Lamu is the kind of place I had to give into. Everybody does. I could say the reason was jet lag or New York City burnout or pandemic fatigue (or all three rolled into one), but, really, it’s because the Kenyan isle has an irresistibly gentle pace that’s hard not to surrender to. There’s even a local saying for it: “pole pole.” Slow down.

Here, where no cars are allowed and there are almost as many donkeys as humans, you can’t help but appreciate the slow sway of life–something that has attracted many wanderers and travelers in the past. But it’s not just the island’s unhurried pace that draws foreigners. As a trading island in the Indian Ocean, Lamu has long had a rich mixture of cultures and architecture (Arab to Indian, Swahili and Chinese). Evidence of the jumble of cultures is everywhere, from the buildings that line the narrow streets to the hand-pressed chapatis and fragrant fish curries served at the restaurants.

The history is noticeable, too—Lamu Town, listed as a UNESCO world heritage site, feels like it still belongs in the 13th century, when it was first built. Cows roam down limestone alleyways that crisscross the city, so narrow they can fit little more than a pregnant donkey. Some buildings are dilapidated and spattered with mold, while others (many belonging to wealthy European swallows) are built of stones carved from coral on neighboring Manda Island and have intricately hand-carved doors with overgrown bushels of bougainvillea.

Along the waterfront there’s a constant hubbub of activity, where fishing boats come and go, and goods are packed and offloaded. Proof the island’s trading roots still run strong and that, although Lamu can feel sleepy, it’s also extremely energetic and busy.

Surrendering into Lamu’s languorous ways began as soon as I stepped off the plane. Even navigating through the crowds of people to get to the jetty, where water taxis and boats splutter (waiting to take travelers to Lamu town or Shela on Lamu Island), was effortless thanks to the warm, salty air that wreaked of vacation.

My water taxi—actually a wooden dhow—took me to the Peponi Hotel on Shela, where many holiday stories begin and end–sipping Old Pals (lime, vodka, a dash of bitters and sugared rim) on the terrace or lazing by the emerald pool. Opened in 1967, the water-facing bright white property dotted with bulbous baobabs and palm trees has long been a staple for the local expat crowd. It’s also where celebrities, like Mick Jagger and Jerry Hall in the 70s and more recently Kate Moss, have cast themselves away in search of a low-key getaway (the Obamas also stayed on the island). What it offered back then it still offers today.

You could spend all day sipping cocktails on the terrace or walking the length of Shela Beach, but that would mean missing out on exploring the archipelago by dhow. These wooden boats used as fishing vessels, have become synonymous with the East African waters. I spent a day skirting the island on the Hippo Dhow, where local boatmen Yusuf, Hassan, Mohammed, and Jamil worked seamlessly to navigate the wide wooden boat along the coastline.

We sailed past tangled mangroves, deserted stretches of sand and a town known for its basket weaving. Eventually, we stopped for lunch on an empty beach where the team prepared fresh kingfish grilled over a fire at the back of the dhow, served with homemade chapatis and salad. For dessert we sucked on mangoes, while the boat cruised back to the hotel at an easy pace. By nightfall we’d arrived back at the Peponi, just in time for a meal of ginger crab and prawn curry on the terrace.

Shela and Lamu Town attract travelers who want to soak up the island’s buzz, but there are also more ‘beachy’ islands in the archipelago where watersports, snorkeling and fishing are reasons to go. The low-key Mike’s Camp on Kiwayu and Manda Bay Lodge on Manda Island, both a speed-boat-ride away, offer easy-breezy accommodation and open-air rooms with woven palm floors that spill out onto ocean views. You also don’t have to be an avid diver or fisherman to enjoy these lodges though.

At Manda Bay Lodge, rather than fish and dive I chose to stick to my easygoing island vacation vibe and soaked up the sun outside my safari-style bungalow and drank dawas (gin, fresh lime and honey) as the sun bruised the sky. In the evenings, I feasted on platters of freshly grilled fish at a table set in the sand, under stars and palm trees. Then rolled into bed. One afternoon I visited the Takwa Settlement, ancient ruins that hark back to the 18th century–dilapidated, overgrown historical buildings few people really know much about.

