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Mauritius |
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#1. Minimal Time Difference.
Local time is GMT plus four hours. Mauritius is
well served by a number of international airlines.
Air Mauritius has weekly flights to and from many
European cities as well as from several major
African cities including Antananarivo, Madagascar;
Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg, South Africa;
Maputo, Mozambique; Harare, Zimbabwe; and Nairobi,
Kenya. In addition, there are weekly flights to and
from Bombay, Delhi, Chennai, Hong Kong, Jakarta,
Kuala Lumpur, Melbourne, Perth and Singapore.
British Airways, Air France, Singapore Airlines,
and South African Airways all operate weekly
flights. A prime tourism destination, Mauritius is
only six hours from New York to London or Paris and
another twelve hours from Europe and about four and
one half hours from Johannesburg, South
Africa. #2. No Vaccinations
Required. An international vaccination certificate
against Yellow Fever is required. While there is a
small risk of contracting Malaria, it is
exclusively the benign form (phalcipirum vivax)
that exists throughout the year in some remote
areas. #3. Many Fast and Convenient
Flights with Air Mauritius, the National Carrier
with Outstanding Service. In 2002, Air Mauritius'
network covers a total of 150,000 km and includes
twenty-eight destinations on four continents. Such
a success is no mere coincidence: in less than
twenty years Air Mauritius' highly qualified
personnel, reliability and punctuality, as well as
almost legendary in-flight service have made it an
international company whose standards are often
higher than those of larger airlines. Air Mauritius
offers impeccable in-flight services in all classes
and has the professional competence to handle even
the largest groups, but is flexible enough to
accommodate the most exacting demands. Always
mindful that you have a choice, it's an airline
whose people are keen to provide the vary best in
personal service. Most flights are night flights
and non-stop. In addition, Air Mauritius offers
extra convenient schedules with early arrivals in
Mauritius and late departures from Mauritius which
gives the traveler more holiday time on the island.
Air Mauritius' motto "World Class Airline" says it
all. #4. Fascinating Cultural
Diversity Where You Can See Faces From All Over the
World. Indeed, the rich cultural diversity of the
people has become the island's pride: its Indian,
Chinese, Creole, African, European and Malagasy
populations live together in perfect harmony,
respecting one another's traditions and remaining
true to their own. Mauritius holds a sweet surprise
for those who have come only to see its
incomparable lagoons and glorious beaches: the
incredible ethnic and cultural diversity of its
population, whose ancestors have come from all over
Europe, Africa, Asia and the Madagascar. They all
brought with them their own customs, language, and
religion, which they have kept alive. In fact, the main religions
of the world have left their mark on Mauritius and
a remarkable number of religious festivals are
celebrated on the island. Hinduism, Christianity,
Islam, and Buddhism are the most practiced
religions. All year long, cultural and religious
festivals are celebrated in peace and harmony in
Mauritius. At Teemeedee in December and January,
Hindus honor their gods with fire-walking
ceremonies. During Thaipoosam Cavadee in January or
February, Tamils trek to the temple with a
flower-covered arch suspending a pot of milk at
each end to offer to the deities. Firecrackers ward
off evil spirits during the Chinese New Year's Day
dragon parades in January of February. At Maha
Shivaratree in February, white-clad Hindu devotees
make a pilgrimage to Grand Bassin, carrying wooden
arches (called a Kanwar) covered with flowers to
fetch holy water from the lake. The whole festival
is reminiscent of the great rituals on the banks of
the Holy Ganges in India. At Holi, a Hindu festival
held in February or March, revelers squirt colored
water and powder on each other. It is a time for
rejoicing and exchanging greetings. Id-El-Fitr is
celebrated to mark the end of Ramadan, the Muslim
holy month of fasting and prayers are offered at
mosques during the day. In September people of all
faiths flock to the shrine of Father Jacques Desire
Laval to experience the miraculous healing powers
attributed to this Catholic saint. Divali, the most
jovial of all Hindu festivals occurs in October and
November when clay oil lamps are lit at homes all
over the island. Moreover, the people of
Mauritius all share a common identity centered
around the Creole language, an active literary
scene, and the national dance, the Sega. The Sega
is the Mauritian dance par excellence. Its roots go
back to Africa, to the first slaves imported to the
island in the seventeenth century. Today, it
constitutes a vital ingredient of the Mauritian
culture. Nobody can possibly resist its pulsating
rhythm and carefully produced setting where the
women, dressed in rainbow-colored skirts, entice
their partners by seductively offering themselves
while staying ambiguous at the same time. The
shuffling, hip swaying dance and Creole lyrics are
an integral part of the music. An amazing sight you
might encounter in a seaside village or high up in
the southwest. Your hotel might even organize such
an event to your enjoyment on the beach at
nightfall. #5. The Most Beautiful
Beaches in the World Set Against a Breathtaking
Landscape. The glorious beaches have been
attracting travelers since the sixteenth century.
