Site Description

Located in the southern tropics of the Indian Ocean, 1,000 miles off the southeast coast of Africa, the island paradise of Mauritius will host a Feast of Tabernacles site for the Church of God, a Worldwide Association, in 2012. Mauritius is known for its stunningly beautiful mountainous interior, its fine-sand beaches, and its colorful and harmonious mix of peoples from Africa, Madagascar, Europe and Asia.

First discovered by Arab seafarers in the ninth century, it was later visited by the Portuguese in the 16th century. The Dutch established the first colony on Mauritius in 1598, at which time it was named after Prince Maurice of Nassau. Slaves were imported from Africa to work sugarcane plantations. The famous dodo bird was exterminated during the Dutch period.

The French took possession of the island in 1715, renaming it the Ile of France, and Great Britain took the island from the French during the Napoleonic wars. At the abolition of slavery in 1835, indentured laborers were brought from India to work the plantations. Chinese and Muslim traders were also attracted to Mauritius. This colorful history explains the multiple languages and cultures to be found on the island.

Passports and visas

A valid passport is required for entry into Mauritius. You will be required to state on your arrival where you will be staying and the length of your stay. No visas or vaccinations are required for entry into Mauritius (for a 90-day stay) for visitors from most North American and European countries.

Access

International access is through the Plaisance International Airport with several daily connections through London, Paris and other European cities.

Lodging

Several lodging possibilities are available, including renting a vacation apartment or staying in one of the many beachfront resorts in Flic en Flac. We do not make group or block reservations.

Several tourist apartment complexes have fully appointed apartments available near the hall where services will be held. The services of the following are available:

Premier Mauritius Holidays
Flamingo Avenue
Flic en Flac 
Web site: www.premiermauritius.com
email: info@premiermauritius.com
Phone: 4539964
Cell: 7774441 (Mr. Rashid)

Prices for the apartments will be approximately $90 per night, though that will vary slightly depending on the actual apartment. Note: The quality and cleanliness of the apartments can be somewhat uneven, and the Church is unable to make any guarantees.

Once you have been accepted to the site in Mauritius, you may reserve the hotel of your choice or we will put you in touch with a member locally who will assist you in selecting an apartment.

Nearby resorts include:

The Pearl Beach: http://www.pearle-beach.com/
The Sands: http://www.sands.mu/
The Sugar Beach: http://www.sugarbeachresort.com/

Meals

There are several possibilities for meals. You may elect to self-cater if you rent an apartment. There are mini-markets available in Flic en Flac and larger supermarkets farther away (taxis or local buses are available for transportation).

There is also a wide variety of restaurants in and around Flic en Flac of different types and price ranges.

Flic en Flac

Flic en Flac is one of the most popular tourist destinations on the island. A pleasant walk from the hotel allows access to a selection of restaurants and shopping, as well as deep-sea fishing, glass-bottom boat rides, windsurfing, sailing and scuba diving. September is the end of the tropical winter season, so while daytime temperatures are normally warm (enough to swim in the ocean), it is wise to bring a light sweater or jacket for evenings.

Church services

Church services will be held in a rented house. Services will be in English, and a minister will be present for the Feast. The opening service will be held on Sunday evening, Sept. 30, at 8 p.m. There will be one service on the afternoon of the first day. Services will be held at 10 a.m. each day, with an additional afternoon service on the weekly Sabbath and on the Last Great Day.

Activities

Festival activities will include plenty of time for fellowship with the dozen local Church brethren from Mauritius and neighboring Reunion (we expect a total attendance of about 20); soaking up the relaxed, exotic local ambiance; and several excursions to sites of interest on the island including the Port Louis waterfront and the Botanical Gardens.

Electricity

The electrical current in Mauritius is 200-220 volts, 50 cycles. This will burn out North American appliances if no transformer is used (in the past, several visitors attending the Feast places with different voltage have had “bad hair days” due to short-lived but supercharged curling irons…). Note: A transformer is not the same thing as an adapter. An adapter is the plug that allows the appliance to be connected to the wall outlet. The sockets in Mauritius are generally the British type, with three thick rectangular prongs rather than the rectangular flat-type found in North America. A transformer is a separate item that actually modifies the electrical current. Several companies market travel sets that include both a transformer and several European adapters. Such sets usually cost about $20 and are available at luggage shops or department stores.

Financial Information

The Mauritian currency is the rupee. The exchange rate fluctuates, but at the time this form was prepared, the rate was approximately 30 rupees to the dollar, 37 rupees to the euro, and 46 rupees to the pound. You may change cash and traveler’s checks at banks and foreign exchange offices. You may also withdraw rupees directly at automatic tellers (which are common) using your ATM card or withdraw a cash advance with a MasterCard or Visa card that has a PIN.

Questions?

If you have questions or would like more information, please contact Bernard Hongerloot at Bernard.hongerloot@cogwa.org.