On another occasion, I trailed a local guide through a network of alleyways in Lamu Town, picking up baskets, kikois and wooden objects from local craftsmen. But mostly, I just walked along the beach, swam in the warm ocean and read from the swinging daybed outside my room.

There were moments when I realized I was doing absolutely nothing at all, which is not necessarily a bad thing. Because that’s what Lamu begs you to do: get into the slow sway swing of things and just soak it all in. When I had pangs of guilt, like I wasn’t doing enough, there was always a friendly local to remind me to “pole pole.”

Slow down.

It’s hard not to give into Lamu, but why wouldn’t you want to anyway?

The post The Quiet, Alluring Charm of Kenya’s Lamu Island appeared first on Islands.

The Manta Resort, located on Pemba Island off Africa’s east coast, offers one type of accommodation we haven’t seen before: an overwater bungalow with an underwater bedroom. (Underwater bungalows are the new overwater bungalows.) The three-story digs feature an ocean-level lounge deck, a roof sundeck and a submerged bedroom. Plus, it’s all-inclusive, luxurious and super private — the perfect combo for a honeymoon or romantic getaway. Here are five reasons to book Manta Resort’s Underwater Room.

1. Ultimate Privacy

Pemba Island is remote, Manta Resort is even more remote and the Underwater Room, located in a blue hole 800 feet offshore from the resort, is as remote as it gets. If you’re looking to get off the grid with your one and only, this is the ideal place. A short boat ride from the property and you’re left to your own devices with a kayak, snorkel gear and a fully stocked bar fridge — and a mobile phone should you need to call hotel staff. Plus, a security guard is anchored at a nearby buoy to ensure your complete privacy. Breakfast and dinner are delivered at pre-arranged times, for no unexpected interruptions, and the bungalow is a WiFi-free zone, so there’s plenty of time to reconnect with each other. Good to know: Since the whole structure floats — it’s held in place by lines anchoring it to the ocean floor — don’t forget to pack Dramamine if you’re prone to motion sickness.

2. Sleep Beneath the Indian Ocean

The villa’s floating bedroom lies 13 feet below the Indian Ocean’s surface, and features a 360-degree view of the deep blue. It’s cozy, with barely more room than the double bed it holds, but it’s air conditioned for comfortable sleeping. (But let’s be honest, who’s going to sleep when you’ve got 24-hour fish TV to entertain you?) Trumpet fish, batfish, barracuda are among the species you’ll spot and in the evenings, underwater spotlights attract the shyer creatures, among them squid, octopus and Spanish dancers.

3. Bonus Overwater Bungalow Vibes

In addition to the underwater awesomeness, you get one of the best features of an overwater bungalow. A ladder leads up to the villa’s top level, which features a sun deck that’s ideal for catching some rays and for taking the plunge directly into the ocean — just like an overwater bungalow. Bonus: it’s the perfect spot for peeping the Milky Way at night since there’s virtually no light pollution in the area.

4. Luxury with a Clear Conscience

Manta Resort works hard at sustainability; they’ve turned nearly a ½ mile of coastline into a nature reserve and have worked with local authorities to conserve the Pemba channel area. They’ve also made strides in removing crown of thorn starfish from the area. The creature preys on coral, leaving it dead and disrupting the ecosystem, so its removal ensures rich marine life for years to come.

5. Bragging Rights

Its remoteness and its price tag ($1,700 per couple per night, all-inclusive) make it a luxury that few will indulge in, so you’ll be the first — and probably the only — of your friends to call this underwater bungalow your home for the night. Just think of all the envy-inducing Instagram photos you can snap during your stay.

Watch the video above to see what it’s like to stay there.

The post This Island Resort Offers a Hybrid Overwater/Underwater Bungalow appeared first on Islands.

That said, some are just a bit more memorable and much more photogenic than others. A few are world-famous (featured in songs, movies and even a diet) while other are unsung gems. What unites them? That feeling of awe you get when you kick off your flip-flops, throw down your beach towel and think, “Now this is paradise.”

Here is our list of the 20 best and most famous beaches around the world.

Camps Bay Beach – Cape Town, South Africa

For sheer drama, it’s hard to beat this wide arc of sand located on the Atlantic just seven minutes from Cape Town. Backed by the craggy Twelve Apostles mountain range, Camps Bay is popular with the young, beautiful and successful who swim, surf, sip and shop (there’s also a palm-lined promenade), especially on weekends and throughout the peak season from November to January.

