The book nest of Tamarin Few travellers embark on a trip without a book or a magazine. After all, is the quintessence of holidays in Mauritius not the glorification of idleness, illustrated by a deckchair or a towel on which one lies, sunbathing, and enjoying a nice novel? And what if you became a part of this beautiful solidarity chain of culture sharing? Come and discover as well as enrich the book nest located less than a three-minute walking distance from the Villas, at the local supermarket. The idea germinated in Europe, spread to Africa and reached the island last year. Brought back from England by two exceptionally gifted youngsters, altruistic at heart, the book nest is installed in an area buzzing with life. Take a book, leave a book or even a magazine. The idea is to share culture with a greater number of persons in an entirely free way. In Tamarin, it is a passionate bunch of friends, the “Kolektif Livr’ Tamarin” who manages the nest and ensures its permanent supply. The broad social and cultural diversity existing in Tamarin allow each and everyone to please and be pleased: the children of the village may find magazines or school books, people who cannot afford them, bookworms, the curious ones…  Go there and leave your hefty novel; discover French, Creole, English, German or Swedish books and be part of the sharing chain.

Firewalking You may attend this religious event during the months of January and February in Beaux-Songes, some fifteen minutes from the Villas. A very impressive ceremony marked by piety and fervour, the Thimithi (or walk on fire) forms part of the religious ceremonies of the Tamil community, in honour of the Amman goddess. An act of faith and purification, firewalking is preceded by a vegetarian fast in order to prepare the body and mind. The ceremony begins with prayers at the elaborately decorated nearby temple; then the religious procession moves to the bed of red-hot embers. Amidst the prayers and incantations, chants and drums, the heady smell of incense, moments of jubilation, the faces are serious and concentrated while the lips whisper prayers. The men are often bare-chested, they carry offerings, the women often hold a young child in their arms. Yellow and orange are dominating colours, clearly distinguishable from the grey of embers. The priest blesses the first faithful ones who cross the bed of embers without hesitation, their faces showing nothing but intense concentration. Many of the pledges made on that day are tested by faith. A small pool of milk soothes the feet after the test and ends the ritual of purification. A magnificent not-to-be missed ceremony if you are fortunate enough to be in Mauritius during this period.  

Explore the beautiful west coast of Mauritius, within an idyllic setting between mountains and stunning beaches, with a waterside horseback ride. This activity is ideal for nature lovers and accessible to all. Enjoy the most beautiful beaches of this dream destination during a free or romantic ride on magnificent well-trained horses. Live your dream riding on a beautiful beach in Mauritius Picture yourself galloping in the early morning or late afternoon on one of the most scenic beaches of Mauritius, facing a turquoise lagoon. Be it romantic, family oriented or contemplative, this is a unique experience to discover the natural beauty of Mauritius from a new perspective.Horse riding, an enjoyable experience open to all in Mauritius Due to its historical past as the first horse racing organizer in the southern hemisphere and the ongoing popularity of equestrian activities, many ranches and stables propose horse rides on the beautiful beaches of Mauritius. The horses used for this activity are generally old couriers, high on the withers and perfectly trained to make the most of it. With their calm and adaptable nature, they are perfect for all levels, children or adults. Accompanied by an experienced local guide, enjoy your horseback ride along the water’s edge. There are several operators providing guided strolls along the west coast of Mauritius, each offering a varied selection of circuits to suit different levels of riders. Be you experienced  or a beginner, there is a ride for everyone.A romantic ride on Flic en Flac beach One of the most popular rides is from Flic en Flac beach, one of the largest and most beautiful of the island’s beaches. Along the way, enjoy the turquoise waters and pristine white sand. If the beach is deserted, don’t hesitate to take a gallop before taking your horse to cool off in the clear waters. Then head south along a shady coastal path, passing picturesque fishing villages and lush sugar cane plantations.  The Morne Stud Farm, a cavalcade at the foot of the sublime mountain of Le Morne Discover one of the most beautiful stud farms of the island, only fifteen minutes from the Villas, at the foot of the majestic Le Morne mountain.   Lessons are proposed for any levels, as well as rides on the beach and in the surrounding hills. The team of professionals warmly welcomes you upon arrival. All horse-riding equipment is readily available for use. A quick introductory lesson for those who are uninitiated before setting off for a wonderful experience on the back of beautiful, calm horses and ponies for children. Tread on the immaculate sand early in the morning and slowly walk or trot along the magnificent lagoon of Le Morne, depending on the crowd size on the beach at the time of your ride. The pinnacle of Romanticism lies in strolling on the beach at dusk, a must to complete your dream holidays! Discover the splendid panoramic view by climbing up the mountain slopes, along the wooded paths. A stunning view and unequaled experience await you. The strolls last an hour and a half. Back to the stables, sip on a refreshing drink while enjoying the presence of the horses. https://haras-du-morne.business.site/ Whether you choose to ride in the morning or late afternoon, you will have an unforgettable experience. Horseback riding along the west coast of Mauritius offers spectacular views of the lagoons and beautiful beaches as well as the lush nature.

