9 Things That Prove Mauritius & Reunion Island Are Magical

Weekender heads across the Indian Ocean to experience the best of this tropical paradise

Photos: Weekender, shot on Olympus EPL-8

The twin stars in the western Indian Ocean, Mauritius and Reunion Island are largely known as dreamy beach destinations for sun lovers and thrill seekers.

However, as we discovered, there are many more exciting experiences to be had at this paradise.

Mauritius was once a French (1715-1810) and then a British (1810-1968) colony, and while the government uses English as its official language, you’ll hear mostly French being chattered and hollered in the streets.

Led by a helpful and friendly guide from Kreola Ltd, we uncovered these gems on our journey.

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3. Port Louis Market

The best way to know this city, and perhaps even the country, is to take a stroll in the central Port Louis Market. This bazaar is an interesting combination of a ‘wet’ fresh produce market and a hawker centre without seating.

Though it may be busy, it brims with an upbeat and happy atmosphere. It may be the star attraction of Port Louis, but don’t just follow the foreign crowds.

Instead, go where the locals are and eat what they’re queuing for. Favourite local must-haves include almond alouda (a milk-based tapioca drink), dholl puri (pea flour pancake) and farata (wheat flour pancake).

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Weekender would like to thank Air Mauritius, Atout France and the Reunion Island Tourism Board for this trip.

Air Mauritius will be celebrating its 50th Anniversary on 12 Jun. The airline operates direct flights from Singapore thrice weekly. Air Mauritius has received several international awards recognising the quality of its service and has been voted the leading airline in the Indian Ocean. The "Air Corridor" signed between the two countries makes Mauritius a gateway to Asia through Singapore for the islands of the Indian Ocean and countries of eastern and southern Africa.