DOMAINE DES 7 VALLÉES

The Domain of Seven Valleys, to give it its English name, is a project that was started in 2008 by Alain O'Reilly.

Alain has over twenty years experience running domains and his interest in wildlife and conservation goes back even further. In 1974 he played a large part in saving the kestrel population of the island. There were only three males and one female left but, twelve years later, following a successful breeding programme, there were one hundred and fifty two birds and the kestrel was saved from extinction.

In 1988, Alain opened the Domaine des Anse Jonchée, at a time when Mauritius was stereotyped as a destinatino for beaches and hotels. The sceptics thought he was crazy, but he proved them wrong and is now known throughout the country as the “father” of eco-tourism.

Located in Nouveau France, Domaine des Sept Vallées is Alain's latest project and encompasses approximately four thousand hectares of land while accounting for fifty percent of the forest cover in Mauritius.

It is also the largest hunting territory on the island and is home to two thousand five hundred Java deer and one thousand wild boar, twenty five to thirty percent of which must be culled annually to maintain the health and vitality of the others. Five professional hunters with over twenty five years experience each, ensure that the hunts go smoothly and the lack of beaters and dogs means that hunters must use their own skill in stalking, to catch their quarry.

Only the best equipment is provided, with rifles manufactured by Tikka, Mannlicher, Sako, Sauer or Savage and all equipped with Schmidt and Bender scopes. Target practise is available to allow hunters to adapt to the equipment, and a guide, tracker, 4x4 vehicle and radio are, of course, also supplied. Any paper work that is required is prepared for you with the minimum of fuss, but if you wish to use your own rifle, you must supply the details, such as its serial number, prior to the event.
After the thrill of the chase, you can look forward to a relaxing party in the evening, in the same style as took place over two hundred years ago – a large camp fire, deer roasting on a spit, fine wine and beer!

Hunting is available all year around, yet as an activity it accounts for less than one percent of the annual visitor number to the territory. Indeed, there is plenty to do besides hunting. Choose from amongst quad or mountain biking, hiking, camping, photo safaris, team building, bird watching, tai chi, archery, horse-riding and nature trails. There are conference facilities for up to thirty people and an organic farm aimed at educating both children and adults. There are plenty of other things to do too and a full day in the bush will make you feel like you are in a different country.

An activity aimed specifically at children, aged six to fourteen, is the Holiday Camp, which is run in association with C.V.L. (Centre de Vacances & de Loisirs). Children spend four days in the bush with experienced teachers, and are taught things such as orientation, traditional fishing, raft building and archery. They also learn more basic skills such as plucking a chicken and roasting it over an open fire and there are plenty of other events such as treasure hunts. It is a great way for children to experience nature and learn things that children of earlier generations would have taken for granted.

The Domaine des Sept Vallées is home to a fantastic restaurant called “La Vieille Cabane” and all the ingredients used are grown or raised on the estate and are one hundred percent organic. The menu includes, venison, boar, palm heart, chicken, guinea fowl, duck, various fruits and vegetables and fish. As well as indoor seating, six “kiosks” will be operational by early December where guests can dine surrounded by the natural beauty of the estate. La Vieille Cabane is also a guest house with a dormitory for twenty, making it the perfect HQ for outings and activities. There are also four caravans at a “secret basin” for those who want to live in the midst of nature, but with some basic modern comforts.

Phase Two of the development of the site includes the opening of two new restaurants, one of which will be situated next to a spectacular waterfall and the other which will be specialised in freshwater food like black bass, smoked eel and freshwater lobster. A spa is also planned for those who wish to merely relax and take in the ambience of the place and tree houses are to be built to give people a taste of a really different way of living, think along the lines of Tarzan!

Whether you live in Mauritius or are just visiting, if you want to try something a little bit different, something that you will surely remember for years to come, Domaine des Sept Vallée is definitely the place for you.

© Mauritius in your hands - Islandinfo. All rights reserved

TRÉSOR DIAMONDS

There exist a variety of wonders that unfailingly evoke a sense of awe in Man, but there is one particular object that holds the limelight, an item so exquisitely beautiful and precious that it is associated with virtue, purity, wealth and power – worldwide.

Overlooking the capital, Port Louis, sits Fort Adelaide. Named in honour of the wife of William IV of England, it was built between 1834 and 1840 on the large hill known as “Petite Montagne” and was designed to fulfil the tactical purpose of guarding the harbour against enemy attacks. Today, the fort is a treasured historical landmark and the perfect location for Trésor Diamonds, as its imposing, irregular structure and ancient black stone walls, now guard some of the finest gems in the world.

