Seychelles: Sun, Sea, Sand and Natural Wonders
By
Aruna Rathod
Feature Writer | Travel, Food
& Lifestyle
A destination that is often referred to as ‘Paradise’, Seychelles is indeed a bountiful and blessed country that beckons visitors
If you are looking for luxury in the middle of the Indian Ocean, head to Seychelles. The island of Sainte-Anne is one of the closest islands (just 15m away by yacht) from Mahe island that houses the international airport and also the smallest capital in the world – Victoria.
Sainte-Anne is home to just one resort, the Club Med Exclusive Collection, and it is boasts Coco, a giant turtle that will soon be a hundred years old. It also houses two UNESCO World Heritage sites: the Vallée de Mai (May Valley) Nature Park and Aldabra Atoll. This 220-hectare island has fantastic beaches that stretch for more than half a mile, bordered by coconut trees and the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean full of clownfish and other colourful aquatic creatures, including Manta rays, and turtles.
Between coral reefs and tropical forests, the Seychelles archipelago is made up of protected areas – starting with the Sainte-Anne Marine National Park, which surrounds the resort.
What makes Seychelles so special?
Seychelles is an archipelago, off the eastern coast of Africa, so the closest neighbour is Madagascar. It comprises 115 islands scattered across the ocean and this makes the Seychelles one of the world’s most dispersed nations in terms of land area.
As the plane descends, you are very close to the ocean and within seconds on mainland surrounded by a mountain range in the island of Mahe. The islands are characterised by granitic rock formations, dense forests, and stunning beaches and the Aldabra Giant Tortoise is as famous as Coco de Mer – a rare nut. It is the cultural symbol of the Seychelles, the best place to see this rare nut is in its natural setting at the Vallée de Mai-home to the largest concentration of Coco de Mer trees in the world and also a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the island of Praslin. While everyone – and there aren’t too many people – understands English, the language spoken here is Creole and French.
Knowledge-based activities and fun
While at Club Med, you will not be bored – besides endless views of the ocean in shades of blue and white sands, you can add knowledge to your itinerary by attending a session on the turtles that abound the ocean at Seychelles and the other endemic species. Twice a week, a biologist from WiseOceans (the marine conservation and education company) conducts a biodiversity awareness programme and offer visitors Marine Talk workshops and educational, environmentally friendly snorkelling sessions. Besides this all other activities on offer are all non-motorized sailing, diving, archery, hiking, and more. In all, no fewer than 32 activities are included in a stay at Club Med Exclusive Collection Seychelles, making it a great destination for couples, families and senior citizens too.
The freedom to sail from island to island – on land and underwater
You can take a trip to the neighbouring island of Praslin or set off for La Digue. Take an excursion to the city of Victoria, where the market stalls are rife with exotic fruits, fragrant spices, and fish caught that very morning. A city tour includes the only Hindu temple – the Arul Mihu Navasakthi Vinayagar with its multi-coloured sculptures, after which you can head to the King’s Garden, and the few low-rise buildings are a testament to the country’s colonial history. Creole, French, British, and Indian influences are visible in its architecture. The colonial-era Victoria Clock Tower is under renovation currently, but check out the Sir Selwyn Selwyn-Clarke Market and the Seychelles National Botanical Gardens.
Turtle Cove and The Reef Beach Lounge – Eats and drinks galore
The Turtle Cove pays homage to Coco, the island’s oldest turtle. The lunch and dinner buffet is so lavish that it is impossible to eat all the offerings – ensure that you have a huge appetite when you head for the colourful, exotic dishes on offer and the range of desserts are absolutely yummy including French, Indian, Italian and Creole preparations. The Reef offers international classics as well as Creole-inspired recipes– like Fish and chips, poke bowl salad, Caesar salad, Reef Burger, Red Snapper with rice and salad.
Local cuisine
Seychelles has a heavy influence of African, Indian, French cuisine with a generous use of coconut milk, seafood, and local vegetables. Try out the Takamaka, the local rum that is distilled in the Takamaka district and while you can have it neat; there are a number of cocktails prepared with it.
Kari koko zourit is a curry with octopus cooked in coconut milk, flavoured with herbs and spices. It typically comprises of octopus cut into small pieces, which are first boiled, and then cooked with coconut milk. The concoction is flavoured with various herbs and spices. Each household makes it in their own style – with cubed eggplants, garlic, fresh ginger, curry leaves, cinnamon leaves, curry powder, saffron, masala, chilli powder, turmeric, and green hot chilli peppers.
Apart from tuna, the red snapper is very popular in Seychelles. Parson sale or salted fish is a another traditional dish on the Seychelles and used in a variety of dishes, including chutneys and fish curries, as well as in a local delicacy known as rougail, which is a type of piquant tomato-onion sauce.
Pic Courtesy: google/ images are subject to copyright
