Report from Paradise
I wished time could stand still, or at least last longer, much longer... Where do I begin to describe the emotions, discoveries and encounters? The beaches? Each one more surprising than the last.
La Digue
Going from Grand Anse to Petite Anse and then arriving at Anse Cocos, some of La Digue’s beaches, is like going from first love to overwhelming passion and then to complete love!
We reached the first beach by bicycle, the island’s most convenient and popular means of transport (a word of advice: remember to bring a torch and bicycle lights with you). This route alone, with its steep climbs and breakneck descents, was great fun.
When we arrived, my heart skipped a beat! There was Grand Anse: a long beach with dazzling white sand, water whose colours recall Venetian paintings, and high waves that can suddenly become enormous (a sign wisely warns visitors of the danger).
At the beginning of the beach there was a little shack/restaurant with rough wooden tables and fish grilling over hot coals, which satisfied our appetites at lunchtime and left us feeling at peace with the world.
Does that sound exaggerated? You have to experience it to believe it!
But the thrill of discovery reaches an even greater peak when, after a fairly demanding route of climbs and descents through tropical vegetation and after passing enchanting Petite Anse, another, more intimate and secluded beach called Anse Cocos comes into view.
The effort required to reach this beach was more than rewarded by a wonderfully refreshing swim in turquoise water (although the waves and currents here should not be underestimated either).
On the way back, we were caught by a heavy tropical downpour, but we quickly put on the waterproofs that I always packed in our rucksacks each morning as a precaution (the weather in La Digue was ‘fickle’ during those days). It did nothing, however, to dampen the pleasure and excitement of our discovery!
These were the beaches we visited during our first few days on holiday in La Digue, Seychelles! The simplicity of the place, the relaxed manner of the people and the unhurried pace of life make this island feel somewhat outside time, and it is certainly a wonderful introduction to Creole culture, where haste and anxiety rarely have a place.
Praslin
The four wonderful days we spent in La Digue felt far too short. We had the same feeling in Praslin. The accommodation recommended by SeyVillas proved to be pleasant, practical and just a short walk from some delightful, secluded little beaches.
Another major advantage was its proximity to Anse Georgette, one of Praslin’s unmissable beaches and, for us, among the ten best beaches in the Seychelles.
We also loved discovering Praslin’s beaches and natural beauty, and the four days we had set aside for this island flew by.
We celebrated the end of the ‘old year’ and toasted the new one to a backdrop of Creole music, exotic food, a starry sky, dancing and singing with other guests at Palm Beach in Praslin!
Mahé
All the various transfers, having the cars delivered to our destinations, and the local assistance from Creole (generally positive, although there were a few shortcomings and areas for improvement), which we had arranged through SeyVillas, certainly made the holiday easier and more enjoyable. We avoided wasting precious time and were able to appreciate the marvellous beauty of the Seychelles to the full.
The desire to return was already there not only on our final day, but from the moment we arrived, when we lay beneath the palm trees on Anse Source d'Argent and breathed in the atmosphere of those paradise islands!
Until we meet again, Seychelles!
Silvana & Pinin
