While I’m ‘out of the office’ for the next week or so, my friend Mia is sitting in at tikichris to share a short series of posts she wrote about her recent trip to Mauritius.
If you are planning a trip to Mauritius – which is not a honeymoon but for a group of thirtysomethings (a single mum with her toddler son, her almost single sister, and her very single best friend in the rainy/cyclone season –then this series is for you.
Over the next several days, I’ll be sharing the highlights from my – and my travel companions’ – time in Mauritus.
Here’s a look at my crew:
- Elena, the very single: Always with her Canon camera, passionate traveler, keen sailor and sportswoman. Still single at the time of publication;
- Julia, the almost single: Loves Art and Culture. More of a culture vulture than a beach bum. Why “almost single?” Don’t ask; it’s complicated;
- Mia, the single mum: Loves good food and any kind of drinks. More a journey than a destination type. Not really single but for simplicity reasons we leave it as that; and
- The gorgeous Kai: My three-year old son, and total ladykiller.
Nature of Our Trip?
Because we are worth it.
Villa or Resort?
This is an essential question to ask yourself before planning your trip. No doubt resorts have the most beautiful beaches, just as you see on the postcards, most delicious restaurants and best bars. On the downside, at around €800 a night, you would probably want to stay most of your time on site, hence you will experience very little of the real island life. Even though most resorts offer kids programs and staff are extremely child friendly (so are most Mauritians), dress codes at dinnertime and expensive glassware on the tables might make this idea more hellish then heavenly.
With respect to my single travel companions, this is no place to let your hair down, considering most guests are on honeymoon or babymoon – or they’re over 60.
There we go. Our decision was made. A self-catering villa. Not that €800 a night in a resort would have stopped us … We actually concluded that our twelve night villa stay followed by two last nights in an resort, gave us the best of both.
Our Villa
Villa Agena was our choice. Located in a lagoon on the northeast coast of Mauritius, between Riviere du Rampert and Roche Noire. It had a private beach with weekend villas mostly owned by the French community in Mauritius.
The lagoon with its shallow quiet waters made it ideal for the three-year-old Kai to play and swim. The house came with five bedrooms, accommodating up to eight guests and a maid who cleaned the house daily and would cook lunch on request. At around €200 a night, definitely a more affordable option to a resort stay. For details go to bookmauritius-villas.com.
Written by Mia, who works as a chef and writer in London. Stay tuned for more posts in her series about visiting Mauritius.
