Holiday Reviews
We invite every traveller who books a holiday via us to send in a review. Because we don't run the holidays they're completely independent and unedited... remember to read between the lines though, as two people on the same trip can have different views!
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Turtle volunteering in the Seychelles, independent reviews
 Reviewed 29 Nov 2006 by Jenny Coppard |  |
 |  |  |  |  | Take a look at Jenny's photos from this trip. More… (click photos to enlarge) |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Watching turtles dig and lay their nests on the beach felt like such a privilege. To see such a natural act, which is especially significant as the turtles are endangered, was such a wonderful and emotional experience, we really felt empathy with their plight for survival.. and their labour pains!
As there are no predators for birds or the giant tortoises on the island (in fact the only land-dwellers on the island that do live in fear of being killed are: bugs - by birds, baby turtles - by crabs, and crabs - by humans!); the birds and tortoises are so unafraid and it is amazing to be able to move amongst them and interact with them at such close quarters. I've never been interested in bird watching but it really was beautiful being able to see baby birds hatched from their eggs on the ground - in roots of trees, and to observe and interact with tropical birds, some of them even come in to your bungalow or eat crumbs out of your hand - if you let them!
The stillness, beauty, peace and tranquillity of this place really made me overjoyed to be alive and experiencing nature. It is I think the only holiday I've ever been on that I have spend equal amounts of time reflecting on how amazing it was - as I spent anticipating it!
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
I agree with the other reviewer re earplugs and checking flight times, good advice. We flew with Qatar Airways who had great inflight services but we had to wait for half a day at Mahe airport for the connection to the island. There's not a lot to do at Mahe airport!! People told us when we were there that Air Seychelles fight times matched with the Bird Island transfer times, but their inflight service is not as good apparently - so - up to you!
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
The lodge only employs Seychellois people, their water and food policies are as green as possible and the management seem committed to maintaining high levels of green ethics. The produce from their veggie garden and what the chefs do with it is brilliant. We're vegetarians and they made special meals for us every day which were a delight, as were the side dishes from the main buffet - plus they catch fresh fish every day and there are many meat options too.
4. Any other comments?
5* for food, staff and management friendliness/helpfulness, setting, bungalows, the whole experience. I cannot recommend it highly enough.
| Reviewed 6 Jan 2007 by Caroline Newman | |
Hi, just to let you know that we had a fantastic holiday at this accommodation. I would give it 3 stars, but to be honest I think if I were there with just my husband (we went with the kids and my mother who is quite ill) I think I would give it 5 stars.
The accommodation was simple but kept clean and in good repair. The food, was great. Creole and fresh. The fish is caught on a daily basis and the vegetables are grown on the island. The water was amazing - my skin and hair altered within a day! The lines on my face left and my hair was so soft (and went curly! It's normally straight)
The staff and owners were incredibly helpful - as I mentioned my mother is quite sick and needed more attention than most. They were always polite, approachable and went out of their way to help where they could.
The island gave sense of being completely away from it all. The most amazing thing for us was that our kids got on so well!!! There was simply nothing for them to argue or fight over. They had food when it was provided 3 times a day and in between meals they swam, snorkelled and simply enjoyed being in a safe environment where we could allow them to roam around and explore on their own, oh and the pool table!
The nature was a delight and Robbie the resident conservationist was always on hand to answer any questions about the 250 varieties of bird, the 18 giant land tortoises and the hawksbill and green turtles that were coming up to lay their eggs.
All in all delightful, and we would recommend the place to couples and families alike.
The accommodation was simple but kept clean and in good repair. The food, was great. Creole and fresh. The fish is caught on a daily basis and the vegetables are grown on the island. The water was amazing - my skin and hair altered within a day! The lines on my face left and my hair was so soft (and went curly! It's normally straight)
The staff and owners were incredibly helpful - as I mentioned my mother is quite sick and needed more attention than most. They were always polite, approachable and went out of their way to help where they could.
The island gave sense of being completely away from it all. The most amazing thing for us was that our kids got on so well!!! There was simply nothing for them to argue or fight over. They had food when it was provided 3 times a day and in between meals they swam, snorkelled and simply enjoyed being in a safe environment where we could allow them to roam around and explore on their own, oh and the pool table!
The nature was a delight and Robbie the resident conservationist was always on hand to answer any questions about the 250 varieties of bird, the 18 giant land tortoises and the hawksbill and green turtles that were coming up to lay their eggs.
All in all delightful, and we would recommend the place to couples and families alike.