Seychelles Island Information
Once ‘the Forgotten Islands’, the Seychelles slipped gently on to the international holiday scene in the 1970s. Today they are a premier leisure destination, chosen by the famous and not-so-famous alike. Between them they offer infinite variations on a stylish escapism theme, a dozen or more islands having hotels ready to tempt you with their own interpretation. Some are friendly and laid-back family settings whilst others pander strictly to the self-indulgent luxury-lover.
Seychelles Map
Not with glitz and glitter but by a fusion of magical natural setting and simple elegance. You’re never far from a stunning beach to die for – or to dive from (diving, like all other watersports, is well catered for). Special, too, is the islands’ rich wildlife (with rare endemic species) and exotic flora like the unique Coco de Mer double coconut. Delicious Creole seafood and curries play their own memorable part in the Seychelles Experience.
Shaped by soft sugary sands and turquoise waters, it’s hard to resist this tropical paradise. Laden with coconut palms, the appeal of these islands is more than the alluring blend of food and spices or intricate coral reefs coloured by shoals of fish.
L I V E T H E E X P E R I E N C E
The Seychelles’ comprise of 115 granite and coral islands, 41 Inner granite Islands and 74 coral atolls and reef islets that are the Outer Islands. These beautiful secluded Islands are perfect for honeymooners or for those wanting to get away from it all, with the opportunity to explore lush island interiors or find a secluded beach. Any visit to the Seychelles is incomplete without island hopping – it is recommended to spend your time on at least two islands to get a true contrast of this beautiful country. Whilst the shopping may not be world class Creole handicrafts and foodstuffs make for superb gifts. Buy mother-of-pearl and shell jewellery, basketware made from raffia and palm and bamboo woodwork, not forgetting the Seychelles’ quintessential souvenir, the coco-de-mer nut.
Far out in the Indian Ocean, a thousand miles from Africa, the islands of the Seychelles were, General Gordon of Khartoum insisted, the setting of the original Garden of Eden.
Encircled by seas of the deepest blue, the 100 or so islands of the Seychelles are scattered in profusion across the Indian Ocean. Some, of granite, rear dramatically from sea to sky, draped in the exotic vegetation and flowers of the tropics. Others are formed of coral, and merely feet above the surface of the sea.
Wherever you travel in the Seychelles palm, takamaka and casuarina trees, lagoons and coral sand beaches are rarely far away. And, thanks to centuries of relative isolation, the islands have their own unique ecology, with many unusual birds and land species like the giant tortoise.
Mahe, the largest island, with soaring peaks and many exotic beaches and coves, is the setting of famous Beau Vallon Bay beach (excellent for watersports) and the little capital of Victoria. A short flight away is pIcturesque Praslin Island, home to some delightfuly romantic beaches, boasts the famous ‘Vallee de Mai’, whose lush setting and unique double coconuts convinced General Gordan of Khartoum fame that here he had managed to discover the original Garden of Eden!
Nearby is La Digue, just 4 miles square, and where life is even slower. It, too, boasts some striking, often largely empty beaches, and outstanding underwater seascapes for snorkelling and diving. Silhouette, even quieter, has a mountainous skyline visible from afar, and offers utter escapism right on Mahe’s doorstep! Bird is one of the coral islands, habitat of many rare and delightful birds, and a place of great beauty and tranquillity, with dazzling coral sands and turquoise seas. Then there’s Denis, another coral island, with unspoilt beaches, excellent fishing, and a mood of total privacy; and, further afield still, Desroches, a tiny coral atoll in the Amirantes group with superb diving and big-game fishing.
Come to the Seychelles to slow down. To set your watch to a gentle island lifestyle, where the mood is unsophisticated and where there are no lively resorts. To enjoy the Creole cuisine, the welcome of the Seychellois, the beauty of the setting. And, above all, to relax . . .
History of Seychelles
Recent History
In recent years the country has been dogged by a chronic foreign-exchange shortage and high inflation. Tourist numbers remain relatively high, though the Seychelles is facing increasing competition from cheaper destinations in the region, such as Madagascar and Mauritius. The fiscal pressures imposed by globalization forces and neo-liberal economic policies have led to the steady erosion of the welfare state and the devaluation of the currency. The government tried to head the economy in a new direction by making the Seychelles a tax haven, prompting some 4000 companies to register in the country.
Parliamentary elections in 2002 saw another victory for René’s party, but the opposition Seychelles National Party managed to increase its representation from one to 11 seats. The René era finally came to an end in April 2004, when the president resigned and was succeeded by former vice-president James Michel.
Though more than 7000km (4500mi) from its epicentre, the Seychelles islands suffered widespread damage in the wake of the Indian Ocean tsunami in December 2004. Fishing and tourism infrastructure were all affected by tidal waves, which caused millions of dollars damage to roads, buildings and fishing boats. Thankfully, the loss of life was minimal.
