Author Archives: constancehotelseditor

Recipe: Goan-style shrimp kebabs with lemongrass

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Perfect for a weekend lunch with friends, try these Goan-style shrimp kebabs on the barbecue or cook under the grill.

Goan-style shrimp kebabs

Goan-style shrimp kebabs

Ingredients

The shrimp:

  • 8 large shrimp
  • 8 lemongrass sticks
  • 5g turmeric powder
  • 10g cumin powder
  • 10g garam masala
  • 5g red chilli powder
  • 30ml olive oil
  • 30ml lemon juice
  • Salt/pepper
1. Peel the shrimp leaving only the tails, and store them.
2. Mix all the spices together.
3. Skewer the shrimp tails with the lemongrass sticks.
4. Sprinkle a little of the spice mixture over them and let them marinate in the fridge for three hours.
5. Mix the olive oil and lemon juice, them brush it over the shrimp tails

The salad:

  • 100g green papayas
  • 30g onions
  • 40g cucumbers
  • 60g tomatoes
  • 10g herb mix (fresh coriander, chives, etc.)
  • 5g spice mix (green cardamom, cumin, coriander)
  • 30ml lemon juice
  • 4 poppadums

How to prepare

1. Peel the green papaya, cucumber and onion, cut them into julienne strips.
2. Wash the tomato, cut into quarters, remove its seeds and slice this too into julienne strips.
3. Mix the green papaya, onion, cucumber and tomato. Add lemon juice and the spice mixture. Stir well.
4. Toast the poppadums to make them crispy.

Cook the shrimp kebabs on a grill. Place the vegetable salad on plates, add a few sprigs of herbs and finish off with crispy poppadums.

Provide two kebabs per person.

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Visit our website to find out more about each of our 7 resorts in the Maldives, Mauritius, Seychelles and Madagascar - Constance Hotels & Resorts

If you love seafood, try another of our most popular recipes: Chicken & Prawn Curry in Coconut Milk

Scuba diving in Madagascar: the undiscovered ocean

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Join Nicolas Richer as he goes scuba diving to discover the secret underwater treasures that surround Constance Tsarabanjina, Madagascar.

Diving at Constance Tsarabanjina, Madagascar

Diving at Tsarabanjina

Diving in Tsarabanjina is, for me, an unforgettable experience. It is one of the last places on the planet which remains almost virgin territory for divers, where only a few have had the privilege of dropping their fins.

Each time I dive here I get the feeling that I am the discoverer of an unexplored paradise.

Diving at Tétons, Madagascar

This morning we start our dive at Tétons. Under a benevolent sun and after a jovial briefing with our instructor Riccardo, myself and three other divers embark on a comfortable 15-minute speedboat journey.

Here we are. No one is in site. The Tétons, two beautiful rocks looming off the coast of Tsarabanjina, are lined beneath the water with lush coral pinnacles and tunnels colonised by stunning marine life.

Diving Constance Tsarabanjina, Madagascar

Underwater at Tsarabanjina

After the usual checks and Riccardo’s okay, we make the big jump.

Crystal clear water welcomes us. Immediately I am struck by the abundance of life around me, a school of batfish approaches attracted by our bubble wall and a crowd of yellow snappers gently surrounds me.

We venture to explore the light and shade of the tunnels where we can admire vaults covered with colourful sponges and hundreds of sweetlips a little surprised by our presence.

At the end of the tunnel, my gaze is drawn towards a cloud of glass fish being chased by several kingfish and a spanish mackerel in the midst of a coral richness rarely equalled.

Wow, I’ve already been diving for 50 minutes, I do not want to go back but I have to.

On the boat back to Tsarabanjina

On the boat everyone is euphoric. After a nice iced tea the crew turn the boat back towards Tsarabanjina. The icing on the cake is a pod of bottlenose dolphins following us, playing at the bow of the boat, joining us in our celebration of this unforgettable dive.

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Mountain hiking in Mauritius

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Explore a dramatic landscape hewn from volcanoes and softened by verdant nature with a trek through Mauritius’ mountainous interior.

Moka Range, Mauritius

Moka Range, Mauritius

Take a break from sun bathing and discover mountain hiking in Mauritius, exploring the stunning beauty of an island sculptured by nature into an array of mountainous peaks, waterfalls and tropical valleys, many of which are protected within national parks.

The three mountain ranges on Mauritius offer a variety of short and longer hikes, from easy to the more challenging.

