Impalpable white beaches surrounding the island for over 300 kilometers and protecting one of the richest and most lush vegetations in the world. A place where you can discover the sweetness of nature
by Nicoletta Ghiaino
Blue water, tropical sun and bright colored sails: the boat race that animates the Creole festival of Mahebourg is about to begin and the children with their faces painted for the occasion hurry on the shores to cheer the competitors, while the bicycles of the hawkers bring in their glass boxes sweets, pineapples, mango and fried food dunked in vindaje. The sails run by touching the coral reef that surrounds the 330 km of coastline where kyte, surf and sail lovers “fly” and plane over the waves. Numerous resorts welcome tourists from all over the world in this volcanic island of Mauritius, a Republic along the 20° parallel north of Tropic of Capricorn. “Take refuge from the norm”’ is the mantra of one of these enchanting luxurious “refuges”: opened 14 years ago, overlooking the impalpable sandy beach and bits of Belle Mare coral, The Residence offers a colonial ambience of the 20’s, made unforgettable by the architectural grandeur of Ruaudel-Denizot, decorations and wooden ornaments enhanced by the choice of lights and colors. If the bath in heated pools has not relaxed you enough after a day by the sea, nature and sport, The Sanctuary SPA will cuddle your body and your senses through Carita treatments, before your evening dinner with ocean view in one of the three restaurants offering fine local and international cuisine.
Refined locations, high quality service and gourmand food distinguish also the four-star family resort Ambre Hotel at Palmar. Inaugurated in October 2012 and directed by Ligurian Alessandro Schenone, Amber Hotel focuses on excellent service and cuisine quality that its Director considers as the flagship of this new Sun Resorts bet, under the supervision of renowned chef Moreno Cedroni. The Sun Kids Club offers fun activities and games for children, so to allow their parents’ to enjoy water sports, tennis, fitness centers or Spa.
After awakening with difficulty from the vices and care of these places and from the clear waters of the ocean, nothing is left to do except discover the beauty of the tropical flora that dominates Mauritius island. The smell of sugar canes fermented under the sun permeates the air with pungent sweetness while you walk through the streets of the island, covered with this tropical plant for more than 60% of its territory. In the Vallée de Ferney the traveler’s palm trees, with their tall trunks and fan-shaped foliage, shade the deer and tortoises that inhabit the wild hill, immersing the visitor into a real sanctuary of biodiversity. The natural park Domaine de L’Etoile that can be visited by foot, horse or quad is also located in the southern part of the island, and is a botanical jewel that hosts a wonderful playground for children. The natural show continues along the North coast of the island in the Pamplemousses Botanical Garden, 10 km from the capital Port Louis, where you can explore 26 hectares of tropical forest in total silence, hearing only the kestrel birds that chase each other through the fronds of towering banana trees and among the giant Victoria Regia water lilies.
The Italian creative genius shows its inspiration in the shadow of the towering palms overlooking Labourdonnais estate, in Mapou, in the North of the island’s inland: Veneto chef Fabio de Poli wisely plays with his roots and with the new house, joining heart of palm and olive oil, thyme and coriander, in his restaurant, la Table du Chateau, overlooking the colonial residence brought back to its original splendor in 2006. Le Caudan promenade is the vital core of the capital Port Louis, where you can enjoy shopping malls, bars, restaurants and the Blue Penny Museum, which safeguards some of the most valuable stamps in the world. And who knows if Joseph Conrad – “Heart of Darkness” author who described the island as “a pearl that distills great sweetness on the world” – has tasted the fine rum, Mauritian excellence product whose processing can be followed live in the elegant rhumeria inside the Chamarel Valley, on the road that leads to the waterfalls and the Lands of the seven colors, a palette ranging from gold, to red, to purple.
INFORMATION
How to get there: Air Mauritius and Eurofly – weekly flighs
Languages : English (official), French, Creole and Hindi.
Nationality: 68% Indo-Mauritian; 27% Creole; 3% Sino-m
Mauritian; 2% French-Mauritian.
Religion: Hindu, Christian and Islam
Currency: Rupee. Credit card accepted: American Express, Diners, MesterCard e Visa.
Accomodation: The Residence Mauritius, Coastal Road, Belle Mare, tel. +230 401 88 88, [email protected], www.theresidence.com • Ambre Hotel, Coastal Road, Palmar, tel. +230 401 81 88, [email protected], www.ambremauritius.com
Sport: deep-sea fishing, trekking, golf, horsing, canyoning, cruising, windsurf, kayak, kyteboard, diving, snorkeling.
Tourist board: [email protected], www.mauritius-turismo.com.
(Mauritius, a pearl in the Indian Ocean – Barchemagazine.com – February 2013)
