Mauritius, Party Island

You are a party animal? Well then Mauritius is the tourist destination tailored for you; and that whether you are traveling with family or friends... Many parties and festivals are held throughout the year on the various beaches of the island. It is during the high season, especially during summertime though, that the festivities reach their pinnacle, when tourist traffic increases massively. 

During summertime, nightclub managers work non stop to offer each evening theme parties to the clubbers. On the north coast of the island, the place to be is either Les Enfants Terribles or Banana in Grand Bay, on the west coast, party animals meet at Shotz, in Flic en Flac or Big Willy's, in Tamarin. But one thing is certain, regardless of where you find yourself, you can have fun and enjoy one of the most exciting nights of your life. But we must admit that to have fun on the dance floor, it is better to move to the north of the island where the majority of nightclubs are located.

If you prefer to wiggle your toes in the sand, remember that many parties are organized on the beaches of Mauritius. At the C Beach Club, located on the Bel Ombre beach, the club’s concept of afternoon buffet on the beach and Dj blasting music in your ears, has been a hit since 2010. You are in Mauritius currently ? Add to your agenda the next event at the C beach Club : February 1st with DJ Carlos Campos. 

It’s not only on the mainland that all the parties are happening though. A few minutes travel by boat to île aux Cerfs, île aux Bénitiers, île aux Bernaches or îlot Mangénie and you can enjoy the best parties ever. It’s on these islets around Mauritius that take place the best New Year’s eve parties with fireworks, music and booze. A great way to kickstart the year in style.

 Mauritius has been very active in the last ten years to be known as "the place to be" for memorable evenings. This is how - and maybe why also - several international parties were held in Mauritius. They are innovative and provocative, the kind of party where people dance and drink the night away with friends. A good example is the Clubbing TV evening of June 28, 2014 at Château de Labourdonnais where a robot performed pyrotechnics to the delight of those present. Or the evening of November 15, the Fashion TV Glamourous Party, followed by the Fashion TV channel. It started with a fashion show and then the evening continued with several international Djettes who put the house on fire !

Do not think that Mauritians party during summertime only! The Indian Ocean Break organized in Flic en Flac between July 30 and August 4 last year is the living proof that winter time is also party time in Mauritius! More than 1,000 people from all around the world met for the first edition of this festival.

In Mauritius, the party keeps going all year round !

Credit photo: AVS Vimeo & Black Afternoon 

Adult Only Hotels, Peaceful at Will

It's not that you do not like people but you love above all tranquility. Especially on vacation! Especially if you have booked in one of the beautiful hotels of the Indian Ocean islands! Cohabitation with other customers may be distressing or even unpleasant. Being woken up at 7a.m. by a baby crying or children who heckle? You are not in?

That’s why, at the risk of offending many, many hotel groups in the Indian Ocean, and more generally in the world, deny access to their hotels to the children, even if they are accompanied by their parents. Some of these “Adult Only” hotels are entirely dedicated to adults, while others, more “lenient”, reserve certain privileged areas for adults only.

In Mauritius, this “Adult Only” hotel concept has become widespread throughout the island. Ambre Hotel in Belle Mare, on the east coast, was the first hotel on the island to opt for the ban to children under 16 years old. The Attitude Group, one of the biggest in Mauritius, which has six hotels scattered all over the island has implemented these prohibitions in the majority of their hotels. Their hotels are open to clients as from 18 years old. Seychelles and Maldives are following the trend and many resorts are prohibited to children. This trend existed for many years but now seems to be assertive and even became common in all of the most popular tourist destinations worldwide.

Partial or total, these “Adult Only” hotels promote the comfort, luxury and charm of their destination. The objective is to offer a different atmosphere than the one offered by club hotels: no noise, a quiet pool and cool animations with lounge bars. Guests can enjoy sports (kite surfing, tennis, diving) or relax (spa, massage, pool, sunbathing under parasols). There's something for everyone, provided you come without children... Whether with friends or lovers, these hotels guarantee complete tranquility to enjoy a relaxing vacation. A unique experience. Why not start your life together this way? These hotels are indeed ideal destinations for honeymooners…

Credit photo: Ambre Hotel & Attitude Group

Watch a Movie Under the Stars

Watch a movie in a dark theater? Why would you do that when you can be comfortably seated in a long chair, on the beach? Outdoor cinema is definitely the new trend in the Indian Ocean islands. A phenomenon that has grown in recent years, among both tourists and residents alike. This trend was confirmed this summer. With places of exception and climatic conditions more than pleasant, the least we can say is that the outdoor cinema gets attention…

Popularized in Mauritius by the festival Ile Courts, today, many hotels offer outdoor cinema sessions, mostly on the beach, to the delight of their customers. Watch a movie other than in a movie theater, experience something different, this is what hotel Ambre and Lux Group* want to offer to their clients. Ambre Hotel, a 4 star hotel in Palmar, on the east coast of Mauritius, invites guests to enjoy - for free - various and varied movies on giant screens, while they sit comfortably in deck chairs on one of the most beautiful beach of the island... Screenings will be held two Mondays per month from 21:30 throughout the summer.

