Next stop: Seychelles - Immerse yourself in this true paradise on earth

Imagine that you find yourself on an island of fine white sand lapped by crystal clear waters, with mountains lush vegetation behind you, and a cool breeze caressing your face and hair gently. Was this the description of paradise? More or less ... This is the panorama that people face when they go to Seychelles - practically a paradise on earth.

Located in the Indian Ocean, the Republic of Seychelles is made up of an archipelago with approximately 115 islands totaling a total area of ​​455 square kilometers. The largest of them is called Mahé, and it is estimated that almost 90% of Seychelles's total population of 91, 650 lives on this island. It is also in Mahé that is the capital Victoria, which has a population of 25 thousand inhabitants. Are we going to embark on this trip?

Pirate stronghold

The archipelago is located northwest of Madagascar, and the islands were uninhabited until the English East India Company arrived there in 1609. In 1756, the French conquered the territory and annexed it to the colony of Mauritius, and in 1814 the British regained control of the islands. And as the English and French fought, Seychelles turned into an idyllic pirate stronghold.

Seychelles gained its independence in 1977, and the same party remained in power until 2003, when the first elections in the country's history took place. Currently the industry is based mainly on fishing, cultivation and processing of coconut and vanilla and, of course, tourism.

In fact, the country values ​​sustainable tourism, controlling the number of tourists who visit the islands and having several preservation areas. The main airport is located on Mahé Island, and to get to Seychelles, the best options for Brazilians would be to go to Doha or Dubai, then travel or go to Kenya or South Africa and then board with destination. to paradise.

The islands

As we commented earlier, the Republic of Seychelles is made up of approximately 115 islands, which are divided into coralline and granitic. The corallines - formed from sedimentation on a coral reef or its tectonic survey - total 74 and form five groups of atolls, Farquhar, Alpohonse, Amirantes, Southern Coral and Aldabra. They are more outward with respect to the other islands, and many are uninhabited.

Already the 41 granitic islands - which are basically mountains and peaks that rise from the sea from the Mascarene Ocean Plateau - mostly inland, are the most occupied by the population and are located on the outskirts of the main islands of Seychelles: La Digue, Praslin and Mahé.

Top Attractions

As if the jade-colored waters, white sands and lush vegetation were not enough to make up the landscape, La Digue is still surrounded by other beautiful little islands such as Île Cocos and Félicité. In addition, La Digue is less developed - and less crowded with tourists - than Mahé and Praslin. Among its most famous beaches are the Anse (or bay) of Cocos, Source d'Argent, Grande and Petite.

Praslin is Seychelles' second largest island and is just 5 kilometers from La Digue and 45 kilometers from Mahé. With a population of 5, 500, it is considered a “middle ground” between La Digue and Mahé with respect to the hustle and bustle, with well-preserved forests, green mountains and idyllic beaches - such as Anse Volbert and Anse Lazio.

In addition, it is in Praslin that lies the Vallée de Mai nature reserve, which is on UNESCO's list of World Heritage Sites. This place - which remained untouched until the 1930s! - It is home to endemic species of plants and animals, and has some trails that visitors can take. If you are a nature lover, this is a place you can not miss. Lastly, Mahé ...

Although Mahé is the largest of the islands of the archipelago, don't think you'll find the urban beaches we're used to there. In addition to attractions such as the market, botanical garden and the local cathedral, Mahé boasts several bays bathed by crystal clear waters, and offers the possibility for tourists to snorkel with whale sharks or bathe on spectacular beaches such as Petit Anse, Police. Bay, Grande Anse, Anse Intendance and Anse Louis.

In addition to visiting beaches and islands and venturing on unexplored trails, tourists visiting Seychelles can also engage in scuba diving and water sports such as windsurfing and sailing, as well as enjoy boating and other options focused on the island. ecotourism. Best of all, you can find accommodation for all tastes and pockets, including super-luxurious resorts, as well as family hotels and simple guesthouses.

Lining the stomach

The cooking, as you may have already guessed, is mainly based on fish and seafood, prepared with a good dose of spices, vegetables and coconut. In addition, Seychelles cuisine consists of a fusion of flavors with touches of Indian, English, Chinese, French and African cuisine.

Popular dishes include shark chutney - prepared with fish meat served with lentils, green papaya and rice - and Ladob, which can be sweet or salty. The sweet version of this dish consists of sweet potatoes and green plantains cooked with coconut milk, sugar, vanilla and nutmeg. Ladob's salty option is prepared without sugar and vanilla, and includes fish in the recipe.

Now, if you're not too adventurous when it comes to food, if you come across Rousettes, be smart. The basis of this dish is the meat of frugivorous bats - whose taste is similar to that of venison meat - prepared in various ways. But if you accidentally order Rousettes, you can help the food come down with a bit of Calou, an alcoholic beverage made from coconut sap.

In addition to Calou, you can also try a drink called Bacca, made with sugarcane liqueur or Coco d'Amour, prepared with coconut liqueur. However, if your business is beer, among the local brands you can find Seybrew and Ekyu .

Some curiosities:

  • In addition to the Vallé de Mai Nature Reserve, located on Praslin Island, the Aldabra Atoll, consisting of four islets, is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site;
  • The official currency of Seychelles is the Seychelles Rupee, and the most widely spoken languages ​​in the country are English, French and Creole - a mixture of the other two languages ​​called by the local people of Seselwa ;

  • The capital of Seychelles, Victoria, is the smallest capital in the world;
  • Almost half of the entire area of ​​the territory is occupied by national parks and nature reserves;

  • One of Seychelles Islands, the Round, used to be a leper colony;
  • The largest population of sea turtles in the world - 150, 000 animals - is in Seychelles. In other words, there are more turtles than people in the country!

  • Esmeralda - a giant tortoise living in Seychelles - is said to be the second oldest in the world known to be 170 years old. To the best of our knowledge, Jonathan (of the species Geochelone gigantea, the same as Esmeralda) occupies at least 182 years.