| Reunion is an island born out of a volcano, makes for | | | | travellers over 1 year of age coming from infected |
| a rather unusual tropical paradise. Reunion is made up | | | | areas. Visitors are advised to take pre-arrival |
| of two great mountain ranges, Peak of the Snows | | | | precautions against typhoid, polio and hepatitis A. |
| and Peak of the Furnace, separated by the Plains. | | | | Other health concerns are influenza (risk extends |
| Unique features are the black sand beaches and the | | | | throughout the year). Tap water is safe to |
| imposing Cirques, a geological curiosity that act as | | | | drink.LANGUAGE:The official language is French. |
| natural amphitheatres.Although a French island, three | | | | Reunion/French Creole is widely spoken and Tamil by |
| centuries of history have resulted in a melting pot of | | | | some.PUBLIC HOLIDAYS:New Years' Day (1 Jan); |
| cultural diversity with inhabitants a harmonious mix of | | | | Easter Monday (12 Apr); Labour Day (1 May); 1945 |
| the French, Indian, Malagasy, African and Chinese. It | | | | Victory Day (8 May); Ascension Day (20 May); Whit |
| is due to this fact that culture, religion and cuisine are | | | | Monday (31 May); Bastille Day (14 Jul); Assumption |
| paramount. The mouthwatering food and potent | | | | (15 Aug); All Saint's Day (1 Nov); Rememberance Day |
| punches are part of the lifestyle with religious | | | | (11 Nov); Abolition of Slavery (20 Dec); Christmas |
| festivals almost always taking place.Apart from these | | | | Day (25 Dec)SHOPPING:embroidery; lace; coral |
| assets, Reunion is also known for its rare perfumes, | | | | jewellery; basketware; local & Parisian fashion items; |
| exotic colours, Bourbon vanilla, innumerable sporting | | | | wooden sculptures/furniture; rum, vanilla and extracts |
| activities, year-round warm water and waterfalls. It is | | | | of vetiver, geranium and ylang-ylang.SOCIAL |
| an invitation for everyone including honeymooners, | | | | CONVENTIONS:Religion is 94 percent Roman Catholic, |
| divers, hikers and other outdoor types to escape to | | | | other faiths include Hindu, Islam and Buddhism. While |
| its special charm.CAPITAL:St-DenisCLIMATE:Hot, | | | | in the Tamil temple, respect its sanctity and don't |
| tropical. The best time is May-Nov (cooler, dry | | | | wear any leather. Business is conducted in French and |
| season) as Dec-Feb is hot and wet and cyclones | | | | no formal interpreter services are available. Trade |
| may occur. Rain falls throughout except | | | | literature should also be in French. A suit is not usually |
| Jun-Aug.CURRENCY:1 Euro = 100 cents. Major credit | | | | necessary.TIME DIFFERENCE:GMT +4TIPPING:Widely |
| cards are accepted in all major establishments: | | | | practised. Ten percent is common.TOP TEN |
| restaurants, hotels, fuel stations and toll booths. It's | | | | ATTRACTIONS DESCRIPTION:Saint-Denis:Capital and |
| best to exchange currency at large banks in the | | | | the biggest French overseas city; several historical, |
| centre of town or in a financial area. If only a small | | | | relgious, cultural and natural attractions e.g. the |
| amount of money is being exchanged, the hotel | | | | Cathedral of Saint-Denis, Route de la Montagne, the |
| money exchange rate may be adequate. Traveller's | | | | Big Market, the Small Market, Natural History Museum, |
| cheques are recommended in Euro.ELECTRICITY:20 | | | | brightly coloured Tamil temples, mosques, Buddhist |
| volts, 50Hz. Plugs are mainly 2-pin round.HEALTH:A | | | | pagodas, Artotheque, Barachois seafront, Creole |
| yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from | | | | houses and Jardin de l'Etat Botanical Garden. |