What's happening on the weekend august 2016

www.theweekend.co.za

August 2016

Looking for something to do this weekend? You’ve come to the right place!

Whether you’re a weekend warrior with a lust for adventure or a stressed exec looking for a relaxing lunch in the sun, you’ll find inspiration on our pages.

What’s Happening on the Weekend® features venues and activities in Gauteng, as well as further afield, providing you with everything you need to plan your next outing. Take a look at our special offers for a spur of the moment indulgence, or browse through our regular categories and add a few new favourites to your list of frequent haunts.

While every care & effort has been taken in compiling accurate information the publishers , its assigns , employees & heirs can not be held responsible for any omissions or errors .

Any reproduction or illustrations compiled in this issue for further use must receive permission in writing from the publisher’s

www.theweekend.co.za Contact information : Tell : 072 355 2537 info@theweekend.co.za

•

news

Leisure , wellness • Front Cover Article’s • Bush holiday Specials • Kzn & surrounding • Hospitality news • Special promotions • Extended News • Island Destinations • Travel Tips Abroad •

http://www.theweekend.co.za/blog.html

Stanley Beer Yard Found inside the pretty courtyards of 44 Stanley is one of the city's most attractive beer gardens. As far as Craft beer gastro pubs go Stanley Beer Yard hits the spot perfectly and is something very unique and special.

Inside is a gorgeous hunting-lodge style interior with leather armchairs, antique curios and a huge log fire and outside long tables sit beneath the olive trees. The ambiance includes live music on Saturdays and retro DJ’s who play vinyl and alternative country tunes on Thursday and Friday evenings.

Whether mixing on the communal outdoor tables during the afternoons or lounging inside at the giant fireplace on a cold winter’s eve, you’re certain to feel content amongst like-minded souls. Stanley Beer Yard is a very popular venue for corporate lunches, parties and other functions.

Stanley Beer Yard specialises in craft beer (commercial beers are conspicuous by their absence), boutique wines and an eclectic selection of meals such as grilled German sausages, Karoo Tjops, Veg & Haloumi Kebabs, Mediterranean (vegetarian), Cheese and Cured meats board, Yard Chicken, pregos, salads and Lindt chocolate brownies.

For bookings please contact 011 482 5791 or email stan@stanleybar.co.za On Thursday and Friday evenings there is a Vinyl DJ. There is live music every Saturday from 2.30 pm - 6.30 pm.

The name 'India' is derived from the River Indus, the valleys around which were the home of the early settlers. The Aryan worshippers referred to the river Indus as the Sindhu.

The Persian invaders converted it into Hindu. The name 'Hindustan' combines Sindhu and Hindu and thus refers to the land of the Hindus Algebra, Trigonometry and Calculus are studies, which originated in India.

The world's highest cricket ground is in Chail, Himachal Pradesh. Built in 1893 after leveling a hilltop, this cricket pitch is 2444 meters above sea level Ayurveda is the earliest school of medicine known to mankind. The Father of Medicine, Charaka, consolidated Ayurveda 2500 years ago.

India exports software to 90 countries.

Jainism and Buddhism were founded in India in 600 B.C. and 500 B.C. respectively.

Islam is India's and the world's second largest religion.

Jews and Christians have lived continuously in India since 200 B.C. and 52 A.D. respectively Sikhism originated in the Holy city of Amritsar in Punjab. Famous for housing the Golden Temple, the city was founded in 1577.

The total distance covered by the 14,300 trains on the Indian Railways everyday, equals three & half times the distance to moon The first train on Indian soil ran between Bombay and Thane on the 16th of April IR has about 7,000 railway stations The longest platform in the world is at Kharagpur and is 2,733 ft. in length Nehru Setu on Sone River is the longest Railway bridge 42 Railway companies operated in the country before independence Electric Locomotives are manufactured at Chittaranjan Locomotive Works, Chittaranjan Coaches are manufactured at ICF/Chennai, RCF/Kapurthala and BEML/Bangaluru The national Rail Museum at New Delhi was set-up in 1977 People Employed in Indian Railway are about 1.6 million Stations across State Lines are Navapur (Maharashtra and Gujarat) and Bhawani Mandi (Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan) Classes of travel on Indian Railway: Ist AC, 2nd AC, 3rd AC, AC Chair Car IInd sleeper & IInd ordinary Railway Station with all the Three Gauges is Siliguri Railway Station

“A beautiful and exotic destination , a paradise filled with an abundance of flavors & beauty “ India comprises the bulk of the Indian subcontinent, lying atop the Indian tectonic plate, and part of the Indo-Australian Plate. India's defining geological processes began 75 million years ago when the Indian plate, then part of the southern supercontinent Gondwana, began a northeastward drift caused by seafloor spreading to its south-west, and later, south and southeast. Simultaneously, the vastTethyn oceanic crust, to its northeast, began to subduct under the Eurasian plate.

