This year we are going for the first time to Seychelles for a family trip with my dad and my sister and her family. It will be quite an adventure. I decided to call it a slow travel because even if we are going for only one week, we will only stay in two different locations and I hope that we will return to the Seychelles.
Mahe
We are staying at Marie Laure Suites in Bel Ombre, about 20min ride from the airport. It is a simple and very beautiful holidays residence with just a douzaine of rooms and appartment. The place has a swimming pool which was very convenient with the kids as the beach is otherwise 15 min walk, with pretty bad sidewalks unfortunately. The owner were very nice and accomodating and recommended the driver to come pick up from the airport. There are small shops at walking distance but the restaurant are a bit of a walk if you are with kids.
La Digue
The main appeal of La Digue island in the Seychelles is the limited number of cars and the fact that you most encounter bicycles on the road. Apparently there used to also be ox cart but we did not see any in the 4 days we were there!
We are staying at Mountain View Hotel which is probably not the best located one as it is up the hill, it was a bit of a challenge with the bikes and the kids. But it was free workout!
We had a few shop clsoeby and the Union State where one of the most beautiful beach is located, Source d’Argent. There were quite a few travel blogger there taking selfies and flying drones, so the place felt a little bit like a tourist attraction but at least it was not crowded.
La Faune des Seychelles
Being able to experience the wild life of Seychelles is definitely the highlight of visiting the Seychelles. From day one on the beach we saw little shells digging the sand as soon as the water receeded and the following days we spotted crabs, bats, giant turtles and stingray. The bats in particular were flying during the day time and at the Mountain View Hotel, having a drink at sunset in their restaurant we had all show of flying bats, it was wonderful!
Unfortunately we also encounter twice jellyfishes. Maybe July is the season for them.
Local Tip to treat jellyfish sting
When my two-year-old got stung, we asked for advice to the staff of the hotel. First they asked and checked if there was any remaining tentacule stuck to the skin. Then they prepared an half-lemon with salt that rubbed it on his hand. It pretty quickly got the stung mark to resorb but the pain was still intense so they advised to go to the local hospital.
There a very nice and busy doctor prescribed a cortisone cream that I applied immediately. After a few hours of sleep, my boy did not feel any pain anymore and the stung area was visibly less red.
Another trip highlight
My sister had this crazy idea that I thought was over-the-top to take an helicopter from Mahe to La Digue. Yes it save us all a 1h30 ride on a boat (and some of us are pretty sea-sick) but it did cost 1000 eur for a 4-passengers helicopter ride! Anyway, it was once in a lifetime so we did it and… it was really worth it! We rode with children from 2 to 5 years old and they all reacted very well to the ride thanks to the with ear protection. Two of them even felt asleep by the end of the 15min ride… The view over the lagoon of La Digue, seeing Praslin and all the smaller islands was just amazing. In all case, it is the experience we will ba talking about for the rest of our life.
And the most beautiful beach of the Seychelles was…
on Praslin at Anse Lazio! White sand, not a rock on the beach, a beautiful bay….it was like a dream. And it was also where we had our best meal! if I had to do it again, I’ll stay one night in the area to have more time enjoying this wonderful beach.
Carole in the "Fresh" 