MAURITIUS

Mauritius is a diamond shining in the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. Its population is very mixed with several religious cultures. However, Mauritius was named after the Dutch Prince Maurice Van Nassau. It became independent in March 12, 1968 and a republic in 1992. It is 65 km long and 45 km wide and has a total area of approximately 865 km2 is surrounded by more than 150 km of white sandy beaches and lagoons protected by coral reefs. When discovered by the Portuguese, Mauritius was the fold of a bird species previously unknown, which was called the dodo. The dodos were descendants of a type of pigeon that has settled in Mauritius more than 4 million years ago. Weighing up to 50 kilos, the dodo was a significant source of fresh meat for sailors. The last bird was killed in 1681, and this bird is a support on Mauritius emblems.

NOS OFFRES & FORFAITS

Practical information

Capital: Port-Louis

Area: The area is 1,865 km2

Location: Mauritius is geologically young partially because the island comes from underwater volcanic eruptions that occurred about eight million years ago. It is located in the Mascarene archipelago comprising Reunion and Rodrigues, in the extreme south of the African continent.

Climate: Mauritius offers a holiday atmosphere throughout the year. The climate is subtropical. There is partially little seasonal variation in temperature. The weather is generally mild and sunny. Sea temperature is approximately 27 ° C.

Summer in Mauritius: November to April

The Mauritian winter: May to October

Population: 1 261 208 inhabitants (2014 estimate)

Language: English is widely regarded as the country's official language and is used in the parliament, courts and businesses, but the best understood and spoken language after French remains the Mauritian Creole, which remains the prerogative of the media, as newspapers and television programs are partially in French. Asian languages like Hindu, Tamil and Urdu are also part of the Mauritian folklore.

Religion: The religions present in Mauritius are Hinduism (52% of the population), Roman Catholicism (31%), Islam (16%) and Buddhism (1%).

Currency: Mauritian Rupee (MUR)

Culture

Festivals, events and demonstrations:

Mauritius is a mixture of cultures and religions. Our people which come from three continents have brought a lot of traditions and beliefs from their ancestral lands. Religious festivals are celebrated in a peace spirit and harmony throughout the year. These include:

Between December and February:
Christmas
The New Year
The fire walking: This Tamil ceremony takes place between December and February.
Holi: This is an important moment that symbolizes joy, colors and sharing in the Indian calendar.
Thaipoosum Cavadee: Celebrated in honor of Lord Muruga, son of Shiva. Thaipoosum Cavadee is not only the most important festival of the Tamil calendar but also the most admirable.
The festival of Chinese New Year: Chinese New Year is celebrated always on different dates from year to year; this change is due to variations between the lunar and solar calendars.
Maha Shivaratree: During this festival thousands of pilgrims, all dressed in white, walk long distances to go to the holy lake of Ganga Talao (Grand Bassin).
Between March and April
March 12, National Day: The Independence Day is celebrated with great national pride across the island.
Ougadi: This is the New Year celebration of Telegous, an Indian ethnic group, which is characterized by the fulfillment of family meals. There is prayer and cultural performances and the distribution of cakes with family and friends.

Between August and September
Assumption: August 15
Ganesh Chaturthi: Celebrated by Hindus on the fourth day of the lunar month in August / September, this festival commemorates the birth of Hindu God Ganesh.
Pilgrimage of Father Laval: September 9 every year,:Mauritians of all religious beliefs go to the Holy Cross, near Port Louis to visit the tomb of the Blessed Jacques Désiré Laval - the Black Apostle.

Between October and November

Diwali: Celebrated in October / November, Diwali marks the victory of Rama over Ravana , that is, the light (truth) over darkness (ignorance ) .This festival also commemorates Krishna 's destruction of the demon Narakasuram . During this festival, small lamps are aligned over walls and during this festival also rhyme with cake sharing.
All Saints day
The arrival of workers engaged in Mauritius on November 2 of each year commemoration of the arrival of workers from Asian countries.

Drinks - Kitchen - flavors:
The local cuisine comes from three continents, according to the origins of the inhabitants of the island. When visiting Mauritius, tourists will have the opportunity to sample a wide range of food including Indian, Chinese, Creole and European.

The dishes
- The vindaye
- The rougaille
- Chutney
- The carry (or curry)
- The stews
- The Briani (or biryani)
- Fish: grilled, curried, in vindaye or even smoked.
- The seafood: crabs, carcassailles , sepoys , lil hens, winkles , shrimps, octopus ( Octopus ) .
- Samosas, dholl puri, roti, “gateau piment” during lunch.
- A fried noodle (fried noodles with chicken)
- Bol renverse
- Brèdes : the " green " anything that resembles large green leaves ( including eatable leaves of some vegetables )
- Palamiste - this is the “heart of palm ".
- Rice: the main component of the Mauritian cuisine.
The fruits : mango, litchi , papaya, guava, star fruit , beef heart , grenadine (or passion fruit ) , fruit of Cythera, tamarind , avocado, longane , jamalaque , jack- fruit ( large fruit oval ) , melon , banana, manadarine and pineapple.

Drinks
-Water
- Coffee
-Tea (Bois chéri, Chartreuse)
-Coconut -water
-Beer (Phoenix)
-Rum
-Wine
-Whiskey

A Voir

Endroits à visiter:

Port-Louis (La capitale)
Le grand bazar, Musée de la photographie, Blue penny museum, le Caudan waterfront, la citadelle, Marie Reine de la paix, Aapravasi ghat

Le Nord
Le jardin de Pamplemousses, le verger Labourdonnais, L’Aquarium de Maurice, Pique-nique sur la plage de Mont Choisy le dimanche, Cap Malheureux, allé voir l’église, Le temple de Triolet, La tombe du père Désirée Laval, Le domaine Les Pailles, Plage de Trou-aux-Biches
Grand Baie : Undersea Walk et journée en bateau vers les îles du nord

Centre
La maison Eurêka, Trou aux cerfs, Domaine des Aubineaux, les fabriques de maquettes de bateau et les magasins de vêtements

La côte Ouest
Flic en flac : la plage et plongée sous-marine
Rivière Noire : pêche au gros (pour les riches !) et aller à la rencontre des dauphins ou des baleines
Morne Brabant
Les terres de couleur de Chamarel (vers l’intérieur)
Tamarin : les chutes d’eau (Tamarin Falls)

La côte Est de l'île Maurice
Excursion à l’île aux cerfs, Plage de Belle-Mare, Village de Flacq, Trou d’Eau Douce

La côte Sud
Le musée Robert Edward-Hart, Gris-gris, la roche qui pleure, le Batelage, Le Rocherster falls (Cascade), le parc La Vanille Nature Park, l’usine de thé Bois chéri, Saint Aubin, Le Ganga Talao (Grand Bassin)
Mahébourg : Historic Naval museum, « foire » du lundi, plage de Blue Bay