The Lovely Seychelles

The Seychelle Islands have been designated as being one of the world’s most beautiful tropical destinations. This is an archipelago nation that consists of 115 islets, cays and coral atolls. The Seychelles are located in the water of the Indian Ocean about 1,600 kilometers east of Kenya and mainland Africa. They have become a popular destination for tourists wanting to relax in luxurious resorts and for newlyweds.

 

Beau Vallon offers many lovely pure white sand beaches and the tropical Indian Ocean to swim in. Here you can see sharks and manta rays swimming through the water. Enjoy many different water sports and relax at international eateries.

From Beau Vallon you can see a great granite rock rising high above the horizon which is the silhouette of Silhouette Island. Tourists flock here for the large resorts. There are also hidden coves of black sand with boulders and many palms.

Mahe Island and Victoria

Victoria is the beautiful and welcoming capital of the Seychelles. It is a capital where you can see colonial buildings along the streets and different arcades. Tourists enjoy the colorful markets.

One of the most beautiful sights in the capital is The Cathedral of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception. This church dates from 1851 and is one of the oldest on the islands. Beneath the floor is the tomb of the first and only bishop of the islands. His tomb is marked with a special plaque that commemorates his work in the community.

The impressive carved doors and tabernacle were designed by Seychellois sculptor Egbert Marday. There is wonderful colorful light filtering from the stained-glass windows.

You’ll find La Bastille just north of the town center. This is a national monument built according to the designs of Alfredo Leit in 1973. It was once home to the National Archives but today is home to the National Ministry of the Arts, Culture and Sports.

The Seychelles National Archives are home to valuable government records and historical documents. This collection goes back to the discovery of the islands in the early 1770s. There is a vast collection of photos from the early days of colonization. Visitors can have guided tours.

The best way to get a good feel of the life on the islands is to visit the Sir Selwyn Clarke Market. This busy and colorful market has been in the heart of the capital since 1840. It is the best place to shop for spices, fish, fresh fruit and vegetables. The atmosphere here is particularly lively on Saturday mornings and in the nearby street you can find boutiques and souvenir shops.

Take the time to visit The National Botanical Gardens which are over a century old. Here visitors can find many endemic, exotic and mature plants in these lovely tropical gardens. All through the gardens you can see spice and fruit trees.

Giant tortoises will cross your path. In the taller trees visitors can spot the fruit bats that roost and feed there. The orchid house has a large variety of blossoms among them many native varieties.

The most prominent feature in this small capital is the Victoria Clock Tower which is known to locals as the Lorloz. It has been a focal point in the city for more than 100 years and unchanged from its original 1897 design.

The Liberation Monument is one of the country’s major political landmarks and can be found near the People’s Stadium. It was built to commemorate those who revolted against colonial injustice and oppression in 1977. The monument takes the form of a man with both arms raised high in a victory stance.

Other Places to Explore in the Seychelles

In the Vallee de Mai National Park visitors can see black parrots among the coco de mer palm blooms. This is one of the Seychelles’ most amazing UNESCO reserve.

Visitors can hike along the winding trails and enjoy seeing such creatures as the tiger chameleon and chirping geckos.

You’ll see the coast of lovely La Digue where great granite rocks seem to crumble into the waves of the Indian Ocean and palms dance in the Trade Winds. This is the third largest inhabited island in the archipelago. Here visitors can find the rock-studded sands of Anse Source d’Argent

and the craggy hills of the Veuve Nature Reserve. You can find rare paradise flycatchers and giant tortoises along the beach fronts.

Aldabra is the second-largest coral atoll in the world. It is a wonderful place with white sands and coral and rock formations. It has been designated by UNESCO for its rich biodiversity.

Here you can find sharks, manta rays, coconut crabs, flying foxes

and the giant tortoise of which Aldabra has the largest number in the world.

Cousin Island is home to the rare Hawksbill turtle, the uber-rare Seychelles warbler and the Seychelles magpie robin. At one time this island was a coconut plantation.

Today it is a protected reserve and draws many bird watchers and turtle seekers. The coast is lined with coconut palms and casuarinas as well as eco-lodges and luxurious villas.

Praslin Island is home to Grand Anse which counts as one of the longest beaches in all of the Seychelles. A wide horseshoe curve of yellow-white sand stretching for much of the length of the island’s west coast.

Here you’ll also find lovely hotels and guesthouses as well as fragrant hibiscus and frangipani. Grand Anse is a great place for swimmers and snorkelers and lots of different water sports.

North of Praslin is Aride Island which has a large population of interesting seabirds.

There are coconut palms with rare blue pigeons and magpies. Turtle Beach with shimmering sands and windblown cliffs.

 

https://www.thecrazytourist.com/15-best-places-visit-seychelles/

http://www.visitcapitalcity.com/africa/victoria-seychelles