These dual processes, driven by convection in the Earth's mantle, both created the Indian Ocean and caused the Indian continental crust eventually to under-thrust Eurasia and to uplift theHimalayas.

Immediately south of the emerging Himalayas, plate movement created a vast trough that rapidly filled with river-borne sediment. and now constitutes the Indo-Gangetic Plain. Cut off from the plain by the ancient Aravalli Range lies the Thar Desert.

The original Indian plate survives as peninsular India, the oldest and geologically most stable part of India.

It extends as far north as theSatpura and Vindhya ranges in central India. These parallel chains run from the Arabian Sea coast in Gujarat in the west to the coal-richChota Nagpur Plateau in Jharkhand in the east.

Indian cuisine encompasses a wide

variety of regional and traditional cuisines native to India. Given the range of diversity in soil type, climate, culture, ethnic group and occupations, these cuisines vary significantly from each other and use locally availablespices, herbs, vegetables and fruits.

Indian food is also heavily influenced by religious and cultural choices and traditions.

There has also been Central Asian influence on North Indian cuisine from the years of Mughal rule. Indian cuisine has been and is still evolving, as a result of the nation's cultural interactions with other societies.

Historical incidents such as foreign invasions, trade relations and colonialism have also played a role in introducing certain foods to the country. For instance, the potato, a staple of the diet in some regions of India, was brought to India by the Portuguese, who also introduced chillies and breadfruit.

Indian cuisine has also shaped the history of international relations; the spice trade between India and Europe is often cited by historians as the primary catalyst for Europe's Age of Discovery. Spices were bought from India and traded around Europe and Asia. It has also influenced other cuisines across the world, especially those from Southeast Asia, theBritish Isles, Fiji, and the Caribbean.

Tau is a South African luxury safari lodge situated on the far northern border of South Africa, in malaria-free Madikwe Game Reserve, the 4th largest game reserve in the country.

27 major species of game roam this South African nature reserve, making Tau Game Lodge the ideal place for a safari holiday, offering Big 5 game safaris and bird-watching safaris.

Privately owned Tau Game Lodge, situated in the North West Province, can accommodate up to 60 people and offers an ideal South African conference venue as well as an idyllic wedding venue overlooking a natural waterhole.

Enjoy an authentic South African safari vacation in the midst of natural wildlife, complete with great game viewing and luxury private facilities, at our South Africa luxury safari lodge

Our luxury South African safari lodge was designed to reflect the natural surroundings and makes use of the natural resources wherever possible.

Privately-owned Tau Game Lodge was built in 1995 and overlooks a vast natural waterhole, which attracts a variety of game, as does the diverse vegetation which thrives in the fertile topsoil.

The main body of the Lodge is two-leveled and has a comfortable lounge, a conference room, bar and dining room which are semi open-air and overlook the waterhole. Delicious buffet breakfasts and lunches are generally served in the main building or on the verandah next to the plunge pool and dinner is served in one of the cosy boma's under the stars, or in the lapa next to the main lodge.

Be swept up in the magic of Carnival City Casino, a premier casino and hotel in Gauteng. Family fun provides the backdrop to the entertainment on offer.

Highlights of Carnival City Casino: Carnival City Casino regularly offers a great selection of special casino promotions.

Three show venues: the Big Top Arena for top local and international acts, The Mardi Gras Theatre and The Show Bar. Live outdoor events take place regularly on the Carnival City Festival Lawns.

Plenty activities to keep kids of all ages entertained for hours.

The 4-star Carnival Casino Hotel offers luxury accommodation.

A 280-seater conference room can accommodate large functions.

Complimentary WiFi Positioned near to OR Tambo International Airport, Carnival City is the perfect play and stay destination. As one of the most popular casinos and hotels in Gauteng, we offer our guests a captivating experience.

