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Once upon a time, in a land far, far away…. Indeed a fairytale released from the clutches of its surreal realms and thrust into the physical perimeters of the Earth. Mauritius. Seated comfortably between the exotic continents of Africa and India, Mauritius is part of a group of islands formed by volcanic eruptions from the depths of the Indian Ocean. Touching down in “Ile Maurice”, I was excited to begin my dreamlike journey into the island. The journey to my resort was tedious but a memorable one. I recall the rhapsody of emotions which enthralled me as we drove through the sharp meandering courses. We came upon some low drawbridges looking over swampy regions, vast plots of grasslands and plantation fields fringed by immense mountains. Signs of civilization ranged from the modest village halls where ‘big mommas’ gathered with their little toddlers to more developed suburban shops and houses delicately embroidered with Indian designs. Mauritius subtly wears the robes of its previous colonial masters which have included the Portuguese, French and the British. This sets the stage for present-day multi-cultural Mauritius, a delightful potpourri of races, languages, customs and cultures. One authentic language, Creole, brought in by the slaves from former colonial time, unites all. The capital city encompasses both the conservative and modern sides to Mauritius, whilst the tourist holiday resorts lay on the coastal areas – thus effectively maximising the golden appeal of the sand and the sea, Picture perfect scenes! Though, it may strike a rather disturbing contrast when we compare the simple lives of the locals with that of the tourists in the luxurious resorts. Once upon a time, in a land far, far away… there lived a beautiful princess (I insist, ‘Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder!’). Unfortunately, her reign lasted only a week! Her kingdom was ousted by the immigration authorities! The ‘royalty’ treatment I speak of will not seem like an exaggerated notion once within the resorts, where every whiff of your breath is gracefully attended to. I enjoyed the classic French ambience, exquisite international cuisine, the variety of water and land activities available and most of all, the warmest smiles. I took a ‘voyage’ on a glass bottom boat one fine day which took me far out in the sea. And on my voyage, I discovered a whole new world – underwater. It was like an enchanting kingdom beneath! I came, I saw, but could not conquer! Mauritius has remained in solitary isolation for countless millennia and it is the untouched natural aspects which distinctively contribute to its beauty. Home to the legendary dodo and other exotic fauna and flora, the mysterious island hoards plenty of nature’s most precious secrets. Unfortunately, it could not keep them from me or the hundreds other, as we unveil its hidden treasures. I visited the ‘Mystical South’ to “eat a bowl of fresh air” – thus excavating nature from the precious sources. I feasted my eyes on the panoramic view from the top of ‘Trou Aux Cerfs’- a dormant volcano! The crater is now covered in thick vegetation – it is hard to imagine red molten lava once spilling out of that abyss. Crater lakes, river gorges, the famous seven-coloured earth disclosing ancient coloured volcanic ashes, like ochre and violet, are just a few examples of the exciting highlights. Now what would you do if you were marooned on paradise? |
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