|
Follow the trade winds into the heart of the Indian ocean and you might discover a mythical micro-continent known to early explorers as the land of Lemuria. Jacques Marais sailed west and found the Seychelles. Saturday, October 13th ...Another bleary-eyed 06h00 wake-up call. Lugging cases of photographic equipment and baggage to the airport. Taxi dodging in the traffic. And then into a slow-moving queue to fidget as surly men in uniform scrutinise your passport. I hate flying. Boarding Air Seychelles flight MH060 after three hours of airport limbo. Smiling stewardesses and friendly faces. Spicy Creole food bursting with island flair. Lara Croft in all her glory on the in-flight entertainment channel. Occasional glimpse of Indian ocean islands languishing far below. Come to think of it, flying isn’t so bad after all. Sunday, October 14th ...In the process of getting my sea legs aboard the luxurious Walkabout Voyage 500 catamaran, one of a fleet of sleek charter vessels. Crew Blackie and Madeleine brief me as we cruise along the Mahé coastline in a twelve knot breeze, revelling in the luxury of a live-aboard cruise. Trying not to look nautically challenged, but mistakenly identify a flying fish as a small, silvery seabird (a temporary setback on the cool scale). At the Baie Ternay Marine National Park we drop anchor and I slip into the big blue to drift with inquisitive batfish and spotted eagle rays. Back in the sun, I swop my snorkel for the on-board sea kayak, blading along the island shore past secluded beaches and granite sentinels. Beyond a sandy strip I discover a Temple of Doom stream meandering inland between towering rocks and rustling Latanier palms. Here giant spiders rule in a wide, webbed world where the emerald shadows ring with the shrieks of flying foxes. Unable to penetrate deep into this arachnid kingdom, I retrace my route and splash through playful waves to where the yacht and a gourmet meal await. We moor off Beau Vallon to celebrate the cocktail hour, sipping Margaritas while a shooting star arcs across the velour sky. | 
