Tag Archives: Discovery

Seychelles, Praslin: Beaches & Coco de Mer

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…

 

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés.

Informations  

Seychelles Tourism Board, Coco de Mer HotelAir Seychelles.

A guide to visit the Vallée de Mai: Shaun Larue, [email protected], 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.

Switzerland, Graubünden: Skiing & Scenery (Days 3 & 4)

Skiing From Lenzerheide To Arosa

 

A Very Changing Weather

After an evening skiing until 11 pm, this morning the alarm clock is a beat too “harsh”! Back with my instructor on Lenzerheide‘s slopes in the direction of Arosa … if the weather allows us! I really like in Switzerland the bus stops at ski lifts scattered in nature! Everything is thought for skiing, the mountain is a real lifestyle!

I begin the crossing by the discovery of the T-bar tow! It is for two persons and you have to place a T-shaped bar under the buttocks. You don’t sit, but legs are slightly bent and skis must remain parallel. Pretty impressive, but very nice too! And you really can enjoy the beautiful scenery!

On arrival, we are in front of with this small structure (photo 1 below), where a friendly man checks our ski pass. Then we take this track surrounded by giant pines (2) which leads us to more difficult tracks. Later, we are supposed to take a cable car to cross the pass that allows to reach Arosa.

Too much wind, the cable car is temporarily closed: we have to wait in a restaurant of altitude (3) … in vain. The weather gets worse and we have to go down back to the foot of the slopes. We will have lunch with the rest of our small group! The issue, we are at the top of the slopes for experienced skiers (when I am a beginner!). Imagine the incline and worse, I’m tired! Finally (!) we arrive at the restaurant and I order a salad (4).

The hope: the weather improves and this time we go up with different cable cars to be sure to be able to cross the pass for Arosa. At the top, the weather changes again between blue skies, clouds and violent wind (photos above and below).

 

 

Arosa, Here We Are!

Awesome Views In Late Afternoon

I took the cable car with two British friends, to get down to the Arosa station. While the other three decided to arrive in ski and snowboard. Once all together, we head to the hotel, where our luggage (transported by taxi) await us. Great organization and  panoramic view from my room (the last two photos below).

On the picture montage: 1, selfie in the kitsch corridors of the Sunstar Alpine Hotel, before a very lively dinner where we laughed a lot! 2, the next morning, fantastic view of the Alps from Mount Weisshorn. 3, Mural painting of the Weisshorngipfelrestaurant. And 4. On the train to Zurich airport.

Buure Z’Morga At Mount Weisshorn

Woke Up At Dawn

We take the first cable car at 8:20 am for a delicious Buure Z’Morga (huge “farmer breakfast”) in the panoramic restaurant Weisshorngipfelrestaurant at 2653 meters above sea level! We are the first customers in the nice minimalist interior design. The brunch is excellent with local specialties (including cheeses and breads). The view of the Alps at dawn is breathtaking (photos above and below)! 

  

 

Back To Zurich By Train

 

It snows

Yes it is, as every time I leave a ski resort (like a magical ritual, lol)! After a quick stop at the hotel to change us and retrieve our luggage, we take the famous red train from Arosa to Chur. Then another kind of trains from Chur to Zurich airport. The mood is contemplative, gorgeous landscapes! Bye bye intimate Graubünden, I will be back!

 

 

 

 

Photos & Vidéos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés.

Informations  

Graubünden FerienFerienregion Lenzerheide, Arosa TourismSWISSSwiss Travel System (STS)Switzerland TourismBiathlon Arena Lenzerheide, SnowNights

Related posts : DESTINATIONS & HOTEL REVIEWS

Many thanks to the Graubünden Ferien, Lenzerhaide, Arosa, Switzerland Tourism, SWISS and Swiss Travel System (STS) for this beautiful invitation. As always, these are my opinions.

Club Med Peisey-Vallandry, France: Ski, Activities & Heritage

The Daft Punk Mode

Maybe because of the goggles. It is the first time I wear a mask on my helmet! I am more glasses than mask, well I thought … I arrived yesterday for the press conference of the Skiing Into Spring event. And this morning, I join Gary my ESF ski instructor to discover a bit of the ski area of Peisey-Vallandry.

Then we swing by Les Arcs, at the Arc 1800. In one of my previous posts, I reviewed you the Lodge at Mille8 (Arc 1800). I really enjoy of the superb panorama with serrated mountains, nor skiing on the tracks lined with fir trees!  

 

Baroque Walk

  

The Gorgeous Notre Dame de Vernette Chapel

In the afternoon, my walk in snowshoes is canceled due to lack of snow. so I go along with a group of walkers. In the program, visit and heritage of the astonishing Notre Dame de Vernette chapel. A jewel of the Savoy baroque art, nestled at 1816 meters above the village of Peisey-Nancroix.

I highly recommend the guided tour organized by the Fondation Facim. Exciting!

    

Instrospection

Contemplative Mood

Beautiful scenery reminiscent of Japanese prints. A moment for me in communion with nature. This bench lost in the middle of nowhere brings more magic! But we have to go back to cars because the weather is becoming threatening.

Who said there was no snow?

Epic Back Home

Last day… already! It’s been snowing non stop since last night. What a surprise when I discovered the landscape from my room terrace (photo-montage above)! Finally everything is white and a few hours later, I leave the Clud Med village under heavy snowfall.

Who said there was no snow? LOL!

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés.

Informations   

Skiing Into Spring, France MontagnesClub Med Peisey-VallandryTourism Office of Peisey-Vallandry

Related posts : LIFESTYLEDESTINATIONS & HOTEL REVIEWS

Many thanks to France Montagnes and the Club Med Peisey-Vallandry for this beautiful invitation! As always are my opinions.