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A Complete Travel Diary & Soulful Guide by the Abrahao Kohl Family
There are places that take your breath away—and then there are places that give you your breath back. North Island, Seychelles, did exactly that.
For our family—Chris, Giovanna, Thomas, and I—this small but sacred piece of the Indian Ocean became so much more than a destination. It became a mirror, a teacher, a sanctuary. It reconnected us to the planet, to each other, and to ourselves in ways we’ll carry for the rest of our lives.
We didn’t just go there. We were there. Fully.
We journeyed from Maryland to Mahé, the main island, with stopovers that gave us space to anticipate what was coming — the magic, the healing. From there, a string of boats (each smaller and more intimate) brought us to North Island, a place that does not allow docks out of respect for the coral and marine life. That detail alone told us everything about the values of the place — gentle, aware, intentional.
There is no dock on North Island. Not by accident, but by design.
“That level of care and intentionality changed the way I see the world,” Giovanna reflected.
Here, nature comes first. Always. From the moment we arrived, we knew we had entered somewhere sacred.
North Island is raw elegance. Just 2 square kilometers in size, it offers 11 private villas nestled in lush greenery, surrounded by beaches so untouched they feel like secrets. Giant Aldabra tortoises roam freely, palm trees sway like dancers, and the ocean shifts from turquoise to sapphire in a single breath.
Our villa was a work of harmony—open-air bathrooms under the stars, rich natural woods, and a view of the sea that stretched straight into forever. Every corner whispered peace.
“The villa felt both elemental and refined,” Chris wrote. “Open-air showers, a sea-view gazebo, and a kitchen where our hosts made us feel at home.”
And then there was Kiki and Douglas—our island angels. Hosts, storytellers, and extended family.
Sunset Beach Dinner
Our first night, we dined barefoot on the sand, a candlelit table under the stars. Passionfruit mocktails for the kids, fresh snapper and Creole spices for us.
“It felt like a scene from a movie,” Giovanna wrote, “except it was real life.”
Tortoise Encounters
The next morning, while Chris and I practiced yoga on a cliff at sunrise, Giovanna and Thomas fed tortoises with Kiki. Forty ancient creatures, moving slowly, gracefully—each a reminder of how long life can be when lived with care.
“They came right up to us, like little dinosaurs,” Gigi said, eyes sparkling.
“I knew they’d be big—but not that big,” Thomas added.
Environmental Conservation Center
We visited the Environmental Centre, where the island’s ecological journey was laid out like a living storybook—from colonial exploitation to total restoration. Once ravaged by invasive rats and farming, the island now thrives again.
“I was very happy to know the owner said no to big hotel chains,” Thomas reflected.
“It made the experience feel more special—and it protects the environment.”
Turtle Hatchings – Real-Life Magic
And then, as if summoned by the universe itself, we witnessed two sea turtle nests hatch. Hundreds of baby turtles, no bigger than our palms, scrambling under moonlight toward the ocean. We were wowed. We held hands. We became part of something greater than ourselves.
“To witness them meet the ocean was transcendent,” Chris wrote.
“Our presence kept predators away. I like to think we helped.”
Stargazing & Sorbet
That night, we swam in our plunge pool under a canopy of stars, fruit bats fluttering above, laughter echoing through the trees. We shared mango sorbet and stories, wrapped in a joy that only presence can bring.
North Island didn’t just give us memories. It gave us clarity.
It perfectly ilustrates that luxury isn’t about marble or marble bathtubs. It’s about meaning. Space. Consciousness. It’s knowing that what you experience changes you—and that you leave changed for good.
“North Island is not escape,” Chris wrote. “It’s presence.”
“This place made me a better person,” said Giovanna.
“I’ll carry that feeling forever.”
“I’ll never forget Honeymoon Beach,” said Thomas, recalling our final breakfast—just us, the sand, and the sea.
“And how Kiki and Douglas honored Grandpa with a tribute that meant everything.”
And for me, it was the deep, full-circle understanding that when we invest in this kind of time—real, intentional, unplugged time—we’re not just creating joy. We’re passing on values. Legacy. Roots.
We are telling our children, without words: This is the kind of world we believe in. And you are a part of building it.
Where to Stay:
Each of the 11 villas is secluded, designed to blend into the landscape with minimal impact. Choose beachfront for sunrise walks or hillside for panoramic views.
Don’t Miss:
Turtle hatching season (ask the island’s team!)
Pro Tips:
• Pack light: you’ll spend more time barefoot than in shoes
• Embrace the pace—slower is better here
• Bring your heart wide open.
If you’re looking for a place that heals, inspires, teaches, and holds you—go to North Island.
Go not for luxury, but for legacy.
Not just to see the world, but to feel it.
And come ready to change, because change is exactly what this island gives you—gently, beautifully, irreversibly.
“You can extract the essence of a place once you know how,” Chris quoted Durrell.
“If you just get as still as a needle, you’ll be there.”
In North Island, we were there. Fully. And we’ll never be the same.
With nature in our hearts,
The Abrahao Kohl Family
Gisele, Chris, Giovanna & Thomas
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How about discovering what a family experience in the Seychelles archipelago is really like?
We’ve created a special page with stories from the Abrahão Kohl family — check it out here!
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Travel Note: Getting to Seychelles with Turkish Airlines & Creole Travel Services
A special thank you to Turkish Airlines for making our journey to Seychelles seamless and comfortable. With smooth, well-connected routes from both North and South America, Turkish Airlines offers one of the most efficient and enjoyable ways to reach this remote paradise.
The layover at Istanbul Airport was a highlight in itself—modern, spacious, and filled with amenities perfect for both short and long connections. Whether you’re exploring the shops and lounges or simply resting between flights, Istanbul is the ideal gateway between continents. Flying with Turkish Airlines was more than just transportation—it was the beginning of our journey, infused with hospitality, ease, and care from the very first boarding gate.
We’re also incredibly grateful to Creole Travel Services, the outstanding local team that made every transfer and land arrangement across Seychelles smooth, safe, and enjoyable. From ferry connections and ground transportation to warm welcomes at every stop, Creole Travel brought efficiency, local insight, and that signature Seychellois hospitality to every step of the journey. Their coordination was essential to making the logistics invisible—so we could focus on simply being present.
Together, Turkish Airlines and Creole Travel Services ensured our experience was effortless from takeoff to island arrival—and every moment in between.
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