2025 04 20 MAURITIUS - EXPLORING THE ISLAND

🎥 Mauritius – Day One of Island Adventures!
Bain Boeuf → Cap Malheureux → Goodlands → Mapou → Pamplemousses

Aloha… or whatever the Mauritian equivalent is when you roll out of bed, open the curtains at Brahman Hut in Bain Boeuf, and immediately question if life in the UK is even necessary anymore. After a super comfy night in our little tropical hideout, we kicked off the day with breakfast and that first “holiday mode activated” coffee. Then—keys in hand—we hit the road.

🚗 Stop 1: Cap Malheureux – The Most Photographed Church Ever (probably)

First mission: Cap Malheureux, famous for its iconic red-roofed church, the Notre-Dame Auxiliatrice. When we arrived, people were preparing for the morning mass, bells ringing, chairs being set up, peaceful vibes everywhere.

Meanwhile on the beach, a lady was casually cleaning seafood—octopus, fish, all the good stuff—as if it’s the most normal thing ever. If you tried to do that on a beach in Europe you'd get a “Please step away from the octopus” ticket. But here it’s everyday island life, and we loved it.

Fun fact: Cap Malheureux means “Cape of Misfortune”, named after shipwrecks in the area. Cheery name, beautiful location.

🛕 Stop 2: Goodlands – Siva Soopramaniar Kovil Temple

Next up was Goodlands to visit the colourful Siva Soopramaniar Kovil Temple. Mauritius is a rainbow of cultures, and this temple proves it—vibrant sculptures, detailed artwork, and that classic peaceful hum of incense in the air.

It’s one of the largest Hindu temples in the north, and it felt like stepping straight into a live postcard.

🏡 Stop 3: Mapou – Château de Labourdonnais & Rum Heaven

Then we cruised to Mapou to visit Château de Labourdonnais—a restored 19th-century colonial mansion surrounded by orchards, gardens, and… the reason we really came… rum tasting.

If happiness had a flavour, it would be the Labourdonnais tasting flight.
Vanilla rum? Stunning.
Spiced rum? Gorgeous.
Coffee rum? Honestly life-changing.

Mauritius knows how to do rum properly—smooth, aromatic, and dangerously drinkable.

🌿 Stop 4: Pamplemousses – Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Gardens

With spirits (literally) lifted, we headed to the legendary SSR Botanical Gardens, one of the oldest botanical gardens in the southern hemisphere.

We strolled through:

Giant water lilies straight out of a fairy-tale

Endless species of palm trees

Fruit bats chilling in branches

Shade that feels like nature giving you a hug

A perfect chill-out stop after a day of sightseeing and rum appreciation.

🏝 Back to Brahman Hut – Pool Time & Dinner

By late afternoon, the sun softened, and we returned to Brahman Hut, jumped straight into the pool like overgrown children, and watched the sky tint pink while swaying palms whispered: “Yes, stay forever…”

For dinner we headed to Kanaco Restaurant, where the food was incredible and the service super friendly. A perfect end to a perfect first full day exploring Mauritius.