Unforgettable islands
Article and photos by Nicco

毛里求斯对很多厦门人来说可能还是一个很遥远的印度洋海岛. 旅厦外籍Nicco 先生长年定居于此, 对毛里求斯及周边海岛的风光赞不绝口.



If one asked anybody in Southeast Asia or China if they knew where Mauritius was, the reply would be that they did not know or that "they heard it was a nice place"! As regards Reunion, very few people knew where it was situated or even heard of it.



Xiamen and Mauritius have many things in common-each being an island-Mauritius being much larger　with Xiamen being almost the same distance north of the equator as Mauritius is to the south. Each experiences a similar climate, with typhoons in the north and cyclones in the south. Unknown to many, there are over 20,000 people from Fujian who live and work in Mauritius, not counting those who immigrated 100 years ago to the island. To the visitor to the island the first impression is the vast sugar estates, few luxury hotels and the beautiful beaches.



Port Louis, the capital is similar to Singapore about 30 years ago, or even Xiamen ten years ago-being a little run down. The relaxed way of life, draws people who seek peace and quietness away from the large commercial cities of Europe, Australia and south-east Asia. The majority of the population is made up of Indian with a mix of Chinese, Creole and European settlers who arrived over 200 years ago, hence the languages spoken being French, English, Creole and Hakka Chinese.



About 150 kms to the south-east lies the island of Reunion, in total contrast to Mauritius. With few beaches, the island has an active -but not dangerous volcano-and the mountains are the main focus. Visiting the island one has the impression that France has been transferred there! The capital St. Denis is like Paris with little shops and products from Europe. By air it is easier to get to Paris than other places in the Indian Ocean. Life is, however, very expensive. Compared to Mauritius-mixed blood is everywhere.　Indians marry Creoles, Chinese marry French, Creoles marry Creoles. It is a melting pot of different races who live in harmony. People enjoy life and business is secondary in life!

To travel there from Hong Kong is very easy with Air Mauritius.