Friday, January 22, 2010

Mauritius The Adventure Island

Mauritius promises a unique holiday for nature lovers. The contrast of a multitude of colours and tastes, the island, set in its turquoise sea, is an oasis of peace and tranquillity. Mauritius, a melting pot where past and present are smoothly blended together, offers an essential beauty that will compel to return to its shores time and time again.

About Mauritius: Mauritius is a tiny island country off the coast of Madagascar, politically and geographically a part of Africa. However, ethnically and culturally it is much more Indian and French, than African. Mauritius is situated in the Indian Ocean, approximately 2400 kilometres off the South East Coast of Africa. The island, which is of volcanic origin, covers an area of 1,865 square kilometres or 720 square miles. Coral reefs surround most of the coast except the south.

History of Mauritius:

After a brief Dutch settlement, French immigrants who came in 1715 named the island Île de France and established the first road and harbor infrastructure, as well as the sugar industry, under the leadership of Gov. Mahe de Labourdonnais. Blacks from Africa and Madagascar came as slaves to work in the sugarcane fields. In 1810, the British captured the island and in 1814, by the Treaty of Paris, it was ceded to Great Britain along with its dependencies.

Indian immigration, which followed the abolition of slavery in 1835, rapidly changed the fabric of Mauritian society, and the country flourished with the increased cultivation of sugarcane. The opening of the Suez Canal in 1869 heralded the decline of Mauritius as a port of call for ships rounding the southern tip of Africa, bound for South and East Asia. The economic instability of the price of sugar, the main crop, in the first half of the 20th century brought civil unrest, then economic, administrative, and political reforms. Mauritius became independent on March 12, 1968.

Major tourist attractions in Mauritius:

Grand Bay: Grand Bay was the first area of the island to fully experience the tourist boom. A shopping and leisure paradise, Grand Bay also happens to be the area where Mauritians head for when they want a fun-filled night out (restaurants, bars and discos). Recently renovated, La Cuvette beach is well worth a visit.

Pereybère: The wonderful Pereybere public beach is popular vacation packages destination because of its shopping facilities, restaurants and pubs.

Balaclava Ruins:

A few metres away from Baie aux Tortues, which 17th century sailors named after the many tortoises in the area, can be found the ruins of the old Balaclava estate. Visitors will be able to see the sea walls, whose initial foundations were laid down by Mahé de Labourdonnais.

The Triolet Shivala:

The longest village on the island, Triolet offers an opportunity to visit the biggest Hindu temple, the Maheswarnath, first built in 1819 in honour of the Gods Shiva, Krishna, Vishnu, Muruga, Brahma and Ganesha.

The Labourdonnais Orchards:

Discover a large variety of tropical fruit trees, colourful and perfumed exotic flowers. Trips on mountain bikes or hiking are possible.

What to do in Mauritius:

Deep Sea Fishing: Mauritius is a paradise for deep sea fishing. Species include the blue or black marlin, all types of sharks, yellow tuna, the Bonitos, the ‘emperor’, the ‘pélerin’, the ‘bécune’ or the barracuda.

Huge fishes like the Blue Marlin roam our seas and hunt around the island from November to April, and very often until May. The ocean is 70 metres deep one kilometre away from the coast. Mauritius holds several world fishing records (IGFA), including that of the mako shark of 1115 pounds, the blue shark of 400 pounds, a bonito of 41.5 pounds, a white tuna of 224 pounds and a ‘bécune’ of 125 pounds. African records (GFUA) mention a yellow tuna of 212 pounds and a white tuna of 224 pounds. Other specimens recently caught include blue marlins of 1430 and 1355 pounds. Fishing boats can be hired from almost all hotels. The most prestigious deep sea fishing competition is the Marlin World Cup which is hosted in December by La Pirogue Hotel

Spas: Those seeking well-being during their holidays should be sure to visit the spas, new oases of peace where time stands still. Mauritius offers several world-class items. If the seemingly endless miles of beaches, the natural hospitality of the Mauritian people and the huge range of different types of food are not enough , why not set off on a very special journey !

Pay a visit to some of the spas, where you can put yourself into the capable hands of experts and allow yourself to be carried away by your senses. These spas are now regarded as a must, on the tourist itinerary.

The islands most famous spas include One&Only Le Saint Géran, the Royal Palm, Hilton, Prince Maurice, Beau Rivage, Oberoi, The Residence, Sofitel Imperial and Dinarobin hotels where holidays also mean fitness and enlightened senses.

Honeymooner's paradise:

If you are looking for a very special place to spend your honeymoon, Mauritius is definitely the place for you. Every hotel on the island offers extensive wedding and honeymoon tour packages. They can also help you in organising every single detail of the ceremony.Everything is possible. You can choose to have an intimate, private occasion or a more adventurous way of exchanging vows.On a sunny beachside, under the sea or in the sky, Mauritius will transform your wedding or your honeymoon into an unforgettable moment.

Hotels in Mauritius:

Apavou Group of Hotels:

Indian Resort Hotel and Spa: The Indian Resort Hotel and Spa in Mauritius, a Hotel complex of 349 rooms is a true idyllic place for tourists which travel .Conceived in a way that all the rooms have a sight on the Indian Ocean.. Its white sandy beach stretches on one kilometer and is in the vicinity of the must of the Island, "One Eye", which is the ideal spot for water sports lovers practicing windsurfing, sailing or even kite surf.

Hotel Ambre, Mauritius: Coming out of a dream décor, Ambre Hotel stands on one of the nicest beach of the island. All 298 rooms are air conditioned and situated on 2 floors and divided in 4 categories. Its Immaculate sand stretches out over more than one kilometer, facing a turquoise lagoon which swimmers and water sports lovers can enjoy.

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