LEFT:
Champ de Mars
Racecourse
RIGHT: The Ravenala Attitude hotel
BELOW: Cooking class
serrated mountain tops through the sugar cane. Our group of nine was warmly
welcomed into the family’s home and introduced to Rani’s husband Tulsi and son Ryan, who gingerly decorated us with bright red bindis. Rani, dressed in an exquisitely beaded sari, explained the menu – a scaled-down version of the classic meal served at a Hindu wedding – while her young son smiled shyly behind her, pivoting on his toes. We sipped rum and watched
transfixed as Tulsi fried samosas until crisp in bubbling oil. As we sat down to eat, Rani grinned broadly and announced: “If it is good, you say something; if it is bad, you eat quietly!” Bowl after bowl of fragrant curries and chutneys were passed around. We scooped up sticky stacks of pickled green mango and bringelles frites (fried aubergine) from banana leaf plates with our hands. Most of these dishes are typically Indian-Mauritian, but eaten by the entire population. Banana cake followed, then we played dress-up in Rani’s glittering saris. The next-door neighbour happily decorated hands with henna while some of us danced off our dinner. It was an absolute
Otentik dinners are highly subscribed and, for a unique insight into the local culture, not to be missed
joy to spend time with Rani and her family and a real change from the usual all-inclusive experience. The Otentik dinners can and should be booked in advance; they are highly subscribed and, for a unique insight into the local culture, really not to be missed. It’s the only Otentik experience with a fee attached (£13), but the money goes directly to the family.
w GO FURTHER It’s possible to explore the food theme further with cooking classes on offer at many of the hotels. There are also vivid-roofed tabagies (food carts) at most of the resorts, offering free local snacks throughout the day. Based on traditional tobacco stalls, they house all manner of comforting treats, including deep golden dhol puri and soft, floury roti. Each Attitude hotel has its
own take on these stalls. One of 66
travelweekly.co.uk 1 March 2018
Zilwa’s tabagies offers sorbet rapé, deliciously refreshing crushed-ice lollies drizzled with tamarind, pineapple and grenadine syrup. There is obviously more to Mauritius than food, but it’s a great way in which to explore the island’s culture and history, with its many international influences – primarily French, Indian, Chinese and Creole. The diverse population rubs along quite nicely, until they broach the subject of British
football teams. I overheard people discussing Man Utd, Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea considerably more than you might expect on a trip to a subtropical island in the Indian Ocean.
w HIT THE BEACH Less surprising but of way more interest to most Brits on holiday here are the heavenly pine-lined beaches. Ile Aux Cerfs, off the east coast, is easily the prettiest. Sitting in the largest lagoon in Mauritius,
PICTURES: SHUTTERSTOCK; VIRGINIE TENNANT; TRAVIS MCNEILL/WELOVEPICTURES
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