CLAIRE HEWITT stays at a funky new hotel in Mauritius where she discovers the island has it all � pristine white beaches, coral gardens to tempt divers and a lush interior full of adventure
Mark Twain was said to have written, "God modelled Mauritius on Paradise." Watching the sun set through coconut-laden palms that line the island�s white sandy beaches, it�s easy to see why.
I stayed at a new hotel, Tamassa, in Bel Ombre on the south of the island. It�s in a newly developed area where a few hotels have been decked out in traditional Mauritian colonial style.
Tamassa, however, is breaking the mould. While the exterior of the villas hinted at the colonial, my room was a bright, modern take on the tropical with a whole wall of patio doors offering stunning views of the Indian Ocean.
Aimed towards the younger market with its funky design, bars and nightclub (well away from the rooms), the hotel also has everything that a honeymooning couple or young family could wish for, from a spa to watersports and three infinity pools.
There is plenty more to discover beyond the resort. One morning my friends and I boarded a catamaran to explore the coastline. I love scuba diving so I jumped at the chance to glide through the underwater coral gardens. There was an abundance of sea life, from tiny black and white clown fish hiding in the anemone garden to a moray eel snapping its enormous jaw at the divers who had paused to take a look.
The capital, Port Louis, in the north of the island, is also worth a visit. The market is its heart and soul, with the sounds of hollering stall owners and the smell of exotic spices.
Mauritius was first colonised by the Dutch, closely followed by the French then English. The Dutch cleared the land of its ebony trees to export for the furniture trade and planted sugar cane that thrived in the volcanic soils.
The plantations still dominate the lush green interior. Domaine de St Felix sugar estate, just east of Bel Ombre, is the oldest working factory in Mauritius and opens for visitors during the cutting season (June to November).
We decided to try some high-adrenaline zip-lining at St Felix. Kitted out in harnesses and ropes, we were led to the first cable, 250ft long and nearly 100ft off the ground. At this point I was having doubts but was clipped on and told to just enjoy.
I closed my eyes and jumped, screaming the whole way as trees flashed past in a blur. I loved it. By the time we got to the final, and at 130ft from the ground the highest cable, I didn�t want it to end.
Driving along the island�s windy roads, the lush green of the sugar cane is contrasted with the bright hibiscus bushes and, during their summer, the fiery flame trees standing out against the blue skies.
Add to this the highly decorated Hindu temples sitting happily beside a mosque or a British-style country church and you end up with a tropical island that is a whole lot more than just white sandy beaches, turquoise sea and palm trees.
Getting there...
The Holiday Place (020 7644 7054/ www.theholidayplace.co.uk) offers seven nights� half-board at Tamassa ( www.naiaderesorts.com) from £1,189pp (two sharing), including return Air Mauritius flights from Heathrow. All activities, including scuba diving, are bookable through the hotel. Mauritius Tourism: www.mauritius.net.
