Mauritius

Mauritius boasts endless sugar cane plantations, dramatic mountains, a vibrant cultural mix and some of the finest beaches and aquamarine lagoons in the Indian Ocean. The island has a distinct Indian flavour, seasoned with African, Chinese, French, and British elements.  Have you ever tried a dish of curried chickpeas or a Yorkshire pudding on the terrace of a French cafe, sipping imported wine or a thick malty ale while listening to Creole music and the conversation of locals in any number of tongues?  Undersea walks are becoming increasingly popular in Mauritius- participants don lead boots and diving helmets and stroll along the seabed feeding the fish, while oxygen is piped in from the surface. The cornerstone of Mauritian Creole cooking is the Carri, a rich spicy onion sauce that owes a lot to Indian cooking. This is one dish that is best sampled in the home, or in the kitchen of a small guesthouse, where every cook creates their own personal blend of herbs and spices. Once you've tasted a home-cooked Carri Poisson (fish curry), other meals will seem bland.