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THE SEYCHELLES
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“I
have visited many places all over the world and it is no
exaggeration to say that the Seychelles islands contain the most
beautiful places I have ever seen - perhaps the Creator willed
that they should be so isolated so that the primitive natural
beauty He created should not be destroyed.” So wrote Archbishop
Makarios of Cyprus, one of the most famous in a long line of
deportees exiled to the isolated Seychelles, to the local
newspaper in 1967.
Far from being
“reluctant” visitors, as King Yacht Charter Adventurers we will
savor every sun-drenched moment exploring some of this remote
island paradise scattered over more than 500,000 square miles of
the Indian Ocean between the Equator and Madagascar, 1200 miles
to the east of Kenya. On our yachts, we will explore the
numerous granitic Inner Islands around Mahé. For the
naturalists among us, we will have the privilege of seeing some
of the rarest flora and fauna in the world - the famed
coco-de-mer, the fruit of a rare palm tree growing undisturbed
in the Vallée de Mai on Praslin; several species of vacoas or
screw pines with remarkable stilt-like aerial roots; “la vanille
sauvage” a striking orchid endemic to the Seychelles; hawksbill
turtles and giant tortoises, more numerous here than any place
in the world; and exotic birds like the Praslin black parrot and
the paradise fly catcher of La Digue island.
And if that is
not enough to tempt you, Mahé itself boasts 63 beaches, miles of
white coral sand, palm fringed and studded with weather- and
sea-sculpted granite boulders. Right from your yacht at any one
of our anchorages you can delight in the coral and 900(!)
species of colorful tropical fish that inhabit these crystal
clear waters.
Evidence
suggests that the Arab traders and even the Polynesians had
known these islands by the 9th century. But the Seychelles
takes its name from the 18th century French Comptroller General
of Finances. Mahé, Praslin, and Silhouette were likewise named
for French notables. Others - Curieuse, Cerf, La Digue, Ste.
Anne, for example - give testimony to famous sailing ships,
explorers and settlers in the age of discovery.
France, then
Great Britain, ruled the Seychelles over more than 200 years
until its independence in 1976. Africans, Asians and Indians
have added to the “melting pot” that makes up the Seychellois
people, a rich, attractive heritage evident in its Creole/French
music, dances, and food.
Take off your
watches and sail back in time with us to the beauty and peace of
the Seychelles. Discover these fabulous granitic islands and
their underwater beauty sailing on a crewed
Catana 47.
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Catana 47 Ocean Class
Builder:
Catana
LAY OUT
Double cabin: 4
Restroom: 4 / shower: 4
PASSENGERS
Recommended: 8
Maximum: 10
Length: 15.70 m
Beam: 7,7 m
Draft: -
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The SAFARI EXPERIENCE
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We are awakened about 6am, and after a light breakfast you are off on
a game drive in the 4x4 vehicle with your guide. Your camera and binoculars are at the ready, you
are talking in whispers, and in a miraculous instant you spot
some elephant or giraffe in the pale morning light. The
guide points out a Marshall eagle perched high in a tree, or he
explains how the elephant’s footprints cover each other…..and
you are drawn into the magic of a dawn game drive…..
Here are some of our own pictures from the Okavango Delta,
Botswana
 
 
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Some photographs from our optional add-on
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May 18
Winelands |
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This morning you will be taken on a
full day Winelands tour. (Incl. Entrance Fees and lunch)
This classic tour takes the visitor through spectacular
vineyard-covered valleys and along scenic country roads.
During the course of the day you will visit Franschhoek,
a thriving town first settled by the French Huguenots in
1688. You then continue to the town of Stellenbosch -
This historic town, founded in 1679, is renowned for the
gracious Cape Dutch thatched and gabled buildings and
stately oaks, which line the streets. It is considered
one of the best-preserved towns from the era of the
Dutch East India Company and it is the second oldest
town in the country. Oom Samie se Winkel - a Victorian
dealer’s store dating from 1904 & the Stellenbosch
Village Museum (a complex of historic homes furnished in
period style) are both worthwhile stops.
 The
scenery combined with 2 wine tastings, a cellar tour,
and lunch on a wine farm and the opportunity to purchase
the local wines make this tour the ideal introduction to
Cape Winelands.
Return to the hotel in the late afternoon |
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We stay at
Cellars |
Breakfast, Lunch,
Dinner
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May 19
Constantia Valley Winelands |
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Today we meet our tour
guide at the hotel at approximately 9.00am for a
full-day tour of the famous Cape winelands.
This morning you will be taken on a
full day Constantia Winelands tour. (Incl. Entrance Fees
and lunch)
Constantia is the birthplace of the wine farming
industry in South Africa.
As you drive through the beautiful historical valley it
is no wonder the first Governor of the Cape, Simon van
der Stel, chose this situation for his farm, Constantia.
The world famous wines from Constantia were sought after
by royalty in the eighteenth century, and still to this
day, world class wines are being produced and applauded
for its escalating quality.
That quality is still maintained today and each of the
five vineyards produces award-winning wines. Enjoy 2
wine tastings, a cellar tour and lunch before returning
to the hotel
Return to the hotel in the late afternoon |
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We stay at Constantia
Uitsig |
Breakfast, Lunch,
Dinner
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May 20
Capetown |
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Check out after a last wonderful
breakfast at Cellars. We start at 9.00am this morning
for a half-day tour of the city of Capetown. This tour
of the Mother City begins on the Foreshore at the statue
of Bartholomeu Dias who rounded the Cape of Good Hope in
1488. We will follow the Heerengracht or Gentleman’s
Walk to the oldest surviving building, constructed by
the Dutch -- the Castle, which is the first optional
stop. We proceed past the City Hall, completed in 1904,
and take note of the balcony which was made famous in
1990 when Nelson Mandela made his first public
appearance after 26 years in jail.
Our tour proceeds up Adderley Street, past the Old Slave
Lodge and into the Company Gardens. Here we can leave
the vehicle and explore on foot. A 20-minute walk takes
us down Government Avenue, past the National Gallery and
“Tuynhuys” (the office of the President) to the Houses
of Parliament, onward past St George’s Cathedral to
Greenmarket Square. This vibrant flea market is a good
place to spend some time looking at all the local wares.
You can find many attractive lunch spots in this area.
Please note: lunch is for your own account on this tour.
Our next stop is Prins & Prins in Huguenot House, a
magnificent example of Early Cape architecture with
original wall paintings circa 1790. See their diamond
cutters at work and learn how they unlock the fire and
brilliance of a rough diamond. Browse through their
elegant showroom sparkling with diamonds, tanzanite and
more, and perhaps come away with a very special “small
package.”
Visit to diamond cutter
We will transfer to Capetown
International Airport for your flight home to the USA |
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En Route |
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Your
adventure has come to an end, but we guarantee you will one day
return...
Price of Seychelles and Safari: US
$8975.00 pp, sharing
Price of optional add-on Cape Province & Winelands: US$1950pp,
sharing
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