Port Louis - Post Report Question and Answers

Mauritius has tons to offer. Aside from being so far from home, this is an EXCELLENT deal. Good governance: We complain about the travel, the bureaucracy, and so forth... but we have it so much easier than our colleagues in the rest of Africa or India. Crime is low, people are friendly, roads are (mostly) good, and most of the population speaks English so you can get by even if you don't speak French/Kreol or aren't interested in learning. Touring: Air travel is expensive and we are too far to sail many places comfortably. However, the Embassy covers Seychelles and much of our regional support comes from Johannesburg so if you play your cards right you can take some family holidays onto training and save a few rupees. Culture: This is, without a doubt, the most diverse place I have ever been. If you've ever wanted a crash course in Islam, Hinduism (several devotions), and Catholicism while at the same time observing the mixing of and competition between European, African, Indian and east Asian cultures, then this is the place for you. I find the food to be excellent: curries, seafood, Chinese food, French bakeries... I've eaten very well here and there's no shortage of Hindu, Muslim, Christian, and secular holidays to celebrate. Saving money: it can be done here especially if you take it easy and don't travel too much. Gasoline is expensive and no one lives close to the Embassy so your gas bill will be shocking, but street food is plentiful and cheap as is household help. You have the option due to the modern shopping centers and supermarkets: you can live cheap if you want or find all the comforts of home (almost). Medical care: There are two modern and well-staffed hospitals here. We had our second daughter here. While the doctor's clinics can be a bit slow and inefficient, most doctors are educated in Europe or the U.S. so the care is great and the facilities at the big hospitals are excellent. MEDEVAC to South Africa is available but not necessary for much other than major medical mysteries. - Jun 2014