Page 17 - Cape-Camera-May-2024

Cape Camera May 2024

The Mauritius capital, Port Louis, has much to offer

No visit to Mauritius would be complete without explor-
ing the vibrant capital city of Port Louis, which offers a
rich tapestry of culture, history and urban photography
opportunities.
Photographers can wander through the bustling mar-
kets, such as the Central Market and the Caudan water-
front, capturing candid scenes of daily life and colourful
street vendors. The city’s architectural landmarks, includ-
ing the iconic House of Parliament and the Jummah
Mosque, provide striking subjects for architectural pho-
tography.
Additionally, the bustling harbour offers a dynamic back-
drop for capturing images of traditional fishing boats
and cargo ships against the backdrop of the city skyline.
Sunset provides a particularly magical atmosphere with the
warm hues reflecting off the water of the harbour.

Left: The Houses of Parliament.
Top: Jummah Mosque.
Above: Caudan Waterfront.
Photos by Kishore Seegobin.

What you need to know when planning a visit to Mauritius
Mauritius is a year-round destination. There are two dis- • Thaipoosam Cavadee: January or February
tinct climates — the coast is usually hotter, whereas the • Mha Shivaratri: February or March
central plateau can be much cooler. There are two main • Ganesh Chaturthi: August or September.
seasons. The most convenient area in which to stay for access to all
Summer: November-April. Average day time tempera- the sites mentioned in the article would be somewhere
tures vary between 28oC and 33oC. Cyclone season is in the central region, rather than in a coastal region. This
from November to May and when the Spooners visited in would enable one to travel to all points of the compass
January this year they experienced Cyclone Belal, which while avoiding the heaviest weekday traffic.
brought lots of rain. They found January to be very hot Travelling there and around
and humid and for a return trip, they would prefer to go
outside of the peak summer season. Modes of transport include car rentals, taxis and buses.
Winter: May–October. Average day time temperatures There is also a metro/tram service from the capital city
22oC – 25oC. At times, in July and August, due to the pres- Port Louis to the main towns. Although the roads are
ence of cold fronts, the eastern, southern and southwest- generally narrow, travelling around the island is very easy,
ern coasts may be windy and colder. says Sally-Ann.
Peak Holiday Seasons are during the months of April, July There are two direct flights weekly from Cape Town to
to August and November to January Mauritius, with a third weekly flight in July and August.
Religious festivals offer colourful photographic oppor- There is one direct flight daily from Johannesburg.
tunities. The dates vary slightly each year, but they gener- * Kishore says he will be delighted to be of any help to any
ally take place around the following dates: CTPS member travelling to Mauritius, who are welcome
• Chinese New Year: End January or beginning February to contact him.

Cape Town Photographic Society 17