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TOPAZ waters, talcum powder beaches and sleepy giant tortoises – the Seychelles are a castaway’s dream of perpetual summer.
CLAIRE GRAY took in a trio of tropical treats on an island-hopping tour.
Mahé
THE largest island in the 115-strong archipelago, visitors are swept away by Mahe’s jungle-clad mountains, spectacular views and 60 gorgeous beaches.
A winding coastal road, just south of the airport where the sea is shallow, takes in some of its fabulous secluded coves.
Standout beauties are Anse Soleil, a deserted paradise, meticulously raked after high tide and backed by pine, almond and coconut trees, as well as Intendance beach with its powder-white sand and mountain backdrop.
The capital Victoria may be the smallest in the world, but it does have its tourist attractions – St Paul’s Cathedral, La Domus – the imposing home of the Catholic priests, the Natural History Museum and the immaculate Botanical Gardens.
We kicked off our time on Mahé with a winding 2km drive up the mountains to Le Jardin De Roi.
Back in the 18th Century, the Seychelles were a hub for the spice trade and this garden is full of culinary treasures. Enjoying the scenery over Anse Royal beach, we took in the scents of the cinnamon, vanilla and nutmeg still thriving there today.
The understated outdoor restaurant nestled within lush vegetation served up my favourite food of the trip – the addictively spicy Creole-style pumpkin salad, red snapper, golden apple rice and banana in coconut milk.
Praslin
THE Seychelles’ second biggest island, Praslin, is far less populated than Mahé and has a laid-back vibe.
Arriving by catamaran at Baie St Anne, we visited the UNESCO World Heritage site Vallee De Mai, where the wondrouslyshaped coco-de-mer nut grows high on the ancient palms.
It’s a diversity hotspot, with 60% of rare varieties of plants, birds, mammals and reptiles living here.
On a walk through the whispering trees, it is possible to spot black parrots and giant geckos. But the big draw has to be the protected Aldabra giant tortoises, often seen lounging