The three rooms that house Trésor Diamonds blend history and beauty and one cannot help but be impressed by the sight of the glittering variety of rings, pendants, necklaces, bracelets and earrings on display. The wide range of shapes, sizes and colours, help to ensure that everyone can find exactly what they are looking for and Trésor welcomes those who are in search of exclusive items and superior quality.

The diamonds (the word derives from the ancient Greek “adámas”, meaning "unconquerable") at Trésor are from South Africa, a country which has produced some of the largest, best quality and most famous diamonds in the world. Highly trained craftsmen produce a special range of diamonds, precision-cut with utmost care to maximize their brilliance and sparkle, these are known as the “South African Ideal Cut”. In fact, when choosing a diamond the four “Cs” have to be considered; carat, cut, colour and clarity.

The cut is considered to be the most important characteristic of a diamond, because a well proportioned stone, regardless of its shape, offers the greatest brilliance. However, not all diamonds are cut to maximize their brilliance for, in trying to cut as large a diamond as possible, polishers often compromise its potential brilliance.

In contrast, every one of the fifty eight facets of a “South African Ideal Cut” diamond, is masterfully angled to precise specifications, ensuring that light entering from any direction is reflected through the top of the stone, producing the maximum brilliance.

Amongst the diverse collection of jewels is the world’s most brilliant diamond, the Ten-Ten. Each one of its seventy one facets is crafted and aligned, with such mastery, so that the diamond displays a ten “arrow” design when viewed from above and ten “hearts” when viewed from below, making this “super ideal cut” one of the world’s most magnificent.

Another gemstone that will amaze and entice visitors to Trésor Diamonds is the tanzanite. Tanzanite is the blue/purple variety of the mineral zoisite which was discovered in 1967 at the base of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. This extremely rare stone is noted for its remarkably strong trichroism, that is, a gems ability to appear in three different colours depending on its orientation. In this case, sapphire blue, violet, or burgundy,

Besides classical jewellery, one may also choose from an assortment of fashionable pieces as Trésor merges age old antiquity with modern art. Black, white and yellow diamonds are blended with pink or white pearls and yellow gold to create truly unique ornaments. An exotic touch may also be derived through the use of jewellery made from materials such as sea shells and coconut.
Trésor Diamonds is a scintillating world of beauty where the stones seem to be speaking in silent whispers, making the ride uphill to the fort, well worth the trip. Indeed, away from the noise and hubbub of the city, Trésor Diamonds presents you with jewellery that is beyond comparison and allows you to create your very own historical moment; as you step inside you will be immersed in a dazzling world where each moment will be one to treasure.

© Mauritius in your hands - Islandinfo. All rights reserved

SKY DIVE AUSTRAL

Mauritius is famous for many things; dodos (or rather the lack thereof), beautiful beaches, warm blue seas and sunny skies. One thing it is not famous for is sky-diving, not surprising really, as up until now there has been nowhere in the country where it is available.

The Partnership

Skydiving in Mauritius is very new indeed. It all began back around Easter of 2006 when Christopher Wilkinson-Pearce met Gaetan Paquay at a party. Chris had been skydiving in Zimbabwe since 1988 and had been considering starting skydiving in Mauritius for some time. Gaetan had skydived in Burundi in 1993 and was also an aviation fanatic, his wife Alexandrine also just happened to be Mauritian – and so all the pieces fell into place. They agreed to take up the challenge and try a skydiving business together.

From 2008 to 2009 preparations for the commencement of business took place at Mon Loisir. The old dairy farm which had previously been there had to be demolished and scrub and bush removed. The site also contained a forty year old disused runway, which was restored and a new hangar was built. The plane which is used for skydiving is a Cessna 182. It was bought in the USA, shipped to South Africa and assembled and flown in stages to Mauritius where it finally touched down in April.

Tandem Skydiving

Tandem skydiving refers to a type of skydiving where a student skydiver is connected via a harness to an instructor. The instructor guides the student through the whole jump, from exit, through free-fall, piloting the canopy and landing. The student needs only minimal instruction before making a tandem jump.

Tandem instructors are required to pass an instructor certification course for the system they jump, before skydiving with students. Most countries have varying laws or regulations as to who may sky-dive with a passenger or student. In the United States, the FAA requires every potential instructor to have over five hundred individual sky-dives and three years of skydiving experience. At Sky Dive Austral they have instructors trained to American standards.

