Seychelles, the Indian ocean Paradise.

 Seychelles?

We are  going to Seychelles.

That was my reaction when I found out I was heading to this magical place. I was excited! Located in the Indian ocean about a thousand miles off the coast of East Africa, its where paradise comes to life. I have always wanted to go here. I mentioned Seychelles as a possible destination when my partner asked where we should travel, only jokingly, because I love beaches. When he had a look into it, he got interested as well.

We started planning last June for a December trip, and soon discovered Seychelles is one of the most expensive areas in Africa. Its capital city - Victoria - is especially pricey. So we did intensive research and planning so that we could get great deals on accommodation and things to do. The best way we could cut down on huge hotel prices was to rent holiday apartments. Now, these apartment weren't cheap either, but there was a difference in price. Finally we had everything booked for our holiday and we were just waiting for an island getaway.

We flew out from Entebbe using Ethiopian airlines, its the only cheaper flight you can find heading to Seychelles, the rest are crazy expensive. It was a pleasant flight to the island and I got excited when we were about to land. The islands are so small and very beautiful from above the sky, little pockets of land nestled in aqua blue waters.

I was so excited to get off the plane! The airport was tiny and clean, full of honeymooners locked hand in hand. As we anxiously waited for the cab to come pick us up, we learned that Seychelles operated on island time. The driver was very friendly and mostly the cabs here here look so fancy compared to what I see in Kampala.

The drive from Victoria to our first holiday apartment was so amazing! As we cruised idyllic beach roads, I was refreshed by the scent of a lazy ocean breeze which tickled the palm trees. At times the topography was quite hilly, with the road snaking to an apex to reveal breathtaking view. My eyes feasted on the mountains which seemed to kiss the clouds. Some buildings looked quite smart, old fashioned and colonial. I love that look. When we got to our apartment, it was so nice and homely. A friendly woman -the manager- welcomed us with open arms. The apartment had a big kitchen, with cream colored walls for the bedroom and a tiled oasis decor for the bathroom. There was also a large living room with couches, a big backyard and front sitting balcony with comfy chairs.

Views along the road in Seychelles.

Seychelles has a population of 90,000 of nice and friendly people who are quick with a smile. On this holiday we had planned to go hopping on three of Seychelles' principal islands; Mahe, Praslin and Ladigue, So our first visit to Mahe was just for one night but we would be back later, we wanted to see the island in reverse; La Digue, Praslin and Mahe.

We had our first creole meal at a good restaurant called Kaz creole (located on the West coast of Mahe). Our seating was on the beach, and the decor was an idyllic island hut. It gave us a good impression of the meals prepared here (seafood based) and we were excited for more during our stay.

Our taxi in Praslin.

We decided to go zip lining the next day and there was no better way to appreciate the jungle-like forest than by flying high above. The trees were so tall. In some locations you could see the beautiful green/blue ocean. I had never done this before and I was quite nervous at first. However, the professional staff at SMAC Adventures relaxed my fears with their attention to detail and safety.

One of the views to the beach.

Zip lining.

Later after zip lining we headed to the Port to get out next boat to La Digue. There is only one shuttle ferry that goes to the three islands (Cat Cocos Ferry), meaning there are no cheaper options. La Digue was the best part of this holiday, so small and simple. It really felt like you knew everyone. Virtually no cars on this island, everyone was riding a bicycle. Upon checking in at our apartment, we were given our own set of wheels. On La Digue Island, you can have a walk anywhere and the most interesting part is that you can cycle from one beach to another, it is only 10.08 km, I covered the whole of it during our stay. I am not a great cyclist, but I'm functional. I got better as the time progressed. If you are looking for a scrumptious place for a meal, check out Chez Jules located at Anse Banane on La Digue. They serve an amazing creole octopus dish and have savory smoothies. Our holiday lodging here was by far the best, with a bubbly Jacuzzi and everything else was on point. It was nestled in a somewhat forestry area.

The jacuzzi.

Feeding a tortoise in the marine park

Anse De A'rgent beach.

The apartment garden.

My favorite beach, Coco Anse.

