Aahh, what better place to retreat and start the New Year afresh? This week News on Sunday takes you to discover the beauty of a place that is unknown for many of us, Tamarin Falls/Seven Waterfalls (7 Cascades) - one of the most spectacular natural sites in Mauritius. Nataca Closel, manager of '7 Cascades - Lake View, Restaurant and Lodge' tells us all about it. This young lady would not work in another place for all the gold in the world.

We borrowed a narrow path in the middle of nowhere, with only sugar cane plantations and green vegetation on both sides. We did not expect at anytime to discover such beauty. Once you are at the top of the '7 Cascades’ - Lake View, Restaurant and Lodge', the scene that unfolds is just breathless.

If you want to escape from your stressful life for a few hours, just be out of the noisy city and relax or simply spend a different kind of holidays far from the crowded places. This place is ideal for you then. Our interviewee is one of the luckiest persons. She has made this wonderful retreat her place of work. Natacha Closel has a true love for nature. "I've spent the most wonderful days of my childhood here. The moments I've spent here have marked me.

The Closel family has always owned land at Tamarin Falls. My grandfather used to come here every single day and we were all very attached to this place. Later, I came here with my parents to cut off completely from all the stress and work," she tells us. Indeed, it’s more than three generations of the Closel family who have lived and owned land near the Tamarin Falls/7 Cascades. No doubt our young interviewee loves being in nature. "I prefer being surrounded with nature to being in a city. When you come here you are immediately in a good mood. It's a feeling you can't describe."

After her Bachelor in Communications, Natacha decided to read for a Bachelor in Psychology by distance learning. The young lady dreamt of becoming a Psychologist but she returned to her roots. Though her career started at Nautica, she is looking forward to building a long career at ‘7 Cascades’ and confided that her “career is starting here.” "My parents decided to return here some three years ago and they've rediscovered this unique place.

Their idea to build an exclusive retreat here blossomed. We all decided to come back. I felt coming back home. My parents, my brother and I were all intimately involved in the project. We've all worked together on the site and I've shared my ideas and vision during the project realisation. It was all about opinion sharing." Though being a trendy person, like all the young women of her age, Natacha tells that she did not hesitate to wear boots, dig her hands in the soil and the mud and work under the sun when she had to.

She explained that the whole idea behind the project is "to make people feel at ease and at home. We want to make people discover this amazing place of the island. We also want to promote the value of nature and its preservation in line with Maurice, Ile durable concept. "Her respect for mother nature led her and her family to set up the project on an eco-friendly design. “We are surrounded with luxuriant vegetation with endemic plants. We want to keep this precious nature as it is. That's why we are working to build an eco-friendly site. Whether being the food we serve or the products we use or how we dispose of our trash – we are trying to do everything on an eco-friendly basis." She revealed that she learned to appreciate nature thanks to her father. The unique daughter of the Closel family expressed that she would want Mauritian people not to forget about the irreplaceable gift of nature and the sense of well-being it conveys.  

Operational since three weeks, the '7 Cascades - Lake View, Restaurant and Lodge' also offer exquisite opportunities to experience nature like never before. As the name suggests, the main activity takes place at the ’Sept Cascades/ Seven Waterfalls.' "My brother takes care of everything regarding the outdoor activities. He has an inner and deeper love for nature than I. We have thus set up a series of activities for all the nature lovers. We offer trekking and canoeing for individuals and groups down the 7 waterfalls accompanied by professional guides.

As we are surrounded by nature and pampered by the richness of the environment surrounding us, we offer various walks in the vicinity, visits of beautiful view points that a very few Mauritians have access to and biking. The river will allow us to enjoy some nice kayaking and fishing," she tells us with a smile.

What makes the charm of this place is found in its authenticity and its warm welcome. Natacha Closel proudly says that such a panoramic view on the lake is unique in the island.  We must say that the view is stunning and amazing. She believes that the best things are the simplest things in life. "I remember just simply enjoying nature as it is. No need to go to the movies or out for dinner to enjoy a moment together. This whole place brought my family together." Her message to all the readers is "Do not take your island for granted… continue exploring it… seek to protect it!"