Enjoying a sundowner cocktail here is a must, as west-facing restaurants and bars offer superb views.

Horseshoe Bay Beach – Bermuda

Walking along Bermuda’s famous crescent-shaped Horseshoe Bay Beach, or even on the clifftop trails above it, is a sightseeing must. Named for the shape of its inviting bay, this scenic beach in Southampton parish is perfect for lazy sunning or playful splashing (you can rent towels, boogie boards and snorkel gear).

During Bermuda’s cooler months (November to March), Horseshoe Bay remains popular, as visitors snap photos of its pale-pink sand and grab a cocktail and snacks at the on-site café. One caveat: Expect crowds when cruise ships are in port.

Makena Beach – Maui, Hawaii

Sometimes driving a bit further down the road is worth it. And, on Maui, that means passing by Kihei and Wailea Beaches, where resort developments are abundant, and heading to Makena State Park, instead.

Nicknamed Big Beach, this super-photogenic, 1½-mile stretch of golden sand is South Maui’s largest and offers great views of Kahoolawe Island and the Molokini Crater. The unpredictable shore break can be dangerous, however, so you’ll need to heed the posted warnings at the lifeguard stations before deciding to swim. And when the surf is way up, pack a picnic, sit back, and watch the expert boogie boarders at play.

Ipanema Beach – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Rio de Janeiro boasts a pair of famous beaches, Ipanema and Copacabana, but it’s the former — celebrated in the sexy 1960s Bossa nova hit, The Girl from Ipanema — that captivates visitors with its breathtaking views. The sand is pale gold, and the landmark, emerald peaks you’ll find yourself gazing at for hours are known as “Two Brothers.”

Brazilians love to show off their toned bodies, so expect skimpy swimwear and lot of tanned lines. Be sure to leave wallets and valuables safely in your hotel: Despite their beauty, Rio’s beaches are known to be frequented by petty thieves.

Pampelonne Beach – Saint-Tropez, France

Beach clubs, big yachts and beautiful bodies (from Brigitte Bardot to David Beckham) are all synonymous with Saint-Tropez’s most famous beach. The beach was put on the map by Bardot and her director husband Roger Vadim in the 1955 film And God Created Woman.

Everything you’d expect to find on the French Riviera, from striped umbrellas and chaises to skimpy bikinis (tops are optional), are here in abundance, as are odes to excess, such as convertible sports cars, designer sunglasses and champagne on ice. If your wallet can handle it, go ahead and soak up some “joie de vivre.”

Trunk Bay Beach – St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands

Being able to wade into blissfully warm water, pull on your mask and find, and snorkel — really snorkel amid abundant coral and technicolor fish — is a big draw for any beach. The fact that this coconut palm-lined strand on low-key St. John ranks among the most beautiful (and most photographed) island beaches in the Caribbean is a bonus.

As part of Virgin Islands National Park, Trunk Bay Beach offers access to a 225-yard underwater snorkeling trail (gear rentals are available), but plan for an early-morning visit, if you’re seeking tranquility. This beach is popular with cruise-ship passengers from neighboring St. Thomas.

Whitehaven Beach – Queensland, Australia

When Oprah Winfrey and Aussie chef Curtis Stone threw a beach barbecue during her 2011 Ultimate Australian Adventure, they did so on this sweeping, 4½-mile stretch of white silica sand in Queensland’s Whitsunday islands. It’s accessible solely by boat, seaplane or helicopter, so the approach is part of the experience.

The sight of this slender, jungle-backed beach, along with Hill Inlet to the north, where tidal shifts create gargantuan sand art, is the definition of breathtaking.

Maya Bay Beach – Koh Phi Phi leh, Thailand

If Maya Bay looks familiar, that’s because it had a starring role in the 2000 Leonardo DiCaprio movie The Beach. Sheltered at the end of a dramatic bay and cradled by 300-foot cliffs on the southern Thailand island of Koh Phi Phi Leh, it’s accessed via a day trip (often in a long, traditional, wooden tail boat) from neighboring Koh Phi Phi Don that includes a stop for snorkeling in surreally pale water at one of the most exotic beaches in the world.

