Indian Ocean Supplement DWHA Special Edition | Page 16

EXOTIC
ESCAPE
Discover the romantic, mystical and magical vibe from the
enticing island of Mauritius
H
ome to sparkling turquoise waters, white sandy
beaches and a spectacular coral reef, Mauritius is a
slice of paradise. Located to the east of Madagascar,
this idyllic island is like no where else on earth. As
the island is a melange of inhabitants — including Creole, French,
Chinese and Indian people — the cuisine and culture is rich in
diversity. Ultimately, Mauritius offers a vibrant, welcoming and
magical atmosphere that makes you instantly fall in love with the
island. It is the perfect romantic retreat for honeymooners.
TEEMING WITH TRADITION
As a melting pot of cultures, Mauritius holds many different
traditions that are still in place today. One of the most popular
of these is the tradition of ‘the sundowner’. In a way similar to
the Spanish siesta, the sundowner is a moment of relaxation
that takes place at dusk. Sit back with a drink in your hand and
embrace the beach, sun and community spirit.
Music also plays a large part in Mauritian culture, which can be
noted with the Sega — a rhythmic, vibrant and colourful type of
dance to ritual music. Brought to the island by slaves, the dancing
and singing represented and expressed their desire for freedom.
Now a national form of music and dance that is performed at most
occasions, Sega is all about the swaying of hips, feet shuffling and
the exciting beat of the drums.
TASTE THE CULTURE
A fusion of African, French Chinese and Indian cuisine, dining in
Mauritius is exciting, unique and delicious. Especially with the
spectacular street food on offer, the island is every foodie’s dream.
Mauritians are known for their love of spices, including turmeric,
cinnamon and cardamom. As Indian descendants have a high
population rate in Mauritius, their influence on the local cuisine
means that curries often frequent the menus. However, unlike
traditional Indian curries, Mauritian curries often feature seafood
or duck, rather than the usual meats, and consist of atypical herbs
like thyme. If you fancy sampling a traditional Mauritian dish, try
Vindaye. Created before refrigerators, the meal remains a widely
famous dish on the island. It is a curry based on mustard, saffron,
and lots of spices, often featuring fried fish or octopus and served
with rice or dhal.
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DWHA || NOVEMBER / DECEMBER