Mauritius is embraced by a spectacular coral reef
which transforms the mighty Indian Ocean into
coastal lagoons as calm as a baby's bath, laced
with golden, powder-soft coral beaches, fringed
with exotic coconut palms and casuarinas. These
lagoon waters are a blend of exotic shades of blue,
green, turquoise and indigo and astonishingly
translucent. The protecting reef sustains the
delicious warmth of the waters, preserves their
calm, and keeps the little fish in and the big fish
out. It makes Mauritius one of the few places on
earth where you can indulge whichever water sport
you fancy, or simply swim and sunbathe all year
round. The spectacular beaches of Mauritius are
among the most treasured and unsurpassed anywhere
else in the world for their quality or
beauty. It should be noted however
that Mauritius is an island of contrasts and there
is much more to the country than lovely beaches and
enchanting lagoons. The interior of the country is
strewn with natural and architectural treasures.
Mauritius also has rare plant and animal species
and majestic mountains and forested areas creating
an ecological wonderland full of pleasurable
experiences. #6. The Mauritians are a
Friendly, Hospitable People. Mauritius believes
that the magical ingredient that makes the island
nation's destination stand out from all of the rest
is the refinement and courtesy of its people which
many a foreign visitor will recall with great
fondness. The lush tropical setting, the gracious
hospitality of its people, the variety of charming
customs, the gentle community of various religions,
the ease of official arrangements, all combine to
make Mauritius an ideal setting for an
unforgettably pleasurable tourism
experience. #7. Hotels Offering
Incomparable Value for Money. The quality of the
hotel accommodations, from the simplest to the most
luxurious, are maintained at a very high standard
of excellence in order to preserve Mauritius'
reputation as an exclusive destination. Many of the
hotels (from world-class to small and medium-sized)
located at fashionable seaside resorts have
excellent facilities to satisfy the utmost
expectations of honeymooners, sports enthusiasts as
well as those on family vacation or business
travel. Modern amenities include spacious guest
rooms, private bathroom equipped with a shower and
separate toilet, air-conditioning, in-room safe
box, telephone and internet services, on-site
restaurants, mini-clubs, casinos, room service,
beauty salons, massage and sauna services, and
duty-free boutiques. In addition, there are golf
courses, car hire services and a multitude of water
recreational activities as well as nearby island
excursions to consider. Most major hotels also have
fully-equipped conference centers, secretarial
services and business centers. #8. Outstanding Cuisine.
Enjoy the best of Mauritian cuisine in the
enchanting atmosphere and spectacular views offered
by the island's various gourmet restaurants.
Mauritian cuisine reflects the culture of the
island which, based on its cosmopolitan and
heterogeneous composition, automatically implies a
gastronomical around-the-world tour. Practically
everywhere on Mauritius, a warm welcome and
delicious foods are guaranteed. Nevertheless,
Mauritius has its own typical cuisine with its
unique synthesis of several culinary traditions.