Tandem skydiving is a very popular training method for first time skydivers as it exposes them to the activity with the comfort and safety of having a professional in close proximity at all times. The training consists of many of the activities performed by any skydiving student, for example how to exit the aircraft, how to do manoeuvres in free-fall, and how to deploy the main canopy. However, the instructor remains primarily responsible for safe and timely parachute deployment.


The Jump

The Instructors carry two parachutes with them, the main parachute and a reserve for back up. An added safety feature is the Automatic Activation Device (AAD) which monitors the the fall to the ground and automatically deploys the second parachute at a height of two thousand feet if the main parachute has not yet been activated. Free fall usually lasts for a maximum of sixty seconds before the main parachute is released.

Tandem skydiving requires equipment with several differences from normal sport skydiving. All modern tandem skydiving systems use a drogue parachute, which is deployed shortly after leaving the plane in order to decrease the skydivers' terminal velocity. This is necessary for proper parachute deployment, lengthening the duration of the skydive, and allowing the skydivers to fall at the same speed as videographers.

Tandem skydiving system also uses larger main parachutes, of at least three hundred and sixty square feet, to support the additional weight of two passengers. At Skydive Austral they use the SIGMA system which is manufactured by United Parachute Technologies and was invented by Bill Booth, the inventor of tandem jumping and who has been the single biggest contributor to the inventions and development of Skydiving equipment.

At twelve thousand feet the Sesna will slow down and you will jump from the plane. Free fall lasts no longer than sixty seconds and approximately four minutes later you will be safely down on terra firma and will have completed your first skydive!

And that is all there is to it. In the future, Skydive Austral will be opening a skydiving school. It only takes four hours of ground work and seven to ten tandem jumps with an instructor before you can solo jump. So, if you are looking for a unique holiday experience with high speed and adrenaline why not come back to Mauritius and learn skydiving? One thing I can say for sure, you could not pick a better location or more fun people in the entire world to do it with.

© Mauritius in your hands - Islandinfo. All rights reserved

RAVIOR

Do you wish to make your loved one's heart skip a beat? Or do you simply want to spoil yourself? Perhaps you are looking for a stunning piece of jewellery to commemorate a special occasion, or maybe you just want to invest in fine gold ornamentation to ride out uncertain economic times.

Founded in Mauritius in 1982, Ravior is one of the most trusted names for gold jewellery in Mauritius.They have a wide range of unique collections of necklaces, pendants, bangles, earrings, rings, bracelets and chains - all with a distinct attractive
style. These creations change with the times, remaining trendy and fashionable from season to season and customers can even
have jewellery tailor made to their own specifications, wedding bands are a speciality. Of course, other materials besides
gold - such as titanium, ebony and even sea urchins - are used by Ravior and each piece is carefully designed to accentuate and embody the spirit of the wearer. A one gram, twenty four carat gold token with a dodo design, is currently being launched.

As testimony to the company's innovation they have won many awards over the years such as Barclay's "Business Of The Year, 2004" and Salon de la Mode's "Best Mauritian Designer, 2007".They have recently exhibited in the Second Pan African Cultural Festival which was held in Algeria in July and will be taking part in an event at Founded in Mauritius in 1982, Ravior is one of the most trusted names for gold jewellery in Mauritius.They have a wide range of unique collections of necklaces, pendants, bangles, earrings, rings, bracelets and chains - all with a distinct attractive style.

These creations change with the times, remaining trendy and fashionable from season to season and customers can even
have jewellery tailor made to their own specifications, wedding bands are a speciality. Of course, other materials besides
gold - such as titanium, ebony and even sea urchins - are used by Ravior and each piece is carefully designed to accentuate and embody the spirit of the wearer.

A one gram, twenty four carat gold token with a dodo design, is currently being launched. As testimony to the company's
innovation they have won many awards over the years such as Barclay's "Business Of The Year, 2004" and Salon de la
Mode's "Best Mauritian Designer, 2007".They have recently exhibited in the Second Pan African Cultural Festival which
was held in Algeria in July and will be taking part in an event at the Place Vendome in Paris in November.

As a Mauritian company, Ravior believes in the importance of international relationships and keeps track of progress
made in the international jewellery industry through investing in training programs and workshops and offering opportunities to students. But it is not just about good business. Ravior symbolises a legacy of expertise passed on from generation to generation and once there, you will experience customer service second to none and one of the main reasons why Ravior
has become the premier jewellery designer and outlet in Mauritius.

