Jamie Ndah flies to the East African Coast to experience what the Seychelles has to offer the luxury traveller
The Seychelles is an archipelago of 115 picture perfect islands scattered across the Indian Ocean, and situated off the East African coast. It’s home to a number of exquisite beaches, coral reefs, nature reserves, unique flora, fine cuisine, excellent water activities, vibrant culture as well as rare animals such as giant tortoises, black parrot, sea turtles and the symbolic paradise flycatcher bird. Jamie Ndah ventured to this beautiful destination to sample the luxury that it has to offer.
My Creole adventure began in Paris with a direct flight to Mahe with Air Seychelles which was a very pleasant experience. The cabin crew ensured all my needs were well catered for and with a great selection on offer, such as on-board entertainment, Wi-Fi, mobile connectivity, tasty three-course meals with a variety of snacks and beverages, my flight seemed to pass by effortlessly.
I had now arrived in the Seychelles and the temperature was a tropical 27 degrees centigrade which was delightful. I was now looking forward to exploring and discovering the very best of the luxury lifestyle that the islands had to offer.
My first stop took me to Praslin which is the second largest island in the Seychelles after Mahe. This small haven is blessed with some unique flora and fauna and is also home to the world famous Vallee de Mai where the Coco-de-mer grows.
I was amazed by this incredible double lobed coconut which is perfectly shaped, astonishingly formed just like the female pelvis and the seeds can weigh anything between 15kg to 30kg. There are over 8,500 people living on Praslin and it is evident to see that its gentle and relaxed way of life, make it very popular with visitors.
I was staying at the impressive Constance Lemuria Seychelles which is a fabulous five-star outpost. It is a member of The Leading Hotels of the World, and is nestled along the north-west coast of the island of Praslin. This exclusive sanctuary has just undergone a complete renovation of which I was looking forward to delving into further during my stay. The sheer size of this idyllic retreat is vast and covers over 101 hectares of land, all surrounded by rich greenery, vegetation, tropical gardens and three sublime beaches all in close proximity. There are 105 suites which come under the categories of Junior Suites, Senior Suites, Bedroom Villa and Presidential Villa.
I was in a Junior Suite which is set in the Seychellois gardens and only 15 metres from shore. It was a very spacious area boasting 52 square metres of bonafide affluence at its very best, constructed in wood, marble, limestone and pink granite. The soft furnishings were adorned with warm turquoise, sea blue and caramel cream pastel colours which blended perfectly; a calm, inviting and serene accommodation, gracefully decorated and designed in a minimalist but elegant fashion.
This well appointed air-conditioned suite consisted of a satellite TV, music/DVD player, mini-mac, Nespresso machine, tea and coffee making facilities, free Wi-Fi and a well-stocked mini-bar. The bathroom quarters were bright, airy and roomy too with double vanities, a standalone bathtub and a separate shower with overhead rain shower fittings. The divine private terrace and balcony facing the Indian Ocean completed the palatial look and feel of this handsome residence.