And one especially noteworthy corner of this island is this peninsula at its extreme southwestern tip with a cave-riddled 556-meter (1,824-foot) summit which spans 12 hectares (30 acres) and has 3.5km (two mi.) of hiking trails as well as its own microclimate - a great place to get an eye-popping view of the offshore "underwater waterfall," an optical illusion created by silt falling between two coral reefs. It's no wonder it was declare a UNESCO World Heritage Site (awarded not only due to its natural attributes but also its historic/cultural importance as a 19th century refuge for escaped slaves).

Read more in Tripatini contributor Patricia Margaret's post The Islands of Mauritius Will Take Your Breath Away.