Everyone wants to see it, so Maya Bay does get crowded. For the best photo opportunities (sans the multitudes), visit in the early morning.

South Beach – Miami, Florida

The sand is soft and white — an ideal complement to the dazzling Art Deco skyline of Miami Beach — and the aquamarine water is warm and inviting. But what truly makes South Beach special is the never-ending parade of people: models and wannabes, athletes and artists, locals and tourists.

As brilliant sunshine saturates the beach’s quirky and colorful lifeguard stands, put on a pair of dark sunglasses, and ogle the sky. You’ll spy barely-there bikinis and Speedos, brazen tattoos and more than a few bare breasts (all perfectly legal).

Shoal Bay East – Anguilla

Almost any of Anguilla’s 33 sugar-white beaches could be on this list, but Shoal Bay East tops them all because of its ability to feel both social and secluded. At its heart, this strand is lined with locally owned bars and restaurants that create a lively ambience, especially on weekends, as visitors enjoy upbeat Anguillan music, rum-laced libations, tasty seafood and barbecue and impromptu dips in the irresistibly clear-turquoise sea.

Walk the entire two miles, and you’ll round “the bend,” a wide expanse of sand that offers splendid views of boh Upper Shoal Bay and Lower Shoal Bay.

Beach Below the Ruins – Tulum, Mexico

How many beaches can claim to have a postcard-perfect view of 13th-century Mayan ruins? This one, located about 80 miles south of Cancun, can, and it’s the ideal spot to cool off after exploring the preserved structures of this ancient coastal city, among them the hulking cliff-top Castillo fortress.

There are no facilities, so wear your bathing suit under your clothes, and your reward will be gentle surf, vibrant, blue-green sea and a memorable perspective on how the Mayans relaxed more than 700 years ago.

Elafonissi Beach – Crete, Greece

What do you get when you mix a Greek island dotted with ancient, windswept cedar trees and tides that create hundreds of rippled white and pink sand islets surrounded by shallow aquamarine lagoons? A true natural wonder.

Set on a peninsula about 45 miles from the port of Chania on the southwestern coast of Crete, Elafonissi is accessed by wading through the sea. Visitors enjoy swimming and strolling, sunning and snacking (there are umbrellas, showers, food vendors and lifeguards on the eastern end). It’s just one of those places that’s so beyond ordinary that it almost seems like a dream.

Bondi Beach – Sydney, Australia

Before or after work, when Sydneysiders make time to play, many head to this picturesque, urban oasis just six miles from the downtown business district to swim, surf, soak up some sun and grab a flat white (like a latter but with less milk and more espresso).

The beach, which curves for more than a half mile and is backed by boutique and café-lined Campbell Parade, is also home to the famed Bondi Icebergs pool and the starting point for a scenic, coastal walk along sandstone cliffs to Bronte.

Grace Bay Beach – Providenciales, Turks and Caicos

The pure-white sand and clear-turquoise water of the best-known bay on Providenciales are so sublime that dozens of resorts have opened her over the past two decades. And while that has made this curving, three-mile ribbon of sand a popular destination for travelers in search of upscale relaxation, there’s plenty of room for everyone.

Add in calm waters (thanks to a barrier reef about a mile offshore), ample watersports and chic, sea-view bars and restaurants and Grace Bay Beach — named for Grace Jane Hutchings, the wife of a Turks and Caicos commissioner in the 1930s — is just about perfect.

Anse Source d’Argent – The Seychelles

Some beaches have an aura that uniquely their own. Anse Source d’Argent, one of the most famous beaches in the Seychelles, grabs your full attention the moment you set eyes on it. Granite boulders, in swirling shapes Dr. Seuss might have imagined, and gently swaying palms jut up from soft, white sand.

Located on La Digue Island and lapped by the crystalline waters of the Indian Ocean, it faces west for immaculate sunsets, making this one of the best island beaches.

Santa Monica Beach – Santa Monica, California

California’s surf culture extends along its entire coastline, but nowhere does it co-mingle with land-based activities so enjoyably as on this vibrant stretch of sand due west of Los Angeles.

