|
Seychelles
The largely Catholic population of the Republic
of Seychelles number just 80,000, forty percent of whom live
in the capital city of Victoria. The Seychellois
are of mixed African, Indian,
and European descent.
Réunion
70 percent of Réunion's less than one million population
is Catholic, with Hindu, Buddhist,
and Muslim minorities.
Language
The official languages of Mauritius and Seychelles are English
and French, with Hindi and Urdu
widely spoken in Mauritius. French is the
official tongue of Réunion, although Creole
patois is also spoken.
Food
Rhum Arrange is the Creole drink of choice:
fermented sugar cane juice served up with traditional herbs
and spices in many different flavours - Rhum Vanille
with vanilla pods, Rhum Bibasse with a fruit
called medlar, and Rhum Faram has an orchid
in it. Mauritian culinary treats include river shrimps, Gateaux
Piments (deep fried lentil balls), Dholl
Puri (a spicy pancake filled with lentils), Bimbalou
Confit (a very bitter fruit dressed with vinegar)
or, for the intrepid traveller, srevettes
- tiny shrimps washed down with agar alouda -
a jelly-like seaweed drink. Seychelles treats include chilli
cakes, moutay (a rice and sugar delicacy), and black
pudding, drunk with calou (sugar
cane juice), todi (a white coconut rum),
and bakka (a type of rum).
Climate and when to
go
The dry season of May to November is the best time to visit
Mauritius and the Seychelles, when the average temperature
is a pleasant 77°F (25°C). Avoid the cyclone and monsoon
season of December to March. Réunion's climate is more
variable because of its mountains, and it suffers from higher
rainfall - especially on the east coast. Visit here in the
cool, dry winter of October to March when the average temperature
is 70°F (21°C).
Seychelles is a largely Catholic region, so major events
on the Catholic calendar like Easter, Corpus
Christi (10th of June), Feast of the Assumption
(15th of August), and the Immaculate Conception
(8th of December) are a cause for celebration. The major non-religious
festival is Festival Kreol, held annually
for a week at the end of October to celebrate Creole culture.
Réunion islands celebrate the same public holidays
as France.
Dress
Wear light cotton for Mauritius and Seychelles, although there
are strict dress codes in most hotels and restaurants, especially
in the evening so no shorts, sandals, or t-shirts. Bring warmer
clothes for the mountains and canyons of Réunion. Respect
all religions by removing your shoes in mosques and hindu
temples and covering shoulders in Catholic churches - although
people are generally quite relaxed.
Travel
Motorbikes are a great way to get around
the different islands. They can be hired for about a hundred
and fifty US dollars a week, but make sure you are properly
insured. Driving in Réunion is crazy: people overtake
around corners and cut you up; it's more like Italy than France.
Max Moto
10 Av Gaston Moneville
97400 St Denis
La Réunion
Telephone: 262 347080
Email: maxmoto *at* guetari.fr
Max Moto offer rentals of 125cc to 750cc bikes at a really
good price. Remember that wearing a helmet is compulsory and
riding a bike in Réunion means dealing with hair-rising
mountain roads and energetic and impatient drivers.
To get to Mauritius, there is a boat service from the Mauritius
Shipping Company weekly from Rodrigues Island
to Mauritius, a 24-hour journey, and a service
from Port Louis in Réunion,
but book in advance. On the island, buses connect to all parts
of the island and metered taxis are prolific.
Sailing schooners around the Seychelles sail between Mahé,
Praslin, and La Digue. Mahé
and Praslin have decent bus services along the coast and to
tourist spots and metered taxis can be caught from the airport
or outside hotels. A typical Seychellois way to get about
the Seychelles is to hop on someone else's vehicle - especially
if it's going your way. Trucks regularly cram in many hitchhikers.
Visas
Mauritius
Visitors from Commonwealth countries, the European Union,
Japan, Scandinavia, and the United States do not require a
visa, all other nationalities do. All visitors must have a
minimum of six month prior to expiry on their passport, a
return ticket, and proof of funds.
Seychelles
No visitors require a visa but a passport valid for six months
is required plus proof of sufficient funds and pre-booked
accommodation. You will be granted a 30-day permit on arrival
which can be extended at the Immigration Office.
Réunion
Americans, Canadians, New Zealanders, and most European citizens
do not require a visa for a three month stay, but other will
require a French visa. Proof of onward journey and pre-booked
accommodation is usually required.
Health
Réunion and Mauritius
A yellow fever certificate is required and
a cholera vaccination if arriving from certain
countries. A typhoid vaccination is also
advised. Be aware of a slight risk of rabies
in Réunion and bilharzia and malaria
in the rural north of Mauritius. Avoid drinking tap water
or milk unless boiled, unpeeled fruit and vegetables, and
dairy products.
Seychelles
A yellow fever certificate is required if
you are entering from a country at risk and there is a risk
of typhoid and rabies in
rural areas. Milk and tap water are safe to drink.
|