The festive feel at Carnival City Casino is mirrored in large circus tents, rollercoaster models, clown murals, jesters and more.

Carnival City Casino is one of the most popular casinos in Johannesburg. In addition to 1 750 slot machines, croupiers tend 60 high-tech tables in both smoking and non-smoking areas.

Guests of Carnival City will also be pleased to know that there are several ATMs on site and Gold and Platinum MVG members can park underground with the option of valet parking.

Offering 4-star accommodation in Brakpan, The Carnival City Hotel is the ideal home base for visitors exploring Carnival City. With a weekend of fun lined up for the whole family, don't worry about driving back home. Simply book your stay at this conveniently situated hotel.

Some of the features of Carnival City Hotel include: Your choice of 105 stylish pool-facing or garden-facing rooms (smoking and nonsmoking).

Access to the private swimming pool and deck area, where you can enjoy drinks and cocktails.

A continental buffet breakfast served in the hotel restaurant, accompanied by the sounds of a live concert pianist on weekends.

Complimentary WiFi. Book your stay securely online. +27 11 898 7000 carnivalcity@suninternational.com Corner Century and Elsburg Road; Brakpan; 1540; Gauteng; South Africa

www.visitmaldives.com/en

Maldives has deep blue seas, turquoise reefs, white sandy beaches and palm trees. It is also a place full of character, where its people have long spent their days languishing in the very essence of idyll living. While it is the perfect place to sit on a beach and watch a sunset with a cocktail balanced on your hand, it is also a geographical marvel, knowing that there are thousands of fish swimming around the vivid corals just a few feet away from where you sit Welcome to the Maldives, where sands are white as the smiles of the locals, where fish swim happily in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, where the weather is a dream, and the deep rays of the sun wait to engulf you their arms.

In ancient times, the shores of the Maldives welcomed lost travellers. Still welcoming, these shores remain, providing a tranquil haven for visitors.

In horizon of the vast Indian Ocean grow green palms This is my homeland, this is the Maldives From the clear blue seas, we grow like pearls, This is my homeland, this is the Maldives

Pure, hassle-free luxury in lush, natural surroundings, that’s the essence of Baros Maldives. It’s a small tropical island ringed by a reef vibrant with marine life and encircled by a golden beach, with 45 thatched villas nestled among swaying palms and 30 water villas poised over a translucent lagoon.

Created from timber and sandstone, each villa has a king size bed and décor of elegance, with en-suite bathroom in a garden courtyard or with a panoramic lagoon view. Eleven have their own beachside plunge pool, all have enviable seclusion enabling guests to indulge in sheer relaxation. Perfectly private, the villas at Baros Maldives are natural for the romantic couple, the incognito celebrity, the harassed executive and guests yearning to break free from stress.

Guests feel free at Baros Maldives, indulging in relaxed chic, intimate moments, and enjoying the lush unspoiled environment.

With three gourmet restaurants, a palm grove bar and an intimate cocktail lounge, Baros Maldives also has discreet, knowledgeable staff who respect guests as individuals and are always on hand. They can arrange excursions, organise a romantic sandbank dinner, a lagoon cruise by local dhoni, an ecofriendly diving or snorkelling safari. The Spa features the finest botanical therapies as well as yoga to rejuvenate the spirit as well as the body.

Baros Maldives is an award-winning resort exclusive to resident guests, just 25 minutes by speedboat from Male’ International Airport. No small children, no motorised vehicles, no annoying noises disrupt the serene tranquillity of this lavish tropical paradise.

Baros Maldives: Tel. +960 664 26 72, info@baros.com; www.baros.com

The islands of Maldives appear in-between the trading route of the Indian Ocean. Thus settlers, and visitors from neighbouring regions and around the world have come in contact with the islands for as long as history has been recorded. Such is the to-and-fro flow of people and their cultures, that a marked effect has been left in the Maldivian people, the language, beliefs, arts, and attitudes.

The looks of the Maldivian people may differ from one atoll to the other, attributing to the genes passed on by South and Southeast Asians, Africans, and Arabians. The language, Dhivehi, differs in dialect in some regions in the south of Maldives, possibly due to the secluded nature and subsistent ways of island life.

