Don’t dream your life – live your dream!

On Praslin, we stayed in a charming bungalow at Cote D'Or Chalets, set in a tropical garden directly beside Anse Volbert (Cote d'Or). This magnificent, sweeping bay on the eastern side of the island was the perfect introduction to the dream beaches of this island paradise in the Indian Ocean.

Cote d'Or Anse Volbert We hired a car for three days. We became accustomed surprisingly quickly to driving on the left and to the unfamiliar controls in the car as a result (gear lever in the left hand, indicators in the right hand, etc.). This allowed us to discover, among other places, the picture-perfect Anse Lazio in the north and enjoy the ultimate tropical island atmosphere.

Anse Lazio Anse Lazio

Rather than visiting Praslin’s famous jungle valley, Vallée de Mai, we went to the lesser-known Fond Ferdinand National Park. It offers an exciting alternative without compromising on the experience at all. We enjoyed an interesting and very humorous guided tour in a small group, taking us through the wealth of plant life and up to a viewpoint with a magnificent panoramic view across Praslin and the surrounding islands.

Fond Ferdinand Park

We thought our wonderful experiences on Praslin could not be surpassed, but the idyllic little island of La Digue managed to do just that. We explored by bicycle from our accommodation, Casa de Leela, which was set amid a tropical paradise. We were not the only ones who enjoyed visiting nearby Anse La Réunion, with its wonderfully inviting swimming conditions – it was also a paradise for a few adorable, playful dogs.

We were also delighted by Anse Severe, where we made our first attempts at snorkelling and were thoroughly impressed by the abundance of fish. We also made sure to try the drinking coconuts and freshly squeezed fruit juices sold in so many places here. We even met a free-roaming giant tortoise that had made its home near the fruit stall and which we were able to feed with mango peel.

The coastal walk from Grand Anse – Petite Anse – Anse Cocos was a unique experience for us. Each beach was more beautiful than the last and reached via an exciting jungle trail. At Anse Cocos, nature has created a pool. The abundance of fish there was astonishing, and our snorkelling experience left a lasting impression. It was like swimming with all kinds of colourful fish in an aquarium! And, of course, we could not miss the beach of all beaches, Anse Source d'Argent. It really speaks for itself, but we too can only say good things about it. The breathtaking, unusually shaped granite rocks, palm trees and turquoise sea are the most photographed sights in the Seychelles, and rightly so.

After being spoilt by the tranquillity of Praslin and especially La Digue, Mahé, with ‘our local beach’, Beau Vallon, seemed rather noisy and lively to us. Life on Mahé definitely moves at a slightly faster pace. Our accommodation was right here: an apartment at Bord Mer Villa.

Beau Vallon The market at Beau Vallon Beach was convenient and offered a different kind of experience, with freshly caught fish grilled there, among other things, which tasted delicious. On Mahé, we again hired a car for three days. Given the size of the island and the bus service, which was very affordable but too inconvenient for us, this was a great advantage.

We drove our hire car north for a photo shoot, and the beaches Carana Beach and Port Launay North Beach were ideal for this. We also drove along Sans Souci Road twice, crossing the island from the east coast to the west coast through the tropical mountain landscape: paddling in the very shallow waters of Baie Ternay, swimming at Port Launay and enjoying a secluded beach break at Port Glaud. Here, granite rocks form a kind of peninsula, creating a calm and sheltered area – pure holiday bliss!

And now, although we have only just returned home, we are already dreaming up more holiday possibilities in the Seychelles: our favourite island, La Digue; all kinds of boat trips to the surrounding islands, such as the snorkelling paradises of Coco, Felicite and Sisters; or a holiday on Cerf Island... The Seychelles are certainly worth visiting time and time again!!!