I should have been sitting in a rocking chair with my knitting and a cat on my lap. That’s what grannies are supposed to do. Instead, I’m flying above one of the world’s loveliest tropical islands on the end of a parasail 80m in the air.
Maybe it’s the sea air, maybe it’s the sheer exuberance of all the fun activities waiting to be experienced, maybe it’s the holiday ambience, maybe it’s the Pina Colada.
But here I am floating over a turquoise sea bejewelled with coral reefs of astonishing colours – pink, purple, ultramarine, creamy white – as the midday sun blazes in the bluest of all skies. This is Long Beach, Mauritius, the island’s newest resort.
I’m at Long Beach over a couple of Mauritian public holidays, and am amazed at the number of families and children here. Angels Kids Club looks after your 4-11-year olds with imaginative, oh-so-cool daily programmes that would exhaust even the ultra ADD kid.
Waves Club is where the 12-17-year olds hang out. They can choose adventure activities, daily outings and then, when the sun goes down, get down themselves at beach barbecues, pizza nights and a pool with its own DJ.
Mums and dads can chill out in huge pools or on the beach, honeymooners can find their own private nooks and crannies, and even if there’s a biggish group of French, Chinese, German or South African tourists, there’s so much space, so many secluded corners with comfy furniture, so many shielded alcoves where it’s just you and the sound of the surf, that you never feel crowded.
Whatever your age or level of fitness, take yourself off to The Boathouse, where the energetic young manager, Sebastien Rambert, will encourage you to try everything from archery to beach tennis, diving to snorkelling, or a ride in a glass-bottomed boat. Go below the surf for an undersea walk where, kitted out like a character from Jules Verne’s 20 000 Leagues Under the Sea, you’ll come nose-to-nose with endearing little tropical fish, eyeball trumpeter fish, stroke a furry sea worm and encounter coral reefs.
The magnificent Ile Aux Cerfs 18-hole golf course is a short boat ride away and if you’ve always wanted to dive, now’s your chance – you can do a beginner’s course and get qualified straight away.
There’s game fishing in season (shark, sailfish, tuna, with marlin and barracuda all year round), sailing, kayaking and a popular climbing wall. Did I mention parasailing?
Long Beach may be the newest kid on the block but it’s also great value for money. (One tip, though – stock up on alcohol at duty-free as the rand doesn’t go too far when you’re contemplating a good chardonnay or merlot.)
There’s even more to tell you but I’m just off for my third parasail… - Sunday Independent
lKate Turkington was hosted by Long Beach, Long Beach, Coastal Road, Belle Mare, Tel: +230 4011999, E-mail: [email protected], www.longbeachmautitius.com