My Seychelles
First step: choosing the destination for my long-awaited holiday.
I decided on the Seychelles after reading numerous travel journals, blogs and other articles recommending this destination to people who, like me, travel with children (I have a 4-year-old daughter). I also based my choice on the possibility of keeping costs down by staying in ‘alternative’ accommodation rather than a traditional hotel or resort (I chose 2 guest houses).
As for organising the trip, I booked the Emirates flights and some of the inter-island transfers myself, while I relied on SeyVillas for the accommodation.
For my first 5 days on Praslin, I decided to stay at the guest house Amitie Chalets. It was absolutely the right choice, as the property opens directly onto a garden overlooking the sea. On La Digue, I opted for Hostellerie La Digue, recommended by SeyVillas as it had recently been renovated and is in the centre of La Passe (my first choice had been Zerof Self Catering).
Praslin
Unfortunately, during my stay on Praslin, the sea was always a little rough and there was seaweed along the coast where I was staying. Despite this, I found the island wonderful to visit and explore. Do not miss a visit to the Vallée de Mai, and make sure you wear closed-toe shoes and take some bottles of water!
Also on Praslin, I found a truly beautiful and deserted beach that is not very touristy, where you can see Seychellois people going about their daily lives and where nature is still almost completely unspoilt: Anse Boudin.
La Digue
On La Digue, I particularly enjoyed Anse Severe: it is spacious, there is plenty of shade beneath the trees, and the sea is absolutely stunning! I also cycled to the famous Grand Anse and Petite Anse, but unfortunately the sea was too rough for swimming. As it was extremely hot, I preferred to return to the more convenient Anse Severe.
My tips
Here are a few tips I would like to share with anyone planning this trip:
- The shops all close very early (at around 17:00), so if you would like to do some holiday shopping, make sure you set off in good time.
- Buy food from the small supermarkets ‘for locals’ rather than those ‘for tourists’, which are much more expensive and ultimately stock the same products.
- Take a good, wide-brimmed hat and some T-shirts to protect yourself from the sun, even when cycling: the sun is always directly above your head and is incredibly strong!
- Always negotiate the taxi fare, but bear in mind that there are standard base rates below which taxi drivers will not go.
- Take only a small amount of euros with you and withdraw money from the many cash machines found everywhere. In most cases, they also accept Maestro cards, so there is no need to exchange money at the various small bureaux de change.
- Whenever possible, always pay in Seychellois rupees, as the exchange rate you are offered will invariably be less favourable.
- Bring torches, preferably head torches, for cycling on La Digue, as there is no street lighting at all.
- If you would like to have dinner at a restaurant or order a takeaway, set off early, as many places are already closed by 21:00.
With that said, relax and enjoy this wonderful holiday in a paradise just waiting to be discovered!
