The secret ingredient that keeps the soul healthy is finding balance in our crazy, mixed-up lives. Director of True Blue Surf Travel Greg Bertish travels to the golden island of Mauritius, where his biased belief that it is a land of cellophane-wrapped resorts and tourists traps is turned on its head.
It was as though I had arrived in a distant land deep in the far east. The smell of spices hung in the air. Pot holes pockmarked the broken roads. Flustered chickens ran squawking for cover. Little roadside villages were brimming with vibrant, every-day tropical life.
And what about that feeling of adventure and excitement. You know the one. We yearn for it as we sit at our office desks, or in bumper-to-bumper traffic. We pine for that feeling of wind in our hair, salt on our skin, and sun on our face. We dream of tropical surf or a blustry cross-offshore cracking across a white sand beach.
To get from your desk or traffic jam to here takes a lot of effort. But the key is a little known recipe. Sure, when I was younger, faster and free it was easy to throw on a backpack, put a kiteboard and surfboard under my arm and blow this joint at a whim. But for many, it ain't that easy. For a start, how do you sell a kiteboarding and surfing adventure to your better half, or to your family?
Many people think that Mauritius is the poor man's Hawaii - certainly for South Africans. It's had a bad rap from adventure travellers, who have always seen it as a cop out, the boring "all-inclusive resort package holiday" - a plastic-coated tourist trap. But I was soon to discover that it just isn't true.
"Come away with me to a beautiful tropical island only a short flight away. We'll be right on the beach surrounded by azure seas and warm, clear water. The cuisine is served buffet-style. And in between, you get gym, spa, massage, kiddies club and other facilities. There are also all-inclusive land and water sports. Oh look, the small print says "cooking surf and world class kiteboarding!"
Sold! Thank you very much.
We arrive in Mauritius, and head south. The island rental car is piled high with surf and kite gear. Through fishing villages, over bridges, around mountains, through tunnels and then out into the bays we drive. The beaches are lined with palms and horse-tail conifers. There is grass down to the water, sometimes stopping at white sand. We could see small islands, point breaks, beautiful reef set-ups, and a lagoon shimmering with water clear as crystal. I could feel the pulse of the ocean, and the accompanying race of adrenaline. My partner felt something similar. Her azure eyes lit up at the signs displaying spa, jacuzzi and massage as we pulled up at the Les Pavillons Luxury resort.
That is the secret. You see, only kiters and surfers understand how strong the call of the ocean can be. We know how that dream can so easily lure us from our nine to five monotony. We have no hesitation in dropping everything to score some big airs, high-speed runs or a deep throaty barrels. However, sometimes, if your other half or the rest of your family don't do these things, they won't know this feeling. And that is why so many avid kiteboarders and surfers never get to experience the magic of Mauritius, or any other tropical location.
But here, on this golden island, you get it all. There we were. There we were, lying beneath the palm trees on white sand, warm crystal water nearby. Love and romance was in the air, and we were having quality time. Time spent chilling in the spa, wallowing in the jacuzzi, or having a deep-tissue massage. What a classic theme to any holiday. And the sub plot? What about the sub-pot! A honking 20 knots cross shore or perfect four foot lefts peeling across the horizon!
Balance. Patience. What you put in now, you get back many times over tomorrow. I weigh it up. It is already 4.45 pm and I still need to unpack my kit, put in fins, and get down to the water. That means, if I hurry, I'll only get in at 5.30 pm for a rushed hour. And where will that leave me with my partner? Off to a bad start. Keep the balance. Stay calm. It's not easy when conditions are so good. But necessary right now.
We enjoyed a beautiful evening - cocktails by the pool, a dip or two, a beautiful sunset, and a romantic dinner for two on the terrace over-looking the beach.
Fast forward to 6.40 am the next morning. I’m in my rashie, the surfboard is waxed and with binocs in hand, I scan the horizon and the lineup. Clean, glassy four to five foot. It’s my time. A sweet note on the bedside table, and I'm running down an empty beach. The air is still, the early morning sun glimmers over the lagoon. As I paddle out, small reef fish dart at each stroke. Three guys out. Locals.
“Bonjour, bonjour messieur” I greet as I enter the line-up. Not that responsive, but amicable. I enjoy a great uncrowded, barrel-filled session. To top it off, I am thinking two hours later as I am paddling back, how about some rich island coffee and a full buffet breakfast? By 9.28am, I’m showered and in time to join my partner at the breakfast table. Almost an hour later, feeling hearty, we stroll back to the room to don the cozzies, collect our books and goggles, and hit the beach.
Perfect balance. And patience. It begins as we wandered back from breakfast. Unbeknow to my partner, my eyes had quietly seen the coming of the south-wester. It was the slightest ruffle unfelt by mere mortals, unnoticed by most, but enough to get the juices of any kiter going.
Now generally, I'd be off to hone my tools, set my lines and ready my ride. But this was not the time to lose focus. I stay sharp. I time my play. A bit of lotion, a bit of sun. A swim in the pool. A stroll down the beach. Even a snorkel in the bay. She is happy. She is smiling. She is loving this place.
Almost lunch time. Almost my time. The ocean is stirring. The wind is brewing. We dine on a lekker lunch of Mauritian style and proportions. I play my second hand. I suggest that the wind might be good soon, and I may go for a kite after lunch. If I go, I suggest she goes over to the spa, which is offering a special on the Mauritian Massage, and the treat would be on me. Fantastic! Done deal.
The afternoon is mine. Seven days of balance equalled seven days of epic kiting and surfing. I even scored two sessions at the infamous Tamarin Bay - four to six foot with 5 guys out. Epic!
So that, boys and girls, is how you play it. For a holiday with your non-surfing or kiting partner or family, this is how it must be done.
WHY MAURITIUS!?
Seven nights all inclusive from around R10,000 p/p/s
Only 4 hrs from SA (Direct flights from CPT/DRB/JHB)
BEST MONTHS:
From April till Nov is best for both consistent wind and waves (but this is a year round destination)SURFING:
world class waves directly in front of your resort (One eye Reef) as well as the infamous Tamarin Bay and other fun waves close by.KITEBOARDING:
The Kiting conditions here are perfect! Or as close to perfect as I have ever experienced! Amazingly consistent cross shore winds that blow between March and Nov/Dec at an average of 15 to 20 knots nearly every afternoon. A launch site just down the beach or directly in front of your room (depending on the resort you choose). Flat, waist to chest deep water for hundreds of meters, and then perfect peeling left handers (and rights) wrapping and rolling down the point. So if you’re a Master blaster or total beginner , you will be all set here in southern Mauritius. I met beginners from Europe and Pros from Australia, and both groups rated this as the best holiday and kiting set up that they had ever experienced. I would have to agree. And the beautiful thing is, so would my girlfriend!Information and Bookings
True Blue Surf and Adventure Travel021 426 0881 (CPT)
031 573 21 71 (DBN)
www.truebluetravel.co.za
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