Ten Important Mauritius DISCOVERIES

Ten Important Mauritius DISCOVERIES for new residents (that can affect life here on a daily basis)

1. Always check the information you are given in any situation with another person or two. Many will give you wrong information, as they would rather answer than look like they don't know. Saying Yes may just be polite when they don't know.
2. Very few here follow road rules, so just drive defencely - people pull out in front of you all the time, and then blow their horn or wave as to say they have the right!!  Speeding is common as is overtaking in dangerous areas.
3. Shops and Businesses , including Restaurants open when they want to not what is on their doors or on the net, so be prepared to turn up to no one there even if the past week they were there on that day and time of the week before.
4. Supermarket Catalogues will advertise products which are not available, so be prepared to shop and not find a key product you want, as they are waiting for supply - sometimes for weeks and sometimes they just don't get it in.
5. Sometimes prices are lower for Residents, just ask, as often they don't tell you.
6. Petrol prices and also medication prices (from most Chemists) are standard, the Government sets these.
7. Taxi's - don't let them tell you going through Port Louis to the Airport is better, it's better to go through the centre. Traffic is Crazy through Port Louis most of the time. Adding a hour to the trip if in peak time. Prices can vary by thousands of Rs.
8. The Beach and water is great, the stray dogs not so, be careful if you are going to take your own dog to the beach, you could be in trouble as the dogs can be super aggressive.
9. Always shop around and get as many quotes as possible, and make sure of a return policy, as many shops sell and if it's a faulty product you can be left high and dry.
10. The fruit and vegetables here taste great due to volcanic soil and no chemical small farm operations but have a much shorter shelf life so buy accordingly.