 The Lux* Group, which has hotels in several islands in the Indian Ocean, offers, various movie screenings including on Le Morne beach on the south coast of Mauritius, on the beach of Ermitage on the west coast of Reunion Island and on the island of Dhidhoofinohu, in Maldives. Needless to say that watching a movie in an original and wonderful environment, that’s a great way to enjoy your summer evenings!

 Outdoor cinema is particularly popular on Reunion Island, where several hotels offer movie screenings under the stars, several times a week. There are also several film festivals such as the Reunion Island Film Festival which is held annually in October. The 2015 one is scheduled between October 27 and 31.

 In every dream destinations of the area whether the Maldives, Seychelles or even Madagascar, outdoor cinema screenings, on beaches, are increasingly frequent to the delight of tourists and residents. Whether the latest US blockbuster, a classic movie or even a local documentary, these screenings are intended to bring people together while leaving the classical framework of watching movies in a theater or on television. 

In short, a “change of scenery”…

Beach Tennis, the New Fashionable Island Sport

Did you know that beach tennis was born in the 80s in Italy? Long unknown to the general public, it is nowadays the trendy sport on beaches around the world. Tourists on holiday in the islands always find time for a game of beach tennis!

You’re not one of them ? This is probably because you do not know beach tennis yet ! It is imperative we fix this! One sure thing : you will thank us! 

Inspired by traditional tennis, beach tennis rules are slightly different from those of its "older brother". The field and the racquet alone are very different. Unlike tennis which is played on a flat 23m long and 8m wide field, a beach tennis field has no specific dimension. 

It can be played anywhere as long as there is room on the beach. This most certainly contributed to its success ... However, often a beach volleyball court  of 16m long and 8m wide, on which the net is lowered, is used. Regarding the racquet, it is full (that is to say without rope) and smaller. In addition to this, the distinction between the two sports is probably the bounce (or rather the lack of rebounds), since the ball must never touch the sandy soil.

If you do not want to be the laughing stock of your fellow players; do not confuse beach tennis with beach ball. Despite strong similarities between the two sports, beach ball is distinguished by its wooden racket and the lack of field and net. This is a sport that requires very little – if any – infrastructure…

Very popular in the islands, those of the Indian Ocean also, beach tennis is widely practiced by the locals as well as tourists. In Reunion Island, beach tennis has even almost become a national sport. The islanders from Reunion are thus amongst the world's best in their category. With Mauritius, Reunion is amongst those who promote this sport the most in the world. Both islands are also the only Indian Ocean destinations to organize international tournaments like the Mauritius International Beach Tennis Open.

The other islands in the region are not far behind though. Whether in Maldives, Sri Lanka or Madagascarm beach tennis has become so widespread that many hotels scattered throughout the area offer this activity to tourists from all backgrounds and destinations.

Travelling First

For several years now, airlines have been working non-stop to design the most luxurious cabins and suites to meet the needs and desires of ever demanding customers. You will find here a short overview of what modern airlines have best to offer…

First Class: The French Luxury

With this first class, Air France did everything so that its passengers can enjoy the privacy and comfort of their very own space. Available for now only on Boeing 777-300 and new Airbus A380, this First Class consists of four suites of 3m2 where seats convert into 2m long and 77cm wide beds with a massage function. The suites are separated by a curtain for the passenger to enjoy some privacy. Several services are offered including a wide selection of video programs available in 12 languages (TV shows, movies, games and music), a cloakroom and a cabin crew at your service. Rest assured that the French gastronomic tradition is very well represented on Air France as the airline hired three-star Chef Anne-Sophie Pic earlier this year.

Singapore Airlines: Asian Requirement at its peak

The key word for the Singaporean-based company would probably be innovation. Named Best First Class of 2014 by flightfox.com, their suites, available only on the Airbus A380, offer luxurious conditions and exceptional comfort. If you wish, you can sleep in a bed more than 2m long, independent of your seat. Culinary excellence is a must for this company offering a wide range of over 60 meals paired with exceptional wines. The least we can say is that they do not skimp; entertainment programs can be viewed on a 58cm screen!

