MAURITIUS
Indian Ocean, brushes it off as a larger-than-life legend. But no matter which version you choose to believe, the Mauritian landscape, its vegetation, culture and history will captivate you.
While it took me three decades to finally stay at a resort, I learn quickly that there’ s no reason to leave once you’ re there. There’ s no chance of getting bored, unless you choose to, and everything you need is at your fingertips, from a range of epicurean restaurants, bars, dance floors and entertainment, to spas, saunas, gyms and sports clubs with tennis courts, beach volleyball and the French pastime of boulles. And there are a number of sports and activities on offer, from golf to kayaking, paragliding, deep sea fishing, snorkelling and scuba diving.
I qualified for my open water diver’ s license in anticipation of coming to Mauritius. But it’ s also one of the best places to qualify. On our boat trip to the coral reef, dive master and co-owner of Sun Divers at La Pirogue, Esther Rambert, tells me that in the 30-odd years since they opened they have discovered over 20 interesting dive sites, Cathedral, Snake Reef and Tug 2 being the most popular.
I see three white-tipped sharks at Suisse dive site, but Mauritius surpasses expectations like that and you’ re almost guaranteed to see them as they sleep in a cave during the day. I also tick off lionfish, sweetlips, porcupinefish, pufferfish and porcelain crab from my list, as well as the usual inhabitants of tropical waters – moorish idol, butterfish, angelfish and clownfish.
Back on land, I dry off on a beach lounger as I watch a yoga class, then I drag it into the shade of the palm trees. Later, I try really hard to work up an appetite by
swimming in the infinity pool, because I have learned that resort-life is all about indulgence. There barely seems to be enough time between the buffet breakfasts, lunches, sundowners and dinners. The food is a mix of Creole and international flavours as well as an array of the many nationalities that influence Mauritian culture. The seafood is as fresh as it gets and the variety is hard to beat.
“ I’ m coming back,” I tell Beekun as he drops us off at the airport,“ to do that road trip”.
Budget
Mauritius is slightly more affordable than the other Vanilla Islands and the rand stands at roughly one to 2.60 Mauritian rupees. If you upgrade to an all-inclusive package, there’ s nothing to worry about besides which cocktail to order next.
Getting there
Air Mauritius and South African Airways fly direct between Johannesburg a number of times each week.
30 Travel Update | issue 9