ALPHONSE, a tiny atoll in the Indian Ocean, has a mystical place in the pantheon of fly-fishing. It is our Xanadu. It is on one of the remotest inhabited islands in the Seychelles: you typically have to fly into Mahé, the largest island, and spend a night there (I stayed at the Eden Bleu), before continuing on your journey the next day.
Alphonse is surrounded by the most astonishing flats that brim with fish. It is like walking through an aquarium. It is also one of the most glorious islands to visit, even if you have not the slightest intention of ever casting a line across the sparkling azure waters. I know because I was accompanied by my wife, Rachel.
It is always summer here, only 7˚ south of the equator. The beaches are pristine and the island is full of ancient woodland
This, perhaps, hadn’t always been the case. As the fishermen fished, the wives and nonangling partners of the past had little to do apart from discussing the merits or otherwise of their other halves as they waited for their return. There is no waiting now.
Instead, there is a spa, trips to nearby uninhabited islands to see the red-footed boobies and frigatebirds soaring through the sky, canoeing, scuba diving or snorkelling on a sparkling reef just off the shore, tortoise feeding, whale and manta ray watching, Nature walks or even, dare I say, relaxing. It is always summer here, being only 7° south of the equator. The beaches are pristine and the island is full of ancient woodland and coconut glades.
Denne historien er fra March 01, 2023-utgaven av Country Life UK.
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Denne historien er fra March 01, 2023-utgaven av Country Life UK.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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