Usually not a big fan of summer vacation (holidays when kids are out of school cannot be a good idea… Unless you have kids, right ?), I always try to plan my trips outside of summer, Christmas/New Year’s and Easter.
Yet this year, I decided to give it a try, heading to a destination until then unknown to me: Mauritius island. Although summer and winter months there are opposite to seasons in Europe (Mauritius is located in the southern hemisphere, off the southeast coast of the African continent), I thought “winter” in a tropical island couldn’t be that bad… And I was right!
Shot with my Leica
Shot with my Leica
Shot with my Leica
Between May and September, the climate in Mauritius, although it’s “winter” there, is perfectly nice: with an average temperature of 25°C (77° F), the sun is less aggressive than in the local summer months.
My stay in Mauritius started at five star LUX* Grand Gaube, on the northeast coastline of the island. There, I got the full meaning of the LUX* concept: light (what Lux stands for in Latin), and luxury of course.
At LUX* Grand Gaube, it’s all about making the most of the island to bring light and bright living to the resort and guests: it’s as if everything is thought and designed around nature and the local flora and wildlife – and, of course, the ocean – all with a luxury signature.
Shot with my Leica
From the moment you step in the huge, open reception, you get to enjoy the fantastic views: built along the coast, the ocean is indeed omnipresent at LUX* Grand Gaube.
The view from my room onto the triple-bay beaches and the picturesque lagoon simply was, I think, one of the best I’ve ever had… Spectacular!
Everytime I stepped out, I was immediately immersed into a wealth of flora, fauna, flavours, colours, sights and sounds. I spent my days between the 2 main pools (each coming with a private beach), the spa, the hammocks hanging between the coconuts, the bars, walking through the verdant gardens… And also practising a few activities, such as pedal boat, kayak and glass bottom boat – I was not confident enough to try windsurfing or waterskiing!
Shot with my Leica
While I stayed at LUX* Grand Gaube, I was lucky to experience one of the theme evenings: dancing to the rhythm of island life with local musicians and dancers, both before and after dining, on the beach and in the main restaurant… Definitely one of the highlights of my stay!
Never short of an impromptu experience, LUX* Grand Gaube likes entertaining guests with pop-up treats: fresh coconut stalls, secret pop-up bars… I got to try ICI, the very unusual ice-cream stall, in the shape of a mini turned into a limo. Fun and tasty ice creams!
Shot with my Leica
Shot with my Leica
Shot with my Leica
Shot with my Leica
Shot with my Leica
Shot with my Leica
Shot with my Leica
Shot with my Leica
Shot with my Leica
Shot with my Leica
Shot with my Leica
Shot with my Leica
Shot with my Leica
Shot with my Leica