The Bite Magazine - Spring/Summer 2020 - Issue 27

bite travel in the crisp air. Bras d’Eau is a small bay inside the lagoon of Poste Lafayette, whose public beach has a view of the south, meaning you can see both the sunrise and the sunset. Belle Mare has a beautiful white sandy beach where the locals flock to during the weekends and public holidays making it a great place to meet native people. You’ll feel right at home as having a tasty ice cream from one of the many colourful and musical ice cream vans will be like being at the seaside but much more here. Flacq, one of the most important villages in Mauritius, is a lively hub and has one of the largest open-air markets in the country on Wednesdays and Sundays. The West and South-West coasts of Mauritius are the dri- est areas on the island. There are some superb hotels and lagoons that are ideal for swimming, snorkelling, diving, wa- ter-skiing, and kayaking. A few places to visit and things to do here include a variety of Nature Parks such as Casela and Gros Cailloux, going for walks, great activities for kids and taking in the stunning surroundings. There are even some tame African lions, giraffe and other animals to see. Although it’s not exactly a tourist spot, Albion and Pointe aux Sables have a public beach worth visiting. Along the coast to- wards Club Med, you can swim in the shade of the trees that border the shore. Albion is known for its lighthouse, while at Pointe aux Sables, you’ll find ‘Montague Zako (Monkey Mount)’ where you can try a 20-metre high cliff dive into the sea. If you’re adventurous enough to do this, make sure you check the water below and the wave movement carefully before making the jump! For sun-seekers or just relaxation on the beach, Flic en Flac is the place to be. Its white beaches are fringed with Casuarina trees, making it a popular spot for weekend beach activities such as swimming and snorkelling. There are also plenty of restaurants to dine at and it has a lively nightlife. Surrounded by turquoise sea, Île aux Bénitiers is another island set in a la- goon, this time near Le Morne where you can go swimming and snorkelling. One of the main ‘green’ attractions is Black River Gorges Na- tional Park which extends over 16,680 acres. This place is a haven to highly endangered native plants and animals, with around 311 species of native and endemic flowering plants and nine species of birds that can be found in Mauritius. Another place that was built by the British to protect them against their sworn enemy is the Martello tower at La Pre- neus. Built between 1810 and 1846, it was restored in 1999 and is now accessible for guided tours. Grand Bay on the north of Mauritius has two beaches, one of which is ‘La Cuvette’, a discreet hideaway where you can still find the rare ‘tec-tec’ (small white shells) hidden in the sand that need to be preserved. Explore this wonderful area by walking through the narrow streets behind the main road and see what the small local boutiques have to offer. With a wide variety of restaurants and nightlife, you’ll be drawn to this charming and exuberant village. Nature lovers would be in awe of Les Vergers of Labourdon- nais at Mapou where you’ll find a large variety of tropical fruit trees and colourful fragrant flowers. Walk among the anthuriums, bougainvillea, and hibiscus, before tasting jam and freshly squeezed fruit juice made from the fruit grown there in the orchard. Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botani- cal Garden (named after the Mauritius politician) has a large collection of indigenous and exotic plants, including the gi- ant Victoria Amazonica water lilies. Historically, Cap Malheureux in the northernmost part of the island is where Commander-in-Chief John Abercromby landed his troops when the British attacked the island for the second time in 1810. But it is the small chapel Notre Dame Auxiliatrice, commonly known as the Red Roof Chapel that the area owes its importance to. When visiting, take in the quality of the meticulous carpentry work and its amazing gi- ant clam holy water stoup. In Mauritius, there is a famous myth inspired by the sinking of Saint Géran on the northeast coast. The legend goes that Paul, of humble origins, awaited the return of his beloved Virginie, of noble blood. Her ship, the Saint Géran crashed against the rocks and Paul jumped into the water to rescue her. Shy and chaste, she refused to remove her clothes to fol- low him back to shore. Finally, her waterlogged Victorian clothes dragged her to the bottom and she drowned. Paul is said to have died of grief afterward. For a bit of chocolate heaven, visit Van Ann Chocolate Manu- facturers at their premises in Calebasses. Founded in 1992 by a Belgian lady, it’s famous for its Belgian-style pralines, inno- vative packaging and delicious chocolate distributed mainly to the hotels. Watch the fishes at the Mauritius Aquarium at Pointe aux Biches which features 200 fish species, inver- tebrates, corals, and sponges, including a reservoir of large predators like sharks. It has a pool where children can have direct contact with some of the harmless species. For a slice of sun, beach, history, and culture, visit Mauritius.