Warwyck Haven or Vieux Grand Port

This curious but crucial area in Mauritian history can be overlooked because it is barely signposted. If you go along the coastal road, just past the town of Vieux Grand Port, which also has the remains of fortifications and houses, at the bridge that crosses the river, go left, stop at the roadside and walk towards the bay. On one side there is a small dock with a monolith which commemorates the first landing by the Dutch on the island in 1516. The Dutch didn't really colonize because the slaves brought from Africa escaped to the mountains on their arrival. In order to monetize their presence on the island, the Dutch developed the slave trade in 1641 which brought slaves from Madagascar, few came to the island during this occupation.