Seychelles islands - paradise on earth

When you hear the name “Seychelles Islands” the common things that come to your imagination most probably are: the clearly transparent water, beaches of incredible tidiness, exotic and colorful birds… This time your imagination isn’t far from reality. This archipelago consists of 115 islands (however, their Constitution lists 155) spread in the Indian Ocean, distinguished by remarkable beauty of the nature, which cannot be conveyed by even the most luxurious tourist brochures.

The local residents of Seychelles call their land of the eternal paradise. It is a place loved by rich and famous people. Here often come Michael Douglas Catherine Zeta-Jones to spend their holidays and Brad Pitt spent his honeymoon together with Jennifer Aniston. However, in idyllic Seychelles islands you can find more than just sand, sun, the sea and privacy.

Every island of Seychelles is unique

Firstly, you can feel being like a real collector of the ‘sea eggs’. That is how the local residents call coconuts. The height of the world famous Seychellean palms is even 30 meters. There is a unique forest of coconut palms and only one in the world in the Praslin Island. You will be able not only to pick or taste coconuts there, but bring home a Seychellean coconut, recalling a heart with its form. Yet be careful when wandering in this forest. It would be more wise to look above your head, not your feet, because according to the Guinness Record Book, there had been found the biggest coconut in the world weighing more than 20 kg. It would hardly be funny if such a giant fell on somebody’s head.

While visiting the capital of the islands, Victoria, which is founded in Mae, the biggest island of the Seychelles, make sure you have a walk on the main street of the city, Market Street. Here without variety of shops and market-places, is a famous chapel, where the clock strikes twice per day and a village of artisans, who demonstrate their works there. On their tables you can find jewelry, clothes and other goodies. Not many of the tourists leave Victoria empty-handed. The capital city only has about 25 thousand people, here are few buildings taller than 3 floors and it is the only city in the country. Seychelles at first were the French colony, but later its government passed to England (remember the queen Victoria), however the French influence is still present. Seychelles reclaimed their independency in 1976 and despite of some minor difficulties, the stability and democracy settled in their islands from that time.

While traveling on the hills surrounding Victoria, you can enjoy astonishing panoramic views and find wild pineapples, dragon trees, exuding tar of red color (dragon’s blood) and other exotic plants. You can see the gardenia in the Victoria’s Botanic Garden, which was planted there by the ex-Beatle George Harrison.

If you decide to travel deeper into Mae Island, you will reach the royal garden. Only after twenty minutes drive away from the capital you will get to the plantation covering 85 acres. Here your head might start spinning because of the high diversity of spices, including vanilla, cardamom, various kinds of nuts and practically any other spice plants which you ever could imagine.

While visiting the forth biggest island La Dig tourists may experience peculiar journey to the past. Here is almost no civilization. It is also a Mecca for exotic bird lovers. Here nest many exceptionally rare birds. And one more interesting thing is that the movie “Emanuele” was shot on this island, which is famous for its extraordinary beautiful scenery of nature.

The other popular island among the tourists is Muajen. It is thought that treasure still can be found there. Tourists can take their time exploring the island, looking around the pirate cemetery and historical ruins.

The culture of Creoles

The main residents of the Seychelles are Creoles, who are keeping their traditions diligently. Many of the Seychelles islands have preserved practically unique culture. We can get plenty of interesting information about the local people and their way of living. Seychelles are like a roof for a vast number of races and nations: Africans, Europeans and Asians.

This mixture reflects in the architecture, alluding to the colonial past and in the handcraft of local artisans.

There is a festival of Creoles held in Seychelles each October and which lasts whole week. It is an amazing feast with Creole songs, dances and exotic national cuisine (the menu consists of octopus, fillet of parrotfish and bat khari with fruits).

The national music has African, Madagascar and European roots. And when you’ll get tired from music and dances, you can have a good rest in hotel, which are scattered in all the most beautiful places of tropical Seychelles beaches.