European Social Mores Meet Africa, India, and China in Exotic Seychelles
A small island nation off the coast of Africa north of Madagascar, Seychelles is well known among the jet set for its many luxury resorts, unique landscapes, and some of the most stunningly beautiful beaches in the world. Seychelles is said to be the original Garden of Eden, a claim hard to dispute when taking in the scenery composed of towering green mountains, wild rock formations, and luxuriant vegetation back by a sea glistening like a jewel box of aquamarines and emeralds under a blue sky. Real ones, not the costume stuff.
As if its natural attractions were not enough, Seychelles also hosts one of the most exuberant carnivals in the world, the Carnaval International de Victoria, held in the country’s tiny capital named after the English queen. The Carnaval is only one of the many festivals taking place throughout the year; the funloving Seychellois are only to happy to find an excuse for a celebration. Refreshingly for this part of the world, gay life is not ostracised; the live and let live attitude extends to sexual identity as well.
For visitors who long for a carnival experience but worry about the dangers of visiting places like Brazil where crime is rife, Seychelles’ Carnaval International de Victoria is an ideal option to enjoy a multicultural carnival without worrying about crime or personal safety; Seychelles is one of the safest countries in the world and, for the peaceful Seychellois, welcoming international visitors to these isolated islands is part of the national psyche. Proof? No one from any country in the world needs a visa to visit Seychelles; everyone is welcome equally.
Most visitors take in at least one of the islands beyond Mahé, the largest of the country’s 115 islands and the location of the international airport. Mahé is home to several deluxe resorts, all offering stunning views and levels of luxury to please even the most demanding wife of a Russian oligarch. Still, though, the casual luxury here is not the intimidating type found in London, Paris, New York, or Beverly Hills; relax and enjoy high quality without high priestess attitude.
Why come all the way to Seychelles just to sit on a beach? If all you are looking to do is sit on an island beach, Rottnest awaits. If you want to be dazzled by gorgeous scenery found nowhere else in the world, fabulous food found in the same, and dazzling smiles from people whose colour swatches range from Pasty Pom to Effervescent Ebony, come to Seychelles. True, it’s expensive, but an experience in Seychelles highlights the difference between exquisitely expensive and obnoxiously overpriced. Even for The Jaded Ones who have seen everything and been everywhere, Seychelles is a special place worth their time and money. Once you’ve had your first sip of vanilla velvet in the form of a Praslin Sling at Raffles Praslin, there will be no turning back.
Raffles Praslin offers everything a homosexual needs for a splendid holiday. Starting with the chic décor, divine dining, and an amazing open-air spa and ending with another Praslin Sling, Raffles Praslin provides the pampering people seek when coming to Paradise. Praslin is home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Vallée de Mai, a primeval forest where the mysterious coco de mer palm trees have grown since prehistoric times here and nowhere else. Vallée de Mai is widely considered to be the original Garden
Of Eden; the startlingly erotic shapes of the female and male coco de mer reproductive organs have engendered legends for generations.
From Praslin, it is easy to take a daytrip to La Digue, where Seychelles’ beautiful granite rock formations make their strongest statement on the beach called Source d’Argent, one of several places in the country named by the pirates who centuries ago used the islands as hideouts between plunderings. As if Praslin were not relaxed enough, La Digue is even more laidback.
On Mahé, the newly opened Kempinski Seychelles Resort offers a fine option on beautiful Baie Lazare in a location backed by the famous granite formations for which Seychelles is famous throughout the world. Further down the road is Four Seasons Resort Seychelles, a villagette of villas set on a hillside facing the cliffs and beach of Petit Anse. Hilltop Oveanview Villas offer panoramic views of the land and sea all the way out to neighbouring islands. At both Kempinski and Four Seasons, culinary options are superb, as are the staff who deliver the dish with the dishes.
There is no gay-only bar in this country of acceptance, so head to the same places where everyone else goes. By far the largest and most popular club is Katiolo’s on Mahé, located between the airport and Anse Royale. Expect the dance floor to be bumper to bumper on the weekends, though an outdoor beach area provides some room to roam. There is a strict dress code here, and not even Hollywood heartthrob closet cases are admitted without long pants, sleeves on their shirts, and proper leather shoes. And leave the baseball caps at the hotel.
Seychelles is only one stop away from Perth flying Emirates via Dubai or Air Mauritius via Mauritius. Visit Seychelles Tourism Board’s comprehensive website for detailed information about the country’s destinations, attractions, and activities along with logistical information to help plan a visit to the Earthly Paradise of Seychelles, home of the Garden of Eden.
MORE INFORMATION
www.seychelles.travel
www.emirates.com
www.airmauritius.com
www.kempinski.com/seychelles
www.fourseasons.com/seychelles
www.raffles.com/praslin
www.go-seychelles.com/nightlife.htm
by Robert La Bua
