We got married in a jiffy! With limited time in hand, our honeymoon was in a tough spot and we’re battling between the leaves we should spare and where to go. Our first and definite choice was Europe but leaves weren’t enough and (obviously) with that itch in our head, we wanted to do it differently from others. So, Seychelles it is then? Yay!
After a lot of dubious attempts of planning and discussing, we decided to outsource it… whole of the plan. Travel Triangle came in handy and with the limited information they charted out the most expensive plan ever including stay and travel.
But all the things, you do for love? This is one of them. So, we settled for the most expensive and romantic trip of our lives.
Got married on 23rd Nov’17 and had a plane to catch for Mumbai on the 25th evening itself (let me first share the story and then maybe scroll end for some useful tips from our learnings). Haven’t slept for days and Etihad had the best comfortable journey on the way. And, when woke up to this, all our tiredness was gone and excitement was at its peak.
Have never seen such a beautiful place ever in the world (even surprised on why only a few people know about this gem of an island… a must-visit place in every lovebird’s bucket travel list).
Seychelles is one of the smallest countries in the world (fun fact - consists of 115 islands) and its Mahe airport is amongst the MOST BEAUTIFUL airports across the globe.
After getting down at the Airport, there was a smooth visa on arrival process and we got done very fast. Further, our cab was waiting for us to drop us at our hotel, Savoy Seychelles Resort & Spa (Mahe). The resort was massive and just 10 mts away from the beach.
Having beach to ourselves was another plus and made it special in every way possible. Beach adjacent to the hotel or you can say Private beach
Didn't do much on the day except catching up on some sleep and had a candlelit dinner near the beach in 1 of their restra.
We hired a tour guide to help us show the Mahe island around, and needless to say, the view from every place was breathtaking and picturesque.
The same day, we also visited the famous Victoria Market and things around.
Having a long day, we decided to dine into their floating restra for dinner and this dint disappoint either.
We hired a rental car (Indian passport can help but international is preferred) and decided to explore the island on our own. The Indian in me lured Abhay (my husband) too to visit the one and only Indian temple, designed in south indian architecture followed by a visit to a botanical park.
Seeing the giant Coconuts (Coco De Mer) and Tortoise was the highlight of the day. It started to rain which made the experience all the more pleasant and everything started to look 10x beautiful.
Came back to hotel in afternoon and then decided to visit the sunset by the beach. And, O Boy! We’re in love (again). With the place, with the vibe, and with everything this island had to offer.
Called it a day, after having dinner at one of the iconic restra, La Scala in Seychelles. What a setting, location and ambience! 10 on 10.
After enjoying the never ending pool and having sumptuous breakfast, it was now time to move to another leg of our journey, Praslin Island. We had a cab picked up right at 11 AM and dropped us at a jetty plying from Mahe to Praslin Island.
It roughly took almost an hr ride but worth it for sure. If lucky, you can see Dolphins too.
After reaching Jetty point, we had a cab picked up and dropped us to our hotel, Heliconia Groove. This hotel was more like a resort and came with a furnished kitchen and a private pool right outside the room. It was more like a 1 BHK house, with a private pool and furnished Kitchen. Fell in love instantly with what it had to offer.
Even our hotel had a ecospace reserved for those giant tortoise and seeing them right outside the house was 1 hell of a satisfaction & ecstasy. All the more reasons to love the place. Imagine having a private beach, private pool.
Dint do much after reaching but explored the hotel. For dinner, we decided to step out as our Hotel dint have their own restra so found one at a walk-ing distance. Les Lauriers was another beautiful restra with live music and such was the vibe. We dint get table immediately but later found one and sadly had less options for vegetarians. We even had a trouble with food served which was stale and then had to get a billing reconciliation.
==> Praslin wasn’t commercialised as Mahe and had less to offer. But then it makes it more beautiful.
Our package included Breakfast is where we’re served in the room but it wasn’t lavish but enough. We again decided to hire a car and explore Praslin on our own. That even gave us the comfort and luxury of getting down at wherever and whenever possible.
We decided to visit the most famous Anse Lazio beach which was under the private property, Constance Lemuria Praslin. People were doing snorkelling and sun bathing with no set agenda. Guess, that’s what the vacation is all about.
Now another fun fact, the island is so small that you bump into (almost) same set of people wherever you choose to go. Which is quite possible coz small island had less to offer in terms of tourists spots and everyone has to finish their checklist of must-go.
