Isle De Maurice - A Little Bit Of Paradise Just A Short Hop Away

The Isle De Maurice is a little bit of paradise just a short hop away

- Benny Teo

It tastes like your favourite breakfast each time you visit this beautiful island set almost next to nowhere in the western-middle part of the gnawing Indian Ocean. Like a perfect paradise on earth, Mauritius is the stuff that dreams are made of, except it is real.

To properly appreciate the destination, one has to know its geography. Sited on a 2,000 km2 landscape that has the deepest blue lagoons mixed with mountainous range and known for its varied flora and fauna, with many species endemic to the island.

The island was the only known home of the dodo, which, along with several other avian species, was made extinct by human activities relatively shortly after its settlement by the Dutch, French and then the British.

Today, the populace consists mainly of indigenous Mauritians mixed with portions of Caucasians (mainly of French origin), Indians, Chinese and Africans. Most Mauritians are multi-lingual able to converse in their native Creole, French and English fluently, which makes it an even more appealing vacation spot.

To say that the Republic of Mauritius is alone would be incorrect as it also includes the islands of Rodrigues, Agalega and St. Brandon. But the main hive of activity is focused on Isle de Maurice itself with Port Louis, its capital city, busiest.

When arriving, visitors typically enter via the southeast through the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport with direct flights coming from various parts of Europe and Asia, including Singapore.

The south offers a glimpse into local living with Mahebourg, a harbour town nearby. Consisting mainly of native Mauritians going about their daily ways, either in the local market or by the many fishing boats out at sea. There really isn’t much to do here but it does warrant a short visit either on-route from the airport or heading back home.