Ephelia Resort Legend legende.pdf · The Legend of Ephelia Long time ago, there was a goddess named Ephelia who lived in the headlands of Port Launay. She was more than just an icon

THE LEGEND OF EPHELIACOLIN K. OKASHIMO AND ASSOCIATES/LAND STUDIO 8

JUNE 2005

The Ephelia Trail

If you have an opportunity during your stay with us, take a romantic stroll along the north beach to the eastern end where the fine dining restaurant is

located. There, you will find the beginning of the resort’s Ephelia Trail that weaves along three small isolated beaches and along the scenic hillside.

Allow yourself at least 1-½ hours if you want to walk the entire trail; otherwise, you can always stop where you find a nice secluded spot to

sunbathe and swim.

Strolling Tip: Extraordinary geological formations that are unique to this part of the island provide unique photo opportunities so you may want to

bring your camera.

At the furthest point of the Ephelia Trail of 800-metre distance is a most unusual geological formation that proves to be a wonderful reward for the

determined guest to make it to the end. What one comes across is what appears to be a set of “manmade steps” in the rock face although they are

completely natural formations. These “steps” are well known to the local people particularly the fishermen in the village of Port Launay and like

many things that are not easily understood or adequately explained, legends have developed over the centuries. The story of Ephelia is one such legend.

THE LEGEND OF EPHELIA

COLIN K. OKASHIMO AND ASSOCIATES/LAND STUDIO 8

The Legend of Ephelia

Long time ago, there was a goddess named Ephelia who lived in the headlands of Port Launay.

She was more than just an icon of beauty and gracefor she had a very unique physical aspect that no one had ever seen before.

Her skin was so smooth and delicate that one could see the reflection of the iridescent clear sea on her body. It was like her skin was constantly in a

state of subtle change like calm waters with small rippling waves that catch the glitter of the sunlight. To the onlooker, the experience of seeing

the reflections of the sea on her skin was not only something ofextraordinary beauty but created an overall feeling of peace, tranquility

and contemplation. Having this effect on the people of the village of Port Launay, she was always popular and warmly greeted when she visited.

Ephelia was a model of perfection on the outside but inside, her spirit was slowly withering away since she was missing something in her existence –

she needed someone to love and cherish.

Then one day, she saw a sea turtle swimming along the shore and asked him “you are a wise creature, tell me where can I find someone to love?”

The turtle stopped swimming and pointed to the top of Le Morne Seychellois and said, “Go there and talk to the Spirit of Seychelles!

He will tell you”.



So, off she went up the steep long climb that took weeks, if not a month, to reach the top. When she arrived at the top, the Spirit of Seychelles was immediately taken aback by her outstanding beauty and was surprised

that she could not find a partner with ease. She explained that her beauty was one thing but her eternal existence meant that she would want that someone that would also be immortal so that they could love each other

forever. After some time, it occurred to the Spirit of Seychelles that since Ephelia had this unique beauty of her blue water reflective skin, that she was destined to be with the Prince of the Sea Ecliptus and that she must

do three things if she wants to find him.

Firstly, she must stay close to the sea for Ecliptus would surely see her with her radiating beauty if she spent more time by the water. Second was that she would need to arrange for a “Cathedral” to be built so they could

have a place to pledge to each other; and third, which was the most difficult, was that she would have to take a secret vow, a vow that no one

is to know about, but her. This vow was that whomever she came in contact with from now until eternity, she would oversee their well being

in order that they may live a fuller and happier life.

Ephelia thanked the Spirit of Seychelles and immediately returned to Port Launay to spend more time at the headlands to be near the sea. She met

the sea turtle again and explained to him what happened and he said that when she disappeared for so long, everyone in the village was worried

about her and that he must now go to the village to let them know.



That evening, the sea turtle talked to the fishermen and town people. He explained to them that Ephelia was fine but she had left to meet The Spirit of Seychelles because she was lonely and wanted to now find the Prince of

the Sea: Ecliptus. The people of the village listened carefully to her need for a “Cathedral” and decided that she needed their help, so early the next

morning they all proceeded to the headlands.

The villagers started building the cathedral out of the local stone but this was no ordinary cathedral. They needed to design it so it can be seen from

the water so that Ecliptus could see it whether he arrived at the shore during the day or night. They thought it would take many years to build

these stone monuments sited in a row facing the sea of great Gothic proportions!

During this time, the villagers, who were unaware that Ephelia had taken a secret vow to oversee their well being, were feeling wonderfully energetic

and full of spirit. They were amazed at how quickly and effortlessly they could work. There was a wonderful harmony and balance in the physical,

emotional and spiritual outlook of each villager. Each night when the villagers slept, she went to visit each house and placed a single droplet of

rosewater on their forehead to relax them allowing them to sleep in a wonderfully deep state of mind, that gave each of them peace of mind, in a

total state of relaxation for their body, as well as their soul. She believed that when the villagers are in this state of relaxation, they would be able

to, mentally and physically, master any work that would need to be done with ease and that in long term, this would be the best thing to extend

their life on this island, hopefully, to eternity.



Upon its completion, it was a marvelous sight! And with Ephelia waiting near the sea, she stood out so beautifully, in contrast with the dark stone of the cathedral. It wasn’t long before Ecliptus became aware of the cathedral with its massive size and, of course, he also noticed Ephelia waiting by the sea edge. Ecliptus was overwhelmed with her beauty and unique skin and

soon came out of the sea to meet her. She, too, was so pleased that someone of such strength could still be gentle like the waves of her skin. The village people were delighted that the two were falling in love and awaited news of their possible uniting. The day soon came when they both announced that

they were to get married at the cathedral.