Sea Gatherers Several characteristics unite the islands of the Indian Ocean. One of those is that the Saltpans in Reunion Island, Madagascar and Mauritius, are all present on the West Coast. Those of Tamarin are resplendent, sunbaked, with rough black stones, and shine brightly as light hits the salt water. On both sides, old lime ovens have turned into a birds’ haven. In the pans, women wearing large-brimmed hats tied under their chins slowly scrape the surface. The sea gatherers are those who mine this white gold. Their light movements are several thousand years older than themselves and as they work, their blue skirts wave about in the wind. On the edges of the pans, blue or woven baskets abound with freshly collected salt.  Fleur de sel, this first fine layer, the nectar of salt, will enhance the meal of a great chef or enrich a faraway table. It is women’s job, a very tough one – they are paid per basket – but these women are strong and beautiful, as are the wives of fishermen.

Let’s go on a family trip Casela, one of the star attractions of the island, only ten minutes away from the Villas, is a unique adventure and safari park in the Indian Ocean. Located at the mouth of Rempart River, the park covers over 250 hectares of grasslands and forests. One needs to spend a full day there to engage in as many activities as possible. Casela welcomes visitors as from 9 a.m. Once you have passed through the Jurassic Park-inspired entrance, you face its pioneering activity, the exotic birds park. You will be greeted by a cacophony of squeaks, chirrups, and tweets, revealing the multitude of species present. Next, you will visit the monkeys, including lemurs from Madagascar, and local macaques next to the tortoises. The mini farm where there are fawns, grey parrots, a llama, rabbits and other poultry is irresistible to children, who are allowed to bottle feed the animals. It is now time to admire the pygmy hippopotamus taking their bath, before climbing onto a fence to feed the giraffes. It is already time for the safari! Hop aboard open buses to enjoy watching antelopes and zebras in a reproduction of their natural environment. It is also the occasion to feed the permanently hungry ostriches which sometimes try to steal bread from your hand. Pause to take in the majesty of the lions, with whom it is possible to take a stroll that is highly guarded but nevertheless very impressive. Several lion cubs were born in Casela and frolic next to their mother casually basking in the sun. The white tiger and the cheetahs are also fairly popular. In addition to interacting with the animals, Casela offers a wide range of exciting activities: quad and mud quad, zip line, canyoning, 3D cinema, segway, canyon swing, jeep safari and more recently, karting, 3 minutes from the Park. You may also have lunch and refreshments at any time of the day during this exceptional visit.

The mender on the wharf Sitting facing the sea, he does not for a single moment take his eyes off his work. Several metres of blue nets pass through his skilled fingers. He replicates the movements women have been making for thousands of years, except that he applies it to a man’s job. He fixes the holes torn by corals; those gaps are sometimes large enough that they allow “mullets” to escape in a silver flash. Seine fishing season is open a short period of time and is heavily monitored. Even though he understands that this fishing practice is intrusive and disastrous for the lagoon, it is still the least tiring traditional fishing method when compared to spending several hours out at sea. Therefore, together with other fishermen sitting under the filaos trees that line the wharf from which men leave full of hope, he tweaks old metal scraps which will serve as ballast, he mends the nets which will be spread between fragile rods. Later, at high-tide, several of them go into the water and agitate the water surface by hitting it with their fishing rods as the seine is thrown overboard. Slowly, the net is closed, effectively trapping the wriggling mullets. The wharf will be crowded this evening.

Delve into the colonial past A visit to this small fort, situated on La Preneuse beach and dating from the times of the British colonial empire, is worth the detour. Built in 1834 by the British, the Tower has been repurposed into a museum where guided visits occur every half-hour. A tour guide welcomes you in the circular building, made of rough stone and limestone, where a small garrison was stationed for coastal defence. There, one can admire the splendid model of the eponymous La Preneuse frigate, the soldiers’ uniforms sewn by the Tussaud museum, the weaponry- muskets and cannonballs-, the powder magazine, the dormitory, and kitchen, as well as numerous utensils from the times. The Tower’s history has been well researched and loyally reproduced. Admire the view by climbing to the top of the Tower, where there used to be two cannons, and end your visit on the beach where you can still find one of the last cannons. Exploring the rich history of the island, through an instructive visit, five minutes’ walk from Marguery Exclusive Villas.