An expedition to Mauritius: How Castille extended its branches to a subtropical island

Mauritius boasts a rich history intertwined with cultural bounty. Located in the Indian Ocean, the nation bears similarities with Malta in their warm climates and surplus of beaches. Castille opened its second office here in 2014 and retains close relations with its headquarters in Malta. With this in mind, we celebrate this relationship with a taste of what our neighbour has to offer.

By Andrea Amato

A sustainable treat for eco-conscious visitors

Environmental contributions from Mauritius stems beyond the discovery of the famous Dodo bird. Indeed, the island is surrounded almost entirely by coral reefs, and some research into the nation exposes a myriad of water activities. If you are up for a Catamaran cruise or a swim with dolphins, it is encouraging to note Mauritius’s commitment to eco-friendly tourism.

Mauritius successfully cooperates with the UN’s sustainable development goals (SDG), allowing greater appreciation of the stunning flora and fauna encompassing the island.

Transcend into cooking alchemy

Mauritian cuisine blends African, Chinese, Indian, and European influences. The diversity of cookery derives from migration, specifically former slaves who destined to Mauritius after the abolition of slavery in 1835. Traditional cuisines such as Indian curry are nowadays prepared using local ingredients, allowing cooks to pay homage to original recipes from the nineteenth century. Chinese migrants are credited to bring Mauritius its staple grains such as rice, and later cultural influences from France brought popular dishes such as bouillon (a sort of bone broth).

The above does not do Mauritian cuisine enough justice, and only serves to touch upon a greater respect for the nation’s heritage.

An exquisite expansion of events

It comes as no surprise that cultural influences are also seen in the island’s festivities by means of religious freedom. In January, Port Louis prepares for Chinese New Year with customary dances and colourful decorations. February celebrates Maha Shivaratree; an Indian holiday honouring the Hindu god Shiva, where devotees travel to Grand Bassin, a deep crater that homes temples for peaceful prayer. The summer period continues a variety of feasts and come December; Mauritius enjoys Christmas Day as a nationwide public holiday.

It is wonderfully apparent that in this community, acculturation and diversity are prominent symbols of unity, and this is certainly worth celebrating.