I spend november in Mauritius and took some photos from a shopping center a few days before I left the island. This shopping center has taken advantage of the large, empty space to make a beautiful recreational area. I think they had local artists to do some of the artwork and painted pavements, etc. I realized that by checking Instagram. This place is La Croisette Shopping Center, located in Grand Baie in the northern part of the island.
The first time I came here more than 12 years ago, there was a large sugar cane field on that side of the road where La Croisette is located now. In 2011 the center was under construction. Since then this is where I go to shop, go to a cafe, bank etc. (I always stay in Grand Baie). When it opened and I saw that it has exclusive and expensive niche stores, I thought they wouldn't be able to survive. But they have. Grand Baie draws lots of tourists. Before the center opened, I used to buy vegetables and fruit from a street vendor. But she closed her store when the supermarket opened. This time I have actually had a street vendor right on the corner of where I usually live. Very useful to buy cheaper and fresher vegetables here.
Last time I was here was before the pandemic, but most shops, restaurants etc. has suvived so far. In addition the open space / square in the center, is now beautifully decorated. It has lots of shady places with chairs and benches. Even some old busses are placed here. The square is definitive much more attractive now.
La Croisette is a modern shopping mall. It opened in 2012. Now the complex has about 80 shops, restaurants, foodcourt, supermarket, cinema, health club, bank, medical center etc. In addition to offices and apartments. The buildings are arranged around a large square. Until now it’s been an empty large space you cross when going to the opposite side.
Veird creatures are found around the whole center. They are painted on the tiles and pavements. Different in appearance and sizes. Some look quite scarry... One just has to remember to look down. I did not discover them all at once. It was done little by little.
This staircase used to be just grey concret. Not any more. Now it has turned into a symphony of colors. The stairs leads down to a shop and the covered parking underneath the complex. I think one of the artists behind some of the decorations might be David Lagesse. When I was going to post street art done by him in Port Louis, the capital, I checked his Instagram account. I recognized some of what he has pictures of there. But I did not find a signature, so I'm not sure who the artists are.
In mid-November, all the Christmas decorations and the Christmas tree also came into place. It gave a good Christmas mood, although it feels a little out of place to walk around in shorts and sandals and prepare for Christmas. When I came back to Norway, it was to snow. Today it is snowing again, but this is Christmas :)
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All the photoes are mine, Ulla Jensen (flickr, Instagram and facebook)
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