For those of you with internet access, visit ravior.com and subscribe for free on their website. From time to time special promotions are offered - such as discount coupons - so be sure to visit it regularly. You will also be able to view their latest collections and catch up on events within the company. Ravior shops are located in Black River, Quatre Bornes and
in the duty free section of the airport, so be sure to give them a visit too!

read online free Islandinfo magazine

© Mauritius in your hands - Islandinfo. All rights reserved

THE MAURITIUS HASH HOUSE HARRIERS

The International Running Club which is called the Hash House Harriers, which also known as the Hash, started in Mauritius in 1986. The Hashers, as the members are called, meet at a pre-arranged starting point where they run or walk on a trail previously marked out by two or three ‘Hares’. After the trail has been completed, the Hashers enjoy a beer or soft drink and a light snack.

The original Hash House Harriers started from a Club in Kuala Lumpur, Malaya in 1938. The runners started from the Clubhouse and afterwards they had lunch at the Club restaurant, which they named Hash House because its food was not very good. The runners were called Harriers as they likened themselves to the dogs that picked up the scraps from the back of the Club kitchen!

When the 2nd World War started many Hashers were posted elsewhere, either with the army or with other kinds of war work. The Japanese invaded Malaya in December 1941, and the last Hash Run, was held a week later. The Japanese crossed into Singapore soon afterwards, and the founder of the Hash House Harriers, Albert Stephen Gispert, was killed in action on February 11th 1942.

After the war the Hashers in Malaya started running again. The Hash slowly spread to many other countries, as Hashers from Malaya started up their own clubs when they were posted to other countries. Nowadays there are at least 1,700 Hash Chapters around the world, on every continent, even including Antarctica.

At that time all Clubs and Societies in Malaya had to be registered with the government and the original aims for the Hash were registered as:

• To promote physical fitness among members.
• To get rid of weekend hangovers.
• To acquire a good thirst and satisfy it in beer.
• To persuade the older members that they are not as old as they feel.

At the 50th Anniversary of the Mother Hash in Kuala Lumpur in 1988, the souvenir programme stated that Hashing was:

…a blend of race and culture, of colour and creed, where mechanics mingle freely with managing directors, all together in a common endeavour - the Hash.

One of the most endearing things about Hashing is that it is a great leveller. As the statement above points out, it doesn’t matter whether you have a humble job or you have a job with many responsibilities – everyone is treated the same on the Hash. The Mauritian Hash has a solid core of Mauritians and Hashers from all parts of the world including those from Britain, Germany, Australia, Korea, Poland, New Zealand, France, Belgium, Switzerland, Holland, South Africa, Israel, Denmark and the USA.

So it was the British expats in Malaya who can be blamed for inflicting this strange activity upon the rest of the world. Despite its origins, Hashing did not reach England until 1968, when a Scotsman called Richard McAllister returned to England with his Army Unit from Malaysia.

It has been suggested that the Hash has no rules. This is reflected in the fact that each Hash is ‘governed’ by what is usually called the Mismanagement Committee or Hash Hierarchy. This apparent lack of organisation is not really true.

The Mauritius Hash House Harriers, for instance, is a well organised club which is led by a Grand Master, ably assisted by a number of Joint Masters. The general ‘discipline’ of the club is administered by the Religious and Sex Adviser, who ‘punishes’ offenders by awarding them a ‘Down-Down’ which is the act of drinking a beer to the count of ten! A Trail Master organises the ‘Hares’ who, in turn, volunteer to set a trail on a particular Sunday, and this involves paying a number of visits to the trail area to make sure they know the surrounding countryside in order to set an interesting trail. Other people who form a valuable part of the Mismanagement Committee are the Cellar Master, Hash Softy, Hash Nosh and the Iceman who all make sure that the refreshments are in place after the Hash Trail has been completed.

Like all successful clubs and societies, the Hash has a Treasurer, who is referred to as Hash Cash, and a Secretary, who is known as Hash Trash. The Hash Market, which is usually administered by a lady Hasher, is a popular ‘stall’ where items of Hash clothing can be bought. The Hash Flash takes photographs of our activities, whilst the Hash Horn helps Hashers find their way if they get lost on the trail!!