The villagers were overjoyed and immediately began preparations for a big festivity to celebrate. As a gift, the villagers promised to build the couple a staircase cut into stone to last till eternity, which also served as a symbolic

union of the land and the sea where Ecliptus could easily ascend to meet Ephelia and where Ephelia could easily descend to the water to greet

Ecliptus each day. And so they built the lovely steps you see before you.

To this day, the Spirit of Seychelles still oversees the lovely beaches of Port Launay; and Ephelia still remains here placing her rosewater on all those

she comes in contact with, to ensure that they may have an immortal life of peace and tranquility. The dark stone cathedral still stands waiting for

others to recommit their vows of devotion to each other and the steps remain to serve as a link where the Goddess Ephelia still waits each evening to meet

the Prince of the Sea, Ecliptus at the bottom of the steps.

For those interested in the same climb that Ephelia took up to Le Morne Seychellois, there are designated nature trails that can be reached within a

half-day hike. Please contact our concierge for more information.



COLIN K. OKASHIMO AND ASSOCIATES/LAND STUDIO 8June 2005

THE LEGEND OF VALLE d’EPHELIA

Valle d’Ephelia

Ephelia and Ecliptus lived in bliss. Every evening as the sun set and the moon and stars lit up the sky they enjoyed their time together. One of their favorite places to relax was in the valley down from the headlands in a quiet

coconut grove that swayed with the gentle breezes from the sea and the mountain. In this valley were some ancient granite boulders that were

millions of years old 1 and it was believed that they were placed there by the Spirit of Seychelles to protect the land with its mystical powers.

And all this time Ephelia did not forget her vow to help anyone she met, to smile and bless them, transferring some of her positive energy and dropping

rain lily 2 water on their forehead when they slept so that they may recharge themselves fully and live a harmonious life to eternity. No one in

the village knew about the rain lily water, but they all felt something was wonderfully different now that Ephelia had met Ecliptus.



1. The Seychelles archipelago is made up of 115 islands. With one exception, all the world’s ocean islands are either coralline or volcanic in origin. Only the ocean islands of Seychelles are made of solid granite.

2. Rain Lily or “Flower of the West Wind” – As their name implies, they flower almost immediately after rain, opening their crocus-like pink, white or yellow flowers at the end of the slender stalks.



Then one day as the sea turtle was on his usual strolling swim around the headlands, he noticed that he hadn’t seen Ephelia and Ecliptus for some

time, perhaps a week. Being quite concerned, he headed to the village to see if anyone else had seen the couple. They too were worried.

After months of absence and when the villagers had almost given up hope, Ephelia and Ecliptus finally returned to Port Launay and to the surprise of

everyone they came back as parents! They not only had one child but twins, a boy and a girl! They named their son Alkali - after the granite boulders

found in the valley 3 and their daughter Harpa after the Harp Shell 4 found on the beach and shallow waters of the sea

The villagers were both relieved that they were safe but also overjoyed with the little ones and immediately decided that the best thing they could do was

to build them a home for them to live and raise their family in. It was decided that the best place was in the valley between the north and south beach next to the mystic boulders that Ephelia and Ecliptus came to love.

3. The granite found in Seychelles is called Alkali granite and are typically in boulder form along the coastline beaches and headlands.

4. The harp shell (Harpa major) is a glossy, sand-living shell usually found in shallow water, with beautiful zigzag markings over the ribbed shell, and small to medium in size.

The design of their home was like a village. It was a home full of natural light and cool tropical shade.

Water was sacred and it was used sparingly as if it were as precious as gold. There was a wonderful

contrast of natural materials such as stone, wood, sand and tropical plants set against cheerful saturated

colored walls that spoke of the true spirit of the island and specifically about Port Launay and its culture 5.

It was bold in its forms but soft and sublime in its many layers of privacy and concealment that brought

with it all its mysticism and wonder.

The buildings respected the trees, it was intimate and cosy. And the gardens were designed for each one to

offer a different experience for the senses and imagination. Coconut trees and breadfruit trees 6 were planted abundantly. Some gardens captured and kept

the calming energies and other gardens were more open and allowed the active energies to be released.

The most appealing aspect of Valle d’Ephelia was that it was noticeably discrete yet memorable in its

experience of calm and relaxation. One felt they would live to eternity if they lived there.



5. The local Creole architecture is one that is responsive to its environment and the use of texture and color is similar to their love for music – full of life and saturated.

6. The Breadfruit Tree is considered the Tree of Life to the Seychellois. Local legend has it that if anyone that leaves Seychelles that has eaten the breadfruit MUST return to Seychelles.

Valle d’Ephelia became a sanctuary of care. It was a place of nurturing and made to make us feel special. The people who visited

realized that there was an immediate sense of tranquility. It was a place that spoke of the beauty of the island, tropical and playfully

mysterious with layers of sand walls and plants that created mazes for adults to wander through as they found themselves feeling safe to act like a child, to be protected and cared for. It had water that was still and reflective and other water that bubbled and trickled

soothing the spirit.

Even the atmosphere of the village was different. It was as if there was a different language spoken in Valle d’Ephelia. It was a

language of whispers with very little said and expressions of care were through gestures and subtle eye contact with each other. It

produced a calm that was understood and respected so that idle talk was not necessary and everyone that visited could enjoy the benefits

of nature’s beauty and calming energy.

Each evening when the sun sets and before the stars come out thebase of the boulders have a mystical glow of light at its base that

seems to intensify as the evening falls upon them like an abstract campfire that glows and keeps the heart and soul focused. For

Ephelia and Ecliptus they believed it is this glow that gave them their eternal existence.



Reference 1, 2, and 4 taken from Spectrum Guide to Seychelles, Revised Edition, 1996

Documents

Ephelia Resort Legend legende.pdf · The Legend of Ephelia Long time ago, there was a goddess named Ephelia who lived in the headlands of Port Launay. She was more than just an icon