www.airfrance.com ; 5 President John Kennedy St, Rogers House, Port Louis)

Air Madagascar ( 203 2150; www.airmadagascar.com ; IBL House, Le Caudan Waterfront, Port Louis)

Air Mauritius ( 207 7212; www.airmauritius.com ; President John Kennedy St, Air Mauritius Centre, Port Louis)

Air Seychelles ( 202 6671; www.airsyechelles.com ; 5 President John Kennedy St, Rogers House, Port Louis)

British Airways ( 202 8000; www.britishairways.com ; IBL House, Le Caudan Waterfront, Port Louis)