Spinning with a purpose - up next, Seychelles (Africa)
I guess I thought it was time to write an update. It's now been 8 months since this trek around the globe started and as I wrote last month, I am not ready for it to end. Thankfully it's not, at least not yet. I am only 3 continents down, with 4 more to go!
Up next is the Seychelles. It is the smallest African country as well as the least populated sovereign African country, with an estimated population of just 100,600 in 2022 (per Wikipedia). A nation made up of 115 islands, about 1000 miles off the east coast of Africa.
I remember the precise moment I decided to book this trip. I was sitting in Copeka Coffee on January 2, 2023 and booked my airline ticket while sipping on a London Fog Latte.
Step back more than 20 years, and the Seychelles has been on the "bucket list" since I saw an article in Travel and Leisure about the islands in the early 2000s. I have looked at booking a trip here multiple times. Always too expensive or too far. Sometimes life, and all that you want, is just out of reach.
January 2nd of 2023 that changed in a blink of an eye. I sat there on my American Airlines mobile app and clicked "purchase". And just like that, I was going to go to a particular destination I have wanted to visit for my entire adult life.
Much of the other travel and destinations were "selected for me" based on available travel dates and cruise itineraries, the costs associated, etc. But the Seychelles were hand selected and frankly, the only destination I considered when booking my African continent.
Now, there is some controversy in choosing an island nation, nearly 1000 miles off the coast of the continent and "meeting" the requirements of a continental visit...but it's an African country and it's what I chose.
A lush, tropical African beach vacation isn't what most people think of when they think of Africa, so I am ready to knock your socks off.
Getting there won't be easy. It's 10,761 air miles EACH way. I start in Grand Junction, fly to Dallas, then on to Doha, Qatar and then down to Mahe, Seychelles. It'll take almost 2 days to get there, and then 7 days of what I hope and expect to be pure bliss.
I have a few excursions planned including snorkeling, going to find some giant tortoises and a full day of island-hopping to see the best of Praslin and La Digue, includuding Anse Source d’Argent and Vallee de Mai.
After watching the tourism video below, maybe there will be horseback riding on the beach, a jet ski or a Zipline adventure. In my year of "yes", I probably won't say no.
To say I am excited, maybe more than any other leg is an understatement. Living your dreams in amazing, and I highly encourage it!
The countdown is on. T-15 days, but I am not counting...
Cole from Colorado
Conquering the World. Spinning with a Purpose.
Seychelles Tourism Video
Photo: The Wanderlust Effect
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