Maldivian beliefs have been very much based around religion and superstition, often used together in matters of significance but given separate positions in society. In matters of faith, Islam dominates, but influence of the supernatural still continues to play a major role in most island communities, possibly giving credit to the folklores and Buddhist traditions of the islands’ first settlers before conversion to Islam in 1153 AD. The mixing of cultures is very much seen in Maldivian arts. The music played with the local bodu-beru (bigdrum) resemble that of African drumming. The dhoni (a unique Maldivian sailboat) is an art form itself built with skilled craftsmanship, with significant similarities to the Arabian dows. The fine artistry of Maldivians, seen in the intricate details on wooden beams in antique mosques, represents what we have gained from Southeast Asian architecture. Then there is the undefined: the distinct geometric designs used in mats woven from local materials, the embroidered neckline of women’s traditional dresses and their ornaments too, expose another story brought in from an unknown culture that has seeped in to Maldivian society.

Maldivians are quite open to adaptation and are generally welcoming to outside inspiration. The culture has always continued to evolve with the times. Locals still eat fish and fishermen still spend days out at sea, but tourism now takes a standing prominence. Most Maldivians still want to believe in upholding unity and oneness in faith, but recent waves of reform in the country have created a whole new culture of new ideas and attitudes. The effects of the modern world are now embraced, while still striving to uphold the people’s identity, traditions and beliefs.

Diving Maldives The warm seas of Maldives have high visibility throughout the year, with water clear enough to see the passing fish as far as fifty meters away at times. Over a thousand species of fish and other underwater creatures inhabit the Maldivian waters.

Water sports In a place that is more sea than land, there is no end to the fun things you do in the water. Maldivians swim for recreation, they play water polo with their friends at weekend picnics, they surf addictively.

Excursions The best way to experience the life of an ordinary Maldivian is to travel to an inhabited island. Some of these islands are slightly more modern: with brightly painted house walls and harbour areas.

The Maldives Honeymoon If a honeymoon is meant to be a celebration of love in an intimate, secluded, and most importantly, beautiful setting, then the Maldives is the world’s best backdrop for all these things.

Spa and wellness Just lying on a deserted beach of a Maldivian island, taking in nothing but the continuous rhythm of the waves, the sea salt in the air and feeling the soft white sand on your bare feet is enough to sooth your senses.

Relax and unwind The Maldives is considered by many to be the premier tropical beach destination in the world and the best place to relax and unwind from the hectic and chaotic lifestyle of the modern world.

Seaplane Photo Flights Seaplane photo flight offers you the sightseeing sensation that gives you the opportunity of a life time. Enjoy your unparalleled Maldives holiday experience from the sky

The term "Mirihi" refers to the small exquisite yellow flowers found around this beautiful island. According to local folklore, the flowers can be used to "take away the poison". With only 36 villas, Mirihi is meanwhile one of the smallest islands available in the Maldives.

Mirihi Island Resort is located on a secluded tropical island in the South Ari Atoll, approximately 85 kilometres south of the capital Male'. A picturesque and breath-taking 30 minute seaplane ride from Male will bring the guests here. This emerald gem is just 350 meters long and 50 meters wide with a sparkling palm-fringed beach of fine white sand.

The guests can walk barefoot if they choose, this is as close to nature as they can get.

Blessed with white talc beaches, turquoise blue waters and one of the most amazing house-reefs, it is truly a vision of paradise on earth.

6 tastefully appointed Beach Villas (53sqm) are spread over the island and offer an oversized open-air bathroom with a luxurious fresh water shower as well as direct access to the beach.

The 30 tastefully appointed Water Villas (53sqm) are built on stilts over the blue lagoon offering steps from the balcony for direct access to the Ocean, as well as a fresh water shower at the staircase.

All Villas are equally designed, featuring designer furnishing, polished wooden floors, king size or twin beds, air conditioning, ceiling fan, sitting area with CD stereo system, iPod connector and fully stocked minibar, Nespresso machine, IDD telephone, personal safe and free WiFi. From sumptuous buffets in ‘Dhonveli’ Restaurant and fine dining in the overwater restaurant ‘Muraka’ with an award-winning wine list; to intimate private dining on the beach or on our very own private yacht ‘Thari’ – Mirihi offers a wide variety of superb cuisine to satisfy every appetite and occasion.

Although the main reason for coming to Mirihi is undoubtedly to kick off the shoes and do absolutely nothing but relax and revel in natures delights, there are a host of other activities on offer for you to try, should the need arise to lift your head from the peaceful slumber of our many hammocks ...

