Garuda Indonesia Colours Magazine January 2020 | Page 98

Travel / Mauritius
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That ribbon of beaches runs along much of Mauritius’
coast, a 177km-long seaboard where land and water
seem to ever-so-gently merge. It’s no wonder:
Mauritius is protected by coral reefs that keep big
waves (and big fish like sharks) away. It is those reefs
in part that end up as the fine, pearlescent sand
on the beaches.
You could be forgiven for thinking of
Mauritius as the treasure island. Spend
long enough on a beach – with talcum-soft
sand between your toes, casuarina trees,
and palms gently swaying in the breeze –
and soon enough thoughts come to mind
that there might be a buried chest nearby.
But there are other riches to be found
around the edges of the island. And local
fishermen, whether professionals or
hobbyist anglers, have long profited from the
abundant waters. From early in the morning,
you find them pulling their catch ashore in
the shadow of Le Morne, a 556m-high
basalt monolith in the extreme southwest.
On the opposite side of the island, they
stand out in the shallows until late
afternoon, rods poised, waiting for a bite.
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That’s on the eastern coastline, which
wiggles and curls like a hooked grouper.
The coastal road meanders alongside,
passing a succession of hidden coves and
bays that are interspersed with luxury
resorts next to sweeping beaches.
Follow the road all the way to the
northernmost point and find a magical
spot where yachts and dinghies bob in the
water and the grassy shore touches the
lapping waves. It’s called Cap Malheureux
(‘Cape of Misfortune’) but it’s hard to
equate the name with how lucky you
feel that you’re there.
Capital city Port Louis is sited on the west
coast, approximately midway between the
‘unfortunate’ cape and UNESCO World
1. Le Morne Brabant
(UNESCO World Heritage
Site) and beachfront.
2. Chamarel Waterfall.