Tamarind Falls, Mauritius.
Samia Haroon She was born in Mauritius and raised in Pakistan, before returning to the island and developing a successful career as a radio and event presenter. While she is in the air, she seamlessly blends languages such as French, English, Urdu, and Creole into one sentence, embodying the multicultural identity of Mauritius.
This interview is part of The World Made Local, a global project of Condé Nast Traveler in the seven international editions, which gives voice to 100 people in 100 countries to discover why their own territory should be your next destination.
How would you describe Mauricio?
The word I would use is nirvana: there are places here that are literally a vision of paradise on earth. They are still pure, the air still smells fresh, you feel happy... and you relive this feeling every time you go to certain places where the vegetation and species you see are nowhere else in the world. Mauritius is full of beautiful surprises.
What are your top sites that you would share with a friend?
Le Labourdonnais, where the chef Nizam Peeroo, specialist in fusion cuisine, he knows his guests personally and offers them a personalized dish, such as Fried scallops with creamy risotto, fresh turmeric and curry leaves, or Roasted red snapper with pickled aubergines and tamarind and coconut milk. EITHER Lea Coffee from my friend Lea Al Janabi, who serves Mediterranean food in the Newton Tower in Port Louis . She is a caring person and brings her warmth and magic to her kitchen. She would also tell him about Caudan Craft Market, that she has little dodos and handmade baskets as well as shopping bags, colorful bags with which to go shopping Port Louis Central Market. And my latest discovery, the Bagatelle Mall which is very central. I have become addicted to 42 Market Street: for its street food –boulet or steamed meatballs–, a typical Mauritian dish, as well as for its noodles and pani puri, and for the possibility of shopping for local products all in one place. The market also supports artisans for which importing now due to the pandemic is complicated. In addition, it has a nice atmosphere and is the place to be.
The journalist Samia Haroon.
To stay and feel that natural force of the island, what do you recommend?
There is an Airbnb owned by a French friend, Claudine Sohawon, on the west coast of the island in the Gaulette, a fishing village not far from Le Morne and its spectacular mountain in the sea. The area is world famous for kitesurfers. It is my vacation spot, where I go to unwind and relax, over and over again. Immediately I feel that the good vibes of the place surround me, surrounded by nature. In the back of the house, you can see deer and wild birds, such as the green parakeet flying or hiding among the banana leaves. And at the front of the house, the view of the sea with the benitier island is awesome. The panoramic view from the rooftop reminds me of the lines of the 19th century French poet Charles Baudelaire: "There, nothing but order and beauty dwell, abundance, calm and sensual delight."
What is the dish that we should not miss?
The dholl puri it is a must. It's all over the island. There are famous places that have risen from rags to riches thanks to the dholl puri business. And also, to drink it you have to do it with a refreshing and typical alouda drink. Do not miss it.
And a natural wonder?
The impressive Tamarindo Falls.