After
arriving and settling in it is time to venture out to explore your new
environment and to start a new lifestyle, not only for yourself but
also for your children.
We call this section Living and Loving it because we have seen
so many people arrive in Mauritius and do just that. It might take some
time to get yourself rooted into the new environment where you find
yourself but no one said that any change is easy. Some people dive into
the expat life, whilst others prefer to keep their head buried under
the duvet and only surface when necessary. Regardless of which one you
can identify with, this page is here for both approaches, and anything
in between!
Our advice is:
Keep a check on your attitude. You will not be able to change
any of the aspects around you that might cause upset or frustration
BUT the one thing you have absolute control over is your attitude.
Once you get that right you are ready to fly!
Familiarise yourselves with the small variety of living
creatures here in Mauritius that can be a health hazard
in the new Dangerous animals
article.
Arts & culture
You will often hear expats say that Mauritius has
no arts or culture, but what they really mean is that
it does not have what they are used to in their home
country. Take the opportunity to experience the culture
of Mauritius, with Indian dance displays, Creole theatre
or local art exhibitions. More familiar culture such
as jazz, opera and choral concerts are also on offer.
Mauritius has many cultural centres (French, Chinese,
Indian, British, etc.) offering a range of entertainment
and educational experiences.
Opera
in Mauritius dates back to 1790, and has recently been
revived with the 2009 Opera Festival.
Book
Nook is a little haven for book lovers! Whether your passion
is fiction or non-fiction, French or English language, adult
or children's books you will find them all here. Good quality
used books are available at very reasonable prices and you
can even sell your own books that you no longer need. You
can either come to one of the regular book browsings (and
enjoy tea and scones at the same time!), visit by appointment
or choose your books by email from the book listing. To
find out more please contact Ingrid Koenig at copperbutterfly1@gmail.com
New! Please read our
book reviews and feel free to send us your own at admin@expatmauritius.com.
ExpatMauritius.com's virtual bookshelf
Suggested reads relevant to Expats. Click on the book cover
to read more. Order online from the Book
Depository.
Visit
The
book depository, an online bookstore that offers FREE
delivery to Mauritius!
Chat groups
Chatting
to and sharing your experiences with people in the same
situation is a great source of practical information
and advice as well as a stress reliever.
AP
expat mums: This group is for those parents living outside
their home countries who are interested in Attachment Parenting
(a parenting method that seeks to create strong emotional
bonds between parent and child). This is a safe and friendly
place for people to come together and talk about their parenting
experiences in foreign lands.
Expat
Interviews is where you will find the opinions of expats
living in countries like Thailand, Philippines, Holland, India,
Australia etc.
Spouse's
View is an internet community of expatriate spouses
all over the world. This is a forum to share your view of
the world. Whether you currently live at home or abroad,
your insights, experiences and advice are welcome.
Mauritius
Blog Tracker is an aggregator of digital content generated
by Mauritians worldwide. It tracks blog posts, podcasts, videocasts
and more.
Discovering
the island
It may be small, but Mauritius has a great deal to
offer in terms of sightseeing, adventure and entertainment.
Websites, guide books and word of mouth are all great
ways to find out about what's on offer.
Islandinfo
website contains information about Mauritius, including
hotels, activities, sightseeing, shopping, eating out and
much more. The website also features the monthly magazine
that is distributed free of charge.
6
nights and 7 days: One of our website users suggests
an itinerary for guests coming to visit you in Mauritius.
This
site offers up-to-date information on restaurants, bars, clubs,
cafes, catering services, food shops and related businesses
in Mauritius. Users can find a big selection of discount coupons,
restaurant reviews, restaurant guides, food articles and tips,
a recipe centre, a business directory, club promotions and
many more.
Family matters
www.babycenter.com:
A website that covers valuable information about pregnancy,
babies, toddlers and kids.
Finance
The
Stock Exchange of Mauritius Ltd (SEM) was incorporated
in Mauritius on 30 March 1989 under the Stock Exchange Act
1988, as a private limited company responsible for the operation
and promotion of an efficient and regulated securities market
in Mauritius.
On first arriving in Mauritius many expats struggle
in the supermarkets to find food stuffs that they are
used to eating in their home country. Although the range
of food products imported is growing daily you will
probably find that some of your old recipes are no longer
feasible. Try these links below to help refresh your
culinary repertoire.
Diet
& nutrition in Mauritius: Tamany Geldenhuys, a Registered
Dietitian living here in Mauritius, shares her knowledge
on topical subjects relating to diet and nutrition.
Lunch
box ideas: Keep the kids happy and healthy with these
suggestions from a certified nutritionist. You
can also join the group of moms's mostly living in
Mauritius on Facebook called
Lunch box: What did you put in your child's lunch
box today?
Recipe room: Whether you
are a beginner or a cordon bleu chef, check out these easy
recipes posted by our users. Or post your own recipe for
others to enjoy.