The tropical climate made the first European
settlers adapt their cooking habits to suit the
local ingredients. This was further developed after
the arrivals of Africans and especially of Indians,
who specialize in the use of exotic spices. In
later years, Chinese immigrants added a new
dimension to the Mauritian cuisine. With the Indian Ocean
overflowing with tropical fish, exotic sea foods
are commonplace. You can dine on freshly-harvested
oysters, shrimps, crayfish, crabs or the giant
local prawns, usually served with "sauces rouge"
and accompanied by the "Coeur de Palmiste", the
heart of a seven-year-old palm, also known as the
"millionaire's salad". Carnivorous types can feast
on venison, hare and wild boar. All dishes are
generally accompanied by rice, homemade chutneys
and achards (pickled fruits or vegetables preserved
in vinegar and sometimes by marinated lime spiced
with mustard seeds and chilies). The traditional
fare, which is both exquisite and refreshing, is a
salad of palm centers, tastefully accompanied by
delicacies such as smoked marlin. Something to remember is
that it is the Indian Ocean and fantastic tropical
climate that lends Mauritian cooking its particular
character. The markets and hotel tables display
mountains of fruit: pawpaws, watermelons,
pineapples, bananas, guavas, passion fruits,
bigarades, lemons, lychees, mangoes, papayas,
litchis, jack-fruits, avocados, pears, custard
apples, corrosols and longanes. And to quench your
thirst, you can call on the full range of wines and
spirits as well as exotic tropical cocktails. Also
try the world famous Mauritian white rum with
coconut water and ice. Another favorite is an
ice-cold glass of the international award winning
Mauritius beer. #9. An All-Year-Round
Holiday Destination. Mauritius is an all-year round
destination. The warm season extends from November
to April with temperatures as high as 95oF. The
weather gets a little cooler from May to September
with an average of 75oF during the day. The water
temperature never goes below 22oC. The rainy season
is from January through March and there is a slight
risk of cyclones from November through February.
Sea, mountains and forests together create an
irresistible holiday combination. #10. A Wide Range of Sports:
Water Sports, Golf, Tennis, Horseback-Riding,
etcetera. Mauritius is the ideal place for water
sports to include water skiing, para-sailing, wind
surfing, snorkeling, deep-sea or lagoon diving,
game fishing, surfing or sailing. Most hotels offer
lessons, at reasonable prices, in water skiing,
wind surfing and snorkeling. The fascinating
underwater landscapes and variety of tropical fish
and sea plants around the island can rival those of
any other spot on earth. Mauritius is also a world
champion destination for deep-sea fishing, thanks
to the quality of equipment provided as well as to
the size and variety of the catch. #11. Interesting and Varied
Shopping Opportunities. The island's reputation as
a shoppers paradise is evidenced by the diversity
and quality of shopping opportunities. The
marketplaces offer a unique experience full of
colored saris, smiling faces, and high spirits
contributing to the show of large baskets of
vegetables, handicrafts, and carefully laid out
exotic fruits. Also not to be missed are the stalls
selling herbs and spices designed to cure every
illness under the sun. Many boutiques and
supermarkets are in the major tourist resort areas.
