Island hopping in the Indian Oceanby Vivien Devlin I love the fine art of cruising. With a wide choice of size and style of ship, exciting itineraries and great value fares, more and more younger 20/ 30/40 something travellers are taking to the sea for a taste of luxury, relaxation and comfort: young couples, honeymooners, families with children are now all finding that cruising is the way to go. Just think – what other form of travel allows you to wake up every morning to find a different view and new destination from your bedroom window?
Silversea cruises The Italian-owned, US based, Silversea cruise line was launched in 1984 as an innovative European style of all-inclusive, small scale, luxury cruising. For the past eight years, Silversea has been voted the world’s best small ship cruise line by Conde Nast Traveller magazine, amongst numerous accolades and awards. Their four ships, Silver Cloud and and Silver Wind (maximum 296 guests) and Silver Shadow and Silver Whisper (382) offer the intimacy and luxury of a private yacht with 6 star hospitality and service. My partner Ken and I have experienced two cruises on board Silver Whisper for a culture-rich tropical adventure around central and south America – Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Costa Rica, Colombia – and again for an exotic journey around South East Asia from Singapore to Bangkok visiting Brunei, Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand on the way. To experience all these cities and countries day by day was simply magical. Having fallen in love with the Silversea concept of 6 star travel by sea, we have now been tempted again, this time on Silver Cloud for a 7 night island hopping cruise around the Seychelles. A perfect winter sun vacation. We are soon packing our swimsuits, evening gowns and tuxedo for another glamorously romantic Silversea cruise.  Our Emirates airline chauffeur arrives at 10am to drive us by smart Mercedes car from Edinburgh to Glasgow airport, 50 miles away. Our holiday has begun already. The Emirates in-flight service in Business Class (a small cabin seating about 36 passengers) is attentive and leisurely. Before take-off at 1.30pm, we are served a glass of champagne. This is the lifestyle to which I could so easily become accustomed. An aperitif and canapés before lunch: Smoked trout salad; Scallops and prawns in saffron cream with tagliatelle; cheese plate, fresh fruit. Time for a movie. The Emirates ICE (information, communication, entertainment) system has won numerous awards. With your private monitor screen in the arm rest, you can select from 100 new or classic films, as well as music/TV/game channels.
 On the next flight from Dubai to the Seychelles I read an article in the Open Skies magazine that Ian Fleming, the creator of James Bond, stayed at the Northolme resort, Seychelles for several months, inspired by the lifestyle to write Casino Royale and For Your Eyes Only. Today the hotel celebrates the Bond connection. A dry Martini, shaken not stirred, will be served in the bar perhaps?. After a 4 hour flight we land at Mahe international airport, Seychelles. The weather forecast indicates a temperature of 30C.
The immigration procedure is seamless and stress-free. A car is waiting outside for the transfer to our hotel. Soon we are driving along the coastal road through tiny villages, skirting the edge of white sand beaches. We have arrived in the Seychelles. This archipelago of 115 islands, just south of the equator, is often described as Paradise on earth. Renowned for their legendary natural beauty – perfect baby powder beaches, coconut palms, tropical forests and unique indigenous flora and fauna – it is also believed that the magical, primeval island of Praslin is the site of the biblical Garden of Eden. Banyan Tree resort The Banyan Tree Resort is on the south west coastline of Mahe. Although built just 5 years ago, the architecture is reminiscent of a Victorian Colonial mansion house. We are driven by electric golf buggy up the steep hill to our villa, no 406. There are 60 private, enclosed villas, either high up on the hillside, “on the rocks” near the crashing waves or with direct access to the beach. All have a fabulous outdoor patio (sofa and daybed), plunge pool (large enough to swim in), glamorous bedroom and lounge (TV/DVD/Mini bar), large bathroom where the shower has a sea view. After settling into our temporary home, and relaxing after the flight, we watched the pink and golden sunset just after 6pm.
 Transport up and down to your villa is by buggy – you simply phone reception and a member of staff will come and drive you down to the hotel. There are three distinctive restaurants: Chez Lamar, Saffron and Au Jardin d’Epices. Tonight we sampled a fabulous Creole tasting menu banquet, featuring 18 tiny courses, emphasising local specialities such as smoked sailfish, prawns, octopus curry, avocado and passion fruit.
