Today’s destination is Seychelles. Another tropical, palm tree-fringed island nation. One thing I’m learning along this journey is there are a surprisingly large number of picture-perfect tropical destinations.

Seychelles is located in the Indian Ocean around 1,500 km from mainland Africa. Seychelles have the smallest population of any African country with an estimated population of around 98,000 people.

Known for their pirate past (and also current threats) the Seychelles are also home to a giant tortoise named Esmeralda. Esmeralda is the heaviest tortoise in the world at 304kg and the second oldest at a remarkable 177 years old. She probably has a few pirate tales to tell.

Apparently, Seychelles is home to the vast hidden treasures of French pirate Olivier Levasseur. If only Esmeralda could talk.

Talking of large natural wonders, the coco de mer, or sea coconut, or even “love nut” is native to Seychelles and is the largest nut in the world.