The larger hotels also have their own duty-free
boutiques and sometimes their own accessories and
clothing lines. Worthwhile buys are duty-free
jewelry and handicrafts. In addition, there are
many opportunities to shop for models of ancient
seafaring ships as well as Chinese, Indian, and
European shops selling ivory and wooden objects,
jade, porcelain, embroidery, and saris. Consider
buying your winter clothes in Mauritius, where the
textile industry sets the latest fashions. Also
there are excellent restaurants to enjoy the
diversity of Mauritian cuisine when you have
completed your daily shopping excursion. #12. Mauritius' Unique
Concept of Tourism. People come to Mauritius to see
this extraordinary mixture of natural landscapes as
diverse as the cultural landscape. With that being
the case, the Mauritian people cannot be excluded
from the tourism industry. Mauritius is a tropical
getaway with miles of sun-drenched beaches, coral
reefs, colorful markets, and fabulously elegant
resorts. Exotic, exquisite, romantic and very
affordable are all qualities that describe
Mauritius as the ideal tropical island. Most
importantly, Mauritius has all of the exoticism of
the most exotic resorts, but none of their scars
(i.e. &endash; no high-rise, no concrete jungles,
no charter flights, no mass tourism, no social or
environmental pollution). Only virgin beaches
embraced by coral reefs, translucent sea lagoons,
weird and wonderful landscapes, chic hotels,
sophisticated cuisine, charming, cosmopolitan
people and civilized politics. No wonder Mark Twain
was moved to exclaim that "God modeled heaven on
Mauritius". And to make the visit even more
memorable, the friendly people of Mauritius are
ready to welcome you with their customs, cuisine,
festivals and music. The ultimate goal of the
Ministry of Tourism of Mauritius is to encourage
the locals to serve not only as workers in the
hotels but also as hosts in their own homes and
villages. In conclusion, according to
Dr. A. Karl Mootoosamy, Director of the Mauritius
Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA), "Hospitality is
our way of life. Mauritius will enchant you, will
uplift your soul, and make you feel amongst the
chosen few. Every visitor enjoys personal
attention. Every encounter is an occasion to
discover a friendly face. Behind every smile lies
the promise of a unique holiday. Notwithstanding
the contrast of a multitude of colors and tastes,
the island, set in its turquoise sea, is a haven of
peace and tranquility. Mauritius, that crucible
where the past and the present have learned to meld
so smoothly into each other, carries an inherent
beauty that will make you want to come back to its
shores time and time again. May your stay with us
remain forever engraved in your memory." Special Note: The legendary
Dodo Bird was a unique indigenous species to
Mauritius. Too friendly to attack its predators and
too clumsy to flee it fell prey to the greed of the
first Portuguese and Dutch visitors who came to the
island. This odd-looking fifty pound
proboscis-challenged pigeon with its potbelly and
mismatched plumage, whose fate became synonymous
with extinction, was unfortunately exterminated
within a few decades. The only dodos left are those
reconstructed in museums, yet the bird is still
alive in our imaginations, providing material for
countless legends. About the author: Helen C.
Broadus is the President of Venue International
Professionals, Inc. (VIP) &endash; a full service
travel, tourism and trade-related consulting firm
based in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area
that specializes on the Continent of Africa. She is
the Executive Secretary of the International Board
of Directors of the Africa Travel Association (ATA)
and a former president of the ATA's Mid-Atlantic
Region. In 1997, she earned the coveted Founder's
Award from the ATA for her outstanding
contributions towards the continued promotion of
travel and tourism opportunities to the Continent
of Africa. In 1999, she earned the prestigious
Intercontinental Hotel Group's Award for
significant contributions to the promotion of
travel and tourism opportunities to West Africa. It
should be noted that VIP was one of the first small
business enterprise to receive this special
recognition. She is also a regular contributing
writer to the Africa Travel Association's Website,
Africa Travel Magazine and Black Meetings and
Tourism Magazine. For more information about her
company, please write her an e-mail at
vipinc@erols.com and visit VIP's website at
www.venuetravel.com. |
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A
visit to Mauritius will linger in your memory as an
unusual mixture of scenes and experiences taken up
here and there along the roads leading past verdant
mountains and spectacular beaches. It will be a
heterogeneous blend of island mystery and brightly
transparent lagoons, the exuberant Creole character
encountered in the marketplace, the astonishing
variety of deep-sea fauna, mysterious primeval
forest with exotic fragrances, the delicious
combinations found in Mauritian cooking, the
excitement of water sports, and the charm of an
incomparable hotel industry. Listed below are
twelve good reasons for visiting the fantastic
island paradise of Mauritius:
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