Seychelles-A Perfect Tropical Paradise

It's 6AM, the sun is on the horizon and we are entering an idyllic archipelago reminiscent of the Galapagos Islands. A red-footed booby hanging out on the foredeck greets us. The Seychelles was colonized by the French in 1770 to raise cinnamon, tea and vanilla and was ceded to the British in 1814. In 1976 they became independent and have been essentially led by Albert Rene, 66, to this day. His popularity is waning and there is a feeling his days are numbered. Mahe, the largest island, is about one and one half times larger than Martha's Vineyard. Air and water temperature are about 85 degrees fahrenheit most of the year and it has the "healthiest climate in the world." French and English are official languages but Creole is also popular among the locals. Tourism generates 70% of the hard currency. Get this; there are no mosquitoes carrying malaria, no snakes, no big wild animals, no hurricanes or cyclones and no earthquakes!

National flag, clocktower in Victoria, Mahe Island

"As pure as it gets", Seychelles tourism motto

Senior resident, tropical paradise