Diving is a priority for many guests and Mirihi can cater to all levels of divers, from first timers wishing to learn the basics to the experienced diver wanting to fine-tune their techniques. With over 40 dive sites and a multilingual team, every guest is assured a most personal service.

If the guests feel like being more active, they may take one of the ocean kayaks and paddle around the island. On windy days, Mirihi offers a complete range of windsurf gear available, suiting everyone from beginner to expert. The use of the water sports equipment is available complimentary to all guests.

If the guests look for relaxation and pampering, Duniye Spa is the place to go. Trained therapists know how to relieve the stress from the body and relax the muscles.

www.mirihi.com info@mirihi.com Mirihi Island Resort South Ari Atoll, Republic of Maldives Tel: +960 668 0500 Fax: +960 668 0501

KwaZulu-Natal enjoys a warm sub-tropical climate for most of the year.

However, summers are very hot and humid. Winters in inland areas are clear and cool, and cold in areas of high altitude such as the Drakensberg. These mountains frequently have snowfalls during the winter months also.

Natal Sharks board This research institute is dedicated to studying sharks, specifically in relation to their danger to humans. There are audiovisual presentations and shark dissections at 9am and 2pm Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. The public can accompany Sharks Board personnel on their boat trips from Durban.

Hluhluwe Horse Safaris Horse riding is a wonderful way to see wildlife; these rides are in the False Bay region. You may spot antelope species, as well as other animals. A second option heads to Falaza Game reserve where you can see rhino, buffalo and giraffe (a two-hour ride per person is R450) It operates out of Hluhluwe River Lodge.

Durban City Sightseeing Tour Experience Durban, a city of contrasts on the Durban City Sightseeing Tour. Shaped by the early Colonial settlers, see the city has developed from the indigenous Zulu population and the Indians who arrived as indentured laborers in the 19th Century.

Travel along the 'Golden Mile' beachfront towards the harbor entrance where you can see anything from sari clad Indian ladies walking on the sand to traditional healers collecting bottles of seawater to use as muti (medicine).

Continue past Durban City Hall and learn about its humorous history, before visiting the Phansi Museum, home to a collection of South African artifacts and traditions. See beadworks, headrests, Zulu Clay Pots and various other treasures as you browse the museum with your expert guide.

See Durban's Botanic Gardens, founded in 1849, where you'll find a mix of African, Asian and American trees. Throughout the tour your expert guide will introduce you to the rich Indian history of Durban, and you'll have the opportunity to enjoy a taste of the unique 'Bunny Chow' cuisine before your tour concludes.

Umgeni Steam Railway The Umgeni Steam Railway operates out of the old Kloof station (now home of the Stoker’s Arms Tavern). The 1000 Hills choo-choo service departs on the first and last Sunday of every month at 8.45am and 12.30pm, and huffs and puffs its way through the area for about an hour.

http://www.mmstadium.com/

http://www.bigrush.co.za/

Cafe 1999 offers a dining experience to excite the senses: a vibrant ambiance, gracious service and a delectable menu in the heart of Durban’s trendy Berea. Chef Marcelle Roberts award winning contemporary Mediterranean cuisine is designed around sharing.

The menu is informed by the seasons using only the finest local and imported ingredients, hand-picked by Marcelle and her team, culminating in fresh and innovative seasonal dishes. Cafe 1999 has has been in operation for 12 years and has remained a firm favourite for locals and visitors alike. http://www.cafe1999.co.za Tel: 031 202 3406 Shop 2 Silvervause Centre 117 Vause Road Musgrave DURBAN Lunch: Monday – Friday 12:3014:30 (Fridays close @ 15:00) Dinner: Monday – Saturday 18:30-22:30 (Friday & Saturday close @ 23:00)

Remo’s was born in May 2007 in memory of the late Remo Giuseppe Scribante. His brothers, “Fratelli”, Franco and Renzo Scribante opened their first café in Mount Edgecombe, Durban.

Renzo has had a passion for food and cafes his whole life. He spent time from an early age cooking with his mother in the kitchen and cleaning the tables at Sunday lunches. What started out as a small café with a limited menu has now turned into an established company fuelled by passion.

