The Mauritius Vibe
The Island of Mauritius has been compared to the Garden of Eden. It is a tropical location where the air is filled with the aroma of the flowers, fromYlang Ylang to Frangipani . And the brightly colored trees are in direct contrast to the cool, light green waters of ocean. Birds sing and breezes from the Indian Sea, cover ones skin with the balmy coolness. Many an artist has found inspiration on the island, such as the famous poet Baudelaire, and it is no wonder. All of the best hotels Mauritius offers are luxurious and pamper guests with a small island simplicity and honesty. The standards for service in the hotels is very high. Often times each room contains vases of the fragrant flowers found on the island. Most guests will have their own personal butler and the feeling in the hotels is one of elegance that is simply stated and never stuffy.
The island is covered with the stalks of the sugar canes that were brought to the island in 1598, and remain one of the largest crops produced here. Many different cultures have lived on Mauritius throughout the history, from the Dutch to the French. Many Africans were brought over by the Dutch as slaves, and remain today as one of the largest ethnic groups on the island. Now there is a cultural mix on the island that exists in harmony, it’s all about the love and peace here, with the different groups being Creole,Indo Mauritian, and Franco-Mauritian.
The island is surrounded by the coral reef which serves to keep the sharks out to see, creating the perfect lagoon for snorkeling and scuba diving among other water sports. Many tourists rent the catamarans or the sail boats and tool around the coasts. Celebrations throughout the year include the Hindu and the Chinese New Year, as well as the Festival of Lights. During the Holi festival be prepared to be covered in brightly colored powders and sprinkled with water by passing revelers. The Maha Shivaratri pilgrimage each year to the Grand Bassin crater is one of the most important of the Hindu ceremonies that takes place outside of the country of India. This is one of the most delightful islands in the Indian Ocean.