Dear Friends and Family,
Our first full day on the island. We fell into our "usual" routine of splitting our day amongst a couple of beaches with a light lunch along the way. Then, we ended the day with a sit down dinner and a chance to try some new flavors.
What We Did
We looked up recommended beaches on Mahe and the books agreed for seclusion, head to the south and west. Petite Anse looked like a good candidate and we headed out in that direction. Although we're on the west side of the island by Beau Vallon, the road doesn't connect, so we needed to go east, south a bit and then west and south more.
We found the road we thought led to Petite Anse, but instead of finding a quiet, secluded beach, we found construction going on for the Four Seasons. Not fazed by the guards and trucks, we continued driving around looking for a road to the beach. Not to be found. Finally, we gave up and headed back to the main road. I think, until the Four Seasons is completed, Petite Anse isn't "reachable" and once the Four Seasons is completed, it certainly won't be a quiet, secluded beach.
Instead, we stopped at Anse Gouvernement, which is right next door, but not really written about. We found it completely deserted with the exception of three or four fishing boats tied close to shore. The sand was beautiful. The water was calm. And, we had the entire beach to ourselves. What's not to like?
We spent a better half of the day climbing the rocks, lallygagging in the water and marveling in the fact that it was like our own private paradise. A couple of locals came by and picked up some seaweed that had been washed in. Mr. mouse went to speak with them to find out what they use it for - compost for agriculture. Gotcha.
We finally decided to say good bye to our little piece of paradise since there were other beaches to explore. And headed out for the afternoon further down the southwest coast.
We drove to Anse Takamaka next. The sun was high in the sky and there wasn't a spot of shade to be found on the beach. The surf looked a little rough and tumble to jump with Pioneer. So, we found a spot in the sun for a quick nap. We woke an hour later and decided to head on to the next beach.
Next on the list was Anse Intendance. We frolicked on the water's edge like a bad 80's music video and ended up with swimsuits full of sand. Still, it was fun to just not care and roll around in the sand and water.
Then, I found a nice warm rock to dry off on while enjoying the beautiful sunset that followed. The beach had cleared out by then, so we had a nice moment to ourselves.
What We Ate
We started the day off with the hotel brunch again. It's included in the room rate and it's got more than enough choice to keep us amused for our trip. I had more beans and English sausage with toast. And fruit. And fruit juice. And a nice pot of coffee. What a wonderful way to start the day.
For lunch, we made a quick snack of leftover Indian food. Nothing like a little naan with chicken and dal to keep you going.
After our nap at Anse Takamaka, I woke a little disoriented and a little overheated and a little dehydrated. So, Mr. mouse decided a break was a good idea. We stopped at the Banyan Tree Hotel pool for a cold drink and some shade. We stayed for sorbet and by the time we left, I felt a lot better.
After sunset at Anse Intendance, we drove back towards civilization to forage for dinner. Back up the coast, cross the island to the east side, and before crossing back to the west side to get to our hotel, we decided to stop in Victoria, the capital of the Seychelles, for dinner.
Marie Antoinette is THE restaurant to go to to try Creole food. Creole food is the local fare which is a blend of spices and flavors from Africa and India. We had a smorgasbord of dishes brought out. (That's the way the restaurant is set up, it's prix fixe for dinner.) Lots of fish and fruits and by the time we were done, we didn't think we had any space left for dessert. But, we did. And, after dessert, we had the lemongrass tea. What a perfect end to the day.
What I Learned
Lemongrass tea. We had it iced when we first checked into our hotel and hot after dinner at Marie Antoinette. It was delicious. And, I asked at the restaurant how to make it. You boil water. And then take some lemongrass, both the white part and the green part, and steep it in the hot water. Sweeten to taste and voila. I'll have to try it this summer. It was so refreshing and light.
