Deep south in the Indian Ocean

Many Hindu worship Ganesha, the Lord with the head of an elephant. His birthday, the “Ganesh Chaturthi”, celebrated on the fourth day in the Hindu month “Bhadrapad” (according to the Hindi lunar calendar mostly in the month of September). This day is the beginning of numerous autumnal holidays in October and November. The faithful followers place small and big statues at home, in public areas, university and schools. Those statues are approved with cheerful celebrations and finally carried to the beaches, riverbanks or other waterfronts where they are dropped into the water.

The Chinese spring festival is considered as the most important Chinese holiday and is the beginning of the Chinese New Year according to the Chinese calendar. Due to the traditional luni-solar calendar the spring festival is usually celebrated between January 21 and February 21.

To visit a Mauritian market represents always a special attraction. The colorful and lively goings and the exotic flavors and scents are enchanting the visitors. In the shadows of their stalls the merchants present all, exotic fruits, fresh vegetables, spices and aromatic herbs, medical herbs, textiles and mauritian handicraft such as table clothes, basketry and the famous handmade model ships. Don’t forget to bargain that’s fun for both, the merchant and the shopper.

Each of the four Mauritian coasts is different and has its own magic. The Eastcoast is well known for its white and sandy beaches, filaos and mangrooves. Discover the calm and wonderful soul of Mauritius. In the South, the Indian Ocean is forcefully colliding with the steep and high cliffs. Watch this impressing natural wonder at Cape Gris Gris. The westcoast is truly attractive. The sea is calm, a real paradise for watersports such as surfing, deepsea fishing and others whereas the close-by mountains and forests attract active vacationers who love to do outdoor activities like hiking, biking or golf.

The rainbow-island… In Mauritius members and believers of all world religions live and work peacefully together. Hindoos 52 % , Christians 30 %, Muslims 10 % and Buddist Chinese 2 %. The largest population group are the Indians with 70 %. The Creole, descended from African slaves are the second largest group with approx. 25 %. Christian Europeans are a minority with 3 %. The food is as colorful and miscellaenous as the population. While visiting Mauritius you will go on a culinary trip through India, China, Africa and Europe. The population groups maintain their original traditions like languages, food, music and clothing. Tolerance and respect are essential for this peaceful together in Mauritius.

Hundreds of years ago Mauritius was covered by a tropical rainforest. Nowadays you can see those giant rainforest trees only in a few places like Chamouny and Bel Ombre. Meanwhile most of the land, especially in the north, is used to grow crops like sugarcane and only 4 % of the country’s territory are protected as nature reserves. The Black River Gorges National Park has been established in 1995 and on 6575 hectare it offers a wide range of hiking possibilities in beautiful nature. In Mauritius there are not only exotic animals such as monkeys, mongooses, chamaeleons, geckoes and colorful birds. Today, an estimated 20000 deers are living in private grazing pastures. Once upon the time giant turtles were populating Mauritius. Visit them in diverse parks all over the island as well as in the Pamplemousses Botanical Garden.