Etihad Airways and Emirates Airways: The Ultimate Luxury

United Arab Emirates companies are not left behind when talking about luxury service! They offer not only one but two different first class offers to its customers. Available on the A380, this class first can be considered a “super first class”. Etihad offers no less than a real 11m2 studio as a cabin. Are then available to them, a bed for two, 1m20 wide and 2m08m long independent of their seat, a bathroom with shower, a living room area and even a crew member available during the flight. The “classic” first class consists of suites of 4m2 with a seat 77cm wide which folds into a 2,04m long and 66cm wide bed. Passengers can enjoy a lounge area and two showers.

British Airways: British Elegance in the Air

The First Class has just been upgraded to increase the comfort and satisfaction of its passengers. The private cabins have wide seats convertible into a bed with padded mattress. A 38cm screen provides access to more than one hundred films, music and games. A cabin crew will offer high quality meals as well as beauty products.

Cancelled Air Mauritius and Air France Flights due to cyclone Bansi

Mauritius 13 January 2015, 07H30

Air Mauritius wishes to inform its passengers and the public that due to weather conditions with the passage of cyclone Bansi the following flights have been cancelled:

• All flights to and from Rodrigues

• Flights MK 256/257 and MK266/267 to and from Pierrefonds – Reunion have been cancelled. Passengers who were due to travel to Pierrefonds have been transferred on MK248 to Gillot and will be transferred to St Pierre by surface transport. MK 248 has been preponed to depart from Mauritius at 14H30 instead of 21H45.

• Flight MK647 that was due to depart from Singapore/Kuala Lumpur for Mauritius has also been cancelled

• Flight MK851 to Johannesburg will operate as scheduled, but the return flight from Johannesburg has been cancelled

• Flight MK843 to Cape Town will operate as scheduled, but the return flight from Cape Town MK844 has been cancelled

• Flight MK288 to Antananarivo will operate as scheduled but the return flight MK289 has been cancelled

• Flight MK238 will depart from Mauritius to Reunion as scheduled but the return flight MK239 from Reunion has been cancelled

• Air France operated codeshare flight AF460/MK923 that was due to depart from Charles de Gaulle yesterday 12 Jan was cancelled

• Air France operated codeshare flight AF463/MK922 that was due to depart from Mauritius to Charles de Gaulle today has also been cancelled.

The Air Mauritius Contact Centre is informing passengers individually of changes in flight schedules. Should passengers require further clarifications the following lines are open: 207 7575 and 603 3030.

Air Mauritius regrets all inconveniences and wishes to reiterate that the safety of its passengers and crew remains its topmost priority.

Source: Air Mauritius

Hawaii is Not the Only Surfing Spot in the World!

The Indian Ocean as a whole offers an idyllic natural environment. At all times, you are surrounded by wonderful sceneries where tranquility prevails. White sand, turquoise blue lagoon, lush vegetation... that’s what’s you can expect. The Indian Ocean is thus the ideal place to enjoy water sports. For many, surfing remains inseparable from Hawaii, a place of wonderful fantasies and surf sports. We sometimes forget that on the other side of the planet, in the Indian Ocean for instance, there are many equally beautiful spots.

The Indian Ocean has a multitude of surfing spots scattered around the different islands of the region. To name a few: In Reunion Island; Trois Bassin, Saint Leu, located on the east coast or St Pierre, in the south. In Saint Leu, one can surf on waves of more than five meters high, ranked among the top three best in the world.

In Mauritius, the best spots for surfing are on the south coast of the island. The most known and accessible sites are Tamarin and Le Morne. Although relatively small, rest assured that you will have waves to surf all year around. Le Morne is also renowned for kitesurf because of its windy conditions, sometimes even extreme windy conditions. We recommend that beginners do not venture alone close to the reef. Although Rodrigues is not the first place that comes to mind when you think of surfing, there are different unknown but very pleasant spots like Anse Mourouk on the southeast coast, used both by kiters and surfers.

If you continue your surf trip in the Indian Ocean, you will most obviously make a stop in Sri Lanka. It’s a must for professional and beginner surfers who enjoy perfect weather all year round, water at 25° C and an ideal wave size. From April to October, we recommend the spot of Arugam Bay on the east coast but from November to March, go to Hikkaduwa on the west coast.

Madagascar, largest island in the Indian Ocean, is known for its many pristine surf spots where the winds are intense and persistent. On the east coast, you can discover Sambava where the long tubes allow long runs. In the south, Fort Dauphin enjoys winds that bring significant swells necessary for good surfing conditions. May to September are the ideal months for surfing.

As for the Maldives, they have extraordinary spots that will delight surf lovers. Special “surf cruises” are regularly organized there. You can visit Sultan, a popular spot on the island of Thamburudhoo; Chickens on the island of Thulusdhoo is more suited for professionals who can take advantage of powerful waves; Gaafu Dhaalu in the south is the largest and deepest spot. From March to October, the conditions are optimal.