Tropicana Sep-Oct 2019 #126 The Wellbeing Issue

THE VACATION
Another attraction that must not be missed is the muchtalked
about “Seven Coloured Earth” dunes at the Chamarel.
The dunes which can reach up to 15 metres thick, contain
traces of ancient activity of geo-climatic events. The iron
and aluminium oxides left by these events repel each other
and gather spontaneously in colourful stripes. This makes the
Seven Coloured Earth dunes a truly unique natural wonder
that can only be found in Mauritius and is a must-visit for
everyone to believe.
From the Chamarel, make sure to pay a visit to the
animals at the Casela World of Adventures located on the
same western part of the island. It is one of the few places
where visitors can have interactions with lions and indulge in
a safari tour. The Casela is also home to 1,500 birds, giant
tortoises, Bengal tigers, cheetahs, lions and many other
species. There is also an area where children can partake in
feeding certain animals such as giraffes and giant tortoises.
To get a clear bird’s-eye view of Port Louis, head up to
Fort Adelaide (Citadel of Port Louis). It is located on a hill
overlooking the city and harbour, and was built between 1834
to 1840 to guard the city against riots during the abolition of
slavery. Now it is a famous venue for international concerts
and performances. From the citadel, visitors can witness the
many quarters of Port Louis and breathtaking vistas of some
other parts of Mauritius which must not be missed.
One of the well-known spots would be the famous
botanical garden of Pamplemousses, to enjoy some seriously
beautiful greenery. Still within the vicinity of Port Louis,
the Mauritius National Botanical garden is populated with
a variety of plants including the famous Giant Water Lilies.
The area is quite big thus making it a suitable place to have
long walks and take gorgeous pictures.
To learn a bit more about the history of Mauritius,
head down to the country’s interactive sugar museum
known as L’Aventure du Sucre which is not very far from
the Pamplemousses Botanical Park. It is truly an interesting
experience as many outsiders are not in the know that sugar
was one of the main the reasons why Mauritius has become the
multi-cultural society it is today.
The Azure Waters
Naturally, a visit to Mauritius would not be complete without
stepping into the azure waters of the surrounding ocean and
that is what most visitors look forward to. Apart from the usual
snorkelling and diving exercises, be sure to take part in one of
the ‘must-do’ activities in Mauritius which is swimming with
the dolphins! There are several tour companies that provide
this service for tourists and can easily be found online. It is
safe and truly marvellous when guests get to swim up-close
with wild dolphins who venture closer to the ocean shores in
the mornings.
For more fun with nature, try a catamaran ride to the
world famous islet of Ile Aux Cerfs, where everyone can just
spend the day doing literally nothing and enjoy the calm
surroundings of this little island by having a nice siesta or even
a picnic after a short swim.
Clearly, Mauritius has so much to offer for the uninitiated
and these are just some of the interesting things you can do
while you’re there. So if you have the time to spare and are in
search of some island excitement away from your usual south
east Asian spots, give a Mauritius a shot. We assure you, the
magic won’t go away!
TM | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019
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