My name’s Olly. I grew up in Växjö, a small town in rural Sweden, before moving to New South Wales, Australia, at the age of seven with my family. We moved around a lot in Australia and by the time I was 10 years old I’d already been enrolled in four different schools. Constantly moving as a child and adapting to new environments shaped my passion for travel and new experiences. 

When I was 21, halfway through my university degree, my girlfriend Haylea and I decided to take a gap year backpacking through Europe. Both of us were feeling lost in our studies and unsure of the traditional path we were following. We craved something more meaningful, something that would shake up our perspective on life. 

That year was a turning point. We spent a year volunteering on projects, backpacking, hiking, and living in hostels on a shoestring budget. The lifestyle opened our eyes to the possibilities that travel brings and that money and success weren’t the be-all and end-all it’s made out to be. More importantly, we discovered that the freedom to move would become our guiding value.

 

 

After years of grinding to make travel photography and adventure blogging thing work, the Seychelles Tourism Board invited me to help develop their adventure tourism scene. It was during the pandemic—a tough time for the travel industry but they wanted to help document and establish some trekking routes on the islands. 

The board booked me into some amazing hotels across the Seychelles but this trip wasn’t about lounging around. I spent two weeks hiking trails, hopping between islands, and shooting at every sunrise and sunset. It was the first time I truly felt like I was living the dream—turning my passion for adventure into a way of life. No downtime, no cocktails, just doing what I love and loving every second of it. 

 

 

I always thought of the Seychelles as beaches and honeymoon vibes, but what I found completely blew me away. The islands are an absolute paradise for adventure—hidden waterfalls, remote jungle trails, incredible wildlife, and secluded islands to explore. It’s a side of the Seychelles I hadn’t seen anyone talking about, and it made the trip feel all the more epic. 

The board put me up in 5-star hotels but I think I made it to only one breakfast on the last day, and only spent a few hours each night in the room to sleep. The vibe was all about adventure, and it was full-on but truly epic. 

 

 

Surprisingly, my go-to spot was Mahé, the Seychelles’ main island. Initially, I was itching to head straight to the smaller islands, but Mahé’s towering peaks and epic jungle trails quickly changed my mind. The island’s raw beauty, combined with its dramatic viewpoints, made it unforgettable. My favorite trail was the Morne Blanc Nature Trail. The views from the top, stretching across the coast, were absolutely next-level. 

Anse Major Beach completely blew me away. While it’s a stop for some island-hopping tours, I decided to take the local bus and hike there just before sunset after wrapping up my program. It’s hands-down the most stunning beach I’ve ever seen. Towering green jungle hills tumble dramatically into crystal-clear turquoise waters, absolutely unreal! 

 

The entire trip was packed with adventure, but the Mare Aux Cochons trail stood out. Over two weeks, I documented 16 hiking trails, but this one was something special. A local friend, Roddey, showed me the way—it was incredibly overgrown at the time, but it was full of unique high-altitude wetland with amazing wildlife, and some epic viewpoints. It felt like discovering a hidden piece of the Seychelles that not many get to see.

They say travel isn’t about the destination but the people you meet along the way. After 6 years on the road I’d say that’s 100% true. At least when I look back on a place I’ve visited I remember people more than places. 

One of the most meaningful connections I made was with Roddey, an incredible hiking partner who truly knew his island, Mahé, inside and out. He guided me to hidden trailheads and spots I never would have found on my own. His passion for the natural beauty of the Seychelles was infectious.

Language was never an issue in the Seychelles either. Almost everyone I met spoke excellent English (and French), which made it super easy to connect with locals, ask questions, and navigate the islands.

 

 

The local secrets continued when I met some locals who offered me to try some bat which apparently is a delicacy in the Seychelles. Tastes a bit like chicken.

 

 

I was expecting more of a tailored honeymoon vibe from the Seychelles. But as soon as I got out of the hotels the islands had a lot of local charm. Smiling faces, unique cuisines, music, and dance. The Seychelles is a cultural melting pot with people from all over Africa and the Indian Ocean and it was great to experience that side of the country.

 

Timing, Budget & Getting Around

 I visited in December and it was an excellent time to explore the Seychelles. The weather was excellent but not too hot. I got to see some occasional afternoon rains but this was pretty refreshing and made the hiking trails nice and lush. 

There are so many amazing hotels around the islands. The high-end ones are quite expensive but very luxurious. Otherwise there are also what Seychelloius call “self-catering” hotels, which are essentially just AirBnB-style apartments or houses. These are much cheaper and usually, you get a whole lot of space. 

It’s also super easy to get around in the Seychelles. I recommend hiring a car on Mahé or just taking the public bus around to the different places to see. There are also public ferries between La Digue, Praslin, and Mahé via Cat Cocos and Car Rose which are an affordable way to get between the inner island group. Head to the hiking trails and avoid the most popular beaches. I’m not kidding, there are so many amazing places to see and things to do in the Seychelles that aren’t crowded at all. Oh, and get up early for sunrise! 

Card payments are accepted almost everywhere and you can pay in Euros at almost every store and hotel. However the local currency (Seychellois Rupee) is also accepted everywhere, with Visa/Mastercard cash machines everywhere. 

The islands all have excellent cell reception. I got a sim card at the airport when I arrived and this worked even at the most remote hiking trails. 

The Seychelles isn’t typically a “budget” travel destination. However, it can be much cheaper than you think if you avoid the expensive resorts and restaurants. There are many local eateries just a street back from the resort areas, and there are also much cheaper accommodation options if you look for self catering places. 

Commitment to Freedom

This trip marked a major turning point for me. After years of grinding to build my photography and adventure travel business, the pandemic threw everything into uncertainty. When the Seychelles Tourism Board reached out, it felt like validation—proof that the work I’d been doing was starting to pay off. It came at just the right moment, and I took it as a sign to double down and commit 110% to this lifestyle.

This trip didn’t drastically change my outlook though —it reinforced what I’d believed for a long time: if you pour energy into something and truly believe in it, the universe will find a way to deliver. Call it the law of attraction, or any of those overused phrases, but in my experience, it works.

 

 

Travel has been my greatest teacher.  It’s taught me to embrace the little things, like long bus rides—those rare moments of detachment from the world, where all that matters is the view outside the window and the freedom to be present. 

It’s shown me that happiness has nothing to do with money. The happiest people I’ve met—from the fjords of Norway to the valleys of Pakistan—find joy in their freedom, not their bank balance. The saddest, on the other hand, are those without the ability to choose their own tomorrow.

But most importantly, travel has driven home the reality of impermanence. Nothing lasts forever—not places, not moments, not even memories. It’s a sobering thought, but also a freeing one. It’s a reminder not to take life so seriously and to fully enjoy the fleeting, beautiful moments while they’re here.

Being on the road full-time for six years isn’t always easy, but I’m fortunate to have Haylea by my side. Traveling with her means home is wherever we are together. That’s made all the difference. 

Culture shock is part of the deal. My first trip to India taught me that fighting it is pointless and the best thing to do is simply surrender. Embrace the chaos, the unfamiliar, the “weird.” You might just find it wonderful. 

I’ve been documenting my world travels on my blog We Seek Travel. I’ve written hiking guides, accommodation guides, travel stories, and documented unique and fun, adventurous places to visit and things to do from all my trips all over the world. You’ll find about 800 travel guides on there at the time of writing. This has been my passion project turned full-time job over the last half-decade– go check it out, I’m sure you’ll find some great ideas for your trip.

 

Photography & Authored by Olly Gaspar

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