Spellbinding beaches Magic potions
ISLAND DAZE THE GUIDE
Magical Mauritius Between its tropical rainforests and aquamarine waters, this Indian Ocean gem still has a few surprises.
Spellbinding beaches Sun Resorts’ Ile aux Cerfs Leisure Island on the east coast spells enchantment. The warm, aquamarine waters are a playground for multicoloured tropical fish that glide past while you swim, snorkel or dive. Browse the craft market and indulge in a seafood buffet, before tanning on the white beach with a chilled Phoenix beer. Later, try bumper boats and parasailing, or take to the 18-hole, 72-par golf course, considered one of the world's most beautiful. ileauxcerfsleisureisland.com
kulula.com
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Magic potions Mauritians call rum a magical cure for everything. Pirates, bar tenders and travellers swear by its alluring power. You can't go wrong, whether it's served in a cocktail, with juice or flavoured with spices. Learn about rum distillation at Rhumerie de Chamarel. After tasting their 12 rums and liqueurs, you can dine in the restaurant and buy bottles of their magic elixir to take home. rhumeriedechamarel.com
MARCH 2017
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2/17/17 12:36 PM
THE GUIDE ISLAND DAZE
Enchanted lands
A soundtrack of songs, drums and tambourines follows hundreds of psychedelic-coloured pilgrims walking the narrow streets towards the Indian Ocean. They're celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi, a Hindu lunar festival in late August or early September. Men take turns carrying lavish statues of the deity on their heads, and worshippers make a wish as they wave silver plates of coconut, rice and dough in a clockwise direction in front of the statues. At sunset, statues are placed on the ocean floor and sugar-frosted fruit is distributed before everyone heads home to feast.
Water wonder land At sunrise, schools of dolphins frolic with the surfers in Tamarin Bay. One way to join them is by Seakart – a rubber dinghy with an engine, steering wheel and seats. With the wind in your hair and the spray in your face, you can navigate the estuary and jagged coastline at speeds of up to 75km/h, and then jump off for a swim in the cerulean waters. fun-adventure.mu
SCIENCE AND SORCERY Nothing’s as it seems at Curious Corner, a magical house of optical illusions and brain-teasers, where you need to think outside the box to make your way through an unusual museum. Suspend your disbelief to solve conundrums and stand on the ceiling in the Upside Down Room. he Ames Room turns you into a giant and then a dwarf, while the ininite relections of the Mirror Maze make it seem like you'll be trapped in this fantastical world forever. curiouscornerofchamarel.com
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MARCH 2017
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Words and Photographs: Iga Motylska
Ancient gatherings
A paradise awaiting UNESCO World Heritage classification, Black River Gorges National Park is a tropical forest that’s home to over 300 plant species and nine endemic birds. Nearby, visit the fabled Chamarel La Terre Des Couleurs, where gentle rolling hills are covered in sands in seven distinct shades of ochre, orange, yellow and brown. At Chamarel Waterfall, you can feed giant tortoises and then stare in awe as the waters plunge 83 metres into the gorge.
kulula.com
2/17/17 12:20 PM
Magical Mauritius Between its tropical rainforests and aquamarine waters, this Indian Ocean gem still has a few surprises.
Spellbinding beaches Sun Resorts’ Ile aux Cerfs Leisure Island on the east coast spells enchantment. The warm, aquamarine waters are a playground for multicoloured tropical fish that glide past while you swim, snorkel or dive. Browse the craft market and indulge in a seafood buffet, before tanning on the white beach with a chilled Phoenix beer. Later, try bumper boats and parasailing, or take to the 18-hole, 72-par golf course, considered one of the world's most beautiful. ileauxcerfsleisureisland.com
kulula.com
Guide_islandDaze_Maurituis.indd 29
Magic potions Mauritians call rum a magical cure for everything. Pirates, bar tenders and travellers swear by its alluring power. You can't go wrong, whether it's served in a cocktail, with juice or flavoured with spices. Learn about rum distillation at Rhumerie de Chamarel. After tasting their 12 rums and liqueurs, you can dine in the restaurant and buy bottles of their magic elixir to take home. rhumeriedechamarel.com
MARCH 2017
29
2/17/17 12:36 PM
THE GUIDE ISLAND DAZE
Enchanted lands
A soundtrack of songs, drums and tambourines follows hundreds of psychedelic-coloured pilgrims walking the narrow streets towards the Indian Ocean. They're celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi, a Hindu lunar festival in late August or early September. Men take turns carrying lavish statues of the deity on their heads, and worshippers make a wish as they wave silver plates of coconut, rice and dough in a clockwise direction in front of the statues. At sunset, statues are placed on the ocean floor and sugar-frosted fruit is distributed before everyone heads home to feast.
Water wonder land At sunrise, schools of dolphins frolic with the surfers in Tamarin Bay. One way to join them is by Seakart – a rubber dinghy with an engine, steering wheel and seats. With the wind in your hair and the spray in your face, you can navigate the estuary and jagged coastline at speeds of up to 75km/h, and then jump off for a swim in the cerulean waters. fun-adventure.mu
SCIENCE AND SORCERY Nothing’s as it seems at Curious Corner, a magical house of optical illusions and brain-teasers, where you need to think outside the box to make your way through an unusual museum. Suspend your disbelief to solve conundrums and stand on the ceiling in the Upside Down Room. he Ames Room turns you into a giant and then a dwarf, while the ininite relections of the Mirror Maze make it seem like you'll be trapped in this fantastical world forever. curiouscornerofchamarel.com
30
MARCH 2017
Guide_islandDaze_Maurituis.indd 30
Words and Photographs: Iga Motylska
Ancient gatherings
A paradise awaiting UNESCO World Heritage classification, Black River Gorges National Park is a tropical forest that’s home to over 300 plant species and nine endemic birds. Nearby, visit the fabled Chamarel La Terre Des Couleurs, where gentle rolling hills are covered in sands in seven distinct shades of ochre, orange, yellow and brown. At Chamarel Waterfall, you can feed giant tortoises and then stare in awe as the waters plunge 83 metres into the gorge.
kulula.com
2/17/17 12:20 PM