The next day was about discovering the island. We rode our bikes to a gorgeous marine national park. It’s a breath-taking reserve, with big bouldering rocks, vanilla plantations, and a tortoise farm where you can feed the turtles if you want to make some new friends. Did I mention in this same park is the entrance to the most photographed beach in the world, Anse Source d'Argent? CAN U SAY SELFIE? The beach has pink pale sand and a rocky scenery that’s more beautiful than words. If you want to relax and be away from everything, La Digue is for you.

Praslin is bigger than La Digue, but equally beautiful. Our stay was at a log cabin high above the trees. From our balcony we feasted on a spectacular view of the ocean and city. Praslin was a little busy compared to La Digue, but nonetheless a must-see. We went on a walking trail at a place called Coco De Mer where we learnt about flora and saw Seychelles’ world famous coconuts. One of the locals advised we go here instead of Valle de Mai because it is very touristic and expensive but everything is the same. On our last day we cooled off at one of the best and famous beaches, Anse Lazio. It’s a very wide terrain with ivory white sand. There’s a big crowd here, but it’s worth it. But be careful—the tide can sometimes be fierce.

While at Praslin, we went to Cruieuse Island at Anse Jose and were also able to visit the Marine national park and fed some tortoise . We took a walk through the reserved coco De Mer  mangrove forest all the way to the Doctor's house. This trail was well worth it because there was a lot to see until our destination. This island was used as a leper colony till 1965. The doctors' residence which dates back from the 1870's is a museum and educational center today. Cruieuse and Praslin are the only places in the world where Coco De Mer grows naturally. The plant holds three world records, including the heaviest seed at 17.6 kgs and the largest fruit at 42 kilograms. After this walk, we were sweaty and it was the right time to go soak in the ocean at Anse Jose which was right in front of the doctor's house.

View from top of the hill at end of the walking trail

Having a stroll at Anse Lazio.

Our lodge far up the hill

Ccoc de mer

Feeling the nature vibe in the forest.

We saw some baby sharks during snorkeling.

One of the trails in the mangrove forest.

Having a good time at Anse Jose.

Mangrove trees.

Our final days were spent discovering Mahe, the largest and most populous island in the country. I loved Victoria, the capital. It’s clean and organized and the restaurants have great food but pricey. There was one favorite spot we ate at twice (Café L’Horloge), the tuna seafood was too yummy to resist. We had scheduled to have a cruise on the ocean and it was well worth the price. The tour—a reef safari provided by Mason’s Travel-- started in the morning and ran until late afternoon. The catering was delish (BBQ fish and rice) and we were even serenaded by the captain who played guitar and sang. Not only did we cruise the seas, we also fed the fish and switched boats to a submarine where we plunged the great barrier reef at the Sainte Anne Marine Park. The vessel had a glass bottom though this was a disappointment because the water was not very clear to see much fish. We ended the day by going off to swim and bathe under a palm tree while baked by a fiery sun.

One evening we were fortunate to catch the Mr. Seychelles bodybuilding competition held at the International Conference Center in Victoria. I never imaged I’d see a dozen oily, beefy Adonis’ in person strut their stuff wearing only a Speedo. Quite a sight.

The last day in Mahe, we said one last goodbye to this paradise by ordering a taxi drive around the whole island while committing blue and green seas to memory.  We did some sightseeing in Victoria, did some shopping and had the best Italian ice cream at a place called La Dolce Vita located on State House Avenue (the President’s office was located just steps from the ice cream shop).

Victoria at night.

Delicious Sea Food.

Mr. Seychelles 2015

Boat Cruise

One of the great views from the mountains.

View from one of the high points.

Hindu temple in Victoria.

Beautiful beach in Mahe.

Seychelles is true kaleidoscope of colour. The forests are emerald green, with the waters a warm, ivory blue. But its the people,welcoming and kind, who really make this pl;ace so memorable. During the past year, Leonardo DiCaprio donated millions to Seychelles for marine life preservation. This country isn't immune to the threat of climate change and a rising sea level. So, support Seychelles. Visit, experience it, support it. You won't regret it.
Let me know if you need more tips, if you are planning to visit.

Seychelles, the Indian ocean Paradise.