With its circa-1909 pier — restored in the 1980s and now home to Pacific Park (with its solar-powered Ferris wheel) and a trapeze school — and beachfront hotels, abundant dining options and 8½-mile jogging and biking path connecting to Venice Beach, Santa Monica ranks among the country’s most entertaining urban beaches. And the sunsets are magical: searing displays of orange and magenta that seem to go on forever.

Tortuga Bay Beach – Galapagos, Ecuador

Some beaches are just perfect for sunning, and you don’t have to be a human to know that. Dozens of marine iguanas and small clusters of sea lions swim ashore to stretch out and catch some rays on this pristine act of talcum-soft sand located on the southern coast of Santa Cruz Island in the Galapagos.

People can enjoy it, too, but we must walk a 1½-mile path to mingle (and pose) with these fearless creatures. You’re also likely to spy sea turtles and bright-red Sally lightfoot crabs in the surf and blue-footed boobies and frigate birds on land at one of the most exotic beaches in the world.

Lido Beach – Venice, Italy

Yes, Venice has a beach — a pretty amazing one, at that. The Lido di Venezia, open to the public and stretched out along a seven-mile sandbar facing the Adriatic Sea, is home in season (May to September) to regiments of umbrella-topped beach loungers, neat rows of wooden cabanas and the historic Hotel Excelsior dating to 1908.

Lido also hosts the annual Venice Film Festival (in early September), when A-listers arrive via sleek Riva motorboats. Anyone can cross the lagoon via local “vaporetto” (water busses) to spy on the glamorous action.

Matira Beach – Bora Bora, French Polynesia

The idyllic islands of French Polynesia — of which Bora Bora is the most storied — are home to thousands of beautiful beaches. But many are located on remote motus and atolls or are part of upscale resorts without public access.

Not Matira Beach, a curve of champagne-hued sand centrally located at Matira Point and offering access to the blue mosaic of Bora Bora lagoon. Sun and swim here, or take a spin on a circle-island Jet Ski tour. Then, enjoy lunch at one of Matira’s locally owned snack shacks or at the InterContinental Le Moana Resort adjacent to the beach.

Pink Sands Beach – Harbour Island, Bahamas

This Bahamian beach’s name doesn’t bend the truth one bit: The spot really boasts an amazing shade of pink sand, thanks to the rosy-hued shells of tiny sea creatures called Foraminifera. The color is amplified by a backdrop of vivid, teal water.

Flat, wide and ideal for swimming, sunning or strolling, this three-mile-long beach embodies the natural beauty of tiny Harbour Island, where bikes and golf carts are the main modes of transportation (neighboring Eleuthera is the gateway). When you’re hungry, head for a seafront eatery (Sip Sip is a fave), and order the local specialty: conch fritters.

The post Best Beaches in the World appeared first on Islands.

Easy & Affordable Caribbean Vacations | Best Islands to Live On | 5 Exotic Escapes Close to Home

Dominican Republic

Motu Teta, Tahiti

Grenadines

Seychelles

Kauai

Zanzibar

New Zealand

Greece

Oahu

Tasmania

Panama

Tahiti

Fiji

St. Lucia

Langford Island, Australia

Tahiti

New Caledonia

Maine

Panama

Hawaii

Sicily

Seychelles

Jamaica

Kauai, Hawaii

Belize

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Best of the Caribbean | Editors’ Picks: Best Beaches in the Caribbean | Best Beach Bars

La Digue, Seychelles

Chatham Bay, Union Island, Grenadines

Porto Marie, Curaçao

East end of Roatan, Honduras

Maldives

Tulum, Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico

Frenchman’s Cove, Jamaica

Hayman Island Resort, Langford Island, Great Barrier Reef

Isla Secas, Panama

Paradise Island, Bahamas

Australia

Bahamas

Seychelles

Darkwood Beach, Antigua

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The post Zanzibar Travel Guide: Where to Go and What to Do appeared first on Islands.

DO fly into Dar es Salaam and stay at least overnight, preferably at the gleaming, Hyatt Regency hotel. Dar is a vibrant city worth seeing, boasting tourist-friendly nightlife and lively beaches.

DON’T take the ferry from the mainland to Zanzibar. It’s far faster and more reliable to fly a reputable carrier that operates multiple flights per day, like Coastal Aviation.

