Imagine a place where gentle rolling green hills combine with the turquoise blue-green of the ocean, where all of it is surrounded by white coral sand beaches that stretch as far as the eye can see. The particular beauty of Mahe, the largest of over 100 islands comprising the Seychelles, was already unfolding for the passengers who viewed it in the early morning mist. They had spent two days at sea waiting to arrive at this destination and the idea of paradise was clearly in their minds. Charm came before paradise, however, in the small town of Victoria, named for Queen Victoria, and only a five minute easy stroll from the ship. The narrow streets, with driving on the left side, are crowded.
Colorful markets offer a variety of fresh fish, fruits and spices.
The old gray cathedral clock tower stands haughtily in the center of all this activity and chimes twice. Creole, French and English blend together in the official languages in the Seychelles, islands that were only discovered 200 years ago. Only pirates who roamed the Indian Ocean knew of the beauty of this land hidden by time. Within its acres is a virtual tropical paradise of flora and fauna, including plants and trees seen nowhere else in the world. Hearts of Palm.