Seychelles, a beautiful archipelago country comprising of 115 islands, is situated on the African side of the Indian Ocean. The Islands were first appropriated and settled by France in the early 18th Century, followed by Britain in the 19th Century. After centuries of European colonial rule and struggle, the country became an independent republic in 1975, throwing open doors to travel connoisseurs from around the world.
Seychelles offers a remarkable break from the busy hustle of the City life. The island life offers the alternative – a melting pot of cultures, untouched coral beaches, unhinged adventure sports, wildlife and beautiful panoramas, all in one place. When you touch down at the airport in Mahe, you are greeted by a beautiful tarmac running parallel to the beachy oceanside. A visual treat hinting at the promise of the Seychelles Experience.
The Islands have sights to cherish with refreshingly uncrowded beaches and clear blue skies. The hike from Beau Vallon to Anse Major is one such hike that offers a scenery that is truly breathtaking. The Vallon Beach is the most famous beach here. Here you can witness ocean waters in four different shades of blue. For those wanting to relax and soak in the fun island vibe, the Islands also offer many other activities and experiences. If you have the budget for it, make sure you fit in the chopper ride at Zil Airbase, which takes you on an epic 20-minute show of the Islands. The experience is truly breathtaking and larger than life with the many islands stretched in front of the blue waters.
Thanks to the wonderful coastline that Seychelles offers, you can get access to all types of water sports here. From snorkelling to scuba diving, there is much to be tried as you are surrounded by the mysterious Indian Ocean. The Islands are one of the only few places in the world where you can witness living corals standing resilient to the effects of growing global warming. A few hours underwater is enough to truly appreciate the unknown beauty that is threatened by our changing times. The more one tries of the adventure sports here, the more one falls in love with the sea. For the adventurous, there is still much more to try – kiteboarding, surfing, paddling, kayaking, boating, jet skiing – to name just a few sports.
When going out experiencing the Islands vibe, take a moment to appreciate the beauty of the Coco De Mer palm seed. Endemic to the islands of Praslin and Curieuse in Seychelles, this is the largest fruit seed in the world and was once a big part of the Arab trade from these Islands. It was believed by many in the 1700s to be a mythical tree that grew at the bottom of the sea before the source of its discovery was made. One truly unique way to explore the Indian Ocean and Seychelles is by the means of a private yacht that can be hired by the intrepid. Not only can you lazily sail through the islands, but also will experience true life on the deck.
Wildlife too is a thing to note here in Seychelles. Much of the country is reserved under eco-conservation protection and offers nesting ground for birds and aquatic life that truly make this a paradise. For a friendly experience, drop down to the Curieuse Islands where you can feed the giant land tortoises, some of them over a 100 years old. Another truly fun experience to try is to hire a car to drive through oceanside roads that make for true-believers of us travellers. The local Creole culture, however, can best be seen at the local Marketplace. This is where the most authentic and freshest produce from the Islands makes its way. You can also discover about the history of the Islands in the six museums that curate the culture from the Islands.
One authentic experience that ought to be felt is that of the shallow sand bars where you walk on water. The water is foot deep and the surreal scape covers a few square kilometres, making for the most precious photo moments. Tropical showers are a thing in Seychelles, and rains come sometimes haltingly, and many a times unexpectedly. The weather is warm and breezy most times of the year, although incessant rainfalls can be witnessed during the monsoons. To truly enjoy the best of travel, lifestyle, adventure and culture, come down to Seychelles and spend a few days. You are sure to take back memories for life.
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Kartik Rao
Writer