Cheers!
mouse
Our first full day on the island. We fell into our "usual" routine of splitting our day amongst a couple of beaches with a light lunch along the way. Then, we ended the day with a sit down dinner and a chance to try some new flavors.
What We Did
We looked up recommended beaches on Mahe and the books agreed for seclusion, head to the south and west. Petite Anse looked like a good candidate and we headed out in that direction. Although we're on the west side of the island by Beau Vallon, the road doesn't connect, so we needed to go east, south a bit and then west and south more.
We found the road we thought led to Petite Anse, but instead of finding a quiet, secluded beach, we found construction going on for the Four Seasons. Not fazed by the guards and trucks, we continued driving around looking for a road to the beach. Not to be found. Finally, we gave up and headed back to the main road. I think, until the Four Seasons is completed, Petite Anse isn't "reachable" and once the Four Seasons is completed, it certainly won't be a quiet, secluded beach.
Instead, we stopped at Anse Gouvernement, which is right next door, but not really written about. We found it completely deserted with the exception of three or four fishing boats tied close to shore. The sand was beautiful. The water was calm. And, we had the entire beach to ourselves. What's not to like?
We spent a better half of the day climbing the rocks, lallygagging in the water and marveling in the fact that it was like our own private paradise. A couple of locals came by and picked up some seaweed that had been washed in. Mr. mouse went to speak with them to find out what they use it for - compost for agriculture. Gotcha.
We finally decided to say good bye to our little piece of paradise since there were other beaches to explore. And headed out for the afternoon further down the southwest coast.
We drove to Anse Takamaka next. The sun was high in the sky and there wasn't a spot of shade to be found on the beach. The surf looked a little rough and tumble to jump with Pioneer. So, we found a spot in the sun for a quick nap. We woke an hour later and decided to head on to the next beach.
Next on the list was Anse Intendance. We frolicked on the water's edge like a bad 80's music video and ended up with swimsuits full of sand. Still, it was fun to just not care and roll around in the sand and water.
Then, I found a nice warm rock to dry off on while enjoying the beautiful sunset that followed. The beach had cleared out by then, so we had a nice moment to ourselves.
What We Ate
We started the day off with the hotel brunch again. It's included in the room rate and it's got more than enough choice to keep us amused for our trip. I had more beans and English sausage with toast. And fruit. And fruit juice. And a nice pot of coffee. What a wonderful way to start the day.
For lunch, we made a quick snack of leftover Indian food. Nothing like a little naan with chicken and dal to keep you going.
After our nap at Anse Takamaka, I woke a little disoriented and a little overheated and a little dehydrated. So, Mr. mouse decided a break was a good idea. We stopped at the Banyan Tree Hotel pool for a cold drink and some shade. We stayed for sorbet and by the time we left, I felt a lot better.
After sunset at Anse Intendance, we drove back towards civilization to forage for dinner. Back up the coast, cross the island to the east side, and before crossing back to the west side to get to our hotel, we decided to stop in Victoria, the capital of the Seychelles, for dinner.
Marie Antoinette is THE restaurant to go to to try Creole food. Creole food is the local fare which is a blend of spices and flavors from Africa and India. We had a smorgasbord of dishes brought out. (That's the way the restaurant is set up, it's prix fixe for dinner.) Lots of fish and fruits and by the time we were done, we didn't think we had any space left for dessert. But, we did. And, after dessert, we had the lemongrass tea. What a perfect end to the day.
What I Learned
Lemongrass tea. We had it iced when we first checked into our hotel and hot after dinner at Marie Antoinette. It was delicious. And, I asked at the restaurant how to make it. You boil water. And then take some lemongrass, both the white part and the green part, and steep it in the hot water. Sweeten to taste and voila. I'll have to try it this summer. It was so refreshing and light.
Cheers!
mouse
Posts
1 comment:
At Anse Soleil we also saw the construction site. It's a shame they're building all of these resorts at such locations... It's a great beach, but too small for such a big resort.
Post a Comment