DO visit the petite islands off of Unguja, reachable by dhow or short flight. Charming Chapwani Island, for instance, is close enough for a day or overnight trip from Stone Town. It’s a modish private resort featuring a stellar beach, restaurant and diverse ecosystem of starfish, eagles, bats, white and black egrets, herons, dik diks and shy giant crabs. Changuu Island, better known as Prison Island, is the sort of paradoxical place that Zanzibar abounds in. It’s both a stunning beach resort and a slice of sad history: a former detention center for rebel slaves, it became a prison and then a quarantine station.

DON’T limit yourself to one area of the island. To fully experience the best of Zanzibar, split your stay between several days’ time in Stone Town, and several days at one of the more beach-centered areas of the island, like Kizimkazi or Nungwi.

DO rent a car while visiting Zanzibar. To properly see the island, you’ll need to move around, and taxis can be pricey.

DON’T pass on the street food. Handmade chapatti bread, samosas, grilled seafood—these local fixtures are every bit as safe and delicious as high-end restaurant cuisine. And don’t neglect the most unique street-food offering: Zanzibari pizza, made from chapatti bread.

DO plan your trip during cultural festivals that dot Zanzibar’s calendar. The International Film Festival (July) spotlights African film; the Sauti Za Busara festival (February) provides a stage for East African and European acts; the Jahazi Literary and Jazz Festival (September) boasts open-air jazz concerts, poetry readings and open mics.

The post Zanzibar Travel Guide: Do’s and Don’ts appeared first on Islands.

Drink a Painkiller at the Soggy Dollar Bar, BVI

Find a surprise in Wales

Play ball like a kid in the Dominican Republic

See Tahiti’s Super Bowl

Stand on a glacier in Iceland

Take a picture of Santorini, Greece

Taste the ultimate sushi in Japan

Take your time at the Bishop Museum in Hawaii

Cook a Tahitian feast

Get spoiled Down Under at the qualia resort

to 55. Ride like locals

Soak in the Baths, British Virgin Islands

to 51. Get a thrill and a view

Take a photo of Mount Fuji, Japan

Eat New Zealand raw

Dive off Molokini crater in Hawaii

Eat up Oahu

Walk into paradise in Fiji

Snorkel with whales in Tonga

Book one of the world’s best island cruises

Stay underwater in the Maldives

Visit the No. 1 most natural island destination

Take naps, drink wine and eat a ton on St. Lucia

Take the ultimate family vacation

Step foot on One Foot Island in Aitutaki, Cook Islands

See Tahiti beyond the bungalows

Night dive with mantas off the Big Island, Hawaii

Sail the secret Caribbean

Stay in an overwater bungalow in the Maldives

Relax on sand in the Seychelles

Stay at the No. 1 room with a view

Make Tahiti your home

Find the secret America

Escape to the coolest jungle

Hop the Caribbean by boat

Feel the heat on the Big Island of Hawaii

Move to the USVI

Sleep on the Great Barrier Reef

Retire early on Roatan

to 4. Escape to a private island

Live the island life forever

Fall asleep in a faraway hammock

The post ISLANDS Wish List: Top 100 appeared first on Islands.

Vanilla; Madagascar
We’re not talking about vanilla extract or imitation vanilla. In most chefs’ kitchens, real vanilla from Madagascar or Tahiti is the second most expensive ingredient, after saffron. And it has huge health benefits, like B-complex vitamins to regulate metabolism. On some islands it’s used as a natural antidepressant and fever reducer. It’s the bean that works wonders, not the cookies

Cinnamon; Grenada
The benefits of this spice made from bark are still coming out of the woodwork. Cinnamon is suggested as a blood-sugar regulator and might help some people with diabetes. It also is said to be good for digestion, complexion and memory, and, with honey, may help against colds. The most basic and least disputable claim is that chewing on a cinnamon stick makes the breath fresh.

Wulong ****Tea; Taiwan
Black, green and wulong (or “oolong”) teas come from the same plant, Camellia sinensis, and so the health benefits are similar. (Herbal teas, like mint and chamomile, are not in the same family.) The difference is the processing. Wulong is only partially fermented, and is believed to improve blood circulation, bone density, oral health and digestion. Three cups a day is a good intake.