 Seychelles?

We are  going to Seychelles.

That was my reaction when I found out I was heading to this magical place. I was excited! Located in the Indian ocean about a thousand miles off the coast of East Africa, its where paradise comes to life. I have always wanted to go here. I mentioned Seychelles as a possible destination when my partner asked where we should travel, only jokingly, because I love beaches. When he had a look into it, he got interested as well.

We started planning last June for a December trip, and soon discovered Seychelles is one of the most expensive areas in Africa. Its capital city - Victoria - is especially pricey. So we did intensive research and planning so that we could get great deals on accommodation and things to do. The best way we could cut down on huge hotel prices was to rent holiday apartments. Now, these apartment weren't cheap either, but there was a difference in price. Finally we had everything booked for our holiday and we were just waiting for an island getaway.

We flew out from Entebbe using Ethiopian airlines, its the only cheaper flight you can find heading to Seychelles, the rest are crazy expensive. It was a pleasant flight to the island and I got excited when we were about to land. The islands are so small and very beautiful from above the sky, little pockets of land nestled in aqua blue waters.

I was so excited to get off the plane! The airport was tiny and clean, full of honeymooners locked hand in hand. As we anxiously waited for the cab to come pick us up, we learned that Seychelles operated on island time. The driver was very friendly and mostly the cabs here here look so fancy compared to what I see in Kampala.

The drive from Victoria to our first holiday apartment was so amazing! As we cruised idyllic beach roads, I was refreshed by the scent of a lazy ocean breeze which tickled the palm trees. At times the topography was quite hilly, with the road snaking to an apex to reveal breathtaking view. My eyes feasted on the mountains which seemed to kiss the clouds. Some buildings looked quite smart, old fashioned and colonial. I love that look. When we got to our apartment, it was so nice and homely. A friendly woman -the manager- welcomed us with open arms. The apartment had a big kitchen, with cream colored walls for the bedroom and a tiled oasis decor for the bathroom. There was also a large living room with couches, a big backyard and front sitting balcony with comfy chairs.

Spectacular Views.

Seychelles has a population of 90,000 of nice and friendly people who are quick with a smile. On this holiday we had planned to go hopping on three of Seychelles' principal islands; Mahe, Praslin and Ladigue, So our first visit to Mahe was just for one night but we would be back later, we wanted to see the island in reverse; La Digue, Praslin and Mahe.

We had our first creole meal at a good restaurant called Kaz creole (located on the West coast of Mahe). Our seating was on the beach, and the decor was an idyllic island hut. It gave us a good impression of the meals prepared here (seafood based) and we were excited for more during our stay.

Our taxi in Praslin.

We decided to go zip lining the next day and there was no better way to appreciate the jungle-like forest than by flying high above. The trees were so tall. In some locations you could see the beautiful green/blue ocean. I had never done this before and I was quite nervous at first. However, the professional staff at SMAC Adventures relaxed my fears with their attention to detail and safety.

One of the views to the beach.

Zip lining.

Later after zip lining we headed to the Port to get out next boat to La Digue. There is only one shuttle ferry that goes to the three islands (Cat Cocos Ferry), meaning there are no cheaper options. La Digue was the best part of this holiday, so small and simple. It really felt like you knew everyone. Virtually no cars on this island, everyone was riding a bicycle. Upon checking in at our apartment, we were given our own set of wheels. On La Digue Island, you can have a walk anywhere and the most interesting part is that you can cycle from one beach to another, it is only 10.08 km, I covered the whole of it during our stay. I am not a great cyclist, but I'm functional. I got better as the time progressed. If you are looking for a scrumptious place for a meal, check out Chez Jules located at Anse Banane on La Digue. They serve an amazing creole octopus dish and have savory smoothies. Our holiday lodging here was by far the best, with a bubbly Jacuzzi and everything else was on point. It was nestled in a somewhat forestry area.

The jacuzzi.

Feeding a tortoise in the marine park

Anse De A'rgent beach.

The apartment garden.

My favorite beach, Coco Anse.

