At Constance Lemuria Seychelles, there is so much to explore and discover from its immaculate 18 hole Championships golf course which is the only one of its kind in the Seychelles, watching the sunset at the stunning 15th tee, indulging in a relaxing spa massage treatment at U-Spa, right through to enjoying an exclusive picnic hamper on Anse Georgette Beach.
However, I felt so fortunate to witness with other guests the Constance Lemuria Seychelles Turtle Manager release 120, three-day-old rare baby green turtles on Anse Kerlan Beach. The endangered hawksbill sea turtle and green turtles return year after year to the quiet, unspoilt beaches on the island of Praslin between October and February.
Each female turtle can lay up to a thousand eggs a season, returning to the beach to lay as many as five times and laying up to 200 eggs at a time. This was a truly magical moment to see the baby turtles move down to a new life in the sea.
My next stop was to visit La Digue which is the fourth largest island in the Seychelles and is a 15-minute ferry ride from Praslin. This diminutive island has a population of 2,800 people and is approximately five kilometres by scarcely three kilometres wide. This sleepy wonderland boasts a variety of unblemished beaches, pink granite formations, coconut palms, forest groves and creole colonial architecture.
I found the best way to travel around La Digue was by bicycle, however, you can easily get around the island via their trademark Ox-carts, taxis, or by foot, as everything can be reached and covered within an hour or so. I really enjoyed the slow and tranquil pace of La Digue and I thoroughly recommend a stroll on the Anse Source D’Argent beach. It’s one of the most photographed beaches in the world and it simply took my breath away.
My final stop was to Mahe which is Seychelles’ main island and home to the capital Victoria. There are approximately 90,000 people living on the island and the hustle and bustle of everyday life were evident in contrast to the almost hypnotic pace of life on La Digue and Praslin.
Whilst in Mahe, I had the opportunity to explore its lively and colourful market in Victoria which gave me a real feel for the Seychellois way of life. Whilst I meandered around the streets of Victoria, one of the most prominent features on show is The Victoria Clocktower. This famous landmark of Seychelles’ small capital has acted as a focal point for nearly 100 years and is an elegant replica of the clock Big Ben in London.
I also went to Mission Lodge which affords one of the most astonishing views of Mahe’s west coast. Once the site of a farm and boarding school for liberated slave children back in 1876, it was once known as ‘Venn Town’, and then renamed ‘Capucin’. As I stood peacefully at the highest peak of Mission Lodge with wondrous views of the vast mountain landscape, and the enormous azure ocean with majestic tropical birds gliding overhead, I couldn’t help but think I was amongst natural beauty at its best.