CHELSY DAVY IS ALL SMILES FOR MAURITIUS

The jeweller adores the wildly friendly cultural mix, dinner fresh from the sea and a beer on deserted white sands — so much so, she's setting up home on the island

- Suzannah Ramsdale

Where is your favourite destination and why?

Mauritius. Many people think of it as just a holiday destination, but it's so much more than that. My parents are based there full time now and, since spending more time visiting them with my kids recently, I've discovered there's a much deeper world which sets it apart from other tropical destinations. I think it's because humans have only been living on the island for a few hundred years and, over that short time, its geopolitical alignment has shifted quite considerably. This has created an incredible cultural mix - Christmas rubs shoulders with Diwali and Chinese New Year on the roster of public holidays, and you'll find a beach bar nestled between a patisserie that makes you think you're in Paris and an Indian restaurant that knocks the socks off anything you'll find outside of the subcontinent. English and French are both spoken alongside the local Creole and no one who lives on the island speaks only one language. It's a bright, colourful, friendly dynamic and people just smile. All. The. Time. Most importantly to me, there's a wonderful sense of community. Neighbours pop in for a sunset drink while the big kids teach the little kids how to catch crabs on the beach.

When was the last time you were there, and who were you with?

I'm actually here right now, the joys of post-pandemic remote working. We got locked down on the island while visiting my parents during Covid and we got a bit further under the skin of the place. We're now in the process of moving out here (semi-) full time.

Where do you like to stay there?