130 | JULY 2019 Women’s Health
What? An outdoorsy adventure
in a bougie, beachside settingWhere? Paradis Beachcomber
Golf Resort & Spa, Le MorneHow much? Seven nights from
£1,311 per person, including
accommodation and flights
( based on a 2 July 2019
departure); kenwoodtravel.co.ukMauritius... it’s
for lovers, right?
Sure. But even
without a freshly
wedded soulmate
to laze under a
cabana with, you
can still have a
bloody good holiday. If you’re
going to take the 12-hour flight
to this Indian Ocean idyll, I’d
urge you to stay in the most
magical part of the island: Le
Morne Brabant peninsula on
the southwestern tip, named
after the mountain thatdominates it. The plush
apartments at Paradis feel
almost cocooned by one of
its verdant slopes, and face
an expanse of white sand.
Sun-worshipping aside,
how can I build up a sweat?
Hike up Le Morne mountain
with local guides from trekking
company Yanature. They pick
you up at 6am and, as well as
serious glute burn and a
breathtaking aqua-toned shot
for the grid, you’ll get a great
intro to the island, from how the
mountain was once a hideout
for escaped slaves to how it
still bears the hallmarks of the
island’s history by way of ferns
and other flora introduced
to the landscape by waves of
European (Dutch, French and
English) conquerors. They’ll
also take you to a Rastafarian
temple and point out tamarind
trees (who knew you could
eat it straight from the pods?).
Do not miss. If you’re not one
for heights, get on the water.
By virtue of the peninsula’s
into-the-wind position,MAURITIUS
kitesurfing conditions are
perfect (so much so, the Global
Kitesports Association holds
big competitions here). You can
also channel your off-duty VS
model by paddleboarding, or go
whale-watching, or high-octane
sea carting – best done in the
evening, set against a sky the
colour of your Monzo card.
If you’re the type whose gym
dedication is undeterred by
a subtropical residency, you’ll
be pleased to know Paradis has
one of the island’s largest sports
centres. And to recover from all
that action? Book a one-hour
Decouverte massage – ask for
the peppermint-scented almond
oil if you need pepping up; the
amber if you want to slip into
a dreamy pre-sleep chill state.Roisín Dervish-
O’Kane, Senior
Editor
That’s all well and good- but what do I eat?
The buffet breakfast at La
Brabant restaurant is epic, and
runs the gamut of healthy-to-
not-so options, from egg white
omelette to Nutella-smeared
crepes. Opt for a palm heart
salad (a Mauritian speciality)
with fresh-caught white fish
at the Blue Marlin seafood
restaurant for lunch (or
high-grade sushi at Japanese-
inspired restaurant Umami)
and book in for dinner at
Creole-cuisine-meets-fine
dining restaurant La Rabanne
to nibble on roti with chilli,
coriander or coconut chutney.
Say yes to Mauritian rum
cocktails, too – just maybe not
the night before your hike.
Speaking of which, you’ll have
earned a hearty refuel after it,
so head to treetop restaurant
La Chamarel for delicious grub
(I can vouch for the crab gratin),
cold beer and a panoramic view
of the island’s best side. Which,
if I haven’t got across already,
is really rather good.