The Remo’s Originale (Mount Edgecombe Store) is now a bustling restaurant and bar very well known for its quality of food. The addition of our artisan bakery next to the fountain area adds a wonderfully "European" experience - think fresh artisan bread, cakes, croissants, quiches, brownies, imported meats and cheeses, olive oils, pasta and sauces to name a few. Take away treats and sandwiches are collected as an espresso is drunk. It screams Europe in the heart of suburban Durban.

Villaggio / Umhlanga T +27 (0)31 561 7143 Facebook

food@remos.co.za Shop 2/3, Protea Mall Corner of Lighthouse & Chartwell Dr, Umhlanga, Durban, 4319 South Africa http://www.remos.co.za

Canelands Beach Club Salt Rock Thank you for taking interest in Canelands Beach Club, ideally situated a ‘step away’ from the sea waters’ edge.

Please take your time and read below on what Canelands has to offer.

Canelands is a luxurious and elegant 10 bedroom (all ensuite) beach club situated in the popular upmarket region of Salt Rock on KwaZulu Natal‘s North (Dolphin) Coast, South Africa. Set literally a step away from the beach with safe bathing offered by the many rock pools and coves that Salt Rock is renowned for, Canelands Beach Club is the ideal holiday and weekend getaway beach hotel.

Just minutes from the major shopping centres of Ballito, less than 15 minutes for Durban’s new King Shaka International Airport and less than an hours drive from Durban City, there is little wonder why Canelands Beach Club has already become an icon of quality beach accommodation to those who have discovered this gem on the beach.

Canelands caters for both leisure and business orientated guests.

Onsite conferencing facilities allows for up to 40 delegates discussing that ever important new business venture.

The Canelands Beach Club is a one-of-a-kind experience whether it is being served by beach butlers on the beach or having menus prepared daily by the chefs or be it enjoying a micro light flight or a horse ride along the coast, Canelands and it's surrounds has so much to offer. www.canelandssaltrock.co.za www.thecanelands.co.za info@thecanelands.co.za Reception: SPA : Facsimile:

+27 32 525 2300 +27 32 525 4835 +27 32 525 2301

Reservation Office Tel: +230-266-9777 Fax: +230-266-9798 Email: resa@heritageresorts.mu Other queries : Email: helpdesk@vlh.mu

1. Long live to independence: Villas Mauritius If you choose to reside in one of Heritage Resorts’ villas, it means that you need some independence during your holidays. You will not have much to pack before your departure since your new ‘home away from home' will be waiting for you fully equipped, from the very teaspoon, to your swimming pool towel. You will also have a golf cart attached to your villa for your whereabouts on the site and you will be able to go for shopping in the small shops of La Place du Moulin so as to make your own recipes back ‘home’.

2. The service of a 5-star hotel: 5-star hotel service in villa Even if you are hiding from the rest of the world, comfortably resting in a luxury cocoon, you still get a 5 star service: a Chef in villa who will prepare its own creations or adapt his recipes to your culinary preferences, daily cleaning of your villa, a babysitting service if you plan to go for an adults-only outing, laundry and dry cleaning services as well as gourmet baskets on arrival or while in residence.

3. Protecting your privacy: Private luxury pool villa in mauritius Staying in a villa is also a good way to spend quality time with your family and friends while keeping private the moments you will be sharing. If a hotel provides common areas for dining and relaxing, Heritage The Villas have their own swimming pool, a large veranda ideal for relaxing, a barbecue casual lunches and dinners, a garden area and outdoor showers (the icing on the cake)... absolutely everything you need to experience La Dolce Vita away from prying eyes.

4. An access to a lot of activities: Activities during your holidays in mauritius Yes it’s a villa but like no others! A villa in the unspoiled south of Mauritius, on the Domaine de Bel Ombre, which is a haven of greenery and beauty and gives access to lots of activities and leisure for ultra-active holidays: free green fees on the 18-hole golf course, two sports centres with trainers, a beach club and a water sports centre, a kite surf school and spot, a nature reserve with the possibility of trekking and quad rides, two spa villages but also children, teens and babies clubs...

5. A gourmet culinary journey: Gourmet culinary journey You can say goodbye to monotony with Heritage Resorts’ 12 restaurants… and try the refined Mauritian cuisine of the Château de Bel Ombre, the delights of Northern India at Zafarani (Heritage Awali), pan-Asian flavours at Gin'ja (Heritage Le Telfair) or Mediterranean specialties at the C Beach Club. Plus, you will get a 20% discount in restaurants and bars of the Domaine de Bel Ombre and be expected at Annabella's restaurant (Heritage Le Telfair) for a copious breakfast so as to start the day with the smile on your face.