The
frustrated foodie
Follow Sue's Blog for innovative and creative ideas for food.
Sue just LOVES to cook!
Kids &
teens
Having teenagers in our midst means
internet, music, sports and even occasionally homework.
Here are a few websites to get them started.
There are a number of these groups
in Mauritius, offering the opportunity to meet other
expats and locals. Such groups may also raise money
for charities or go on visits to different parts of
the island, whereas others are based around a particular
activity (such as walking/rambling).
Corona Worldwide is a UK based
organisation with branches and contacts in over 100 countries.
The prime purpose of these branches is to provide friendship
and understanding to women of all nationalities, creeds, beliefs
and backgrounds. Mauritius is indeed blessed with three branches
all of which offer a warm welcome to women on the island whether
they are here on a temporary or permanent basis. All branches
are non-registered, non-profit making associations with no
affiliation to any political, ethnic or religious group.
Corona Central (predominantly
French speaking) meets at Rosehill on the first Tuesday
of each month and meetings normally include a guest
speaker with refreshments available.
Contact: Mrs Raymonde Rassou email raymonderassou@yahoo.co.uk
Corona North meets at Hotel
Le Palmiste, Trou aux Biches on the second Tuesday
of each month from 9.15 until noon. Meetings have
a guest speaker, refreshments, books on sale etc.
Other activities held regularly include Bridge, Mah-Jong,
Scrabble, play reading, creative writing, visits to
factory outlets, places of interest , coffee mornings,
etc.
Website: http;//coronanorth@webs.com
Plateau Branch meets on the third Friday of
the month, from 10:00 till 12:00 at Gymkhana Club,
Vacoas, for coffee, social chats, guest speakers or
activities. Offers friendship, support and the chance
to stay abreast of local issues and activities.
Contact : Mrs Maggie Leung Tel: 686 6249
Medically
speaking
The healthcare provision in Mauritius probably differs
from what you are used to, and some of the health risks
posed may also be new to you. Here you can keep up to
date with government advice on local epidemics or other
health risks. There are very many health-related websites
but remember that there is no substitute for visiting
your own health practitioner in person!
www.eMedicineHealth.com:
Health information for consumers on accidents and injuries,
symptoms and treatment of diseases and health conditions,
first aid for medical emergencies, and the physical and
emotional well-being that contribute to general wellness.
Meeting
expats
Meeting
up with other expats is a great way to socialise, get
advice and to just spend some time with other people
going through the same experiences as you are in this
new environment. Also have a look at our Blog topic
: Meeting
people.
Australian Monthly Australian Ladies lunches organised by Louisa
and Karen. Email: patlou@intnet.mu
NewspaperDirect Mauritius is licensed to print and
distribute in excess of 1800 out-of-market international
daily newspapers from over 80 countries worldwide. These
high quality, laser-printed and bound newspapers are tabloid-sized
replicas of the current day version of high profile brands
such as The Times of London,
The New York Times, Sunday Times of Johannesburg , The Wall
Street Journal, Corriere Della Sera, Le Monde, El Pais,
Frankfurter Allegemiene Zeitung, Financial Times and the
International Herald Tribune
to name but a few, allowing the discerning remote
reader access to the latest information regarding their
country as published in the print media worldwide.
Whether it is a weekday paper or the weekend, you can now
receive your same day favourite newspaper delivered to you
in time for breakfast.
Just one call or e-mail and your newspaper can be with
you the next morning.
You dont need to go through
the experience of relocating on your own, other people
moving to a different countries all over the world have
probably been in a similar situation read advice
and stories from others, and discuss your worries or
problems in chat rooms.
Face to face on expat life by Hillie Odendaal
It is easy for the outsider to get the wrong idea of expatriate
life: a conception that combines romanticism and leisure,
adventure and pleasure, a better life, a hope, a future.
It is seen as a privileged lifestyle and envied by those
who stayed behind. These qualities may, in some way or another,
be present in this lifestyle, but with them also come the
sacrifices that no one knows about. It is only through energy,
focus, determination, self-discipline and connectedness
that you keep yourself together. Many have done this journey
before and many will follow. The richness of this experience
is only determined by one thing: your own choice. Follow
this series of articles that cover some of the realities
of expat life. Read
more >
Expat
Spotlight: Making it work in Mauritius
Is your glass half full or half
empty? Expat spotlight asks different people
their points of view on how you can adapt to life in Mauritius.
How do you adjust to being away from the security of family
and life-long friends? How can you find ways to 'feed your
soul'? Please be inspired by expat success stories in our
Expat spotlight. Read
more >
www.expatexpert.com:
This site is designed to assist expatriate families living
and working overseas - and returning home one day.
Tales
from a Small Planet's mission is to enrich and share
the experience of living abroad through literature, humour
and the arts, as well as by providing information and education
on what it is really like to live in a foreign country and
how to cope with the challenges that may come along.
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