‘MAURITIUS WAS MADE FIRST AND THEN HEAVEN; AND HEAVEN WAS COPIED AFTER MAURITIUS’ Let the lights shine down on your next holiday and open the golden gates to a world of colour, history and sustainable regrowth. Destination: Mauritius HEAVEN ON EARTH Story: Kate Veteri Mark Twain wrote ‘Mauritius was made Bay, Île aux Aigrettes is made up of coralline first and then heaven; and heaven was limestone and is a popular ecotourism destination. In copied after Mauritius’. The combination 1965 the island was declared a nature reserve aimed of sapphire-blue water, paper-white at restoring the forest that was previously affected sandy beaches and beautiful views of the Indian by tree logging, land clearance and the introduction Ocean make Mauritius the ideal holiday getaway. of exotic animal and plant species. Île aux Aigrettes For the best in colourful views visit the seven- is now home to many endangered native animals coloured earth of Chamarel Dunes, formed from that had disappeared from the mainland. The radiant molten lava exhibit seven colours of earth swirled colours of Mauritius continue through this untamed together, set amid a luxurious tropical forest on island, home to Aldabra giant tortoises, wild orchids the volcanic island of Mauritius. Now containing and the endangered pink pigeon. oxides of iron and aluminium, the seven colours Intentions of preserving the natural glory of can be seen at their brightest when the sun is high Mauritius do not end at Île aux Aigrettes. The in the sky. Impressively, the seven-coloured earth development of the Mauritius Commercial Bank dunes do not erode, even with the tropical rains (MCB), Ebene, has introduced the combination experienced in Mauritius. of sustainable design and architectural beauty. A panoramic route cuts through the forest to Surrounded by a 980m photovoltaic farm, this2 surround the seven-coloured earth with a variety of 10-storey building stands out with its elliptical happy holidays viewing points to admire the exquisite and colourful shape held aloft on four pillars. Boasting eco- views. The geographical creation is a treasure not friendly features such as rainwater harvesting, to be missed rising 283 metres above sea level. energy storage and recycled flooring, the 10,000m2 HIA would like to wish all members and associates a Other sights in the area, such as the outlook MCB building was the first building in the southern safe and happy holidays. over the Chamarel waterfall and land turtles living hemisphere to achieve a BREEAM rating – a HIA will shut down from by the seven-coloured earth dunes prove just how sustainability assessment method for infrastructure 21 December – 7 January. heavenly the island of Mauritius is. and buildings. Visit www.hia.com.au Travel to the south-east coast to a nature reserve The attention to orientation played a large role in that has its own island. Situated in the Mahebourg the success of this environmentally friendly building. 94 HOUSING NOVEMBER 2018 LIFESTYLES • TRAVEL