Three Islands in Paradise

Mahé

One morning, I found myself wishing to see paradise in my lifetime, so my brother and I decided to look for it in the Seychelles – and we found it.

Even the stopover in Addis Ababa was an exciting introduction, as I had never before encountered so many people from such a wide variety of cultures.

Everything was organised superbly upon our arrival on Mahé, as it was throughout the entire holiday. The small hotel was very pretty and had few guests – in the evenings, we could enjoy Creole and other dishes.

Hotel on Mahé Victoria’s Seychelles National Botanical Gardens is well worth seeing in every respect – countless flying foxes are waiting to be photographed. The two-storey Sir Selwyn Selwyn Clarke Market is a feast for the eyes with its colourful, exotic fruits and fish; the spices are incomparable when used back home.

What impressed me most, however, was the friendliness and openness shown by representatives of the different faiths, even towards female tourists, as well as the peaceful coexistence of so many different cultures.

Because of Mahé’s relatively high mountains, the weather was very changeable – but even a tropical downpour is an experience not to be missed. It puts every German rain shower into perspective.

The Sans Souci Road offers wonderful views of the west coast, particularly from the Tea Factory. The west coast has a wealth of secluded beaches, each more beautiful than the last.

La Digue

The island immediately makes you slow down, not least because everyone cycles at an extremely leisurely pace. No one uses bicycle locks, which makes everything feel even more relaxed. One major highlight is, of course, Anse Source d'Argent – a paradise for every photographer. But Grand Anse, with its high waves, is also beautiful, although the currents mean it is not always suitable for swimming. Even the village beach is a wonderful place to sit and dream, not only at sunset.Sunset on La Digue In the north of La Digue, we encountered several giant tortoises roaming freely. There is also a photograph of a tortoise bathing ‘in assisted living’ – quite understandable at such an advanced age. We were equally fascinated by other extraordinary animals, including a beautiful gecko and birds that could hardly have been prettier. Praslin

Our accommodation was by Anse Lazio – probably the most beautiful beach I have ever seen. The fine, flawlessly white sand, picturesque granite rocks at the edge of the beach, palm trees and takamaka bushes, and crystal-clear, warm water with its beautiful underwater world all left a lasting impression on me.

Above all, this island enchanted us with its many idyllic, deserted beaches, which repeatedly tempted us to go snorkelling, such as the beach near Anse Boudin.

Beach near Anse Boudin The Vallée de Mai National Park is also an absolute must-see, despite its relatively high admission fee, which helps to fund conservation.

The feeling of being in a primeval forest, with its wonderful interplay of light and shade, is incomparable. The explanations about the endemic natural environment and its conservation – particularly the Coco de Mer, of course – were also very interesting.

Black parrots I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to experience this paradise.