These peaks aren’t high in comparison to major mountain ranges of the world but the views are breathtaking and the chance to see more of the island is one not to be missed.

Take your pick from the Moka range in the east near Port Louis, the Black River range in the south-west and the Grand Port in the south-east.

With peaks ranging from 480 to 828m many can be explored with a good map and some walking boots but some of the more challenging peaks will need a guide.

The very best mountain hikes include:

  • Le Pouce – Despite being one of the tallest peaks on the island at 811m the walk up Le Pouce is one of the easiest making it perfect for those looking for spectacular views without too much difficulty. Situated in the Moka range it overlooks the capital Port Louis with 360º views around the island.
Constance Le Prince Maurice

Constance Le Prince Maurice

  • Lion Mountain – For those looking for more of a challenge Lion Mountain in the south east, named because locals thought the mountain resembled the creature, is only 480m but is a longer, slightly more difficult hike. The half-day trek is well worth it for the stunning views of the lagoon when you reach the summit.
  • Black River Peak – Surprisingly the highest peak on the island at 828m is also considered one of the easiest hikes and one of the most scenic. Most of the walk is along a ridge through beautiful endemic trees and plants with a stunning view across the island and the west coast from the summit.
  • The Corps de Garde – For those looking for a serious challenge a hike up this 780m peak on the west of the island will get your pulse racing. A secluded, remote hike through basalt rock and tropical plant life gives stunning views over the ocean and the mountains of the Casela Nature Park in the south.

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Top 5 most useful travel apps

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Before you leave home make sure you’ve loaded up your mobile device with the very best of the latest travel apps.

Smartphone

1. Gogobot (iPhone/Android)
More than just a list of interesting things to do at each destination, Gogobot serves up recommendations from friends on your social network and others who travel like you. Suggestions are made around specific needs such as family-friendly, business, outdoor, sporty. Save these activities and when you’re travelling Gogobot will find points of local interest, hotels, restaurants near to wherever you are.

2. Tripit (iPhone, iPad, Android, Blackberry, Windows)
Keep all your travel plans together in one place with Tripit. All you need to do is send it your confirmations and it will sort them all into a travel planner complete with confirmation numbers, flight times and reminders.

3. WiFi Finder (Android, iPhone, iPad)
A simple app to help you track down free or paid-for public access wifi wherever you are in the world. This app works online or offline.

4. Kayak Mobile (Android, iPad, iPhone, Windows, Kindle Fire)
Make reservations for flights, hotels and cars while you’re on the go with this nifty app. It will update you with the very latest prices and even give you an alarm reminder to make sure you don’t miss your flight.

5. XE Currency (Android, iPhone, iPad, Blackberry, Windows)
Get the very latest, live currency rates while online, or store them for when your offline with this easy to use currency converter. Including every world currency the rates are updated with just a quick shake of your device.

Condé Nast Traveller names Constance Halaveli in The Spa Guide 2013

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Condé Nast Traveller has named Constance Halaveli as one of the best spas in the world, in their latest Spa Guide 2013.

Spa at Constance Halaveli, Maldives

Spa at Halaveli

Just published, The Spa Guide names the crème de la crème of spas around the world. Halaveli, with its Valmont and Ila Spa, is listed as one the most sought-after spas for anti-ageing set against an idyllic island backdrop. ‘It’s as decadent as you want it to be, but the real indulgence is just stopping and letting go.’

Of the spa, they write:

‘Thrillingly, through the face hole of the massage bed, you can watch violet, jade-green and sunshine-yellow reef fish swim below you until the Balinese therapist’s hands send you into shut-eyed oblivion.’

The latest June edition of Condé Nast Traveller is on sale now, and includes The Spa Guide 2013.

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19th Hole blog rates Belle Mare Plage as top honeymoon destination

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When Oliver Gunning of Your Golf Travel chose Belle Mare Plage as his honeymoon destination, he was looking for a resort that ticked all the boxes for his non-golf playing wife, as well as offering the opportunity for him to indulge in his passion for the sport.

Constance Belle Mare Plage, Legend golf course

Legend golf course

Writing on the 19th Hole blog, Oliver writes of the 5* Mauritian resort:

‘… if you are looking to take your golf clubs on honeymoon, it is hard to find a better place to do so than Belle Mare Plage. The varied activities, stunning beach side location and exceptional golf on offer make it very clear why so many come here for their golf holidays in Mauritius.’

Read the full review on the 19th Hole blog:

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