Modern Day History
In 1964 the Seychelles’ first political parties were formed – France Albert René formed the Seychelles People’s United Party, while James Mancham led the Seychelles Democratic Party. The SDP, the party of the planters and business people, won the 1966 and 1970 elections, defeating the socialist SPUP. In 1976 the country was made independent and the two parties formed a coalition to run the place: Sir Jim became president and René prime minister. The president set out to make the Seychelles the luxury destination – Sir Jim mixed it up with the jetset at resorts around the world, and pretty soon the rich and gorgeous were pouring in to party, party, party. But the prime minister was concerned that not enough of the wealth was making it down to the country’s working folk, and on 5 June 1977 René carried out an almost bloodless coup, shoring up his new-found power by shipping in Tanzanian and North Korean soldiers.
In 1981 a group of South African mercenaries tried to invade the country, but were found out at the airport, where they shot two people and hijacked a plane to get home. René outlawed the SDP and its supporters, who set up resistance movements in the UK, South Africa and Australia. The tourist trade dried up as a campaign of bombings and murders, as well as the occasional coup attempt, gathered force.
In December 1991 René surprised his opponents (and, quite probably, his supporters) by legalising opposition parties, perhaps in response to pressure from the country’s main aid-donors. Elections were held in 1992, under Commonwealth observation, and René secured the vote. Mancham, surrounded by SAS security men, got a third of the vote and claimed the elections were rigged.
A new constitution was implemented to support the new multiparty system, but René coontinued to dominate politics. His election victory in 2001 prompted the opposition leader, Wavel Ramkalawan, to dismiss the result, accusing the government of corruption and voter intimidation.
Pre 20th Century History
Nobody lived on the Seychelles until the 17th century. In 1609, a British East India ship made landfall, and in the next few years shiploads of pirates moved their operations to the Indian Ocean from the Caribbean and used the islands as their base.
In 1742 the governor of Mauritius, Mahé de La Bourdonnais, sent a ship to check out the islands. Ship’s captain Picault named the main island after his governor and laid the way for the French to claim the islands 12 years later. In 1770 the first load of French settlers and slaves arrived on the island and started growing spices, cassava, sugar cane, coffee, sweet potatoes and maize, as well as harvesting the giant tortoise.
By the end of the 18th century, the islands were looking pretty choice and the British were taking an interest. The governor at the time, de Quinssy, lowered the French flag and gave in when attack looked imminent, but the British sailed on and de Quinssy raised the flag again. This happened 12 times until 1814, when Britain took charge of the Seychelles after the Napoleonic Wars. The main feature of British rule was an increase in the number of slaves and high-class political prisoners – French remained the main language and French culture lived on. (Yahoo)
Top Destination to Visit in Seychelles
Anse Lazio
The best beach on Praslin – in fact, one of the best in the country – is Anse Lazio, in the far north of the island. The beach has glorious white, soft sand, a few rounded granite boulders and a lively line-up of waves. The water is a magical turquoise colour.
There’s also a sheltered area with great snorkelling at the end of the beach. There’s even a terrific restaurant at the end of the beach road. The beaches east of Lazio are protected by a reef, which makes the water like a giant bath – it’s shallow, warm and safe, and there’s some nice snorkelling.
Victoria
Victoria, on the island of Mahé, is one of the smallest capital cities in the world, and the only major port in the Seychelles. It’s also the only town – every other settlement is a village. The courthouse and main post office in the centre of town have been untouched since colonial time.
The streets emanating from the centre have been rebuilt over the past 20 years, giving the town a clean and modern look. There are a few old houses and shops in the city centre, but it’s unfortunately barely enough to give the town any character.
The Natural History Museum is right in the centre of town, and specialises in natural history. If you’re more interested in the history of the country’s people, visit the National History Museum or the Seychelles People’s United Party Museum, which celebrates the history of the party.
Victoria’s Botanical Gardens are highly recommended for short and shady walks among a variety of native and introduced trees. Within the gardens is a cafeteria, a pen of giant tortoises and an orchid garden.
Anse Lazio
The best beach on Praslin – in fact, one of the best in the country – is Anse Lazio, in the far north of the island. The beach has glorious soft white sand, a few rounded granite boulders and a lively line-up of waves in a magical turquoise colour.
The beach is protected by a reef, which makes the water like a giant bath – it’s shallow, warm and safe, and there’s some nice snorkelling at the end of the beach. There’s even a terrific restaurant right on the sand. Buses travel from Grand Anse around the coast to Anse Boudin, a short walk from Anse Lazio.
Cousin Island
This is bird watching made easy – over 300,000 birds on an island just 1km (0.6mi) in diameter. Seven species of sea bird nest here, including fairy terns, white-tailed tropic birds and two varities of shearwater, and it’s also home to the rare Seychelles warbler and magpie robin. Hawksbill turtles nest here in season.
Organised tours depart from Praslin from Tuesday through Friday.
Vallée de Mai
Vallée de Mai is one of only two places in the world where you can see the weird and wonderful coco de mer palm growing in their natural state – the other is nearby Curieuse Island. This valley’s Eden-like forest is World Heritage listed and the very sight of sunlight filtering through its fronds will make you go all poetic.
You’ll see several varieties of screw pine and latanier plams, and, if you’re very lucky, the Seychelles black parrot. If you’re going to visit the park, keep to the tracks, don’t take anything away and don’t leave anything behind – this is an incredibly fragile forest. (From Yahoo)
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