Silver Cloud Sail Away day A lazy, late breakfast (superb buffet) on the Restaurant Terrace above the beach. Early afternoon, all packed up again, we set off on the 45 minute drive to the Port at Victoria, the capital city. Embarkation on board the Silver Cloud is easy – our labelled luggage was taken from us and we walk up the gangplank. Uniformed waiters stand smiling with trays of champagne flutes. The perfect welcome.
In the Venetian lounge, we exchange passports for stateroom keys and personally escorted to our Veranda suite, 512, on the port side. (Do you know the derivation of the word POSH? – Port out, Starboard home!). This is a compact, yet beautifully proportioned suite – kingsize bed, walk in wardrobe, bathroom (bathtub & shower), lounge/dining area (TV/DVD); veranda with two loungers. Homely comforts include white Frette sheets, soft duvets, goose down pillows, bathrobes and Bulgari or Acqua di Parma toiletries. A bottle of champagne sits in an ice bucket. The fridge is stocked daily with your choice of soft drinks, beer, spirits, champagne - all drinks on board are complimentary, part of Silversea’s great value, all-inclusive ethos.  Coming back on board Silversea is a real joy. The design is similar on all four ships with private staterooms mainly at the bow end and public rooms, aft. Silver Cloud is like a floating Ritz Carlton resort hotel, so easy to stroll around from Pool to Spa from Champagne Bar to Restaurant. We feel quite at home immediately, unpack and stow away suitcases under the bed. Time to go up to the 8th deck for a drink at the pool bar. We perch on stools and order a marguerita and a pina colada and soon begin chatting to a couple from New Zealand and a young guy (Fred) from San Francisco. Unlike a typical resort hotel, (where you may not actually meet or converse with other guests at all), on board a Silversea ship the ambience is friendly and sociable like a house party.
 This 7 night itinerary will be a gentle cruise around a few neighbouring islands: Praslin, La Digue, Curieuse, Silhouette and back to Mahe. But today is a day at sea and time to relax, sunbathe, book island trips and enjoy the leisurely lifestyle on board - Enrichment lectures, card games, fitness classes, golf tuition, casino and cabaret entertainment.
A delicious breakfast in the Terrace restaurant sitting outside on the deck. It’s only 9.45am but the sun is hot (27C). The buffet display offers all the usual international favourites with a chef cracking eggs any which way. For me, a mango and banana fruit smoothie, scrambled egg with smoked salmon, orange juice and coffee. Later, I enjoy a relaxing facial in the Spa. The treatment menu is dedicated to wellness, health and beauty to soothe the body, mind and spirit; aromatherapy ocean seaweed wrap, coconut rub, reflexology, massages and manicures. Many guests like to keep fit while on the cruise - there’s a well fitted out gym and it’s useful to know that 7 laps around the jogging/walking track on the top deck is one mile.  By early morning we are anchored just off shore from the island of Praslin. We are booked on the Vallee de Mai walking tour this morning and after a room service breakfast we meet the 40 or so excursion guests in the Venetian lounge at 8am. We are taken ashore by tender (lifeboat) and are met on the pier by Mason’s Tours - Silversea shore trips are meticulously arranged to ensure small groups and expert local guides. It’s a 15 minute drive by minibus to the Praslin National Park, a World Heritage Site. At its centre is the Vallee de Mai, an ancient palm forest featuring the exotic Coco de Mer tree, a unique species found only on this island. Nadia is a knowledgeable and enthusiastic guide, leading us through the jungle, pointing out jack fruit, boo boo birds and spices as well as the male and female coco de mer tree with its curious shaped giant fruit. Here’s a photo of Ken holding one!
 Inspired by our magical walk in the Garden of Eden, we go to the Enrichment lecture later that afternoon by Professor Stefan Buczacki, who gives a fascinating slide show telling the history of the Seychelles islands, from the original explorers to its distinctive geology, natural history and French/Indian/African culture.
