Tag Archives: Beaches

Seychelles, Praslin: Beaches & Coco de Mer

Posted on June 7, 2017 | Leave a comment

The Arrival At Mahe

The Departure To Praslin

As soon as I got off the Air Seychelles plane, I took in a cab to catch the Cat Coco Catamaran ferry from Mahe to Praslin, the second largest island in the Seychelles archipelago.

We arrive at the pier under a blazing sun at 9 plus a.m. I stay in the shade, patiently waiting to embark. What a light! Incredible blue sky and white clouds! I arrive in Praslin at 11.30 am, in a landscape of postcard with turquoise waters (photo above).

The crossing lasted an hour … of pure ecstatic contemplation of the Indian Ocean (with air-con)! In the taxi to go to the Coco de Mer hotel, I am surprised by the lush vegetation, steep road and small mountains. Like Mahé and La Digue, Praslin is a granitic island.

The Charming Hotel

When arriving in the lobby of the Hotel Coco de Mer – Black Parrot Suites, I am attracted by the ocean view and the verdant gardens of this 200-hectare property.

The welcome is warm and friendly. Like Ash Behari, one of the owners and General Manager of the hotel (video below), all the staff are smiling and professional. It feels like visiting friends.

And guess where the hotel gets its name from? According to a local legend about the Vallée de Ma! nature reserve:

The Suites Black Parrot are located in the exclusive part of the hotel, on a small cliff with a pool offering a panoramic view of the ocean and beaches. My suite in pictures below.

The Island Tour

The Vallée de Mai

I really enjoy taking the road (taxi or rental) to visit the island at my own pace (sometimes exhausting for others, LOL). I am too eager for breathtaking scenery to stay on the beach of the hotel …

Thanks to my need of action, I discovered stunning coves and beaches! Beware of currents in the water (they can be dangerous), the best is to inquire before bathing.

First stop under tropical rain: the Vallée de Mai, a primitive forest with six species of endemic palms. I have an appointment with the guide Shaun Larue for a detailed visit. He begins by explaining the formation of the Seychelles granite islands (video below).

Oops I was about to forget ; ) The biggest seed of the world grows on the palm trees of the Valley of May nature reserve : the endemic iconic Coco de Mer (photo above).

Back On The Road

Anse Lazio

Crystal Clear Water

It doesn’t rain when I finally arrive at Anse Lazio considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. I agree, it is superb!

The quality of the very fine sand, the crystal clear water with emerald, turquoise and deep blue reflections, the rock blocks scattered here and there and the palms and vegetation with different green tones.

Unfortunately I don’t have time to swim. I have a ferry to take to another island. To be continued…

Informations

Seychelles Tourism Board, Coco de Mer Hotel, Air Seychelles.

A guide to visit the Vallée de Mai: Shaun Larue, shaunlarue22@gmail.com, tel. (+248) 2595110.

Related posts : DESTINATIONS & HOTEL REVIEWS

Many thanks the Seychelles Tourism Board, Air Seychelles and Coco de Mer Hotel for this beautiful invitation. Also thank you to Ash Behari and Shaun Larue. As always, these are my opinions.

Vila Vita Parc, Portugal: Stunning Gardens & Beaches

Posted on June 26, 2014 | Leave a comment

A blessing to wake up with a such a beautifuf sun

and blue sky! We arrived the night before in a light rain at the Vila Vita Parc, fearing for the weather of this long weekend.

Fantastic brightness! What a great feeling! On my way to the Atlântico restaurant, for breakfast, I discover a multitude of trees, plants and flowers. As a symphony of colors where green predominates and nature is sublimated.

The art of farniente (doing nothing and enjoy), we immediately found this elevated hut as our “place” to chill out, close to the small hotel beach (photos below).

Around noon long visit of the stunning gardens,

maintained by more than fifty gardeners. The sun is at its zenith and I am happy to be in the shade in the kart! Strong light reveals the different greens of vegetation.

We stop first at a small wrought iron gate to reach the second public beach near the resort. One of the best spots to watch the sunset! And check out here the first beach of the resort.

We head to one of five luxurious villas

with buttler: photo above the roof of one of the vilas with a traditional fireplace of the Algarve.

Then we stop at Aladin Bar: my favorite ocean view terrace, inspired by Moorish and Arabic design. This is the place to enjoy a fruit cocktail in the evening (open from 6:30 p.m. till 1:30 a.m.)!

For the lazy ones, let the blazing sun and sunburns to athletes, LOL! And try these amazing Pool Bar‘s swing beds (last photo)! Trust the Queen of the “hammocking” (the art of hammock) ; )