The next day was about discovering the island. We rode our bikes to a gorgeous marine national park. It’s a breath-taking reserve, with big bouldering rocks, vanilla plantations, and a tortoise farm where you can feed the turtles if you want to make some new friends. Did I mention in this same park is the entrance to the most photographed beach in the world, Anse Source d'Argent? CAN U SAY SELFIE? The beach has pink pale sand and a rocky scenery that’s more beautiful than words. If you want to relax and be away from everything, La Digue is for you.

Praslin is bigger than La Digue, but equally beautiful. Our stay was at a log cabin high above the trees. From our balcony we feasted on a spectacular view of the ocean and city. Praslin was a little busy compared to La Digue, but nonetheless a must-see. We went on a walking trail at a place called Coco De Mer where we learnt about flora and saw Seychelles’ world famous coconuts. One of the locals advised we go here instead of Valle de Mai because it is very touristic and expensive but everything is the same. On our last day we cooled off at one of the best and famous beaches, Anse Lazio. It’s a very wide terrain with ivory white sand. There’s a big crowd here, but it’s worth it. But be careful—the tide can sometimes be fierce.

While at Praslin, we went to Cruieuse Island at Anse Jose and were also able to visit the Marine national park and fed some tortoise . We took a walk through the reserved coco De Mer  mangrove forest all the way to the Doctor's house. This trail was well worth it because there was a lot to see until our destination. This island was used as a leper colony till 1965. The doctors' residence which dates back from the 1870's is a museum and educational center today. Cruieuse and Praslin are the only places in the world where Coco De Mer grows naturally. The plant holds three world records, including the heaviest seed at 17.6 kgs and the largest fruit at 42 kilograms. After this walk, we were sweaty and it was the right time to go soak in the ocean at Anse Jose which was right in front of the doctor's house.

View from top of the hill at end of the walking trail

Having a stroll at Anse Lazio.

Our lodge far up the hill

Ccoc de mer

Feeling the nature vibe in the forest.

We saw some baby sharks during snorkeling.

One of the trails in the mangrove forest.

Having a good time at Anse Jose.

Mangrove trees.

Our final days were spent discovering Mahe, the largest and most populous island in the country. I loved Victoria, the capital. It’s clean and organized and the restaurants have great food but pricey. There was one favorite spot we ate at twice (Café L’Horloge), the tuna seafood was too yummy to resist. We had scheduled to have a cruise on the ocean and it was well worth the price. The tour—a reef safari provided by Mason’s Travel-- started in the morning and ran until late afternoon. The catering was delish (BBQ fish and rice) and we were even serenaded by the captain who played guitar and sang. Not only did we cruise the seas, we also fed the fish and switched boats to a submarine where we plunged the great barrier reef at the Sainte Anne Marine Park. The vessel had a glass bottom though this was a disappointment because the water was not very clear to see much fish. We ended the day by going off to swim and bathe under a palm tree while baked by a fiery sun.

One evening we were fortunate to catch the Mr. Seychelles bodybuilding competition held at the International Conference Center in Victoria. I never imaged I’d see a dozen oily, beefy Adonis’ in person strut their stuff wearing only a Speedo. Quite a sight.

The last day in Mahe, we said one last goodbye to this paradise by ordering a taxi drive around the whole island while committing blue and green seas to memory.  We did some sightseeing in Victoria, did some shopping and had the best Italian ice cream at a place called La Dolce Vita located on State House Avenue (the President’s office was located just steps from the ice cream shop).

Victoria at night.

Delicious Sea Food.

Mr. Seychelles 2015

Boat Cruise

One of the great views from the mountains.

View from one of the high points.

Hindu temple in Victoria.

Beautiful beach in Mahe.

Seychelles is true kaleidoscope of colour. The forests are emerald green, with the waters a warm, ivory blue. But its the people,welcoming and kind, who really make this pl;ace so memorable. During the past year, Leonardo DiCaprio donated millions to Seychelles for marine life preservation. This country isn't immune to the threat of climate change and a rising sea level. So, support Seychelles. Visit, experience it, support it. You won't regret it.
Let me know if you need more tips, if you are planning to visit.

The amazing Horn of Africa.

I’ve been down many roads since you’ve last heard from me, but I haven’t forgotten you! Got your passport ready?