Until the mid 19th century, the only inhabitants were crocodiles! Tonight is the first formal evening with a black tie dress code. Beforehand, Captain Tatulli’s welcome cocktail party, (attended by all the officers) and a chance to mingle with new friends. And then to dinner where a four course feast is on offer: caviar with blinis or pan fried goose liver; tagliatelle mare or wild mushroom consommé; fresh lobster, prime roasted rib of beef, or filet of veal; cheese trolley and delicious desserts. The sommelier offers tonight’s selected white and red wine by the glass. Under Head Chef, Erwin Unterberger, dining on board is 6 star, Michelin star standard and an elegant affair. As well as the main Restaurant, you may reserve a table at La Terrace, the intimate Italian trattoria, or for a special occasion, at La Saletta for gastronomic Relais & Chateaux cuisine with vintage wines (extra charge). Alternatively, arrange in-room dining for a romantic dinner a deux.  Another early morning start (to avoid the strong midday sun) when we set off on a snorkelling adventure. We go ashore to La Digue island which is famous for its gigantic granite rocks and breathtaking beach at Anse Source D’argent. The island’s environment is protected by forbidding motor vehicles – transport is by bicycle and ox cart. We then board a Catamaran boat for a short “sail” down the coast to anchor just beside the tiny Coco island surrounded by a coral reef. We are given snorkelling mask and flipper fins and invited to jump into the cool, turquoise water.
 The current is quite strong but we swim towards the island and soon find shoals of tropical fish – zebra, parrot, purple & yellow fish. I literally find myself swimming alongside dozens of zebra fish, darting this way and that, as I observe the amazing thick coral on the sea bed below. Suddenly a woman shouts out that she can see a manta ray – and sure enough, the large flat black fish with wide sweeping “wings” appeared in the clear water. It’s a thrilling sight.
After an hour or so, the tour guide called everyone back and counted us all very carefully on board to check no one is left swimming in the sea. It reminds me of that terrifying “Jaws” style movie, called Open Water, based on the true story of a couple holidaying in the Caribbean who were accidentally left behind on a scuba diving trip when the crew miscounted the total number of divers; the boat left them behind to the mercy of the ocean and sharks. Thankfully we all arrive safely back on board Silver Cloud, feeling rather weary, hot and very hungry after our sporting exertion. Time for shower, change and then lunch al fresco - prawn salad, freshly baked pizza with a glass of ice cold white wine sitting on the pool deck. Bliss. Lazy afternoon – tea and cucumber sandwiches at 4pm in traditional British style - and later a sail away deck party with glass of champagne in hand. Tonight we have reservations at La Terrace to sample speciality Italian regional cuisine from Puglia: anti pasti salads, spinach and ricotta tortellini with sage butter, rare tuna steak: a candlelit, romantic dining experience.  Another day, another island. We are moored off Curieuse – a curious island indeed. This was a leper colony during the 19th century until 1965. Only one square mile, it’s now a nature reserve to protect the endemic wildlife – blue pigeon, black parrot, hawksbill turtle, lizards, crabs and giant tortoises. The tender boats motor back and forward from ship to shore during the day for people to explore the island on a guided tour by marine park rangers. This is virtually a desert island - we landed on the beach, paddling ashore on to the pristine white sand. As this was the turtle nesting season (September to February) only a limited number of us were allowed to take the arduous trail through thick forest, over a steep hill and across a mangrove swamp to observe the female turtles laying their eggs. They find a hideaway site to bury 100-120 eggs in the sand beneath the shade of a bush, and then wander back to the sea.
 This was indeed nature in the wild - as seen on TV documentaries - and the absolute highlight of the cruise so far. Back on board, we head out to sea as the golden sun begins to set. Next port of call, Silhouette.
 On some cruises, Silversea offers guests a complimentary shore excursion, the Silversea Experience. Today we are being treated to a barbecue lunch. Tables are set up in the garden of the Labriz Resort hotel on the island of Silhouette; we enjoy a sumptuous buffet of local tuna, chicken, sweet potato, salads and fruit with beer and wine.
