Finding Yourself in an Adventurous Natural Setting

Upon arriving on Praslin, a small bus was waiting to take me to my first hotel. No sooner had I arrived at the Palm Beach Hotel than a SeyVillas representative came to give me a brief introduction to how island life works. The view of the sea was impressive.

Sunset at Grand Anse on Praslin The hotel room was very clean, comfortably furnished and offered excellent amenities. The following morning, I bought a bus pass at the post office so that I could travel to the golf course. Taxis are best avoided, as they are expensive and the drivers can be dishonest. After a wild ride on a well-worn bus, I had to walk through the golf course to reach the first anse.

The clear turquoise water, white sand and imposing granite boulders were magnificent, their colours contrasting beautifully with the blue of the sea and sky. I looked forward to breakfast, which offered plenty of variety. It began with a plate of papaya, mango, small bananas, star fruit and an endemic apple, followed by eggs cooked to order, small pancakes, toast and banana jam, including tea and/or coffee. A coconut pastry rounded everything off. There were also plenty of local dishes to try at dinner.

Throughout the holiday, the weather was exactly what you would expect in a tropical climate: hot, at 28–31°C, with a brief daily downpour and constant humidity of 90%. Cotton T-shirts quickly became damp but would not dry. Fortunately, I had brought merino T-shirts with me. The next day, I visited Vallée de Mai, a national park on Praslin that is home to the famous Coco de Mer, a species of coconut palm.

It takes around 9 years before the first fruit can be harvested. Weighing 25 kg and costing €350, it was not exactly a tempting souvenir. The national park therefore also incorporates a coconut palm plantation and is maintained with a great deal of care. You can explore it independently for 4–5 hours or join a guided tour. I was equally impressed by the endemic fauna and flora – animals and plants found only in the Seychelles, which I had never seen before. After a rice dish with vegetables, I went for a romantic evening stroll beneath an almost impossibly picturesque sunset. One experience not to be missed on Praslin is the trail from Anse Georgette to Anse Lazio.

Anse Lazio, Praslin It is a wild trail through the dense tropical rainforest – strenuous and sweaty, but beautiful. Anse Lazio is just as spectacular and lovely as Anse Georgette, although it is more developed for tourists, with 3 places offering food and drink. Among the coral reefs of Anse Georgette, I immersed myself in the fantastic underwater world. Fish and marine creatures I had never seen before in my life swam right past me. Snorkelling is worthwhile throughout the Seychelles, although the currents in some bays are too strong, so please take note of the signs.

The transfer to the harbour and crossing to La Digue once again went perfectly. I also received a warm welcome on La Digue and was looked after until I could check in at the Beryl Guest House .

I was very surprised when I spotted 3 taxis, delivery and transport vehicles, as well as construction lorries, on La Digue. Until then, I had thought and read that La Digue was car-free and primarily a cycling island. I soon discovered otherwise. It is a shame, and it makes me sad to think about the future if electric golf buggies and bicycles have to make way for motorised traffic. Can the island cope with this environmentally? In any case, I hired a bicycle, which was very practical for getting around the island.

Cycling on La Digue My first visit was to L'Union Estate, where you have to leave your bicycle and pay a fee of approximately €10 to walk to Anse Source d'Argent, reputedly the most photographed beach in the world. Before reaching it, you pass a tortoise enclosure, a vanilla farm and a medicinal herb garden. Beyond these lies Anse Source d’Argent.

Anse Source d'Argent, La Digue I encountered many tourists and locals here, as it was the start of the holidays. The coral reefs were also very impressive. On the other days, I visited Anse Patates and Anse Banane , where there were hardly any visitors because of the high, powerful waves. Combining cycling with hiking was particularly interesting, as it allowed me to encounter plants and animals that thrive here, away from the tourists.

You can walk the hiking trails independently, although a guide is recommended. The paths lead to bays with strong currents. Reaching Grand Anse, Petite Anse & Anse Cocos is an adventure, but the scenery makes it well worthwhile. Drink plenty of water!

The following day was therefore devoted to reading a book, doing puzzles and relaxing at Anse Reunion, in keeping with the locals’ motto: Relax! There was more activity along the lively village street in La Passe by the harbour than on Praslin. There are small supermarkets, souvenir shops, fruit stalls and new resorts for wealthy visitors that seem to be springing up overnight. Numerous providers offer additional catamaran excursions, including barbecues and snorkelling or diving in secluded bays.

Relaxing on La Digue Here too, a smile was all it took to connect with people. All that remained was my final transfer to the main island of Mahé, which once again worked perfectly. In Victoria, the capital of the Seychelles on Mahé, I was collected promptly and driven to Anse Takamaka .

The Takamaka Green Village certainly lived up to its name: a beautifully maintained garden with paths leading to the accommodation amid abundant fauna, particularly fruit bats, and flora, especially hibiscus. Rainforest The accommodation was beautifully furnished and prepared. A representative briefly stopped by, and before dinner I walked past the tropical rainforest to the beach. At Anse Takamaka, I encountered the most impressive underwater world of my entire trip among the coral reefs. It is a shame that, in addition to the legendary hotel known from the world of film, further hotel complexes are being built here. On my final day, my transfer vehicle was waiting at 05:00 to take me to the airport. Check-in was quick, and the return flight was comfortable.

The Seychelles offer countless ways to enjoy either an active or a relaxing holiday. I strongly recommend organising your trip through SeyVillas; their service is excellent. Completely relaxed and having found my way back to myself, I am certain that I will return. Relaxx!