TRAVEL SPECIAL....... MAURITIUS

TRAVEL  MAURITIUSTranslate

For the activity-hungry tourist, Mauritius may just live up to its moniker of Paradise Island. One of the best things about the tiny, and strikingly beautiful nation, is just that – it is tiny. This means you can travel the country, from one end to the other, in a little more than two hours by car. Although you will be spoilt for choice among the plethora of water sports and land activities – scuba diving, kite surfing, sunset cruise, hiking and much, much more – you just haven’t experienced Mauritius if you come back without doing the following:

Walk With the lions:

There is plenty to do at The Casela World of Adventures, a nature and amusement park – ziplines, quadbikes, buggies, Segway rides, treks, safaris, canyon swings (like bungee jumping, with a twist)... the list goes on. The best, however, is the Walk with the Lions – an opportunity for you to be in close proximity to the majestic animal. One catch: only visitors aged 15 and above can do this. The other absolute success, especially with the young ones, is the Petting Farm where you can feed deer and rabbits. It also houses animals such as wallabies and ostriches.

Dolphin and Whale Watching:

Travel southwest for another visual treat: pods of dolphins flipping through the water, leaving a silvery wake. The west coast of the island is a haven for dolphins that rest here before heading into the deep sea. You can even try swimming with the dolphins.

Most cruise packages include drinks, lunch, a visit to the Benitiers Island and the landmark Crystal Rock (which looks like a giant floating rock). If you want to see the whales, you will have to go further into the deep sea. But a lot depends on the weather and your luck.

Parasailing at Île aux cerfs:

This tiny island is just a boat ride away from the main island. It offers beautiful vistas and calm waters for swimming and a host of water sports activities. The most popular among these is parasailing from the platform set in the sea. One can go in tandem or opt for solo rides. Other places for parasailing are Grand Baie in the north and Belle Mare in the east.

UnderWater scooter:

Pilot an underwater submarine scooter or ride pillion three metres deep to get a great view of the reef and discover marine life. You don’t have to know how to swim for this. You could also opt for the under-sea walk.

Water sports:

Sea kayaking, stand up paddling, windsurfing, water skiing, sea karting, tube and banana boat riding – Mauritius has all the adrenaline rush you need.

If you have more time, go for the catamaran cruise, laze around at the Caudan Waterfront and travel to Blue Bay down south after a tour of the Mahebourg village to see the most amazing shades of blue sea, and yes, shop at Port Louis market for local knick-knacks.

·         – by Kuheli Sen

HTBR27MAR16