(04-08-09) Our memories from Seychelles bring us to serene sceneries, the peaceful way of life of its people and the sweet but strong shaking of the warm and transparent waters of the Indic Ocean. The Seychelles are a treasure for the soul, the mind and the heart of the ones who experienced them, the treasure of a great discovery.

   It is as easy as jumping into a flight while enjoying the eleven hours that takes to get from Madrid to the Seychelles to witness the spectacular scenery over the Indic Ocean that the islands offers to the traveller.

   The wild aspect of the islands will make you wonder if the plane will actually stop there. The passengers get closer and closer to the windows as the land is closer and the contagious spell of the Seychelles spreads over.

   Only two hundred years ago this group of islands southwest of the Indic Ocean still remained inhabited. Only a few pirates knew about them, becoming a hideout and a harbour. Yes, they had discovered as well that the Seychelles are the perfect refuge to take shelter from nothing and find everything. Some of them, like the famous pirate François Hodoul, left themselves die there as they thought they had already reached paradise.

    The archipelago is formed by one hundred and fifteen islands that cover more than 400.000 square kilometres over the Indic waters. One of the best qualities of the tourism of Seychelles is safety. Calm, warm waters and tranquillity are closely related to the concept of vacation on these islands. And it is not by chance that Seychelles is widely considered as the last paradise remaining over the sea.

    The capital Victoria, on the island of Mahé, is the point of arrival and the first contact for the traveller with the way of life on the Seychelles. Somebody must have advised the Seychellois that shout while speaking is not necessary to be understood. Somebody must have shown them how to make things much easier. Somebody must have shown them how to smile as they do…Their character corresponds to their quiet way of life: they are modest and calm people; they might be shy but their joy of life remarkable.

    Everybody walks slowly in the capital, there is no hurry. And the tranquil pace of life is contagious. Everything flows at the same rhythm. The strong aroma of the markets, the laughs of the kids marching in their uniforms towards the schools in a perfect line, the sensuality of a conversation between creoles at their little shops, anytime, anywhere…

MAHE AND ITS NATURAL CONTRASTS

    The main island of Seychelles, Mahé, is also where the capital Victoria was settled. Surrounded by more than seventy islands Mahé hides a green beating heart, the highest pick of the entire archipelago. Rising from an altitude of 905m the island’s rounded picks are frequently surrounded by mist while the sun shines on the white sand of its beaches. These are the natural contrasts and the magic of an island covered by trees made of exotic woods.

    The coastline of Mahé is impressive, probably the most one of the entire archipelago. The snow white sand of its beaches collects the warmth of the sun rays, looking for the shelter of the shadow under the palms bathing the sore of the beach at the other side.

    The transparent waters were tinted once by turquoises, maybe brought by pirate boats long time ago. Since then they lightly touch the coast knowing that they arrived to a safe port. Among the most beautiful beaches of Mahé are Beau Vallon, Anse à la Mouche and Anse Takamaka, ideal for scuba divers and snorkelling.

    Mahé is also ideal to start learning about the exotic Creole cuisine. Fruits, fishes, salads and barbecues dressed with exotic spices that will satisfy the most exquisite palates.

    Whether you decide to have lunch or dinner at the hotel or at any restaurant on the island, never mind, you won’t be disappointed as food in Seychelles always tastes like the sea, like fresh breeze, inviting to enjoy of a good conversation about princess of tides, turtles and pirates.

    The restaurants in Seychelles are generally facing the beach, which makes it a pleasant experience to eat till you are satisfy, quenching the thirst of your soul with its fine wines. An unforgettable restaurant will always be Marie-Antoniette where old Madam Fonseca’s chat and fine dishes create the perfect Creole atmosphere that can only be found in the Seychelles. One of the walls of the restaurant, covered in foreign notes, reminds the traveller that there is a whole world to explore in the Seychelles archipelago.

PRASLIM, A MINIATURE PARADISE

    There is easy access from Mahé, both by sea or air, to the rest of the islands of the archipelago. The second main island is Praslim, a miniature paradise that will surprise the traveller with a very different image of the Seychelles, with its beaches surrounded by coconut palms and huge and weird rounded rocks.

    Praslim inner virgin forests are of incalculable value, like the enchanted Mai Valley which was declared a World Heritage site by the UNESCO in 1984. The wild power of the untouched nature, the light filtering through the leaves, the green colour of the air along the tracks will transmit the travellers an intense love for this valley.

    The most characteristic fruit of the Seychelles grows in this valley. The Coco de Mer, formerly known as Maldive coconut, is a palm endemic to the islands of Praslin and Curieuse in the Seychelles and its mysterious fruit has always been surrounded by legends because of its resemblance to a woman's disembodied buttocks.

    Praslim offers a wide range of accommodation and happens to be a perfect location from which to explore nearby islands and protected areas: Cousin and Aride’s reptiles and birds, Curiese’s trees and giant turtles, or Coco and St. Pierre’s islets, ideal for scuba diving and snorkeling.

    La Digue is one of the most photogenic islands in the world. The huge granitic rocks that surround the beaches have been the perfect setting for plenty of films and top model photo sessions. The beauty of these beaches makes you wonder if suddenly will shout ‘cut!’ and the set will be dismantled to be taken somewhere else. But the natural charm of La Digue is real and magic and it’s also reflected on its sea beds. To find real aquariums divers don’t need to go further than 10 metres deep.

    For those with a Robinson Crusoe’s spirit Felicité could be the ideal beach. Small, rocky and covered with coconut palms, is the perfect destination for honeymooners and lovers…eeps…diving lovers, of course! Felicité is a fair name for this coquettish and cozy island that can be hired as a private paradise for a minimum of eight people for a maximum of three days. Is that true that money can not buy happiness...?

EMERALD, 160 YEARS OLD, QUEEN OF BIRD

    Felicité might be a refuge for solitaires or those in good company buy Bird is the reign of birds. Completely surrounded by a big white sand beach, this private island is available for hire but only under the approval of the real owner of the island, the great giant turtle Emerald who has inhabited the island for more than 160 years.

    Fifteen Kilometers away from Bird and approximately eighty from Mahé is Denis, another paradisiacal coral reef. But Denis is much more than a relaxed and peaceful island home to dense palm groves; it also used to be idyllic for fishers. Several world records have been beaten on its waters with the capture of amazing tuna, gilt heads or barracuda specimens, although sport fishing is nowadays strictly forbidden.

    The two atolls of Desroches and Aldabra are the perfect endpoint to the journey through the Seychelles islands. The first one rises majestically over a submerge atoll called Desroches. They belong to the Almirant group of islands, one hour away from Mahé with Air Seychelles. This beautiful area still remains far from crowds, making it the ideal destination for solitaire divers and lovers of virgin beaches.

    Aldabra is, by all means, a treasure island which has the biggest lagoon of the world. Surrounded by a narrow strip of corals and home to the Aldabra Giant Tortoise, it was declared World Heritage Site in 1982. Aldabra can show of the number of turtles of its waters, more than five times the number of the Galapagos tortoises. Only a few years ago this island was still only accessible for scientists and researchers. Like the rest of the Seychelles Aldabra will always remain as one of the last virgin treasures of the planet.