It Sparks Curiosity
When I was thinking about going on holiday this year, I wanted relaxation, plenty of peace and quiet, and beautiful, varied scenery. Relaxing on the beach immediately came to mind. However, a beautiful beach is not the only thing that influences my choice of holiday destination. The flora and fauna are also important, and the Seychelles have plenty to offer.
My boyfriend and I rented a house directly on the beach on Praslin, the second-largest island in the Seychelles. There were two other houses, each accommodating two people, and we all shared our own section of beach. Other tourists very rarely ventured onto our beach. We enjoyed the peace and quiet, away from the tourist crowds.
Our hosts (Cap Jean Marie Villas), a local family, always went out of their way to make our stay wonderful and were on hand with help and advice.
Our village, Anse Kerlan, is somewhat secluded, but the public bus and organised tours make it relatively easy to get around until 6 pm. However, after sunset, public buses no longer operate on Praslin. For longer journeys, the only options are a taxi, at prices comparable to those in Germany, or a hire car, which costs around €50 per day. Alternatively, like us, you can ask your host to drive you to the restaurants. Walking is no problem for shorter distances, but I would recommend always carrying a torch, as the roads are not lit at night.
There are many small supermarkets on Praslin where you can buy the essentials. Food and restaurant prices are similar to those in Germany. In restaurants, you should expect plenty of fish and meat, especially fish. There is no dedicated vegetarian cuisine. Takeaway food is the most affordable option and is also where the locals buy their meals.
English and French are additional official languages, so there are no major communication problems. The people of Praslin are discreet, polite and very friendly, with the exception of the staff at Praslin harbour.
The island, with around 7,000 inhabitants, is too small for large hotel complexes, so tourism is relatively low-impact. There are only small properties, resorts and individually rented accommodation.
You will find tourists everywhere, but never in overwhelming numbers. From our beach, Anse Kerlan, we walked to the nearby Anse Lazio and Anse Georgette. I recommend Anse Lazio for its unique and beautiful natural surroundings and impressive rock formations, and Anse Georgette for its beautiful, crystal-clear turquoise water.
Praslin is home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site ‘Vallée de Mai’ Nature Reserve, a jungle filled with many different species of palm. The Coco de Mer, a species of giant coconut, grows here in abundance.
One particularly memorable experience was a 6-hour guided boat tour with Angel Tours, during which we visited three small islands. The first was Cousin Island, a nature reserve where we experienced natural surroundings that still felt untouched by humans. However, I would rename it Mosquito Island. Afterwards, we were taken to Curieuse Island for an organised and delicious barbecue. The name is very fitting. The diversity of the natural surroundings makes you keen to discover more, and within a very small area you will find many special features, from mangroves and fascinating rock formations to a wide variety of shells and crabs.
All in all, I have to say that it was a very relaxing holiday with a few small adventures, and one I would happily take again.
