Tag Archives: Travel Notebook

Azores: My Addresses In Ponta Delgada

Posted on August 19, 2017 | Leave a comment

24 Hours in Ponta Delgada

A Walk in The Historical Center

First day of my trip to the Azores, where I will discover two islands of this beautiful Atlantic Ocean archipelago, São Miguel and Santa Maria. I am super excited, cause I’ve wanted visiting the Azores for a long time!

Départ aux aurores de Bruxelles vers Ponta  Delgada (capitale des Açores sur l’île de São Miguel), via Lisbonne avec la TAP. Nous arrivons en milieu de journée. Le temps est changeant, couvert avec des éclaircies. Mais ça fait partie du charme de l’archipel, les 4 saisons en un jour. 

In the old city, time seems to be stopped, with imposing monuments (Portas da Cidade de Ponta Delgada, 1783) and churches (Igreja Matriz de São Miguel) dating from the sixteenth century. Cobbled streets, green squares, some brightly colored facades (photos below) … 

  

Where To Sip A Tea From The Azores

Louvre Michaelense

Take time to get lost in the city! Take time to get lost. That’s how I found my address: where to sip a tea from the Azores!  

Louvre Michaelense is both a shop (photo 3 above), a tea room (2) and a delicatessen (1). It offers a selection of rare objects and sought local products, with regressive packaging in an ancient framework. The concept reminded me of A Vida Portuguese (in Lisbon). A friendly trendy spot.

Where To Sleep

  

La Casa das Palmeiras

I first saw from a distance the roof of the house that contrasted with the local architecture. Built in 1901, La Casa das Palmeiras is more like one of these Art Nouveau villas on the French Riviera. Recently renovated, this small hotel with 10 rooms is a gem. Perfect for an elegant weekend.

Awesome adress, less is more!   

    

What’s up?

Discovering Street art

What a fantastic surprise! I am a creative (photographer, former art director). So imagine my happiness walking and seeing these amazing Street art works in Ponta Delgada! Oups, I really apology, I lost my notes with the titles of the art works and names of the artists.

 

Where To Drink & Dinner

The Panoramic Terrace of The Azor Hotel

It is always a great pleasure for me to stay or dinner in a hotel decorated by Nini Andrade Silva! I love her work and personality. She has this ability to dramatize space and create unique universes in which we feel good.

After a long time on the relaxing terrace of the Azor Hotel, we dine at the restaurant A Terra Fornaria. The food (promoting local ingredients) and service are great. Definitely my chic address from Ponta Delgada!

 

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

Informations  

Visit Azores, Visit Portugal, TAP, Louvre Michaelense, Street art with Walk & Talk Azores, Casa das Palmeiras – Charming House, Azor Hotel

Related articles : HOTEL REVIEWS & DESTINATIONS

Many Thanks to Visit Azores, Visit Portugal and TAP for this beautiful invitation. As always these are my opinions.

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Seychelles: 7 Things To Do In Mahé

Posted on July 31, 2017 | Leave a comment

1. To Go Around The Most Beautiful Bays

Road Trip

Travel at your own pace! The island tour of Mahé is on average 2h30. It took me the double and I don’t think I saw it all. Depends on your curiosity. You can rent a car, or a taxi.

It is an excellent way to discover the littoral with beautiful bays like Anse Louis, Anse Boileau, Anse Lazare, Anse Takamaka (…), as well as the interior of the island and the mountains. I prefered the beaches of the south of the island (wilder and quieter) than the more lively northern ones.

2. To Discover The Mountains of The Island

Tea Plantations And Hiking Trails

As always during the hottest hours, I seek the freshness. So we go up to Mission Lodge that offers one of the most beautiful views of the island. The road crosses big plantations of teas, forests with gigantic trees and marked hiking trails!

I regret not having brought my hiking shoes and planning a hike. It will be for a future trip! Frankly for many of us, you don’t think of hiking in the Seychelles! And I was wrong! 

    

3. Venn’s Town, Mission Lodge

A Bit of History

After the abolition of slavery in 1835, Mission Lodge, formerly Venn’s Town, became a missionary school for freed African slaves (for more details see photo 3 below).

Today, Mission Lodge is part of the largest national park in the Seychelles: the Morne Seychellois National Parc which represents more than 20% of the area of Mahe. 

     

Photomontage below: some of the different tree species (endemic or introduced) that can be seen at the Morne Seychellois National Park. 

4. Lunch at The Eden Island Marina

Yatchs, Sailboats … And Chili

This pleasant marina can accommodate yachts of more than a hundred meters! Stunning! If you need at midday to enjoy a beautiful view without suffering from the heat, I recommend a long lunch break in one of the restaurants in the Eden Island Marina. Chic relaxed atmosphere (photos 2 and 3 of the photomontage below).

Above: Photo 1. I learn how to eat a creole dish very very spicy. The fish is covered with a sauce with pieces of chilli (type pili pili). Tips of the waitress: to mix a small piece of the ultra-spicy fish with a little rice and tomato sauce. Eat very slowly and stop to chat with friends, then eat very slowly again! 4, the fruit of the children: I discovered the Santol with a bitter and sweet taste. Very good.

