Sure Travel Journey Vol 4.1 Summer 2018 | Page 21
© HAUSSMANN
up a salad to go with the fish you caught
earlier; the one that you’ve got grilling
on the braai off the stern rail. When you
tire of the idyllic swaying of the coconut
grove across the water you can simply
haul anchor, raise the sails and slip away to
another location. There’s nothing to stop
you from finding a calmer snorkelling spot,
a new hiking trail or a quieter anchorage.
Even though blue ocean sailing can be a
difficult and potentially dangerous exercise,
cruising grounds like the Seychelles make
exploring considerably simpler. The tropical
winds are predictable and the sheltered
islands are so well charted that there’s
relatively little for a sailor to worry about.
Save for the odd fishing net in the prop,
of course.
PLANNER
Q TRAVEL
LEAVE THE BEACH BEHIND:
Vallée de Mai on the island of Praslin
is not to be missed. One of two World
Heritage Sites in the Seychelles, this
ancient forest is home to hundreds of the
island’s famous coco de mer palms. If
you’re lucky you’ll also spot the elusive
black parrots endemic to the Seychelles.
On La Digue island stop in at the historic
L’Union Estate for its vanilla plantations
and Aldabra giant tortoises, while on
Mahé the colourful Sir Selwyn Clarke
Market is great for souvenir shopping.
“
TASTE SEYCHELLES: Book a table
ON A SAILBOAT
YOU’RE SELF-SUFFICIENT
...YOU CAN SIMPLY HAUL
ANCHOR, RAISE THE
SAILS AND SLIP AWAY TO
ANOTHER LOCATION.
THERE’S NOTHING TO
STOP YOU
at Marie-Antoinette Restaurant, just
outside Victoria, where a seven-course
© HAUSSMANN
Above: Island style. Below: Claire, taking
in the sights. Main image: Idyllic moments
like these make sailing worthwhile.
set menu delivers classic Creole dishes
from chicken curry to aubergine fritters,
battered parrotfish and a true local
delicacy: fruit bat curry.
WHEN TO GO: The weather is warm
and humid year-round. April-May and
October-November offer the calmest
months between the trade winds.
BOOK IT: Sure Travel’s partner The
Holiday Factory specialises in affordable
island holidays in the Seychelles. Or
splash out on the all-villa five-star
Beachcomber Seychelles Sainte Anne
Resort & Spa, set on an exclusive private
island. Your Sure Travel consultant can
also recommend yachting adventures.
Call your consultant today, or visit
www.suretravel.co.za / 0861 47 48 49.
“
through deep bags looking for the aspirin.
(Actually that’s a bad example, as the
aspirin was always next to the morning
coffee – but you get my drift.)
On a sailboat you’re self-sufficient. You
can open the fridge, grab a beer and whip
© HAUSSMANN
MAKE MEMORIES FOR LIFE // 21