Mariner - Fall 2007 - (Page 13)

A tıny bıt of heaven: Afrıca’s secret Garden of Eden When General Gordon of Khartoum fame visited the Seychelles in 1882, he was convinced he had discovered the true Garden of Eden. Those who visit these islands today know why. There are more shades of blue and green here than in your imagination, set off against amazing pink granite pinnacles smooth enough to climb barefoot, and endless beaches of powdery white sand. This isn’t just beauty. It’s jaw-dropping, tears-in-your-eyes beauty. And this is just one of the attractions that brings travelers halfway around the world to visit here. e S he e A thousand miles Come to the Seychelles for a one-of-a-kind experience. Not just anyone can visit the Seychelles. In fact, the government sets a cap on visitors to protect this unique environment, and with limited shore accommodations and a nocamping rule, this place is off the charts for most travelers. Holland America Line guests, however, can visit the Seychelles on two of our upcoming Grand Voyages. There is only one sailing of each itinerary though, so book soon to avoid disappointment. Grand Voyages visiting the Seychelles: 2008 Grand Africa Voyage ms Prinsendam: Mar 11, 2008 2009 Grand World Voyage ms Rotterdam: Jan 19, 2009 from nowhere. Millions of years ago when the continents of Africa, India and Australia split, a sliver of islands was cast adrift. The inner Seychelles Islands (pronounced say-SHELLS) are the world’s only granite islands, and also the oldest. With the Indian Ocean acting as a protective moat, life here developed along its own course much like neighboring Madagascar, giving the islands many plants and animals found nowhere else in the world. Paradise as it was meant to be. Unlike many tropical islands, the Seychelles strictly limit development and commercialization. You won’t find high-rise hotels here. There is little crime, few crowds and on some islands, ox cart “cabs” are still a common form of transportation. The government is also considered one of the world’s most environmentally conscious, protecting almost half the land area as nature reserves. Let the rest of the world pass you by as you shop the local market in charming Victoria, the world’s smallest capital city. Smell the aroma of vanilla orchids and cinnamon in the air. Look overhead for the rare black parrot and paradise flycatcher. And discover for yourself that the Seychelles are like no place else on earth. Look for this 2008 itinerary and savings on page 33 of the Mariner Values section. To book your cruise, call your Travel Professional or 1-877-SAIL HAL, or visit www.hollandamerica.com. Mariner Fall 2007 13 http://www.hollandamerica.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Mariner - Fall 2007

Cover Table of Contents Street of Dreams Ancient Assets Island Cuisine Life in Old Gatún Tales of the North Coming to Life in Antarctica A Thousand Miles from Nowhere Maritimes 2007/2008 Best Cruise Values Behind the Scenes Mariner Values Mariner at a Glance

Mariner - Fall 2007

For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.