After having enough time exploring the beach, we had a lunch at their restra, which was just decent and they serve Pizza topped with Pineapple. ;)
Next ride was to the, Zimbawe point (which was supposedly the highest peak point in Praslin island). We misunderstood it for the fact, you can see Zimbawe border from this (silly) is where we’re lost on our way. Few people joined us is where we finally parked car and decided to walk our way up to the top to see the sunset.
Wont say, it was the most beautiful sunset we have had seen but trust me, the view from this place was worth million. Imagine you’re standing on the top of the hill and everywhere you look around, all you see is abundance of water and that too all crystal clear and blue. :)
We decided to have a dinner date in some restra close by and called it a day.
Most exciting and worth every penny spent day. So, we booked a private yatch to visit La Digue Island which is 3rd big island in the country and thank god, we did. The guy picked us up at sharp 11 AM and what a ride. He showed us some dolphins on our way to the island and having whole yatch to ourselves was so much fun. Plus, the guy was very crazy and friendly, he took so many our pics on our way and made sure we enjoy the ride.
After reaching there, we rented out the bicycle for 2 of us and that’s how it is supposed to be. Having map in our hand, we decided on places we wanted to cover. Since most beaches look alike with same set of things to do, we limited ourselves to fewer places but quality time.
Here you can see giant tortoise walking with you just like that. You can feed them green/leaffy vegetables or even grass and they would happily oblige.
We visited some to the beaches in the order as the whole island was a full circle surrounded by beaches across the periphery.
So we, started from one point and decided to go around and reach from other side. Starting from Grand Anse beach, which is the most popular and crowded beach. Lots of people were doing snorkelling which even Abhay tried.
I’m not a water baby so decided to enjoy the place from afar but nonetheless it was the most soothing and calming experience.
Also, Anse Source D’Argent beach is the most photographed beach in the world with pink sand.
Anse Pierrot was our next, which was less crowded but again the same set of activities to do. After doing few more beaches, we decided to take a break and stopped by a small juice vendor where feeding the tortoise was cherry on the top. They’re just walking in huge numbers and showing, who owns the place. :)
Final day in Seychelles and checkout from Praslin too. After having couple of swims in the ocean and then the pool. We’re all set to leave the place but with bountiful of memories.
Again, the cab picked us on time and dropped us at Jetty point to Mahe. From their we had another pickup for the Mahe, Airport.
Having additional couple of hours in hand before our flight gave us sometime to enjoy the Beaty of Seychelles airport and enjoy the souvenirs shopping. We’re leaving but with the bag full of memories and pictures.
Again, Etihad had a pitstop at Abu Dhabhi. And the flight back was way comfortable.
Seychelles you have our heart and you’ll be very special for us, forever. Period.
Quick Facts -
Seychelles - divided into 2 main groups, Mahe with 60+ central and mountainous gigantic islands and second is the other group with 50 other outer, flat, corralling islands. Temperature is mostly tropical oceanic with little to no variation in the day temperature.
Capital - Victoria
Currency - Seychelles Rupees (~Rs 5 INR) or Euros
Visa - Free and on-arrival for Indians and few other continents as well.
Travel Options - Air Seychelles is the direct flight from Mumbai to Seychelles. However, other airlines ply too. Since we’re hard pressed on time and it was last minute for us hence we booked Etihad Airlines and they had a connecting flight from Mumbai to Seychelles with a pitstop at Abu Dhabhi.
Network Connectivity - Mostly ISD International roaming works on all carriers especially Airtel has a wide spread network and even the second network provided in Africa. We activated 11 days International roaming on our existing Airtel numbers. You can also buy the local sim at the airport. Plus, all the hotels mostly have wi-fi.
Why is it famous - Mostly for gigantic coconuts, called Coco De Mer, green sea turtles, and giant tortoise called Aldabra. It is also amongst the most desired destination for Scuba Diving and other under water sports. Also, home to UNESCO-designated sites, coral atoll Aldabra and Vallée de Mai, called the Garden of Eden. And, it’s known to attract the likes of Aishwarya Rai & Abhishek Bachchan, and discerning travellers looking for a beach holiday away from the maddening crowd.
Food & Accommodation - Plenty of hotels suiting every budget range. Also, food has plenty variety and mostly continental or mediterrian. However, for vegetarians, less options are available.
When to Visit - Across the year.
What went right for us and why we recommend - The beaches we choose were quiet and (mostly) we had them to ourselves. Meaning lot of room for some quiet times with the ones who matter and life is so calm that there’s no rush to reach anywhere. Also, everywhere you go, they know how to make passion fruit drink well so savour it until you can. Also, people don’t judge you for who and what you want to be.
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