Mauritians believe that ‘taking time is not wasting time and they always take time for visitors to the island. In fact their genuine friendliness is part of this small tropical island's charm. The island was ruled by the Dutch, French and British - and visited by legendary corsairs and pirates – who all left their legacy. Shimmering fields of sugar cane surround plantation houses and domaines (estates), offering Mauritian gastronomy and award-winning artisanal rums, flavoured with island spices. Learn how sugar shaped the islands history, at interactive museum L’Aventure du Sucre and wander through UNESCO World- Heritage listed atmospheric Aapravasi Ghat in Port Louis Harbour where indentured labourers arrived from India. Stroll palm-lined avenues in the planet’s third oldest botanical gardens at Pamplemousses then explore the historic southeast, where the first Europeans landed: it has a ruined fort and famous naval battle, a story told in the National History Museum in Mahébourg.
The Made in Moris label highlights island products, often made by local artisans, from coconut oil from Kokodezil to upcycled clothing from The Kreol Republic
Mahebourg's traditional market
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Traditional Mauritian life today is evident in brightly-painted temples (red and white are Hindu, multicoloured are Tamil), mosques and churches, colourful markets piled high with produce and the UNESCO-listed traditional séga music and sashaying dance performances, seen at island hotels. Awanam at Veranda Tamarin Hotel brings local musicians and DJs to the Crazy Fish bar’s live stage from Thursday to Sunday, while boho chic beach club NJOY at La Cuvette beach, which opened in December 2021, has open mic sessions and plans for a music label to showcase local
© Jacques Rocca-Serra
M
auritius is a pot pourri of cultures with peoples of Indian, African, French and Chinese heritage and Hindus, Muslims, Christians and Buddhists - living peacefully side by side, united by their Creole language.
VIVID
culture
CULTURE
Mahébourg regatta
Salt Pans
musical talent. An art gallery opened at Sands Suites Resort & Spa in November 2021 while the new LUX* Grand Baie Resort & Residences has a Patrick Mavros gallery, offering one-of-a-kind pieces inspired by the islands’ nature and wildlife. During the island's closure, Attitude invited talented Mauritian artists to create individual identities for their hotels. Gaël Froget repainted the Taba-J street food truck at Zilwa Attitude, in his brightly-coloured graphic style, while fashion designer Gabrielle Dalais used terracotta and mustard gold, leaf green and marine blue inspired by the natural surrounds at the new Sunrise Attitude. Mauritius even has street art, seen in the capital, Port Louis.
FESTIVALS
Mauritians like to celebrate, with festivals or events held throughout the year. Pirogues with colourful sails fill the bay at the Mahébourg regatta in November, while lion and dragon dancers parade through Port Louis Chinatown during the Chinese Spring Festival. Villagers throw lurid coloured powder over each other at Holi, the Hindu festival of joy. For Maha Shivaratree, pilgrims walk in white to Grand Bassin (Ganga Talao) crater lake to honour the god Shiva, and fairy lights twinkle islandwide at Diwali, to mark the triumph of good over evil. Tamil islanders parade through the streets with pierced bodies for Thaipoosam Cavadee, and climb hundreds of steps to picturesque Kovil Montagne, on Corps de Garde mountain. Food stalls and séga concerts feature at the International Kreol Festival, celebrating the island's African roots.
It's time to discover ...
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