Chris' Experience in Mauritius
"You gather the idea that Mauritius was made first, and then heaven; and that heaven was copied after Mauritius." Mark Twain, "Following the equator"
1897.
It is not surprising that Twain once remarked that God modelled heaven on Mauritius, because this jewel of the Indian Ocean is truly paradise on earth.
Mauritius is a relatively small island set 2,000 miles off the coast of Africa located in the heart of the warm Capricorn Sea, in the coral reef belt of the Indian
Ocean on the same latitude as Botswana and Mozambique. Only 40miles long and 30miles wide; but Mauritius still offers 205miles of spectacular shorelines. Mauritius
keeps good company with the Seychelles and Madagascar as her closest neighbours.
With world-class hotels delivering the best service in the Indian Ocean and a renowned gastronomy as well as top spas and golf, Mauritius also offers more to do
than many tropical islands; with trekking, mountain climbing and ecotourism playgrounds. And with its signature sunny days, the world's third largest coral reef
surrounding a turquoise lagoon and blonde, sandy beaches, this island certainly comes close to paradise.
One visit and you will quickly appreciate the wisdom of Mark Twain’s words…one day was all it took for me!
Having reviewed many glossy travel magazine and website features on Mauritius in anticipation of my first trip, I was certainly expecting to be welcomed by golden,
powder-soft beaches, tropical forests, chic hotels, sophisticated cuisine and superb golf and water sports. What my research had not prepared me for was actually
the defining difference, which for me, sets Mauritius way ahead of other luxury destinations ….its warm and charming people.
Mauritius enjoys a peaceful, multi-cultural society. The island’s 1.3million population is a cosmopolitan blend of Creole, Indian, Chinese, French and British
cultures. Their pride in this tiny island republic is reflected in their high standards of living. There is virtually no unemployment resulting in an almost crime-free
environment. Mauritians are hybrid, happy folk who are charming and lovely. They recreate a tourist experience that mirrors their easy-going, relaxed ways and has
you smiling as soon as you step off the plane.
I was treated to the warmest of welcomes at the Mahebourg Airport, where I was collected by a private driver and taken directly to my first destination, the unforgettable
Belle Mare Plage resort. During that short journey, my driver charmed me with his witty and enlightening stories about life on the island and provided a non-stop
commentary on the many interesting sights en-route. Following its independence from the British in 1968, the industrious Mauritians set about developing a new,
stand-alone economy, largely based on high-end tourism. This total embrasure of the tourist economy, coupled with intelligent government decisions, (e.g. the island
has never accepted charter flights to help maintain its upmarket position), has meant that tourism has not spoilt the natural beauty of the place. Rather, it has
created the perfect environment for elegant, understated resorts to flourish alongside some of the most beautiful, unspoilt beaches and golf courses in the world.
It may be hard to believe, but the golf resorts generally offer unlimited free green fees to hotel guests. Many hotels boast a world class standard 18 hole championship
course, but I was to play not one, but two, such courses within the Belle Mare Plage resort. After a sumptuous feast on my first night where I sampled French, Creole
and local seafood options from the amazing buffet on display (the all-inclusive package and the stunning displays of food on offer made it too difficult to practice
restraint!!), I was ready to walk off the excess on the golf course.
The amazing levels of Mauritian service certainly extend to every aspect of the resort experience. My golf clubs and shoes had been taken from me on arrival and
miraculously appeared again at the first tee, cleaned and polished as if they had just been purchased from the resort’s golf pro shop! Playing at my local Clandeboye
club will never be quite the same again!!
After a hard day’s work on the pristine fairways and greens I had promised my girlfriend that I would sample the highly rated Mauritian spa experience – and report
back my findings. Whilst I do describe myself as a modern man, my pampering and skincare routine barely stretches beyond a slap of moisturiser and a splash of aftershave.
So, while I do not have a solid frame of reference to compare this spa experience to, I can’t believe there can be too many places on Earth to rival the sheer luxury
and indulgent pampering that I enjoyed.
After an initial consultation, I was provided a holistic, personalised spa programme that was uniquely designed to soothe my pains (lower backache and a recurring
hamstring injury as a result of years of marathon running). The setting was out of this world. As I bathed in one of the outdoor heated spa pools, I could literally
feel the refreshing ocean spray from the surrounding coral reef splash my face. As for the four handed ‘Ylang Ylang’ massage that was to follow…well, that was truly
a little bit of heaven experienced here on earth.
Other amazing luxurious five star resorts that offer world class spa facilities and unlimited free golf include the Heritage Golf and Spa Resort on the picturesque
south coast and the legendary Le Touessrok resort with its 18-hole golf course set on a stunning island which can only reached by boat –a unique experience indeed!
The coral reef that encircles most of the island creates calm turquoise lagoons that make Mauritius the ideal destination for all conceivable water sports including
kite surfing, waterskiing, scuba diving and windsurfing (many of these are even included for free in many of the all-inclusive resort packages – see resort information
later for more details).
Mauritius, a heavenly tropical beauty, has genuinely managed to control the threat of commercialism to maintain its well-deserved reputation as a true luxury,
high-end tourism destination. With other luxury islands you may expect to enjoy world class beaches, golf and spa, cuisine and unrivalled service – with Mauritius
it simply comes with a guarantee.
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