I'm playing a Majapahit right now. I used a different strategy than you guys did and I think I'm doing well. After conquering all other nations in the East Indies I colonised most of the "uninhabited" islands there and in Oceania. Then I sailed westwards and conquered some African clubbers and then continued to Europe.
Nice!! One big question though - how did you get to colonizing so early? We only got it around 1570.. I'm sure with fewer wars (we had a LOT) it would've come sooner, but almost 100 years? Seems like a stretch.
(Also, I misspoke.. my screens are from 1700, not 1770. Somehow, I get those two mixed up a lot :wacko