Aaron wants to be happy in life. And it’s easy – everyone is happy in his community. How often do you hear such statements?
Often, if you are in the Seychelles. A joyful paradise if there was one. Aaron ‘the wise’, all of 20, lives on the La Digue island, and I met him working in a juice bar at the Anse Source d’Argent (Anse means beach in Creole, the local language), one of the best beaches in the world.
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That’s what I discovered for myself – a state of bliss in these islands in the Indian Ocean, far removed from the hustle and bustle of the world most of us come from. Clear blue skies, clean beaches, pristine waters, healthy air, temperate climate and a care for the environment – all this brings out a general goodness in people, where flora and fauna thrive.
BEING IN THE SEYCHELLES
The Seychelles are a group of islands, the biggest being Mahe with capital Victoria situated on it. Its 80,000 residents comprise all but a sixth of the country’s population – indicative of how the low density gives everyone ample room to stretch and breathe.
From tiny to not-so-tiny, these islands have a hilly terrain, rich with forests, surrounded by the seas on all sides and a few freshwater bodies within. Surprisingly, almost no fruits and vegetables grow here and everything has to be imported – raising the prices a tad bit in the process. The country has a police force but with little to do – crime is almost unheard of. And there are no madding tourist crowds – not only are the islands a bit out of the way for most airlines, but the country also conducts carrying capacities to ensure sustainable growth.
The range of activities on these islands are more or less similar – doing nothing tops the charts. When you do decide to stir a bit, you can walk the beaches – there are enough where you will be the only one – and go for a swim in the waters. Go snorkelling with Sea Turtles, bird watching in the woods, deep sea diving, a hike, or hire a boat to take you far out into the ocean for a day of food, drinks and doing more of nothing.
Getting around is easy too. Hire a car – not in La Digue though where only a handful of motorised vehicles are permitted. Rent a bicycle, even a bullock cart, walk it, pick a motorcycle or a scooter, or take a bus (at least in Mahe and Praslin). Get your hands on the limited supply of a Mini Moke – but it might not pack in enough horsepower to take you up steep terrains. Give it a push, sweat it and cool off with a drink after that.
Food is a delight here – especially for those who love delicacies from the sea. And then there are the ‘happy’ juices. As Aaron says, “Everything here is organic, so they don’t have to panic about nothing.”
