There's one moment that changes your thoughts about the world, makes you see the magic of the world, it happens precisely when you swoop over the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean and get your first view of Mauritius, when the world as a whole just shuts its trap. It has nothing to do with the altitude playing tricks with your ears. It is the murmuring of your inner voice saying: "Something special awaits you."
I just felt burned out because of excessive work and was craving some peace time, and it was more than a holiday. What I yearned for was warmth. I yearned for awe. I yearned for the sort of calm that envelops you like silk. So, of course, I did what any sane man would do and reserved a one-way flight to Mauritius.
I felt what I yearned for. With the start of my journey, it was the warmth I craved. I felt the Mauritian hospitality was legendary; it wasn’t from the sun alone, but in the air and the smiles around. I felt as though the island sensed what I needed.
In that feeling of relaxation the truth came haunting to me as I had planned to watch this heavenly place through a shuttle bus, my mind became numb and I felt as though I am making the biggest mistake of my life, everyone would agree with me on this that you can't truly appreciate the heaven through the window of a shuttle bus. And so, I became serious about it and did one of the greatest things I have ever done in my life, and that was getting my own set of wheels. Now I wanted the best wheels and a variety to choose from, and as a smart person, I chose Crystal Car Rental Mauritius—a move that took my trip from great to one of a lifetime.
Booking could not have gone more smoothly; the vehicle was as though a new one, and the service was a combination of a five-star hotel concierge and a high-end road trip planner. The minute I inserted the key and left the airport, I owned the island.
Mauritius isn't huge, but it's fertile. No matter the direction, something enchanting lies that way: fields of sugarcane aglow in sunlight, fishing villages snoozing where time has lost its wristwatch, or cliff-dramatic coastlines that compel you to pull over and just inhale.
My first day driving was slipping into a dream—gliding down the seashore B9 road with the windows rolled down, saltwater in my nostrils, and Sega tunes from the radio harmonizing to perfection with the beat of the ocean.
If you've only ever glimpsed Mauritius through the pages of a brochure, you likely picture infinity pools and luxury resorts (which, let's be clear, are amazing). But Mauritius is more than this.
It's sitting with a local in Chamarel under the shade of a banyan tree, eating the pineapple with chili salt that they insist you absolutely have to try.
It's spotting a hand-painted sign that reads "Fresh Coconut" and chasing after it and realizing you ended up at a beach shack that's serving the freshest and best seafood you've probably tasted in years.
The best part? None of these experiences was preplanned. They occurred because I was able to pursue my wonder, thanks to having the freedom to explore the island on my own terms.
Don't get me wrong, I did indulge. I ate at The Oberoi Beach Resort (pictured), where lobster bisque led me to contemplate moving there for good. I even stayed in a beachfront villa in Grand Baie and saw the golden waves soften against the shore.
The luxury gets sweeter when you’ve made an effort and earned it, when you’ve moved like a butterfly across the island, gotten a little lost, but found something amazing through it. That’s the kind of balance Mauritius offers: barefoot elegance with a splash of adventure.
It was never easy to leave. Mauritius is a place that leaves you with your mark. But as I dropped off my vehicle, yes, a bit of sand still stuck to the floor mats, I didn’t feel sad. I was full. Full of stories, sunlight, and the peaceful happiness of having done it my way.
If you're going to Mauritius, and you really should, don't stay behind the resort gates. Get behind the wheel. Discover. Let the road introduce you to the true beat of the island.
Because some places you see. But Mauritius? Mauritius you experience.
