Seychelles, AFRICA
Airing Date: Jan 20th, 2003
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Praslin Island in the Seychelles is part of a stunning 115 island archipelago, and just a 10 hour flight from Perth it is close enough to be discovered.
Located in the centre of Praslin Island is Vallee de Mai, a prehistoric forest that houses some of the largest plant life on earth.
Coco de Mer palms grow up to a massive 32 metres or 10 stories in height and live for up to 200 years. It was the presence these palms with their usually shaped fruit plus the other wonders on the island led British General Charles Gordon to believe the forest was actually the original Garden of Eden 120 years ago.
A 20 minute journey from Vallee de Mai lands takes you to the coast and the azure waters of the Seychelles.
The best way to explore these waters is by boat and fully crewed vessels are available for day cruises including the once in a lifetime option. It is big bucks but just half a day of sailing from Seychelles lands you at the Island of St Pierre, which offers some of the best snorkelling in the world. With ample snorkelling equipment on your vessel there is no excuse for not joining the marine party down below. Up to 800 different species of fish dance through the water and with so many different fish it is possible to snorkel for hours and not see the same fin twice.
Just a short cruise from St Pierre is Curieuse Island, a marine national park where you will see creatures as prehistoric as the palms.
All over the Seychelles the pace is pretty cruisy but on Curieuse Island with its large tortoise population life slows to a real crawl. The Aldabran giant land tortoises plod around the island at their own pace and this is the only place you can see them roaming freely. The Curieuse tortoise population is fully protected and can be seen year round and totals more than 300.
Lunch is included in the cost of the cruise so after a morning sightseeing it's a fabulous seafood feast on the beach.
After lunch it's back to Praslin to The Lemuria Resort, a luxurious retreat that is all about gorgeous beaches and lush gardens. Golf and a heap of free water sports are on offer.
Anse Georgette Beach on the resort's private grounds is a romantic favourite for newlyweds and it is sure to reignite the passion. Lemuria's philosophy is for everything, including the 5-star self contained suites and three pools that flow towards the sea, to blend in with the landscape so you can't help but feel part of it all.
The facts
Air Mauritius flies to Mahe Island in the Seychelles. Prices start from $2506 from Melbourne, $2876 from Sydney, $2966 from Brisbane and $2278 from Perth. Prices include taxes but seasonal surcharges and conditions apply.
Air Seychelles connects to Praslin Island from $198 per person return.
Air Mauritius
Tel: 1300 658 572
Air Mauritius Holidays
Tel: 1300 362 166
Self contained suites at the Lemuria Resort start from $480 per person per night twin share including breakfast.
Lemuria Resort
Tel: 0011 27 11 886 07 60 (international)
A full day excursion to the Vallee de Mai, Cousin, Curieuse and St Pierre Islands costs $195 per person including a barbecue lunch. The once in a lifetime cruise costs $1800.
Entry to Vallee de Mai costs $18.