On Silhouette we are in for another exciting treat - a Giant Tortoise Sanctuary. This important conservation project is run by an English couple, Mr and Mrs Ron Gerlach, who have lived here for 10 years. They rear baby tortoises, nurturing their growth until they reach 20lbs and then released (tagged and numbered) into the wild. We saw a cage of dozens of tiny tortoises as well as a couple of giant tortoises, estimated to be about 125 years old.  Moored this morning at the Victoria dock, Mahe, we have one final trip booked today to the St. Anne Marine Park with the opportunity to go snorkelling, swimming and observe fish from a semi-submersible glass bottomed boat. There are only 25 of us on this Catamaran boat trip - including our new friend Fred from San Francisco. Anchored way out near the coral reef, we are given bread to feed the fish, which come jumping to the surface.
 Sailing on to Moyenne island, we are given snorkels and fins to enjoy excellent swimming with the fish in clear warm water. We have a fabulous full day out, cruising around the tiny islands with the thrill of seeing two dolphins diving together in unison, swimming alongside the bow of the boat.
Tonight is our last night on board Silver Cloud and we decide to enjoy all the entertainment to the last minute. Every night there has been a singer, movies or musicians. Tonight there’s a pre-dinner cabaret with Giselle Summers, who treats us to a neat Barbara Streisand tribute show. After dinner (Beef tartare, Crab cake, Sole Florentine, pistachio and chocolate parfait, several guests are gathering in the bar which turns into a lively party. We dance the night away to the The Silver Cloud jazz Quartet into the wee small hours. Disembarkation begins immediately after breakfast as guests head off to the airport or hotels around Mahe. Our chauffeur and car is waiting on the dockside to drive us back to the Banyan Tree for a two night stay, (as are six other Silversea couples). Time to chill out after our island-hopping adventure. This time our hillside villa is no. 408, surrounded by palm trees which attract fruit bats at dusk. The painterly sunsets are spectacular.  The Spa at the Banyan Tree is exquisite, built in the shade of the tropical jungle with open air treatment rooms. The therapists are specialist Thai masseuses and my 90 minute Island Dew full body massage is simply fabulous. I lie being pampered with sweet smelling aromatherapy oils, incense burning, a warm breeze rustles the trees, and all I hear is the sound of birds and the distant rolling of the waves on the beach.
An early morning Emirates flight from Mahe to Dubai where we have another overnight stay before our flight home to Scotland. We stay at the stylish Park Hyatt, in a lavish suite with veranda overlooking the yachting Marina on the Creek. We take a three hour guided tour by car around the city to see the sights: a Mosque, the Arabian gulf beach, spice souk, Iranian trade ships, the famous Burj al Arab hotel and the new Burj Dubai – now under construction, aiming to be the tallest building in the world. Like a 21st century Las Vegas, (without the casinos), Dubai is a glitzy, glamorous tourist destination emerging out of the Arabian desert.  Our flight to Glasgow departs at 7.50am so an early start for the final leg of our journey home. As soon as we take our seats we are offered a buck’s fizz by our charming steward, Chris, from New Zealand. He hopes to be promoted to First Class soon. His attentive manner is utterly professional and he deserves the upgrade. We are served a continental breakfast, then at 12 noon drinks and canapés followed by a superb lunch (Arabic mezze, pan seared sea-bass with eggplant). With movies and music entertainment, the time flies by.
I hope that my travel story of life on board Silver Cloud touring the Seychelles has convinced you that cruising is carefree, fun and relaxing. In our modern, pressurised technoworld of time-watching and jet setting, we need the chance to slow down and recharge. Stop the clock for a while. Luxury travel means the pleasure of a leisurely cruise. Instead of visiting one destination, the unique beauty of a cruise is that you wake up each day in a different country, a new island or exciting port of call - but you only need to unpack once! What I love about Silversea cruises is the blend of quiet sophistication, exemplary 6 star hospitality, gracious living and superb value, all inclusive fares. Be as lazy or active, private or sociable as you wish. It’s a floating house party amongst like-minded fellow guests, (all nationalities and ages), on an oversized yacht. And to summarise the sun-drenched Seychelles? The ultimate natural wonderland untouched by time and tide – in a word, Paradise.  Silversea cruises
www.silversea.com
Silversea cruises the Caribbean, Mexico, South America and the Amazon, Alaska, Pacific Coast, Mediterranean, Africa, Indian Ocean.
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