This past year I planned on exploring outside of Mamma Africa, and Turkey was at the top of my list. Old world meets new world was always a big attraction, not to mention Turkish cuisine, the Mediterranean sea, and spas. Unfortunately my visa application got lost in the paperwork (Hello? Istanbul?). I got the travel bug so bad I couldn’t wait to voyage, so I decided to explore a country on my own continent (we’ve got over 50 to choose from.

Friends of mine raved about Ethiopia, so I decided to book my flight and brush up on my Amharic (actually, with more than fifty languages spoken—including English and Arabic--there’s many dialects to learn). Just a two-hour flight from Entebbe, the city of Addis Ababa is an emerald metropolis. My eyes sparked at the sparse and wide-open terrain as our flight touched down, with big, beautiful mountains welcoming my arrival. Once the airplane hatch opened I was so excited—and then I was cold! Didn’t expect it to be so cool, but no matter.
I hauled my luggage to the curb and attempted to hail a cab. To my surprise they were all colored blue and old-fashioned looking. I wondered if they still imported cars. I met a good cab guy and attempted to haggle a price. In Uganda you haggle everything except at the supermarket, and I thought it would be the same here. It worked.

The picture doesn't do it justice. Better on the eyes.

The next day I had to go to the North since I was gonna spend most of my holiday here. Ethiopia is such a big country that if you don't have much time, it’s best not to use road transport. The bus takes an eternity, and if you’re not prepared, you could spend all of your holiday on the road. I did not have much time, so I traveled using domestic flights from one town to another. The first area I had to go to was Lalibela, known for the holiest and most ancient rock-cut churches in the nation.
Ethiopia is so rich in culture, religion, and history. It’s one of the earliest nations to adopt Christianity, with the lineage going all the way back to the first half of the fourth century. Its history dates to the time of the apostles. What’s impressive is that this history is virtually untouched through the ages. Can you name the only two countries to never have been occupied? If you guess Ethiopia (or Russia), you’re right. And oh by the way, did I mention the food?

The north of Ethiopia is very hilly with amazing landscapes. I was awed by everything. Before I went to look at the churches that afternoon, my host and his friend took me to a butchery restaurant to eat raw meat. We got to this open compound, there were men sitting with plates filled with chopped raw beef. I was terrified but my host said you have to eat it with chilli to kill of the bacteria. I had to give it a try with a very small chunk, the chill was very hot but the meat was chewy, it was not that bad like I expected.

Raw meat with Chilli.

The people in Lalibela were nice to me, they always thought I was black American because they never see fellow Africans coming to their country for tourism. Once I told them I am Uganda, they would lighten up, smile, call me their sister and also strike a conversation. It was such a wonderful feeling. It was so great to see the rock churches which are very old but all of them are still standing still. How could King Lalibela have possibly made such perfect structures without an iPhone or any modern technology?

The famous Church of Saint George.

I did some hiking at Abuna Yosef mountain where Asheton Maryan Monestry is located. It was hectic but my guide was really patient with me and explained a lot more. I was surprised  people go there to pray as it lies on an altitude of 4000. The church is carved out of a cleft into a cliff face, and the execution is rougher than at most other churches around Lalibela. The views here were spectacular. Despite the heat and fatigue, it was well worth it.

A orthodox priest holding 800 year  old golden crosses.

Beautiful view from Asheton

Lalibela town.

