Mark Twain once said that, ‘Mauritius‘ was made first, and then heaven. In his statement, he implied that heaven was copied after Mauritius.’ The tiny and lovely Indian Ocean island is situated to the east of Madagascar, and is twice the size of Hong Kong, with just about one million residents. The African island used to be home of the flightless dodo, which is now extinct. This tropical island offers moderate temperatures, gentle trade winds and ample sunshine. It has a natural history, bustling markets and vivid festivals. There are many reasons to visit this piece of awesomeness, if not several times, at least once in a life time.

Mauritius is characterized by a small population which gives a lot of room for recreation and a relaxed time. It gives a unique time one can have off the coast of the main African continent. The country has a marvellous blend of cultures which is palpable when you visit. It also prides itself with varied cuisine with a huge mix of ethnic communities.

There are so many activities for a traveller to do on this Island paradise. Mauritius, ‘MU’ as is affectionately called by a section of people has been a known romantic get-away for lovers and honeymooners who like to soak up in the sun by the beach during the day or hangout at local taverns and bars in the night. People in group of family trips do go hiking and snorkelling in clean clear waters, and some go to swim with the dolphins. Backpackers are known to stop at MU a lot during their world tours! Of a truth, not everyone is bound to love the same things, but there is no qualms that MU would impress even the most cynical of people.

Food


The Mauritian people have some of the most diverse cuisines you will find around the world. this is due to the influences of the French, African, Indian and Asian heritage that makes up the entirety of the island nation. When in Mauritius, be sure to look around for daube, fish, vindaye, fish kalia or chicken on restaurant menus. You might alsowant to try out Mauritian snacks like dhal puri, a traditional flatbread with spicy ground split peas and it is usually served with chutney. Do not hesitate to also try island’s famous babonne – this is similar to the red snapper, but it is fleshy and white.

Festivals
Plan a visit to Mauritius during Mahan Shivatiri and you will experience the largest Hindu pilgrimage outside of India. In February of every year (possibly minus this year, sadly due to the COVID-19), about 500,000 people make pilgrimage by foot to the Grand Bassin, which is a lake near which stands a giant statue of Shiva. You can also choose to visit during Diwali, the festival of light which is held every autumn and feast on gâteau patate – sweet potato and coconut cakes which are prepared and given out as gifts between families and neighbours. There are other festivals like Ganesh Chathurthi, Ugadi and Chinese New Year that are widely celebrated in MU. If not for anything at all, this gives you a fair idea of the many cultures that come together to make up the beautiful Indian ocean African island.

Markets

Mauritius markets features fruits and vegetable sellers among other delicacies. there are also spice vendors and street-food hawkers. You get a cheerful slice of MU when you roam the markets. The notable markets are the Port Louis one, Quartre Bornes, Curepipe, Flacq, Rose Hill and Vacoas and the beach side fish market in Grand Baie.

Golf
Golf has become a top spot on the beautiful island, so much so that it has become a top attraction for visitors. In fact, MU is regarded as the third country where golf was played after the United Kingdom (UK) and India. The game of golf has been practised in Mauritius since the 1900’s, when the first golf club (the Gymkhana) was opened by Royal Navy members. The Gymkhama club is the oldest golf club in the southern hemisphere, and it is known to be the fourth oldest golf course in the universe.

The country has a good number of golf courses dotted all over, indicating its attractiveness for the sport. Leading golfers such as Ernie Els, Bernard Langer and David Leadbetter are all known to have played roles in developing these Mauritian golf courses.

Island Hopping
There are quite a number of islands around Mauritius, and they can be reached using ferry or catamaran rides. Some of these islands are ile aux Cerfs, ile aux Aigrettes, Illot Gabriel, Ile d’Ambre, Ile au Ronde, Ile Benetiers, Ile de deux Cocos, Coin de Mire and Flat island. these trips usually come with food, music and dancing, with visits to white sand coves, golf courses, great spots for sunbathing and snorkelling with a splash of breathtaking views of waterfalls.

Sega
This is an invigorating traditional dance that the country got off the back of its African heritage. The Sega music that Mauritians dance to is usually sung in creole (the native language of the MU people). It begins with a gradual swaying to the rhythm of soothing and solemn tune, then it gradually becomes animated as the tempo increases. Traditional African instruments are used to play the music, but in recent times, the people are beginning to adopted orchestral ensemble. Along the coastal villages however, the traditional instruments such as the ravanne, the triangle, the maravanne and the traditional guitar remain the main instruments of Sega music and dance.

Nature
There are over a dozen nature reserves and botanical gardens to explore in Mauritius. There are mountainous vistas, waterfalls and tropical forests as well for visitors to see and experience. Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Gardens is the oldest botanical garden in the southern part of the island, and it happens to be in Pamplemousses and has 500 species of plant, including giant water lilies and more than 80 varieties of palm.

You will find endemic species such as kestrels and pink pigeons, as well as giant tortoises at Île aux Aigrettes, off the southeast coast of the Mauritian island. The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Le Morne Cultural Landscape is one to not miss. Its viewpoint called Maconde, is an impressive mountain that is just out into the ocean; its peninsula is recorded to have sheltered runaway slaves in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Coloured Layers of Sand
Chamarel is a a major tourist draw. The small Mauritian village is a place of uniqueness with its coloured layers of sand. The soil is practically a rainbow make up of vibrant swirls and stripes of red, green, yellow, indigo and violet. People can easily climb up the observation deck and marvel at the array of colours. The myth or folklore is that they were formed by volcanic lava cooling at different speeds, while stories believe that it is the due to the presence of various metal oxides. Visitors do buy test tubes filled with the seven coloured sands of Chamarel as a souvenir to take back home.

Endless Adventure
For those seeking adrenaline-boosting activities or bored of the sun-lounger, Domaine de l’Étoile reserve via quad bike or buggy, by horseback, on mountain bike or on foot is the place to begin. You can go zip lining or hiking through the rainforest, try canyoning in the waterfalls or take to the water and explore every kind of ocean-based sport available.There is also the opportunity to try kayaking, windsurfing, kitesurfing, paddle boarding or sailing, which are available at various hotels and resorts around the island.

Sweet Cravings
Mauritius has over four centuries of history with sugar cane, and the sweet crop is still the island’s major export, vital to its economy and lifestyle. tourists regularly visit the island’s old sugar mill to have a taste of unrefined sugars, as well as learning about sugar’s history and its production through interactive exhibits. It is also worthy to remember and appreciate the vital by-product of the island’s sugar production: rum. In Mauritius, you can visit the rum distilleries at Chamarel, St Aubin Rum Estate or L’Aventure du Sucre, where you will find different types of local sugar (vanilla and cinnamon). And for those who want an alternative, you can choose to go tea tasting at the Bois Cherie tea estate, where you get to taste more than 10 types of tea in fragrant blends.

See videos and pictures from source; https://africaatrandom.com/top-10-reasons-why-you-should-visit-mauritius/

Cc; DisGuy, justwise, lalasticlala