The Secret of Happiness

The Seychelles are an incredibly rich country. Even if the economic facts may not suggest it, the diverse and abundant treasures of its almost untouched natural world and all its countless dream beaches make these islands a TRUE paradise on Earth.

So here we were. My fiancé and I. Yes, we were flying to paradise. For almost 2 weeks. What a great treasure this journey turned out to be. What follows is a plea to try new things, embrace adventure and discover new worlds. Let’s begin.

The first few hours on the other side of the world

After a relaxing overnight flight, we landed at Mahé airport early in the morning. After just a few steps outdoors, David and I were already smiling at each other. It was hot. Tropically hot! The first proof that we had arrived on the other side of the world. After our first friendly encounters at the airport, a chat with our taxi driver and checking in at our very first hotel, Chez Batista, we collapsed on the hotel beach, exhausted.

Hotel beach on Mahé I would be lying if I said we had not experienced any culture shock at all. We certainly did – those first few hours in the Seychelles definitely took some getting used to. The day felt tropically hot, and the islanders seemed friendly and extremely relaxed. Nevertheless, everything was different from home. Driving on the left, the selection in the supermarkets, the staff – everything was new and initially a little overwhelming for us. But after a refreshing cocktail on the beach and a short walk along Anse Takamaka, we gradually realised what a magnificent place on Earth we had found ourselves in.

Driving on the left, Mahé & Victoria

The days that followed could hardly have been happier. We explored the island of Mahé and all its dream beaches in a hire car. The key phrase here: driving on the left! Those first few hours in the car were so exciting – getting used to driving on the left while taking as many photos as possible of the beautiful stretches of road. David and I thoroughly enjoyed our drives. There is an incredible sense of freedom in knowing that there is so much to discover, while never feeling overwhelmed by crowds of tourists. Whenever we needed a break, we stopped at small supermarkets or takeaways. Naturally, our itinerary also included Mahé’s capital, Victoria, Eden Island and Sans Souci Road.

Viktoria We were amazed when 2 lovable stray dogs joined us on the beach at North East Point, splashing about in the water and keeping us company.

On the Road

And then came dream island number 2

After this wonderful time on Mahé, we continued by ferry to the next island, Praslin. Once there, we spontaneously decided to hire a car again and, of course, immediately explored the surrounding beaches. Right on our doorstep was Anse Volbert (Cote d'Or), with a bent palm tree that made a fantastic photo opportunity. However, the undisputed highlights of the island for us were Anse Lazio and Anse Georgette. By then, half of our holiday was already behind us. But that did not bother us. Quite the opposite. We savoured every moment, every single second. That was why it felt as though we had already been there for 3 weeks – we experienced everything far more intensely than we did at home because we felt completely welcome. The hotel staff were always friendly, while the employees at supermarkets and takeaways were relaxed and created that typical laid-back island holiday feeling.

Paradise

Fairy-tale island La Digue and our experience with SeyVillas

Our dream holiday then continued on La Digue, where the main means of transport is the bicycle. This island, too, could not have been more beautiful. Anse Source d'Argent is certainly a photographer’s dream. However, Anse Severe won our hearts even more, as we met a giant tortoise there and had the chance to explore the magnificent underwater world while snorkelling.

Giant tortoise SeyVillas made it easy to organise a wonderful, affordable trip to paradise. The transfers, the hotels, the email communication – absolutely every detail was just right, and we felt completely well looked after. The ladies from Team Creole were always ready for a laugh and worked at a leisurely pace. It seemed as though nothing could disturb their calm. From La Digue, we finally took the ferry back to the main island of Mahé. From there, we flew home.

True happiness

During this journey, we both came to the following realisation:

It was incredible. The calmness of the islanders. The serenity of the staff. The sunshine in their hearts. Their joy in life. The leisurely pace of a 100-year-old giant tortoise. They have so much less on the islands than we do here in Europe’s wealthy countries.

No cinema, no theme park, no tens of thousands of shops, restaurants, bars and leisure activities. No villas with their own football pitches, but time spent together with family outside the house in the evening. No expensive luxury cars, but a friendly chat while cycling side by side on the way to work. No 15 supermarket checkouts, but the patience to pack up your shopping without rushing. Yes, the local people in the Seychelles have so much less. So much less, and yet so much more.

The secret to happiness lies in simplicity. In tranquillity, in slowing down. In simply being. Not in numbing reality with a Netflix marathon, but in taking things at a leisurely pace. Nothing has to be achieved because, in truth, everything already has been. We are ALIVE. So we should feel that way too. Let us do the things that make us happy. Let us experience the adventures that bring joy to our hearts. At home, let us do a little more for our happiness and a little less for professional success. Let us bring a little more LIFE into our own homes; after all, people elsewhere in the world manage to do so.

Let us broaden our horizons by observing other living beings. Let us learn from them. Let us take a little of that holiday mindset and happiness home with us and do the only right thing:

Let us make life a celebration. Always, not only on holiday. After all, that is why we are here.

A dream