My other highlight of the trip was my four day Danakil depression tour. I saw things beyond my expectations. I heard this tour is one of the best but I did not know I would be wowed this much. On this trip I was able to sleep on one of the lowest point on earth and as well as the hottest. I had never been that hot in my life. Our first night in Afar, we were handed our beddings and we had to spend the night outside because you can not sleep under a roof in that heat. That night temperature was 43 degrees all night and probably dropped on the last hour before we woke up. In the next three days, I was able to see the salt flats where we took lots of pictures and we had a dip in a small salty pond which is supposed to have some benefits. We took part in mining salt with the miners which is actually not an easy task because the temperatures are very and the working conditions are unbearable. I loved the colourful water at Dalol, that was such an amazing sight! Mother nature has got so much for us to see. The water was sulfuric with mixed colours like yellow, maroon and white, we had to be careful in that area because of the strong chemical. Driving around the highlands of Ethiopia was amazing but my highlight was the Art ale volcano. It was the hardest route on the way there because the roads are covered with dry lava hence being a little uneven. We reached our camp in the afternoon but we had to wait till sunset for us to take to the long walk to the mountain. Lucky for us it was a full moon, we did not need our lights that much. Most people did the walk for about three hours but I did mine like for two hours and 15 mins, It was so tiring but when we got there, it was worth it. The volcano was so wide and full to the brim, and the lava was boiling with different colors. I was wowed with what mother nature has got for us. Sleeping up there with the sound of boiling lava was the best thing I have ever experienced. However, this four day trip would not have been great without Ethio Travel and Tours (ETT) and Kaleb Teklu our wonderful guide.

Colourful Dalol.

Boiling lava at night.

The morning sunrise over the Volcano.

My last days were spent in Addis Ababa, such a big and busy city. My only problem was communication because few people would speak English. On one incident someone ignored me when I wanted to ask him something, he just walked past me so quickly. He was not being rude but he could not help me If I spoke English. They speak Amharic and they have their own dialect as well. My first day in the city I went to see the biggest market in Africa called Merkato. It is so big and crazy busy, I did not think I would make it out of there and let alone do some shopping, but I managed. This market is a must see for everyone who goes there. I visited the National Museum of Ethiopia and was able to witness the skeleton of Lucy, the earliest human ancestor which is three million years and above. I learnt about the emperors of Ethiopia from these museums and more history about Ethiopia.

Colorful Injera baskets on sale in Merkato

Crowdness in Merketo.

Mules are used all over Ethiopia for transporting merchandise.

I was not able to see all the things I wanted but I hope to go back some day to visit historical Axum and Gondar. There are these amazing mountains of Simien that I want to hike and also spend time with the tribes in the South.

Lucy, the 3.2 year million old skeleton.

Ethiopia is one of the best countries in Africa that everyone should have on their bucket list. It will provide you with rich history which is not altered and it will give you the nature too. If you have plans of going there or want to organise a trip there, just reach out. I am aware of good companies with the best deals and great service that I deal with.

Fun Facts about Uganda

Here are some of the interesting things you should know about Uganda. I have learnt quite a bit during my tours and I thought I should jot some things on my blog. You do not have to take it personal. Live a little and laugh more.

• In Uganda all the manicure and pedicure is performed by male counterparts and they are so good at it! 

• Only in Uganda do they eat a Rolex and a Commando.

• In Uganda people will lift there brows up if they are meaning to say "yes" without saying a word.

• We say sorry even if it is not our fault.

• Some Ugandans are somewhat inaudible. Have you been to a shop or pharmacy and the person behind the counter doesn't feel like talking you but you keep asking them to repeat themselves? Me neither. 

• Some are really slow walkers. Have you walked behind some people on Kampala road or some street? Its like people are on holiday. The walking pace is Zombie like.

• We have over 50 languages spoken in Uganda. We are pretty ethnic.

•  Uganda is the country with the youngest population in the world.

• Uganda has got about 6 banana species/types. Yes, you heard me right.

• I don't know if its the same in other countries, but in Uganda you are punished in school for not speaking English. We learn the hard way, no wonder most Ugandans speak English hence making it easy for foreigners. 

• We have the most boda bodas (Motorbikes) on this continent. Use that helmet often when you use one.

• Uganda has manufactured bark cloth for centuries hence this being mentioned on the UNESCO intangible cultural heritage list.

• There is more of a "bromance" in Uganda. This is where you find male friends holding hands together or shoulders without being sexually involved. This is very common, don't be surprised when you see this.

• Uganda is one of the biggest coffee growing country in the world, but here people prefer to drink "chai" tea to coffee.

• Uganda's capital Kampala, is one of the busiest and safest city in Africa. 

• Kampala, Uganda's capital is among the top 10 cheap cities to live in as a foreigner in Africa.

 To be continued. If there is anything that you want to be added on here, inbox me and I will do it.