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April 2, 2024
Port Louis, Mauritius


Port Louis, Mauritius

Mauritius is an island country about 2,261 nautical miles east of Africa and 704 miles east of Madagascar. Mauritius is also the name of the main island, which hosts the capital and largest city, Port Louis.

Mauritius is one of the select places we visited more than 20 years ago during our one-year trip around the world. At the time (October 2001), the weather was overcast and windy. Returning here more than 20 years later, the weather was overcast and windy. Last time, we stayed in Grand Baie. This time, we docked in Port Louis.

Both Gail and Russell had lined up a great “Sailaway Catamaran Cruise” excursion, which would take us to a beach for several hours. Unfortunately, the excursion was cancelled this morning due to rough seas. Instead, we took the Viking shuttle bus to nearby Caudan Waterfront, site of a gigantic outdoor shopping mall.

There, we found an Indian clothing store that Gail fell in love with. She ended up purchasing several garments (but not a sari). At the food court, we enjoyed more spicy Indian food.


The outdoor mall at Caudan Waterfront


The outdoor mall was fun just to walk through


Sri Sri Indian Vibes, a shop where Gail purchased some new wardrobe


Gail tried on a full 18-foot Indian sari, but ultimately decided against getting one


Gail loved the work of a local woodcarver. If she could have figured out a way to get a gigantic carved turtle home, she would have bought one.


Tikka Masala in the food court, where Russell got a gigantic plate of biryani chicken

Mauritius is also where 200 guests from India overland excursions returned to the ship. Our population is back up to about 600, an increase of 50 percent over a day ago.

We are now looking forward to three days at sea before we reach our first port in South Africa. Arriving in Richards Bay on April 6, we will depart the ship for our own off-ship excursion. With two other couples, we will embark on a five-day African safari. We won’t return to the ship until April 10 in Cape Town.

You may not hear from us for several days. But we will update the blog again when we are able!


Gail with Don, one of the other passengers. Don is ~93 years old and basically lives on Viking cruise ships. (He was also on our world cruise last year.) He is deaf and uses a walker, but his mind is completely sharp.


Gail was thrilled that her photo of “Elephant Clothes Day” made the cover of the Viking Daily!


We are officially in a new sector of the itinerary. The new lecturers have been aboard since Cochin, but not advertised until now. Dr. Tony Waltham is a close friend of ours, and we have been looking forward to sailing with him again!

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