La Digue – Also for Backpackers

What are two ageing former backpackers doing in the Seychelles, widely regarded as luxurious dream islands? How about: you only live once OR forming our own opinion – and, of course, fulfilling the secret wish we have only now admitted to: enjoying something without any stress or exertion for once. Our bones simply are not what they used to be. Our minds still are.

So, we celebrated our retirement. No sleepless nights in a tent in Botswana, surrounded by hysterically laughing hyenas; no attacks like those in Yemen; no sandstorms like those in the Mojave Desert; no bedbugs, fleas or pestering souvenir sellers…. Does that sound boring? Not at all, and that was the big surprise: the Seychelles have much more to offer than the familiar images and reports would suggest.

Self-portrait (if you look closely) The beaches really are as promised and expected,

Beach on La Digue the weather is consistently pleasantly warm, the water is clear and turquoise, the service excellent, and the food varied

Food in the Seychelles and delicious – you do not even have to go without tiramisu. Everything is spotlessly clean, and the people are friendly without being intrusive.

But there is more: La Digue alone has plenty to discover, both by bicycle and on foot. Even for rocking-chair adventurers like us, there are thrills to be had: simply cycle through the little village after dark without lights, as everyone does, and feel your pulse quicken. Or climb to the island’s highest point, the 333 m Nid d'Aigle, to enjoy the views and the sunset. Just remember to take a large bottle of water! I bet even people younger than us will work up a sweat. And what flora and fauna!

Flora and fauna Three species of tortoise and turtle, Seychelles fruit bats, the rare Seychelles paradise flycatcher with its own small nature reserve, Veuve Reserve, on La Digue, the beautiful and trusting Madagascar fodies, birds on the beach

Birds on the beach and in the island’s tropical forest, and of course the coco de mer… Every known tropical fruit and crop plant seems to thrive here, and many find their way onto the menu. And for anyone who still has not had enough, I recommend the ubiquitous Nephila inaurata madagascariensis – a species of golden orb-weaver spider; yes, I had to look it up. And culturally? There is Takamaka rum, the music and the signpost on La Digue pointing to Unterhaching!

With or without a backpack – it is well worth it!

Anse Source d'Argent