Location Information

Praslin, Seychelles
Language:
Currency: Rupee

Seychelles, officially the Republic of Seychelles, is an archipelago nation of 155 islands in the Indian Ocean.

While Austronesian seafarers or Arab traders may have been the first to visit the uninhabited Seychelles, the first recorded sighting of them took place in 1502, by the Portuguese Admiral Vasco da Gama, who passed through the Amirantes and named them after himself. As a transit point for trading between Africa and Asia, they were occasionally used by pirates until the French began to take control of the islands starting in 1756 when a Stone of Possession was laid by Captain Nicholas Morphey. The islands were named after Jean Moreau de Séchelles, Louis XV’s Minister of Finance.

The island lies outside the cyclone belt but receives monsoon rains from November to April with the northwest trade winds. This hot and humid season gives way to a period of cooler weather, and rougher seas when the trade winds blow from the southeast (May to October).

Mahe is surrounded by coral reefs, this is the largest of the islands and hosts the international airport, the port and capital (Victoria), the majority of the population and most of the hotels. It is an island of powdery white sands and lush vegetation, rising through plantations of coconut palms and cinnamon to forested peaks that afford unparalleled views of neighbouring islands.

Aldabra is the world’s largest atoll, home to 150,000 giant land tortoises and listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, consists of 13 islands which make up about one-third of the Seychelles’ land mass. Until recently Aldabra was only accessible by boat, but Assumption Island, in the south of the atoll, now has an airstrip. Aldabra remains under strict supervision of the Seychelles Island Foundation which, nevertheless, intends to open it to a controlled number of visitors.

Denis is five to seven hours by boat or 30 minutes by air from Mahé, Denis is also on the edge of the continental shelf and attracts many deep-sea fishermen. Marlin may be caught from October to December.

Seychellois Creole cuisine is influenced by African, Chinese, English, French and Indian traditions. The careful blending of spices is a major feature and much use is made of coconut milk and breadfruit. Breadfruit is prepared in similar ways to the potato (mashed, chipped, roasted and so on) but has a slightly sweeter taste. Most restaurants offer a few items of what is termed ‘international’ cuisine, generally with a bias towards preparations of fresh fish and shellfish, as well as the Creole delicacies. There are Italian and Chinese restaurants on Mahé. Some of the main hotels have bakeries and home-baked bread is also a feature of some of the small guest houses and lodges.

Nightlife is largely undeveloped and unsophisticated. There is, however, much to be enjoyed in the evenings, and a specialty is the local camtolet music, often accompanied by dancers. Several hotels have evening barbecues and dinner dances.

Praslin is the second largest island (38 km²) of the Seychelles.

It was named Isle de Palmes by explorer Lazare Picault in 1744. During that time it was used as a hideaway by pirates and Arab merchants. In 1768 it was renamed Praslin in honor of French diplomat César Gabriel de Choiseul, duc de Praslin.

The coastline is scattered with large rocks and surrounded by coral reefs teeming with life, while the interior is mainly untouched forest. Most of Praslin, which has an area of 44 sq.m, is covered in tropical forest. Nature lovers will be delighted by Praslin, especially the Vallee de Mai, an enchanting nature reserve. The famous "coco de mer" with their suggestive shapes grow in profusion here. They are, however, a protected species.

Medical Precautions:

Compulsory Vaccination:
Yellow Fever

Recommended Vaccinations:
Hepaitis A
Tetanus