Mauritius : Shop Together
Mauritius - especially Port Louis (followed closely by Rose Hill and Curepipe) makes for great shopping, and the island has several duty-free shops for tourists that offer the normal range of goodies for special prices for passport and ticket-holders. In and around Port Louis are the duty-free stores at the Air Mauritius Centre and the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Airport.
Must-buys typicaily include local handicrafts such as hand-embroidered tablecloths and the like, teak knick-knacks, ship models, woven baskers, wood carvings?? (especially of the dodo birds that were found here in large numbers when the Portuguese invaded in the 1500's), 18 or 22 carat gold jeweler, Chinese artefacts, silk-screened fabrics, earthenware and blown recycled glass products. Several top designers have their local production units here and understandably clothes are available fairly cheap. Buying food products such as the variety of chillies used in the assorted cuisines, candied fruit, pickles, vanilla tea and the local rum is also a good idea.
In Port Louis you can find beautifully made handicrafts at the National Handicraft Centre, La Maison de l'Artisanat and at Planet on La Chaussee. An extraordinary selection of duty-free jewellery is available from Mikado, Poncini, Bijouchk or Bigouterie Bienvenue. Great clothing can be found at The Spot and Bongo, among others. The true Mauritian experience, can be sampled at The Market, operating, essentially uninterrupted from this site since 1828. You can find everything from the gauche and gaudy, from design label knockoffs to herbs and spices and meats!
