An Escape to the Tropical Paradise
Mauritius, a tropical paradise in the Indian Ocean, is renowned for its stunning white beaches, vibrant culture, and diverse landscapes, making it a must-visit destination. H.E. Mr. Haymandoyal Dillum, High Commissioner of Mauritius to India tells TravelJingles all about the country.
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Experience The Iconic Places Of Mauritius
When visiting Mauritius, one of the places to visit is Aapravasi Ghat, a 19th-century site where the first Indian indentured labourers arrived, which is now part of the UNESCO World Heritage list. Le Morne Mountain and its region, are UNESCO World Heritage sites, renowned for their historical significance from slavery, with a public art memorial site at its base. When in Mauritius, one must visit the seven-coloured earth of Chamarel. This world-famous attraction is a unique volcanic geological phenomenon resulting in seven colours of earth. The largest of its kind outside India, swirled together to create a beautiful feature, found in the stunning region of Chamarel. Ganga Talao is a highly popular pilgrimage site. This large crater lake set amidst the secluded mountainous area is beautifully adorned by temples and statues of deities. The entire land is considered sacred and pious in the minds of the locals. Mauriti us off ers a variety of activities for nature lovers, including beach, sea, and local Mauritian foods, as well as diverse activities like trekking, canyoning, hiking, and cycling.
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Mauritius – A Destination for Water Sports
Mauritius offers a wide range of water sports and activities. The island’s vast turquoise blue water provides peace of mind and offers numerous exciting diving opportunities. Depending on your preferences there are both light and daring ocean adventures available. The light sea activities on offer are stand-up paddle, sea karting, kayaking, and snorkelling. The more daring ones are scuba diving, kite surfing, water skiing and surfing. Mauritius offers diverse underwater world, featuring tropical fish with vibrant colours and diverse corals containing various marine creatures. Dolphin swimming is one of the most exciting sea activities that you shouldn’t miss. You can see two different types of dolphins: Spinner and Bottlenose. Among other water sports in Mauritius, underwater sea walking doesn’t require any skills.
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Gastronomy of the Country
Gastronomes can enjoy a diverse range of flavours and aromas from culinary traditions from France, India, China, and Africa, which have been passed down through generations. Mauritius being a multi-ethnic country has a mix of each community’s cuisine which has resulted in a Mauritian cuisine. This can be seen in the Creole cuisine which is a blend of different ingredients and savours. The ever-present creole ‘rougaille’ is served with a number of ‘achards’ (pickles) or dals and rice of Indian origin. Over the past twenty years, there have been significant changes in the consumption of fast foods such as burgers, pizza, and chips. Anyone visiting the island should certainly eat a pair of dholl puri and drink a glass of ‘alouda’ or tamarind juice to have a genuine taste of Mauritius
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Experience the Green Attraction of Mauritius
Green tourism is rapidly growing through the number of reserves and ‘domaines’ that are beginning to open up to tourists as well. Together, they offer many activities ranging from trekking to canyoning to horse-riding, plus exceptional panoramic viewpoints over the beautiful Mauritian landscape. One of the main ‘green’ attractions is the Black River Gorges National Park, which extends over 16,680 acres and provides a haven to highly endangered native plants and animals. It plays home to around 311 species of native and endemic flowering plants and nine species of birds that can only be found in Mauritius.
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A Drive through the Stunning Beauty of Mauritius
Through a road trip in Mauritius, one has the chance to explore the island’s stunning natural beauty. From the rugged coastline of the south to the lush forests of the interior, there are plenty of scenic routes to discover. Explore the island’s scenic coastal road, showcasing dramatic cliffs and ocean views, or inland for rolling hills, verdant forests, waterfalls, and wildlife. Another reason to take a road trip in Mauritius is the chance to experience the island’s unique culture and history. The island’s colonial past is evident in its architecture, landmarks, and cultural heritage, with traditional villages and markets offering a taste of local cuisine.
Fostering Bilateral Relations
Mauritius and India have a strategic partnership, rooted in kinship, historical and cultural affinities, and shared values, since establishing diplomatic relations in 1948. Mauritius and India signed the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement (CECPA) in February 2021, marking India’s first trade agreement with an African country. The agreement increases bilateral Similarities between Mauritius and India In the 18th and 19th centuries, India’s indentured labourers brought cultural, historical, linguistic, and literary similarities to Mauritius, with Indian food influencing Mauritian gastronomy. The saree and other Indian attire are also popular among Mauritians. You will f ind Hindu temples in every part of the island. Mauritius celebrates various Hindu festivals like Cavadee, Diwali, Ganesh Chathurti, Holi, Maha Shivaratri, and Ugadi/ Gudi Padwa, along with popular Bollywood movies among its citizens. trade and allows Indian investors and businesses to access countries through ACFTA, SADC, and COMESA. Mauritius is enhancing digital services and infrastructure, promoting sustainable growth. Its Mauritius International Financial Centre (IFC) is a well-regulated platform for investors that drives quality investments and promotes prosperity across Africa. Cooperation with India covers investment, infrastructure, trade, culture, education, health, defence, and security. H.E. Ms. Droupadi Murmu, President, visited Mauritius in March, inaugurating 14 projects and establishing bilateral agreements. In February 2024, Prime Ministers Jugnauth and Modi launched new projects and digital payments. Mauritius and India are fostering collaboration in space and maritime security, with Mauritius attending the G20 Summit and introducing a visa-free regime for Indian tourists. The number of flights between the two countries have increased.
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What do you like the most – Beaches or Mountains?
Both. Choosing between the sea and mountains is like choosing between two enchanting worlds, each with its unique allure, or where mountains meet the sea
Similarities between Mauritius and India
In the 18th and 19th centuries, Indian indentured labourers from India brought cultural, historical, linguistic, and literary similarities to Mauritius, with Indian food influencing Mauritian gastronomy. The saree and other Indian attire are also popular among Mauritians. You will find Hindu temples in every part of the island. Mauritius celebrates various Hindu festivals like Cavadee, Diwali, Ganesh Chaturthi, Holi, Maha Shivratree, and Ugadi/Gudi padwa, along with popular Bollywood movies among its citizens.
Arvind Bundhun, Director of MTPA, said – “Besides being a picturesque island paradise, Mauritius offers fun-filled activities and pleasant weather. We have recently been ranked among the top 7 destinations in the world with the cleanest air declared by WHO”. With non-stop flights from Chennai added to Mumbai and New Delhi, accessibility has improved significantly. The visa-on-arrival destination offers more than just postcard-perfect vistas, whether indulging in the luxury of world-class resorts or simply basking in the warmth of its hospitality makes it an ideal retreat for all.”