PARIS - The Prince de Galles Hotel - La Scène Restaurant

Last night we had the pleasure of dining at "La Scene" in the recently refurbished Prince de Galles Hotel in Paris. Everything was fresh, delicious, and magnificently presented. Here are some souvenirs from the evening...

"Top Chef" winner Stéphanie Le Quellec brings a feminine touch to the fabulous cuisine.

For a starter I had a medley of green vegetables with an herb sorbet...

...and for a main dish, the sea bass with seasonal purple asparagus and a vanilla bean foam.

The view of the newly refurbished art deco courtyard made me feel as if traveling back in time.

Jason's Cool Idea

Hey Jason, I'm loving your cool Higher Tourism conversation idea. Very conceptual art-y!!!


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THE SEYCHELLES - Four Seasons - Creole Delights

Day 8

We had lunch every day at these tables,
with our bare feet massaged by the cool sand.

While we ate, a group of local workers built a structure out of bamboo. 

Over 50% of the hotel staff were local Seychellois Creole as is policy.

Mangoes, papaya, pineapple, passion fruit, jackfruit, breadfruit, and eggfruit

grew wildly and organically all around the area. 

Yum!

My favorite though were the bananas,
which you could pick off a tree and eat anytime. Addicting.

And let's not forget the fresh coconut water!

There was a big Creole buffet and party our last night, 

which included home made Creole Fish curry made with fresh seeds and pods of 

coriander, cumin, cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, and other spices. 

A stimulating explosion of flavor.

The Sombre Moutia is the typical dance of Seychelles, with strong African 

and Malagasy rhythms which is usually played by the light of a beach bonfire. 

Once banned for being too sexually brazen, it's primitive beat 

played on a heated goatskin drum entranced us into the wee hours,

(which for us is about 11:00pm).

And so ends another fantabulous trip.

Until we meet again...Peace, Love, and Higher Tourism!

THE SEYCHELLES - Four Seasons - Spa & Yoga

Day 7

The spa at the Four Seasons is a must.

I've been taking yoga classes for years, around the world,
and I thought I pretty much knew my stuff,
but Rajveer taught me how to really meditate,
like they do in Nepal, where he is from.

You can basically meditate anywhere, on a peaceful beach, 

and or even in a crowded city.

I especially enjoyed the mountain yoga, which involved a VERY steep hike uphill. 

But as Rajveer is from Nepal, it was very easy for him.

I was a little sweatier.

This former Bollywood sound engineer has found his true calling.

This is where we meditated today. Spectacular.

He then gave me Oreo cookies and mango juice.

It's the tradition in Nepal to always give a snack afterwards.

He also gave yoga classes at the kid's club!

THE SEYCHELLES - Four Seasons - Flora & Fauna

Day 6 

Environmental legislation in the Seychelles is very strict,
and every tourism project must undergo a lengthy process
of environmental review and consultations with conservationists...

which means wildlife-a-go-go!

The result is an intact and stable natural environment.

The record for the highest percentage
of land under natural conservation - nearly 50%.

The Madagascar Red Fody

Zebra Doves

Like many fragile island ecosystems most of the giant tortoises disappeared, 

yet today some still remain, like these...

... and their offspring.

The Coco de Mer is a species of palm tree 

producing a "double" coconut resembling a, um, "buttocks"

and produces the world's heaviest seed pods.

Seychelles is considered the world leader in sustainable tourism...

... now that's what I call true "higher" tourism!

THE SEYCHELLES - Four Seasons - Marine Life

Day 5

 

Time for some snorkeling. YEAH!!

Lindsey is my favorite Marine Biologist. She is actually the only marine biologist I've ever met but she was really cool and knew her stuff! She was able to talk me into snorkeling out rather far amidst sting rays and sharks in very wavy waves.

Psyching myself up for the plunge.

There was quite a wide variety of underwater creatures!

I was so relaxed bobbing around like this 

that I didn't even mind how far out we'd gone. 

The marine life was spectacular, 

more than 1000 species of fish have been recorded. 

Coral bleaching in 1998 has unfortunately damaged most reefs, 

but some are starting to show some healthy recovery.

A Platax fish

I later saw this Gray Reef Shark when kayaking!

THE SEYCHELLES - Four Seasons - The Beach

Day 4 

In the late 17th century,
pirates from the Caribbean inhabited these faraway islands.

I can see why they liked it here... it's very pirate island-y.

Now higher tourists come from all over the world, but in small numbers.

This is Michel, who I bombarded with questions and requests all day.
He was very patient and helpful.

We loved the free beach massages! I think this guy really needed one.

THE SEYCHELLES - Four Seasons - The Villas

Day 3

After an excellent good night's sleep in this bed...

We woke up to this view!

Who needs a morning bath when you can just jump in the pool?!

The villas are made out of local materials, and discreetly blend in with the surroundings. The nature is the real decor.

But my favorite thing was the treehouse. This will be from now on and forever my "think of a happy place" place when meditating and relaxing.

THE SEYCHELLES - Four Seasons - The Voyage Part II

Day 2

Good morning and BONJOU* SEYCHELLES!!!

Upon landing at the main (and only) airport on Mahé, the moist, warm air was perfumed with fresh rain, flora, sea... 

*Seychellois Creole for "hello"

...and jet fuel, because we descended the airstairs Jacky-O style!

This woman looked, gesticulated, and moved just like my friend Susan in California.

I like to call her Italian Susan. She was speaking Italian. Never mind.

In the parking lot. Beats Charles de Gaulle's!

We're journalists so we had a driver. ooooOOooooo.

We also had air conditioning, cold drinking water, and homemade banana bread.

93.2% of the population are Seychellois Creole. 

With an estimated population of 86,525, it is the smallest of any African State.
Which means lots of luscious nature per person!
The government of Seychelles is very ecologically pro-active.

 Finally, after about 18 hours of traveling, the Four Seasons at last!