During the Christmas period of each year, the Hash holds a special run called the Red Dress Run. In December 2008 this run was held in Mahébourg when 112 runners and walkers passed through the streets giving out sweets, chocolates, biscuits and cakes. Some runners ran through the General Hospital giving out presents to the patients. The run was followed by dinner and dancing at the Jardin Des Beau Vallon restaurant.

The Mauritius Hash has a prize-winning Website on www.mhash.com where further details of the MHHH can be found.

Visitors from overseas Hashes are welcome.

© Mauritius in your hands - Islandinfo. All rights reserved

read Islandinfo online magazine

DOMAINE DE L’ETOILE

It stretches over 1200 hectares of indigenous woods, including hills, mountains, valleys, ponds and rivers. The visit aptly starts with awelcoming cocktail that visitors may enjoy whilst admiring the longest river in Mauritius, namely the Grand River South East, which runs across the Domaine. The gentle sound of rushing water complements the sweet songs of birds, enticing visitors to discover this pristine world.


A range of activities and guided tours are proposed to guests so that they may fully explore the sprawling landscape.To begin with, the magnificent slopes offer several trekking possibilities of varying levels of difficulty.

Hikers will not only fulfill their desire to be away from the hustle and bustle of daily life, but will also have the exceptional chance to admire Mauritian flora and fauna. Indeed, the Domaine presents hundreds of different varieties of plants and trees, including the most ancient ebony trees of Mauritius. Wild animals may also be observed amidst the lush vegetation; deer, boars, monkeys and bats as well as rare species of birds such as the "Cateau Vert" and the Mauritius Kestrel.

Other popular activities at L'Etoile are mountain biking, horse back excursions, four-wheel drives, archery and quad nature trails.These activities are not only for experienced visitors; the quad leisure vehicles, for example, are most comfortable, user-friendly and secure. A thrilling quad trail experience in the reserve may thus be enjoyed by young and old alike. The trails lead to several viewpoints from which visitors may behold panoramic views of Mauritius. One may behold the magnificent "Vieux Grand Port" bay which received the first Dutch explorers in 1638; also the historic bungalow of "Falaise Rouge" where Captain Decaen of the French navy conceived his strategy against the British for the naval battle of 1810.

After the invigorating activities, guests are warmly received at the restaurant for mouth-watering lunches which comprise both traditional Mauritian cuisine and international menus. The use of products from the domain (including the delicious palm-heart and various spices) adds freshness and authenticity to the dishes. Dinners and theme evenings are organised as well for those who wish to enjoy sunset at Domaine de L'Etoile.

A day spent at Domaine de L'Etoile leaves one truly enchanted. A nature lover's paradise, it offers a wide range of choices so that every visitor will leave well satisfied.

© Mauritius in your hands - Islandinfo. All rights reserved

read the free online magazine

SAFARI ADVENTURES CUBS

The latest additions to Safari Adventures have just stepped paw onto Mauritian soil; two endearing little lion cubs, Kimba and Kiara, that delight and enthral with their inquisitive and playful behaviour. After thirty days of quarantine the cubs are eager to meet new people and mingle with them.

Safari Adventures is one of only three places in the world where you can interact with Lions and Cheetah. The cats are trained from an early age to treat people with respect and they are used to being stroked and patted and being around people generally. Indeed, they are so well trained that the cheetah are used for educational events and promotions. All interactions with the felines are photographed by trained staff with professional equipment and the pictures are of course available to anyone who participates in the event.

For those of you who prefer to see the cats in a more natural setting, it is possible to “walk with the lions”. Each walk lasts approximately an hour to an hour and a half and consists of a small group of people and two lions. It gives you the opportunity to mix with the lions and form a unique lion-human “pride”, providing a once in a lifetime experience. The adventure is video recorded and photographed for posterity and naturally a DVD of the event is available afterwards.

The new cubs are only seven months old and yet the difference in size between the male and female is very apparent. Kimba is noticeably more authoritative and dominant than his sister, due to the male role as protector of the family. Females are more agile and are the pride’s hunters, however, after they have caught their prey, the males and cubs eat first, the females are not permitted to eat until the males have sated their hunger.

Like most mammals, Kimba’s and Kiara’s mood can be interpreted by their body language and they have a very good temperament. Being desert lions they are quite pale in colour as this helps them reflect the heat and also provides them with superb camouflage.

Visiting Safari Adventures should be a priority for anyone and is certain to create life-long memories. So leave all your worries behind and take a walk on the wild side. You’ll love it!

© Mauritius in your hands - Islandinfo. All rights reserved