Rabia Mayet | rabiamayet@radioislam.co.za

The country of Mauritius is a destination many people, especially South Africans, return to repeatedly. Apart from the relaxed atmosphere and the friendly people, Mauritius has an abundance of beautiful warm-water Indian Ocean beaches where visitors can spend the day enjoying a variety of water activities and even some underwater ones.

Rookayya Pahala, a born and bred Mauritian who relocated to Canada some years back, mentioned that Mauritius is a very “vibrant and diverse island nation in the Indian Ocean,” known for its rich history and beautiful beaches. The blend of tradition and modernity, and the multi-cultural, multi-religious population has made Mauritius a country that adheres to custom, with a laid-back, family-oriented, tropical lifestyle and a strong sense of community. Most Mauritians are multi-lingual with the main language being Creole followed by French and English.

The warm tropical climate makes Mauritius ideal for outdoor activities and watersports. The nearby island of Ille-aux-Cerf, off the east coast of the mainland, is popular with both locals and tourists. Famous for its white-sand beaches, turquoise lagoon and water activities like snorkelling and parasailing, this islet can be accessed via a 15-minute boat trip. Another smaller island located to the north of the country is known for its forests and beaches. Rodrigues Island to the east of Mauritius is an autonomous island that abounds in more marine life than one can find on the entire mainland, and this can be accessed by a short flight of just under two hours.

For those wanting a change of scenery from beach life, visitors to Mauritius can take a hike through the Black River Gorges National Park which boasts tropical forests, the Tamarind and Alexandra waterfalls, and endemic wildlife, and is also the ideal place for birdwatching. The seven-coloured earth of Chamarel where the soil appears to change colour due to its mineral content is another must-see for tourists.

Mauritian cuisine reflects the diversity of the different nationalities, with a fusion on Indian, African, Chinese and European dishes. Due to the large Muslim population, most of the larger hotels cater for halal food requests and there is a variety of halal restaurants and supermarkets available around the island. Some popular dishes that travellers should try are dhal puri, biryani and the abundance of seafoods.

Listen to the full interview here.