"Imagine an island dedicated to preserving nature, in a climate of unabashed luxury. A private, reclusive villa would afford you a 270 degree view of clear blue equatorial waters and some of the world's most beautiful scenery. You would be pampered, yet completely secluded. You would be rejuventated as nature herself has been. Does such a place exist?"
Awards.
In our opening year, we were honoured to win two prestigious awards, the UK Sunday Times Travel Award and the Tatler Award.
The UK Sunday Times Travel Magazine declared North Island the Best Resort, Outstanding Style.
According to editor, Brian Schofield, "North Island has set a towering new standard in barefoot luxury and has leapt to the top of the world's honeymoon hot list. North Island is as luxurious and private as anyone can wish for. In addition, the judges were duly impressed by its dedication to the environment."
According to Tatler, "This is the ultimate in Crusoe living. Just 11 two-bedroom Villas set back from a sparkling-white sickle of beach, with wide decks - so fabulously eco that not a nail has been used - and the roofs of ylang-ylang wood. The pools are circles of deep blue sunk into the deck, gently swirling. Actually, not so gently: jets are strong enough to swim against, or float round and round on blissful silky water. These are pools that induce the goldfish attention span: a few seconds and you're happy to drift round all over again. The depth is irresistible for bomb-jumping. The resort is the Island, your castaway home - a new interpretation of barefoot luxury with laid-back lifestyle. Chef Geoffrey Murray, headhunted by Hillary Clinton for the White House, is here not so much as a chef as your private cook. No menus - you just tell Geoffrey what you like to eat. As lotus - eating goes, North Island sets a new standard."
Noah's Ark.
Our Island team are full steam ahead with the environmental rehabilitation programme, which consists of both land and marine based activities.
The initial focus of the project is:
1. To clear the Island of all alien vegetation, animals and birds. So far, the team has successfully cleared 1/4 of the Island of alien plant species (Lanatana, coco plums and coco nuts).
2. To develop an endemic plant nursery. About 90 000 plants have, at this point, been propagated from 75 species.
3. Finally, once a viable habitat has been created, to re-introduce endemic bird species onto North Island.
The aims for 2004 are:
1. To remove Indian Myna's and Barred Madagascan Ground Doves from the Island.
2. To undertake a basic biodiversity assessment of the Island in order to find out which birds should be introduced.
3. To introduce two endemic bird species on to North Island by the end of the year. This is dependent on the results of the biodiversity assessment.
Although not currently a primary focus, the conservation marine based activities, i.e. turtle, reef and beach profile monitoring, are ongoing processes.
Looking forward, the North Island Cook Book will be published sometime during the next couple of months. Written by our chef, Geoff, the book will be a collage of recipes, photographs and stories about life on North Island, through the eyes of the people who live there.
Seychelles
The 43 Inner Islands that cluster around the principal islands of Mah�, Praslin and La Digue are the world's only oceanic islands of granitic composition. They represent the mountain peaks of the ancient super-continent of Pangea that once encompassed the total landmass of a young, evolving planet and are thought to have erupted from the earth's core some 750 million years ago.Around 200 million years ago, the forces determining the continental drift split Pangea into Laurasia (modern Europe, Asia and North America) and Gondwanaland (South America, Africa, Antarctica, Australasia and India). 75 million years later Madagascar, Seychelles and India separated as one landmass, carrying with them certain species of fauna, such as the flying fox, that remain common to both locations, before Seychelles finally split from India about 65 million years ago.
North Island, and its close neighbour Silhouette Island, contain the only evidence of volcanic ash found above sea level in Seychelles. They are both granitic islands but are thought to be considerably younger than Mah�, Praslin and La Digue. Their syenite formation probably dates back to about 90 million years ago when Seychelles and India separated.Seychelles' Outer Islands are coralline and made up of coral or volcanic rocks from deep within the earth's crust. Produced by seismic events, these islands are mere juveniles in comparison to their aged granitic peers and date back only a few million, or perhaps even a thousand years.Seychelles' magnificent islands possess unrivalled beauty ranging from the verdant mist forests of virgin granite peaks to the powder-soft sands of secluded beaches and together represent the ultimate tropical destination for the discerning traveller, living up to the country's slogan - "Seychelles - as pure as it gets".
Tourism is the mainstay of the nation's economy and is considered one of the chief components in the sustainable development of the country, benefiting from policies, planning and marketing structures that take into account both the conservation of natural and cultural resources as well as the carrying capacity of the islands. Respect for other crucial factors such as the preservation of the social values of local communities, as well as the fragile and prolific bio-diverse eco-systems, such as coral reefs and mangroves, remain very much at the heart of planning initiatives.
Seychelles takes its role as custodian of a truly unique environment very seriously and, over many years, enlightened conservationist policies have set aside nearly 50% of a limited landmass as natural reserves. Seychelles boasts two UNESCO World Heritage Sites - Aldabra, the world's largest raised coral atoll (approximately 500 square kilometres) that is home to 150,000 giant tortoises and an abundance of flora and fauna, as well as the Vall�e-de-Mai on Praslin, the only place on earth where you will find the fabled Coco-de-Mer (the world's heaviest seed) and the rare Black Parrot.This impressive national heritage has remained virtually untouched for millions of years and today combines with other real advantages, such as the absence of venomous creatures, tropical disease (there is no malaria), cyclones, crime and poverty, to make Seychelles a most desirable tourist destination.
Racially harmonious and politically stable, Seychelles is one of the last true sanctuaries on the planet where man can still live healthily and in harmony with nature, benefiting from a carefree, island-style way of living and enjoying the space to breathe pure air and to roam free.
North Island is one of forty inner granitic islands of the Seychelles that are located around the two main islands of Mah� and Praslin. North Island provides a sanctuary for guests seeking an unspoiled tropical haven of peace and tranquility. The island offers four beaches that are located at each end of the compass and is able to ensure a wonderful year-round tropical beach and island experience. Facilities include 11 handcrafted air-conditioned guest villas. There are a central dining room, lounge and library; a beautifully located health spa and gym; a breathtakingly beautiful swimming pool hewn into a granitic outcrop and a sunset bar and restaurant tucked away on the western side of the island.
Each villa is completely self-contained and comprises a luxuriously proportioned bedroom; a writing and change-room area with a huge en-suite bathroom and outdoor shower; overhead fans; fully retracting sliding windows and mosquito nets. The master bedroom and change room is air-conditioned. An additional study or bedroom is equipped with a DVD/CD system, Internet access and can be rearranged to accommodate children. There is a kitchen, sun deck and covered lounge area and guests may elect to eat in their villas or in the main dining room. A private plunge pool and sala completes your private sanctuary within a sanctuary. A full butler service caters for your every need from in-villa meals to picnics on secluded beaches.
Activities include swimming and sunbathing on any of the 4 private beaches, excellent snorkeling right off the beaches, reef and wall scuba diving, massage and health therapy in the Spa or in your villa, gymnasium, nature walks, deep sea and fly fishing, windsurfing, guided and supported sea kayaking, hobie sailing, yacht charter, boating trips to the neighbouring island, mountain biking or golf at Lemuria Resort on Praslin (18 hole course but requires a private helicopter transfer).
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Vacationtechnician personalized luxury adventure travel transports you to the most exquisite wilderness and chill out retreats on Earth. Conserving rare biodiversity through low volume tourism; our aim is your indulgence -at no one's expense. Plan now to be assured a rejuvenating escape at a restful pace -to an unspoiled gem in the purest sense.
Posted by vacationtechnician at April 3, 2004 02:26 PM | TrackBack