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COMPETITION: Sensational encounters in Mauritius

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#RatherBeInMauritius
#RatherBeInMauritius

Which came first – Heaven or Mauritius? Mauritius Tourism and City Press are giving you the chance to head out into the sun with three of your best friends. As the third part of our four-week-long competition, simply read Rhodé Marshall’s article on all the great things you can discover on the island, then enter and stand a chance to win. 

When people think of Mauritius, they most likely instantly conjure up images of white sandy beaches and tropical palm trees. The island isn’t just a popular honeymoon destination any more – it’s become a luxury destination for jet-setters.

And Mauritius isn’t just about its beaches. If you and your besties can tear yourselves away from the exotic sands just outside your delectable Veranda Tamarin Hotel for just a second, there are many things to do, including checking out historic sites and lush forests.

Rich with diverse culture – born from heady European, African and Asian roots – Mauritius is a ripe place for exploring. There are a number of ways visitors can embrace the island’s culture, from colourful markets and vibrant festivals to temples and shrines. Don’t miss the Mauritian sega – a popular style of local music and dance – which often continues into the early hours, or the sundowner tradition where locals eat, drink and dance in pubs on Friday evenings.

Grand Bassin, also known as Ganga Talao, is a must-see. One of the rare natural lakes in Mauritius and the renowned pilgrimage place for Mauritians of Hindu faith, this incredible site is home to many of the Hindu gods. However, the biggest Hindu temple, the Maheswarnath Mandir, can be found in Triolet, which is the longest village on the island.

Other places worth visiting are the prison in the capital city, Port Louis, where slaves were detained, and the Unesco World Heritage-listed former labour depot Aapravasi Ghat; the striking Eureka House with its 109 doors and turreted rooftop windows; and Chateau Labourdonnais, which was modelled on Versailles and is set in ancient orchards.

A family meal equals happiness for Mauritians, so don’t forget to sample the street food. Try Indian gato pima (chilli cakes), Chinese boulette (dumplings) and alooda (a milk shake using coconut milk, rose syrup and basil seeds).

With its volcanic landscape, safe beaches and tropical climate, Mauritius is a playground for visitors in search of thrills.

The island’s diving opportunities include wrecks and canyons in the western and northern islands, as well as the chance to see sharks, turtles, eagle rays and moray eels. The island’s best snorkelling spot is Blue Bay Marine Park, and non-divers can try aqua scooters and undersea walks.

There are DIY hiking trails in the Black River Gorges National Park and cycling or canyoning island-wide.

Eco-parks offer hikes, quad biking, horse riding and mountain biking, while Casela World of Adventures on the west coast features wildlife safaris, zip lining and canyon swinging.

Surrounded by turquoise sea, the island of Bénitiers is set in a lagoon near Le Morne southern peninsula, where it is safe to go swimming and snorkelling. You can reach the island using the local fishermen’s boats at Case Noyale and La Gaulette, or by catamarans and speedboats from Le Morne, Black River or even further from Flic en Flac.

The One Eye surf spot at Le Morne is famous for its fast left tube that makes the shape of an eye before breaking on the shallow reef. On one side of Le Morne mountain, which has seven faces, you will see a huge hole crossing the cliff that looks like an eye in a Rasta profile.

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HOW IT WORKS

So, if you’d like to skip out of the cold and head into the sun with three of your best friends, thanks to Mauritius Tourism and City Press, here’s how you can #RatherBeInMauritius:

The competition will run in City Press for four consecutive Sundays – it started on April 21. Read the article each week. You must collect all four articles to win. At the end of the four weeks, there will be four clues based on the four articles.

Put each of them together and add the following:

  • A picture of yourself with three friends creatively putting the clues together.
  • A video for the second slide telling us what you would do in Mauritius.
  • All four of you must follow and tag City Press on Instagram.
  • Use the hashtag #RatherBeInMauritius.

The prize includes:

  • Seven nights at three-star de luxe Veranda Tamarin on an all-inclusive basis – that’s two rooms for four people sponsored by The Holiday Factory;
  • Return resort transfers;
  • Four airport taxes sponsored by the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority; and
  • Four return, economy-class flights sponsored by Air Mauritius (from Johannesburg, Durban or Cape Town).

We will select a winner in collaboration with Mauritius Tourism on May 26 and announce the winner across City Press platforms on June 2.

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