  

5. To Visit Victoria

The Smallest Captital City in The World 

I went to Victoria quickly and enjoyed the little market in Market St. (pictured above). There is a little bit of everything: food but also (for exemples), beautiful bouquets of exotic flowers, a myriad of natural coconut oils and tea produced in the Seychelles

Pictures below: 1 and 2, fresh fish market located opposite the hindu temple, Arul Mihu Navasakthi Vinayagar, 3, La Domus, and 4. the Victoria Clocktower.

    

6. To Decipher The Word “Takamaka”

A Bay or Rum?

Lol! I help you: it is a very nice bay, the Anse Takamaka (have a look to the two penultimate pictures of the first paragraph). And it’s also the name of the famous rum Takamaka produced at La Plaine St André (photos 2, 3 & 4 of the estate and distillery). I tasted a tear of the Takamaka Coconut Rum, because the other rums were far too strong for me!

On the road, I stopped at the University of Seychelles (photo 1 above). Yes, knowledge in Paradise.

7. Sunset in Beau Vallon

The Post Card

What could be more exciting than this beautiful sunset on the lively Beau Vallon beach (in the North of the island)? We had delicious giant mocktails (non-alcoholic cocktails) at the Coral Asia (the best sushi restaurant in Mahé according to a local friend). You can also eat grilled fresh fish on the promenade that runs along the beach.

Bye bye gorgeous Seychelles, I will go back!

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés.

Informations  

Seychelles Tourism Board, Air Seychelles

Where to sleep : ,  & 

Related posts : DESTINATIONS & HOTEL REVIEWS

Many thanks to the Seychelles Tourism Board and Air Seychelles for this fantastic discovery of the Seychelles islands.

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Four Seasons Resort Seychelles in Mahe

Posted on July 25, 2017 | Leave a comment

Relaxing at The Four Seasons Resort Seychelles

My Favorite Resort

of this first stay in the Seychelles to totally feel cut off from the world! Everything is just magical in this hotel: the landscape, architecture of the villas that blends into the nature, welcome, service and view from wherever you are … the spa and yoga to feel more beautiful from the inside! I’d already presented you to the excellent Four Seasons Sayan – Ubud Bali spa. 

And I dream that the experience lasts forever too (lol)!

My Gorgeous Villa

  

The Infinite Pool

I am delighted to stay in a (2,002 sq. ft.) Serenity Villa overlooking the Indian Ocean, white sand beach and tropical forest. Blue, white and green colors as far as the eye can see! Wow …

I love the awesome “Hollywood” bathroom and infinity pool where I spend a lot of time (first photo of the article, picture on the right above and second photo below).

The Bathroom

    

I’m always impressed

by the attention to detail of the Four Seasons. Beyond an elegant interior design, there is a great mastery of comfort that anticipate all of the our needs as guests! Chic and practical

The Room

     

Yes, Getting Out Of Bed Is A Real Challenge!

But as soon as the curtains are wide open, the amazing sight attracts me on terrace (picture below). And I admire the sunrise … and remain hours to contemplate the infinite horizon! Meditation of a hyperactive!

The Breakfast

The ZEZ Restaurant

I go down to the ZEZ located near the beach, in a nice flowery golf cart for having the breakfast (photo 1 of the assembly above). I like how the buffet is presented with a bagel tree, croissants and breads with chocolate as good as in France! The choice is much more extensive! 

True to my versatile (lol) routine of the moment: today I choice a fried egg with a delicious fresh watermelon juice and green tea!

The Beach

During the hottest hours,

I prefer stay under the covered terracce and plunge in the pool of my villa. It’s also quieter without the children’s cries. I wait until the late afternoon to go swimming in the turquoise water of the Indian Ocean. No more children, no overwhelming sunshine, just a few couples or groups of friends and superb brightness. And I do a contemplative walk on the fine sand.

Then back to the villa, a shower and I go dinner with friends at the Kannel restaurant that serves delicious creole specialties from Seychelles and my chocolate – coconut ice cream (photos below).

The Spa

Oops, I Couldn’t Stop By The Spa Without Testing A Treatment!

In Bali, I experienced a fantastic massage inspired by Tibetan techniques. In the Seychelles, I discover the healing virtues of yoga, thanks to my excellent teacher, Ganga Sadhuka (photos below). 

In a dream setting, I gently practiced postures with legs in the air, to rest my organs! Impressive and deeply relaxing! Far away from the exaggerated acrobatic demonstrations of the trendy yogi gurus on Instagram!

To help me to continue practicing when I will be back home, Ganga elaborated a yoga program with the postures related to my needs. Tailor-made yoga! Namaste.

    

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

Informations  

Four Seasons Resort Seychelles, Seychelles Tourism Board, Air Seychelles

Related posts : DESTINATIONS & HOTEL REVIEWS

Many thanks for this fabulous stay to the Four Seasons Resort Seychelles and its great team, especially Amy and Ganga. Also many thanks to the Seychelles Tourism Board and Air Seychelles. As always, these are my opinions.

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