Islands of Africa: Mauritius (1)
Don’t let the 160km of white-on-blue beach fool you, this is the island you have to visit if you are after a hefty dose of intrigue and culture in a captivating setting.
With occupation by the Dutch, language courtesy of the English and food culture by the French, expect to be surprised at every turn. Today, the locals are of Chinese, French, Indian and African origin and are forged by the happiness that comes from living in utopia. A broad statement, but one that Mark Twain observed. “From one citizen you gather the idea that Mauritius was made first, and then heaven; and that heaven was copied after Mauritius.” With a majority population of Indians, technicolour Hindu temples are scattered all over the island.
Travel inland and you will find a volcanic landscape that reaches theatrical heights with multi-coloured rock in earthy hues at Chamarel. Also away from the sea is the Black Gorges National Park, home to a long strip of waterfall as well as virgin rainforest. Le Morne is a very tall mountain that you would expect to find inland, but instead resides in a pool of blue at the perimeter of the island chain. It’s stark height makes it look like an island unto itself however it is attached to the mainland of Mauritius. The summit takes up 30 acres and is recognised on the UNESCO World Heritage list because of its ties with slavery.
The island has its own music, called sega, which is rhythm inducing and seems completely appropriate given the relaxed lifestyle. The island is also covered with sugar cane, which is the key ingredient of the distinguished local rum. Made from fermented sugar cane, this rum trumps other rums made from molasses. The most famous animal of Mauritius has to be the dodo, which lives on in the design of trinkets and souvenirs peddled in local markets.
And if you’d rather languor in paradise, you are spoiled for underwater options from simple diving to walking on the sea floor – in essence, the perfect spot to live out your desert island fantasies.
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