The Bite Magazine - Summer 2012 - Issue 5

learn more about the people and their traditions.The community benefits from a fund established by Coral Lodge, so visits help to bridge the gap between luxury tourism and the local people who depend on it. Keen to sample ‘private island’ living, we drove to Pemba, for a short flight to the Quirimbas Archipelago and a 15 minute boat ride to Quilalea Island. The Quirimbas Archipelago remains relatively untouched by tourism, too far off the beaten track to enable easy access, and is visited only by the lucky few. Known throughout Africa as a conservational jewel, the area is home to a myriad of wildlife both onshore and the surrounding pristine coral reefs. Sister property toAzura on Benguerra Island in Southern Mozambique, Azura at Quilalea opened at the end of 2011, and has just nine coral stone and makuti thatched villas situated on an otherwise uninhabited 86 acre island, surrounded by a protected marine sanctuary. The villas are fitted out in Robinson Crusoe castaway style, with natural furnishings and Azura’s trademark African-chic. They’re open plan and spacious, the decor consisting of wood, cotton, rope, pebbles and rattan, blending seamlessly with the island surroundings. Sunrise Villas come with stunning sea views, and our Sunset Villa had sun loungers and daybed on the terrace, and an outside shower. The signatureVilla Quilalea is situated on a cliff top with a private plunge pool looking out over the Indian Ocean. Azura at Quilalea is built ecologically, using solar power and wind-generated electricity wherever possible. Uniquely, as a guest you can control your own energy consumption in your villa via a wall switch – opting for Eco, for the bare minimum, or Luxe, providing all mod cons including air conditioning. Each villa comes with a dedicated butler, on hand to look after your every need, from arranging activities to where you’re going to eat for the day. Quilalea also has a state- of-the-art TV and media room, a bar and pool area with big comfy cushions for lazing around, a PADI dive and watersports centre and a boutique selling local crafts and designer beachwear. The cliff-top spa offers signature African treatments based on local ingredients and traditions.The stunning location and rhythmical splashing of water aided the relaxation process as I was rubbed down with ground coconut shells, covered head to toe with tamarind and aloe, and gently massaged with warm marula oil. It smells delicious and leaves your skin soft and your mind at ease. bite travel