Paradise.......
Yes, for me it was paradise whether on the golf course or anywhere on thIS luxury complex situated on the grounds/park of an ancient castle "Balaclava" now just ruins with a water wheel still turning....
Le Maritim is a big luxury hotel complex with lots of amenities including a 9 holes golf course well incorporated in this beautiful exotic park on the ground of Balaclava Castle in the Terre Rouge district in the North of the island.
Security is high: a gated property manned 24 hours. I made acquaintance with the day & night shift including the friendly/or fierce Alsatian dog (photo on my album).
The huge iron gates opened majestically, my taxi took me to the Reception area where I was shown around & accompanied to the golf course. The appropriate set of LH Ladies clubs + bag + trolley were ready for me with a complimentary bottle of ice cold water, most need as it was around 30 degrees C when I was playing on this November (2013) day!!!
I had the course to myself as most of the residents were either lounging by the luxury pools, sitting at the Bar or under the Beach Huts or on the beach. Everyone to their own: there is horse riding, archery, tennis and many more activities to chose from.
I choose the golf, a short 9 holes is well designed around the tropical trees, mainly Flamboyant displaying their magnificient red flowers & palm trees but there was other bushes/flowers whose name I don't remember.
There were quite a few bunkers with lovely sand (the real beach is only a few hundred metres away), a large flowing stream that one has to cross twice and there is a lots of vegetation on the edges. There were 1 or 2 doglegs, some sloping fairways and elevated tees.
Although short, this 9 holes was challenging enough to make an enjoyable few hours swinging a golf club and taking advantage of the firing water sprays keeping the fairways lush green, and cooling me down.
The greens were firm and fast, and as I was on my own I managed to try different clubs for the best results.
I had a great time plotting my way around, admiring the scenery (volcanic mountains in the distance), the Indian ocean on the other side , taking pictures, etc.
On my return to the Clubhouse, I was offered a hot flannel and given another bottle of iced water which was much appreciated.
At that time, a few residents decided to come and play golf to the delight of the golf shop attendant who was a bit lonely all morning, but he used his spare time wisely practicing his short game on the hole nearby.
After golf, I went to look at the layout of this luxury complex, very impressive and classy but for me it was the park/gardens and castle ruins that captivated my interest. as did the Gatekeepers & Security staff whom I got chatting to and took photos whist waiting for my taxi to drive me back to the charming place where I was staying "Sous Le Badamier" (ex studio of Vaco, a local artist whose many paintings still adorn the wall of this exquisite place so full of "Joie de Vivre" under the new ownership of Didier & Frederique who could not do enough t make our stay unforgettable. Didier even managed to get me "deep sea diving" which I never thought I would do at my young age of 6 decades !!! Will post a photo in my diving gear.
Ok I digress a little, but TSG needs something different, a little more than 2 or 3 lines on the golf day. Hope Mr M. will agree otherwise this review will be edited.
Will return to Mauritius to play the longer, more re-known courses that one sees advertised in the package holiday brochures.
THE END.......
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Date Sunday, 12, January 2014
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