Seychilles, Praslin and Mahe

The first port was on the west side of the Seychelles archipelago in Praslin (silent S). We started our day in Praslin visiting Vallee de Mai which is an incredible World Heritage Site which has the fabled Coco de Mer palm forest. The Coco De Mer is known as the world’s biggest and heaviest seed. They are indigenous to the Seychelles. It has also been called the sea coconut as this huge nut would float on the oceans to far beaches and no one understood where they had arrived from, hence sea coconut.

After that enchanting walk we headed to the famous Cote D’Or Beach and enjoyed a few toasted coconut slices with a fruit drink near the beach. I think the little girl knew Larkin was alive! It was a lovely beach and Haru found holes to look into.

The next stop in the Seychelles was in Mahe, the capital. We joined others on a bus on a tour called Moment in Time, and we started with a visit to the Jardin du Roi Spice Garden and took in the incredible flowers and unique looking coconuts. There were vanilla beans, citronelle, cinnamon, nutmeg, pepper and other spices.

On our walk back down the hill we stopped by the giant tortoises to see them feeding. When they are lined up it looks like they are sleeping but they are actually eating under the rail. These tortoises are native on the Aldabra Atoll which is home to 152,000 of these incredible creatures – it is also a World Heritage Site and only organized tours and research expeditions can visit. These beauties and actually can live over 100 years, weight 500 pounds with a 4 foot length. They have no teeth. Cats of course are photogenic!

We drove up the hill to Venn Town Mission which was founded by Henry Venn as an industrial school for freed slave children. The Royal Navy patrolled the East African Coast and intercepted slave ships and brought them to the Seychelles to be freed. Slavery was abolished in the UK in 1835. The income generated was used to fund the school. They cultivated coffee, cocoa and vanilla. It operated between 1875-1889. It is now a National Monument and part of the Morne Seychellois Park and Garden Authority. They built a platform to see the beauty of the view and Queen Elizabeth dedicated it in 1972. It is perched on a mountain top which was so obvious as we climbed the hill into much cooler air temperatures. The tree roots encroached on the buildings as the forest engulfed the ruins. Many plants and animals including a rare frog called Sooglosus and Seychelles scops owl can only be found there. The tree roots are amazing. Notice the foot high tree roots and then see the sign, Yoga Meditation Area, which was ironic as the guy in the background was using a leaf blower.

Last up was a stop by another tea factory for a walkabout, tea and to take in the lovely view. My little guy smudge wanted his photo!

After our overnight and end of segment change over, we took a catamaran and sailed out right from the dock into the St. Anne Marine Park which was right out in the bay from where we docked. We got on a submarine in groups so we could see the marine life beneath us! As usual, photo’s aren’t great but it still amazing to see the creatures without having to scuba dive!

Next was time to snorkel, but I stayed on board as the current was way to strong for my new knee to try to get me back to the boat! I did however enjoy a dip aft when others went off to the local island to walk around in the a resort with beaches. The guys left behind we’re a delight and were having so much fun with most their guests off on the zodiac.