Flight Time: ca. 11 hours from AMS
Main Season: April till October
Time: CET + 3hWedding Tipps
Languages: French & English

Short Story Mauritius

Like a green jewel in the middle of the Indian Ocean, surrounded by magnificent white beaches. Mauritius – lovingly called by his residents “the pearl of the ocean”, has a warm climate all the year and looks like our idea of the Garden of Eden.

The lush green landscape, the wonderful beaches, the crystal clear water, a well constructed tourist infrastructure, from luxury hotels, to small pensions, up to well-kept summer cottages are interesting for all people who like to spend their honeymoons away from the mass tourism. The basis for carefree honeymoon are also the friendly people, the good flight connections from Europe, only a little time difference as well as the material standards and security like in Europe.

Mauritius is the largest island in the State of Mauritius, consisting of two large main islands (the second is Rodrigues) and some coral islets. The island of Mauritius with their capital Port Louis is located about 900km west of Madagascar and is surrounded almost completely by coral reefs. There are wonderful turquoise lagoons, which are inviting you to take a bath or to snorkel. Mauritius offers different weather conditions and landscapes on an area of 1865 square kilometres. In the central highlands steep faces of lapsed volcanoes lose themselves in bizarre silhouettes against the deep blue sky. The mountains and valleys are covered by a lush green vegetation, which contains an own flora and fauna with exotic flowers, rare animals and also jungle giants. This huge exotic garden is framed by a coast line, mostly consisting of sand beaches, of 330 km.

This island is located on the tropical edge and is therefore a good honeymoon destination for the whole year. In the Mauritian summer months (our winter, because Mauritius is located in the southern hemisphere) there are average temperatures in the night of23 ° C to 25 ° C. In the course of the day they arise to 30 ° C to 32 ° C. In winter, from April to October, the temperatures are around 6 ° C lower. It is possible that cyclones occur form January to March. In the highlands it is a few degrees cooler than in the plants and on the coast. The constant Southeast trade wind presses rain clouds and cool air against the east side of the mountains, at the same time there is sunshine on the west coast. On the mountain-free north floor of the island there is fewest rainfall. It has to mention that the most rainfall is mostly in the cooler night and that the rain is short and heavy. The water temperatures in the ocean are between 25 ° C 
and 28 ° C.

Just as diverse as the landscapes and the weather are the inhabitants, because Mauritius is a great melting pot of cultures and religions. The largest population represent immigrants from the Indian subcontinent, followed by Creoles (descendants of African slaves and Europeans) and a few Chinese people. There are no aboriginal people, all are descendants of immigrants. As different the people are as different are the speeches and the religions. (Hindus are dominating, Christians and Muslims are following). Additionally you should not forget that almost every European colonial power was the owner of Mauritius. The first were the Portuguese, then the Dutch, the French and at the end the British people, who gave independence to Mauritius. The official language is English. In the everyday life, people mostly speak Creole, arising form the French, as well as different Indian and Chinese languages. In the case of the diversity, there is also one community – all people are very friendly, open-minded and heartily. Accordingly travellers have to respect the social and religious rules. E.g. do not wear short skirts or shorts if you visit religious places.

The diversity of this paradise island paradise goes even further. The Mauritanian kitchen is a combination of French, Creole, Indian and Chinese Specialties. The selection will be difficult – try everything. A Creole specialty is e.g. Rougaille, a tomato sauce with ginger, garlic, onions and chilli, which bewitch chicken meat or fish. A major part is of course, the curry dishes in Indian tradition. You will find the largest selection of restaurants in Port Louis or in the tourist centres of the west coast. We felt very delicious the Mauritanian beer and the local rum.

The best nightlife is offered on the West coast of the island. Whether dance performances by local folk groups in clubs or hotels or the dancing in clubs or discos - everything is possible, but has its price. Famous are the clubs “Climax Club” and the “Dream on Number One in Grand Baie. Le saxophone is a good club in Beau Bassin and the Palladium in Quatre Bornes. In Port Louis, it is best to go to the Secrets. If you like to gamble, some noble hotel casinos offer this pleasure in a really great atmosphere.

On the day there are many activities away from the hammock. You will have a lot of fun by trips with boats, snorkel trips, wakeboarding, parasailing, cat sailing, sea-angling, jet-skiing, kayaking in the lagoons (do not forget the equipment for snorkeling), windsurfing and surfing on a hardcore wave (One Eye). Dive along the North West coast and in the bay of Flic-en-Flac. On land you can drive over the island with mountain bikes or a rental car.

Apropos rental car, if you want to be mobile, of course you need one. The costs are approx. 30 euros for a simple vehicle. Additionally you need an international driving licence and you should be older than 23 years old – Attention left-hand-traffic. The other alternatives is to take a taxi for human prices (we advise to negotiate) or to use the slow but cost-effective 
bus system.

The best means of payment is the use of the credit card, which you can use also in order to get money. You can also use Euros in cash or traveller checks. The local currency is the Mauritius rupee (MUR). You should change your money in Mauritius, the exchange rate is better for you.

You can reach Mauritius form Europe with a valid passport (at least for 6 months) with Thomas Cook Airlines, Air France, Austrian Airlines, British Airways and our favourite Emirates. A visa for EU citizens is not required.

"God first created Mauritius, then only He made Paradise as a copy of Mauritius."
Mark Twain

Need informations for your Mauritius wedding? Then check the Wedding Tips Mauritius!
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