Mauritius – Colombo (Sri Lanka) Festive celebrations amidst idyllic surroundings

Port Louis is the capital city of Mauritius, in the Indian Ocean. It’s known for its French colonial architecture and the 19th-century Champ de Mars horse-racing track. The Caudan Waterfront is a lively dining and shopping precinct. Nearby, vendors sell local produce and handicrafts at the huge Central Market. The Blue Penny Museum focuses on the island’s colonial and maritime history, along with its culture.

Réunion Island, a French department in the Indian Ocean, is known for its volcanic, rainforested interior, coral reefs and beaches. Its most iconic landmark is Piton de la Fournaise, a climbable active volcano standing 2,632m (8,635 ft.). Piton des Neiges, a massive extinct volcano, and Réunion’s 3 calderas (natural amphitheaters formed by collapsed volcanoes), are also climbing destinations.

Mahé, also known as Mayyazhi, is a town on India’s southwest coast. Its French colonial heritage is reflected in buildings like the Government House. In nearby Tagore Park, a statue of French icon Marianne honors the French Revolution. St. Theresa’s Shrine is known for its annual October festival. Boats from the Mahé Boat House cruise the Mahé River. Beaches include palm-backed Mahé Beach, at the mouth of the river.

Mahé, also known as Mayyazhi, is a town on India’s southwest coast. Its French colonial heritage is reflected in buildings like the Government House. In nearby Tagore Park, a statue of French icon Marianne honors the French Revolution. St. Theresa’s Shrine is known for its annual October festival. Boats from the Mahé Boat House cruise the Mahé River. Beaches include palm-backed Mahé Beach, at the mouth of the river.

Mahé, also known as Mayyazhi, is a town on India’s southwest coast. Its French colonial heritage is reflected in buildings like the Government House. In nearby Tagore Park, a statue of French icon Marianne honors the French Revolution. St. Theresa’s Shrine is known for its annual October festival. Boats from the Mahé Boat House cruise the Mahé River. Beaches include palm-backed Mahé Beach, at the mouth of the river.

La Digue is an island in the Seychelles, in the Indian Ocean off East Africa. It’s known for its beaches, like Anse Source d’Argent, dotted with granite boulders, on the west coast. To the south, isolated Anse Bonnet Carré Beach, with calm, shallow water, is accessible only on foot, as is Anse Cocos Beach, in a protected bay on the east coast. La Digue’s diverse wildlife can be seen in the Veuve Nature Reserve.

Curieuse Island is a small granitic island 1.13 sq mi in the Seychelles close to the north coast of the island of Praslin. Curieuse is notable for its bare red earth intermingled with the unique coco de mer palms, one of the cultural icons of the Seychelles, only growing on the two neighboring islands.

Praslin is an island in the Seychelles, in the Indian Ocean. It’s known for palm-fringed beaches, like Anse Georgette and Anse Lazio, both bordered by large granite boulders. The main beach, Anse Volbert-Côte D’Or, faces the offshore islet Chauve Souris. Praslin’s rugged, jungle-covered interior is home to Praslin National Park, which encompasses Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve.

Malé is the densely populated capital of the Maldives, an island nation in the Indian Ocean. Its known for its mosques and colorful buildings. The Islamic Centre (Masjid-al-Sultan Muhammad Thakurufaanu Al Auzam) features a mosque, a library and a distinctive gold dome. Near the harbor, a popular fish market offers the days catch, and a produce market is stocked with local fruit.

Malé is the densely populated capital of the Maldives, an island nation in the Indian Ocean. Its known for its mosques and colorful buildings. The Islamic Centre (Masjid-al-Sultan Muhammad Thakurufaanu Al Auzam) features a mosque, a library and a distinctive gold dome. Near the harbor, a popular fish market offers the days catch, and a produce market is stocked with local fruit.

Hambantota is the main town in Hambantota District, Southern Province, Sri Lanka. This underdeveloped area was hit hard by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and is undergoing a number of major development projects including the construction of a new sea port and international airport finished in 2013.

Colombo is the commercial capital and largest city of Sri Lanka by population. According to the Brookings Institution, Colombo metropolitan area has a population of 5.6 million, and 752,993 in the city proper. It is the financial centre of the island and a tourist destination.

Colombo is the commercial capital and largest city of Sri Lanka by population. According to the Brookings Institution, Colombo metropolitan area has a population of 5.6 million, and 752,993 in the city proper. It is the financial centre of the island and a tourist destination.