On Sunday, 17.07.2011 “Phoenix” will show an interesting report about North Island at 17:00.
The Seychelles island of North Island is home to a unique nature conservation project: the private luxury of a few well-heeled people is helping to preserve a species-rich paradise.
If you are looking for perfect happiness, you will find it on North Island: tropical rainforests, granite rocks, secluded beaches and waves in the 25 degree sea. The 250-hectare island is located 32 kilometers northwest of the Seychelles capital Mahé. It is the most exclusive resort in the archipelago. Guests on North Island stay in villas made of wood and natural stone, the size of a castle, with their own butler. There is a 115,000 square kilometer large and 150 meter deep reef in front of the island, and sea turtles live on the beaches.
The underwater world is almost nowhere as diverse as here: Eagle rays, batfish and surgeonfish cavort with many other sea creatures in the reef. More than 200 species of coral bathe the water in bright colors. This is the real luxury of the island: its nature – paradisiacal, seemingly untouched. Apparently … After the collapse of the coconut industry, the farmers living on North Island left the island, leaving behind an overgrown plantation and numerous non-native animals. This had devastating consequences: Stubborn weeds suffocated the native plants, rats ate birds’ eggs and pigs destroyed turtle enclosures. Eventually, private investors bought the island and launched a large-scale nature conservation project. They want to restore the Seychelles paradise to its original state.
The project is financed with sinfully expensive luxury: the hotel on North Island accommodates a maximum of 22 guests, who can easily spend 50,000 euros in a single day. The film accompanies guests and operators of the hotel and shows well-heeled globetrotters, ambitious resort managers and local employees.