Some 1600 km off the coast of Africa, in the Indian Ocean, lie a group of 158 islands, that make for one of the most fascinating tourist destinations of the world.

Legend has it, that the once uninhabited islands were used by pirates to hide their booty. Once caught in a tug-of-war between the English and the French, Seychelles was granted independence in 1976. The island mainly comprises of people of French, African, Chinese and Indian origin.

Very early in the process of inhabitation of the islands, the locals realized the importance of saving the marine life and also the birds and animals that have made this archipelago their home. Local NGOs and the government, together, are working towards helping the threatened species, so much so, that the Cousin Island Special Preserve has won several words for conservation and ecotourism. Seychelles has several marine parks and the most prominent amongst those is the St Anne National Marine Park.

One of the most striking sights of this country are the Giant tortoises. They are friendly and have the visitors thronging to them for photographs.

Mahe is the largest island of this archipelago and this is where you will land at the international airport. Tourists have the option of renting cars, coach excursions, and even helicopter tours, to get a bird’s eye view of the island. The main tourist attractions here are the 100 year old Botanical Gardens, the famous Clock Tower and the National Museum. But the best way to explore this island is by foot.

Praslin is the next most frequented island, The Valle de Mai here, was declared as a World Heritage site in 1984. It is home to the coco-de-mer palm, which has a unique fruit that is in the shape of a female pelvis. The locals believe that the fruit is a powerful aphrodisiac. If you are lucky you can catch a glimpse of the rare black parrot, that has made the virgin forests, of this island, its home.

If your main intention is to see the abundant marine life of this archipelago, then you must head for the more remote islands of Denis, Alphonso, Fragate or Desroches. These islands also provide for a number of outdoor activities, like scuba diving, snorkeling, fishing etc. Some of these islands also make place for Spice Plantations.

The National Parks are a must-see for the naturalists. The Aldabra is home to the Aldabran Rail, the last species of flightless birds remaining in the Indian Ocean.

Some of the other expressions of this paradise like country, that a tourist should not miss out are the Mornes Seychelles National Park, The Veuve Reserve and the Baie Ternay and Port Launay Marine National Park.

The people of Seychelles are known for their friendliness. A typical sight after sunset on the Seychelles islands is of people gathered around bonfires and swaying to the traditional dance ‘Moutia,’ where they are accompanied by large flat drums. This dance form was once banned by the colonial powers for being too sexually brazen.

The cuisine of these islands, clearly reflects the French, African, Indian and of course the local influence. Sea food, with strong flavours, are on offer at every food corner, whether at the swanky resorts or the more insipid vendors. While on food, do not forget to try out breadfruit for dessert, which is a kind of sweet potato that is prepared with coconut. The islanders believe that if you have tasted breadfruit, you will return to the island. Whether or not this legend is true, the islands have an enchanting quality that will definitely make you want to come back again and again…and again.

In the month of October, every year, the islanders get busy with the Creole festival, which is actually an effort to promote the Creole language and culture. Creole as a language is shared by people from the African Islands of Mauritius, Seychelles to Haiti, Louisiana to as far as mainland France. The festival is a celebration of everything that is Creole, through various artistic events, like music concerts, poetry readings, art and craft etc. Special culinary evenings also draw huge crowds. This festival is a major attraction for tourists.

Considered to be the original Garden of Eden, Seychelles is a natural sin city that makes you want to come back for more. The magnificence of nature, the exuberance of the locals and the privilege of privacy inspite of the fact that it is one of the most oft visited getaways of the world, ensures that Seychelles lingers on your mind and senses long after your aircraft lifts away from the Seychelles airport.