The local cuisine in Mauritius originates from three continents – in line with the birthplaces of its inhabitants. By visiting the island, guests have the opportunity to sample a variety of foods, including Indian, Chinese, Creole and European.

Mauritian cooking is in a class of its own: a combination of flavours that have evolved through its different cultural heritages and cooking traditions.

Mauritians are creative with food, mixing various styles in a single menu. They are just as happy to experiment with recipes from Chinese, Indian or Muslim cuisines as they are to create tempting Creole or European dishes.

Mauritian cuisine is proud of its heritage, but has also gained a fine reputation in the contemporary culinary world. Leading chefs such as Paul Bocuse, Alain Ducasse and the Troisgros brothers have visited the island and introduced menus to boost the top-quality cuisine already available. Local chefs meanwhile are known for their creativity and ‘savoir-faire’, using traditional and local ingredients to create modern fare for some of the island’s most famous hotels.

‘Table D’Hôte’ One of the best ways to experience the pleasure and flavours of truly local fare is to visit a typical ‘table d’hôte’ or a local, specialised restaurants.

Do not hesitate to try the local favourite snacks, including ‘dholl purri’ wheat pancakes stuffed with dholl and served with curry and tomato sauce, faratas, gateaux piments (chilli bites) and samosas.

Located a comfortable fifteen kilometers from the capital, Port Louis, The Oberoi, Mauritius sits amidst twenty acres of lush, subtropical garden, and enjoys an unrivalled position on the shores of Turtle Bay – a natural marine park with a vibrant coral reef. The hotel has access to six hundred metres of combed, white sand beaches, which are blessed with views of magnificent sunsets, every day.

The hotel also houses four national monuments that date back to the French Colonial period and together make up a battery that was an integral part of the defense system of Mauritius. The main gunpowder store now serves as an exclusive dining space.

http://www.oberoihotels.com/ reservations@oberoigroup.com

SUGAR Sweet crystals Golden, brown, red or white Crunchy Once a rare, precious, expensive and even reportedly magical substance, associated with pleasure and luxury…

Mauritius offers you sugary treasures and pleasures.

TEA Sensuous aromas unveil the flavours of Mauritius in a single cup of tea…

As night gives way to the first rays of dawn Tea leaves light up, still peppered with droplets of dew Rustling of leaves breaks the silence Hundreds of women with huge wicker baskets on their backs gently pick handfuls of buds From the tea plantation and the tea factory to tea tasting, the island offers an open invitation for people to discover the secrets and the history of its famous Mauritian tea.

RUM “Ho ho ho and a bottle of rum”: pirates, conquerors and explorers all loved to quaff rum Rum production: a tradition as old as the history of Mauritius An exhilarating spirit with heady aromas An invitation to enjoy lazy days beneath the tropical sun A liquor to taste and experience.

Local company Tourist Villages Co. Ltd recently launched its first tourist village in the town of Mahébourg. Situated in the gardens of the town’s naval museum, the retail space accommodates about 20 permanent exhibitors, all from Mahébourg region. All the items offered for sale are local handicraft creations.

In view of offering stand space to the maximum of operators, 11 individual craftsmen and two associations were selected. Preference was given to craftsmen from the south of the island who showed interest and responded to the invitation of Tourist Villages Co. Ltd. This was a great opportunity for the 60 artisans represented by the Arts and Crafts Manufacturers Association of Mauritius (ACMAM) to promote their handicraft.

A second stand was also provided to Le movement Pour l’Autosuffisance Alimentaire – an association consisting of 12 member craftsmen from Vieux Grand Port who make handicraft from the pandanus (Vacoas) region.

Investment and future plans The Mahébourg tourist village required an investment of 6 million MRU prior to launch. It will be the first in a series. Tourist Villages Co Ltd is now planning to launch a much more ambitious second village in Belle Mare – something that will require an overall investment of around 200 million MRU. The new tourist village of Belle Mare will accommodate 35 shops, a food court, a recreation centre and, of course, exhibition space for artists.

Subsequently, another tourist village is expected to be launched in Flic en Flac.

www.44stanley.co.za/beeryard.html