马埃岛(Mahé)作为塞舌尔第一大岛,承载了全国将近九成的人口,面积达到157平方公里左右。这里不仅是进入塞舌尔的门户,更是物价最接近民生的地方。比起更小众的普拉兰或拉迪格,马埃岛的层次感更强,既有海拔905公里的莫恩塞舌尔山(Morne Seychellois),也有那种可以让你逛上两个小时的本地露天集市。很多人把这里当成中转站,其实这岛值得留够三四天去慢慢嚼。
说是首都,维多利亚(Victoria)其实小到半天就能走完。这里没有摩天大楼,只有带着殖民色彩的红顶房子和满街的香料味。想看这颗印度洋明珠最真实的一面,得从那个建于1840年的塞尔文爵士市场(Sir Selwyn Selwyn-Clarke Market)开始。建议周六清晨六点半就过去,那是当地人买海鲜和香料的高峰期,你能看到各种长相奇异的深海鱼整齐码放。这里的香草荚和肉桂粉比机场便宜不少,买的时候记得挑那种干燥且色泽深沉的。
从市场走出来五分钟就是标志性的小笨钟(Clock Tower),它是1903年为了纪念英国维多利亚女王而建。市区虽然不大,但步行时要注意由于街道窄,车流量不小。如果你想找个安静点的地方,可以去维多利亚植物园(Seychelles National Botanical Gardens)。进去先奔着象龟园区走,花上50卢比买点树叶就能体验喂这些百岁巨兽。这里的象龟不像拉迪格岛那样围在泥地里,活动空间更大,拍照也没那么多背景板遮挡。
大多数人来塞舌尔只盯着博瓦隆(Beau Vallon),但马埃岛的灵魂在山上。莫恩布兰克山徒步路线(Morne Blanc Trail)是性价比最高的一条,单程大约一公里。别被这个数字骗了,这一路几乎全是斜度超过30度的上升,穿行在被青苔覆盖的云雾森林里,空气潮湿得能拧出水来。走到终点的木制平台,脚下就是深达600米的悬崖,能把西海岸的泻湖全景收进眼里。如果你体力一般,可以选附近的科波利亚(Copolia Trail),门票100卢比左右,路稍微平缓些,但视野同样能覆盖到伊甸岛(Eden Island)的游艇港口。
说到山路,那就不得不提横穿岛屿的无忧大道(Sans Souci Road)。这条路弯道极多,非常考验驾驶技术,但沿途的教会学校遗址(Mission Lodge)是必停站。当年女王伊丽莎白二世曾在这里喝茶看海。现在废墟只剩残垣断壁,但那种面对大西洋的旷野感是博瓦隆海滩给不了的。清晨或傍晚去,山间的云雾会像瀑布一样流过山脊,冷到需要带件薄外套。
在马埃岛跑动,钱的问题得算清楚。出租车是公认的贵,从机场到维多利亚市区也就十公里出头,司机通常会开价400到600卢比。如果行李不多,坐公交车(SPTC)是最聪明的法子。现在公交车不收现金,必须在车站买一张储值卡或者下载SPTC App扫码,单次票价大约12卢比。这种蓝色的塔塔牌大巴在山路上开起来极猛,坐稳扶好是第一准则,而且岛上规定带大件行李箱是不准上大巴的,这点很多人不知道。
自驾虽然自由,但马埃岛的道路规则很硬核。这里的路极窄,有些路段甚至没有护栏,旁边就是深沟或海。租车一天通常在50到70欧元之间。有个细节,一定要确认车是自动挡,因为在那些接近45度的斜坡上起步,手动挡绝对是噩梦。油站大多集中在市区和东海岸,去南部荒野玩之前一定要把油补满,南部的油站少到让你怀疑人生。
是的,塞舌尔公共交通公司(SPTC)已经全面推行无现金支付,司机不接受纸币或硬币。游客需要购买12卢比起的储值卡或通过移动应用购票,卡片在维多利亚大巴总站或部分便利店可以买到。
强烈建议周六上午8点前到达,这是市场一周中贸易最活跃、货品最全的时间点。周日市场通常关闭,平时则在下午4点左右就开始陆续收摊,错过早市就只能看到冷清的空摊位了。
不需要,该线路标识非常清晰,只要沿着固定的台阶和树根路径向上即可。但请务必穿着抓地力强的运动鞋,因为山上常年有雨,花岗岩台阶和树根会被踩得极其湿滑,且山上没有信号,建议在离线地图里下好路线。
如果行李轻便且不赶时间,可以坐公交车先到维多利亚总站再转车,全程只需24卢比。如果是家庭出行或行李较多,建议提前联系酒店预约接送,通常比在机场航站楼门口现拦出租车要便宜100卢比左右。
Erlend Sundsdal Hansen It was a pleasure to visit this beautiful island with its warm people and incredible tropical nature. We will be back for sure!
TjMc Paradise found, two hearts one journey toward serenity. A purchase that pays off in peace & joy. Breathing peace-fully❣️ #seychelles #mahe
Sands and Sunshine Even though Mahe is the most populated island in the Seychelles, it still feels secluded. You can for sure get that feeling of "remoteness" if you avoid the very touristy areas such as Beau Vallon. If you are into hiking - definitely visit the remote beach called Anse Major.
M C Mahé is a beautiful island, the main island is Seychelles, the vibes and people are lively and welcoming. Restaurants and hotels are scattered all over with fresh sea food that are very delicious, especially their local cuisine. Public beaches are easily accessible many parts and you can reach it easily. The locals speak English and French as well as Seychellois. Cards are accepted in most of the places.
bookingMentor Over 1,000 miles from the east coast of Africa the island of Mahe's jungle clad mountains rise from the Indian Ocean. With over 60 beautiful beaches and coves fringing the island, ranging from sweeping bays of white sand to hidden corners you can make your own, a densely forested interior and small towns with a unique Creole culture, there is much to explore. Mahe may be the biggest and most populated island in the Seychelles, housing roughly 90% of the nation's 89,000 citizens, but with the majority of people living in and around the capital of Victoria in the north east of the island it is easy to escape and find your own Robinson Crusoe experience. The joy of Mahe is the variety the island offers: yes, more beach hopping than you could possibly squeeze into a two week holiday, but also waterfalls, jungle, mountain walks and stunning viewpoints, with a whole host of activities from rock climbing to sea kayaking and scuba diving. The beaches are wonderful and many are on a par with those found on Praslin and La Digue, but if you like to mix your beach break with exploration and adventure Mahe is a delight to drive around and find your own corner.