INDIAN OCEAN – By edgardowelelo@yahoo.com
The Indian Ocean offers paradise, from around 1,200 islands of the Maldives south to Mauritius and exclusive Seychelles.
- TOP ATTRACTIONS IN INDIAN OCEAN
- NATIONAL MUSEUM (MALDIVES)
Formerly part of the Sultan’s palace, this museum in Male’ has a valuable collection of objects depicting the rich cultural heritage of the country. Opened in 1952, it was inaugurated to invoke patriotism. It moved to a new building in 2010.
- MAURITIUS – HERITAGE SITES
The Mauritian capital Port Louis was constructed in 1735 by French governor Mahe de Labourdonnais. The Municipal Theatre, Government House and supreme court sit alongside numerous French – styled buildings in the main square.
- NATURAL WONDERS (SEYCHELLES)
Home to diverse species of flora and fauna, Seychelles has plenty of bird life awaiting discovery both in the wild and in designated nature reserves. Praslin, Seychelle’s second largest island, is the site of one of the nation’s natural highlights: The Vallee de Mai UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- HUKURU MISKIIY (MALDIVES)
The oldest mosque in the country was built on the foundations of an old temple that faced west to the setting sun, not northwest towards Mecca, so worshippers have to face the corner of the Mosque when they pray.
- SHARK BANK (SEYCHELLES)
Situated northwest of Mahe, this is considered to be Seychelles’ premier dive spot, where you can be awed by white tip reef sharks and swim alongside a huge treasure trove of amazing tropical fish. These include cowfish, pincushion starfish, jackfish, lobsters and batfish, all of which form a kaleidoscope of colors, shapes and sizes. Shark Bank is also renowned for the large numbers of grey sting rays that populate it.
- PORT LOUIS MARKET (MAURITIUS)
The island was once in the middle of the old spice Route and this market is still a great melting pot of different cultures. Selling everything from fish and vegetables to saris, T – shirts, baskets, traditional handicrafts, local jewelry, spices and souvenirs at good prices, it is a veritable treasure trove for visitors.
- BLACK RIVER GORGES NATIONAL PARK (MAURITIUS)
The sole national park on the island is a wild expanse of thick forest, home to over 300 species of flowering plants and nine species of birds unique to Mauritius, including the famous pink pigeon which is staging a comeback from the brink of extinction.
- MALDIVES – DIVING
With more than 3,000 coral reefs and free – flowing tides during the season of the northeast monsoon, the Maldives boasts one of the world’s richest diving areas
NATURAL HIGHLIGHTS (SEYCHELLES)
Home to diverse species of flora and fauna. Seychelles has plenty of bird life awaiting discovery in the wild or in designated nature reserves. Praslin, Seychelle’s second largest island, is home to the Valee de Mai, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- INTENDANCE BEACH (SEYCHELLES)
This beach in southern Mahe boasts half a mile of powder white sand. With no reef, the waves are large, making it a great spot for surfing as well as sunbathing.
- RODRIGUES (MAURITIUS)
One of the most pleasant surprises Mauritius has to offer, the tiny island of Rodrigues – a volcanic creation that is a million years old – is mountainous with a succession of valleys, and is blissfully isolated more than 300 miles north – east of the main island.
- MILAIDHOO (MALDIVES)
This reef off Baa Atoll drops up to 114 ft. and consists of caves overhanging with sponges and corals.
- CURIEUSE ISLAND (SEYCHELLES)
Lying just off the northwest coast of its close neighbor Praslin, this island – which once housed a leper colony – is now a reserve and home to a giant and tortoise rearing project, as well as a nesting site for hawksbill turtles.
