Street scene, Port Louis
View of the harbour entrance from the Citadel
St James Anglican Cathedral
We arrived safely in Port Louis, Mauritius on Tuesday 3rd
July after a 3 day passage from Rodrigues. The sea was described as “slight”
when we left, almost unheard of for this time of year. We unfurled our genoa
for the downwind sail and made 3 knots. Lighter winds followed so we hoisted
our ghoster and goosewinged with both sails poled out. Our speed increased by
half a knot. Overnight we replaced the ghoster with our no.2 jib and kept this
sail pattern all the way. A ship going our way passed within a mile of us,
which appears very close at night, so I shone our spotlight at it. After 2
hours it crossed our bows and disappeared over the horizon.
After a day and a half the wind picked up a bit. Our
Hydrovane wind pilot steered a straighter course and better progress was made.
Sometimes an uncomfortable swell hit us on our port side, but mostly we had a
good passage, the chilly nights being lit by the almost full moon. We saw about
5 or 6 ships over the 3 days. Long trousers, jumpers and socks were needed at
night.
Our arrival outside the harbour at Port Louis was met by
silence as Jeremy hailed Port Control on VHF 16. Eventually, they answered on
VHF 14 and we were allowed to enter once a container ship had left. We followed
an inbound container ship, turned away to the old port and tied up to the
Customs wharf, which is on the opposite side of the harbour from the yacht
marina. After a short wait an Immigration officer arrived. Only the Health
Officer boarded us and was very quick. Jeremy filled in about 11 pages of forms
for Customs and finally filled in more forms for the Coastguard. The whole
process took about 2 hours. We were not asked to pay any charges as we had come
from Rodrigues. Our friends from “Cat’s Paw IV” met us at the Customs wharf and
brought us a baguette and a papaya. Thanks Ann and Barry, once again. Then they
met us again at the yacht marina and took our lines.
We have toilets and hot showers nearby and 24 hour security.
There are no pontoons so yachts have to raft up when it gets busy. We’ve rafted
up so that our cable can reach the electricity point. Drinking water is nearby.
The cost for this is 300 rupees (£7) a day. So far we’ve found 2 supermarkets
(Shoprite and Winners) lots of cafes/restaurants, 2 cathedrals and an amazing
fort built by the British called the Citadel or Fort Adelaide. Soon we’ll be
moving south to Riviere Noir, where there’s a national park and some walking
trails. Au revoir for now.
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