Açai; Belize
Yes, these berries are rich in vitamins A, C and E. And like most dark berries, they could help keep your heart fit, but only if you climb the trees in the rainforests of Belize, pick the açai and gorge yourself. To reap the benefits, you need the skin and pulp. If you must, use freeze-dried pure açai pulp instead of the costly pills, drinks and bars. Or just save some cash and eat blueberries.

Kelp; Japan
Also called kombu, kelp is cultivated off ropes along Japan’s coast. It’s full of iron, certain amino acids and iodine, so they’ve used it in the Far East to stave off cancer and sharpen the brain. The stuff is far more flavorful than you might imagine seaweed to be. It is usually described by a fifth taste, “umami,” because “sweet,” “salty,” “bitter” and “sour” just don’t do it justice.

Coconuts; Anywhere
That tree up there is often called “the tree of life.” Coconuts are used by many islanders to prevent tooth decay, kidney stones, liver disease, measles and stinky breath. The water inside is so mineral-laden that it’s been used as an intravenous fluid. Like so many natural island edibles, consumed in its natural form (read: not powdered, processed or packaged), coconut is a true super food.

The post The Healthiest Island Foods appeared first on Islands.

I’m concerned. What if the world’s largest and most valuable nut, which can grow bigger than a beach ball and weigh in at more than 50 pounds, crashes down and conks me on the head? The Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve on Praslin has ranked near the top of my gotta-get-there destinations since I first read about it in ISLANDS in the 1980s. But now, as I move along the winding clay path that leads beneath its mysterious and most notable inhabitants (the gargantuan nuts), I walk scared.

“Not to worry,” says Terry Morel, a guide with the tour operator Seven Degrees South. He can tell what I’m thinking from the way I look up at the coco de mer palms that soar overhead. “The nuts only fall at night.”

I might believe him, but the coco de mer is a magnet for myth and outright malarkey. Ancient sailors, who found huge coco de mer nuts floating in the Indian Ocean, thought they came from some mystical underwater island. Sailors being sailors, desirous and delirious from long months at sea, they applied numerous nicknames to the coco de mer, including the “love nut,” thanks to its rather startling resemblance to a female derriere. The 19th-century discovery that the coco de mer, a “forbidden fruit” if ever there was one, grows only in Seychelles, led to speculation that these islands were home to the biblical Garden of Eden.

A visit to the Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve could turn the most hardened skeptics of the Eden theory into at least semi-believers. While pocket-size at just 48 acres, making it one of the smallest preserves on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Vallée de Mai has scarcely changed from primeval times. As I follow Terry through the preserve, a brief storm erupts and a sharp rat-a-tat-tat resounds from above as rain pounds down. I expect to get drenched, but not a drop reaches us beneath the cathedral-like canopy. Terry pats the trunk of a nearby coco de mer.

“Makes quite a fine umbrella, don’t you think?”

It is an honor to be in the mere presence of these nuts. The coco de mer is a serious cash crop in the Seychelles, and the nuts have become the de facto national symbol. My passport, stamped at the airport, now bears its winsome image, and I’ve seen countless gewgaw replicas in every island gift shop. That’s as close as many visitors come to the real thing. ∏o control a black market in the nuts and put the squeeze on poaching, the government claims ownership of all 11,414 coco de mer trees known to exist in the country, even if they grow on private property. Anyone found illegally harvesting a nut is subject to a fine of about $5,000 and five years in prison. Terry tells me the story of a tourist from China who tried to smuggle a nut out of the preserve in his backpack but was caught by one of the many security guards.

“He didn’t have to go to prison,” says Terry, “but it created something of an international incident. Our nation is very tiny, and this preserve is its heart and soul.”

As we approach the oldest coco de mer in the forest, a noble 85-footer thought to be more than 300 years old, Terry holds up a hand for me to stop.

“Listen,” he whispers. “Do you hear it?”

I tune in to the soft chorus that surrounds us — the scrape of branch against branch, the whisper of broad fronds, the groan and sway of ancient trunks, the moan of time.

“The trees have voices,” Terry says.

Locked in the wonder of this moment, I cannot possibly speak, let alone argue.

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