Grand-parents have always had a secret store of tales never told in books. How would youngsters know about the hidden meaning of life otherwise ? One similar way to recover the links with the past that remain around us is to visit a museum, especially with older persons. The Blue Penny Museum, in Caudan, Port-Louis is therefore an opportunity not to be missed.

At the very start, you come across a true “legend”. That of the famous “Post office” Blue Penny stamps, issued in Mauritius in 1847, a few years after the introduction of the postage paid mail. Thanks to the goodwill of managers of the Mauritius Commercial Bank two rare specimens, bearing “post office” instead of “post paid”, were acquired in 1993. They crowned the bank’s collections, formerly cared for by the curator Roger Merven, the predecessor of Alain Huron.

Since the opening of the Blue Penny Museum, four years ago, many people have gone there just to see the two rare stamps. Others came away with the impression of having met some part of the Mauritian collective memory. Yet many people are still unaware that this unique experience is within the reach of all. “We have promotion packages during the holidays, ending on August 13, among them, free entrance for children accompanied by adults. As parents are often working, grand-parents frequently come with the children”, says David Martial, the Communication Officer.

What this museum contains, whether unidimensionnal or tridimensional, cannot be easily described in words. In the first section, maps, atlas, and naval equipment are displayed, mainly from the Dutch and French colonial periods. All carry some form of mystery with them. This is perhaps because they are authentic items. In fact, apart from an impressive copy of the first globe ever made, everything in the collection is original, dating from almost four centuries ago and having diverse origins.

<B>Ancient instruments& inaccurate maps</B>

“European sailors were approaching new lands, knowledge about coastal outlines was poor. Along with the crew travelled a few draughtsmen, or geographers.” Abbé de La Caille, in the eighteenth century, was one of them. It is surprising to find his representation of the Isle-de-France drawn with such precision, after the Dutch maps. Ancient instruments and inaccurate maps also tell us something about the precariousness and hardships of the times. Those who are interested can have more details through the DVDs displayed in each section.

The Blue Penny Museum also gives an opportunity to visitors to continue with a boat tour in the harbour. This is particularly rewarding if you have chosen to visit the section where photographic reconstitutions of Port-Louis are shown with reference to the present urban landscape. It is almost like discovering another town from the present capital.

And the greatest surprise then is to find what still remains. An ancient hospital building, dating from the time of Mahé de Labourdonnais is one example. The Aapravasi Ghat is also shown in its original dimensions, that of huge barracks that extended over the present location of the “Gare du Nord”.

The lost, exotic paradise of bucolic Isle-de-France is also there, notably through the story of Paul et Virginie and the journeys of its author, Bernardin de Saint-Pierre, around the island. A lot to learn here, too. It might make some people look at the copies of Prosper d’Epinay’s sculptures of the mythic lovers in Port-Louis or Rose-Hill with new eyes… Another tale that history adds to the one people thought they knew.