Sesal Sa Magazine April - June Issue

Transcription

THE VOICE OF SEYCHELLES TOURISM
Wedding Special
Plan the perfect
wedding in paradise
ACAJOU Beach Resort
Praslin’s Green Hotel
gets a revamp
Diving and surfing in the Seychelles
FR
EE
Get Active
The influence of African
culture on the islands
Romance is in the air
From our dreamy cover image shot on location
at the newly renovated Acajou Beach Resort, to
our 8-page wedding special and our interview
with Kempinski Hotel’s wedding coordinator,
this issue of Sesel Sa! highlights the romantic
possibilities of a holiday in the Seychelles!
A couple relaxing at the Four Seasons Seychelles Hotel & Spa
A unique wedding organised by Mason's Travel
Cover Details:
Marsha Dine Photographer | Shot on location at Acajou Beach Resort, Praslin www.acajouseychelles.com
Foreword by Sherin Naiken
CEO of the Seychelles Tourism Board
The mix of articles that appear in this edition of Sesel
Sa! illustrate what a multi-dimensional industry
tourism is becoming, blurring the once distinct
borders between hospitality, culture and niche
activities. Long gone are the days we could afford to
market ourselves on the strength of our traditional
attributes of sun, sea and sand alone.
The world has moved on from those black and white
days and into a space where an increasing number of
today’s tourists classify themselves as social travellers
– not just here to soak up the sun but taking the time
to get beneath the skin of the destination they are
visiting, experiencing as much of it as they can and
carrying those adventures home with them, as well as
circulating them on social media.
Tourism continues to be influenced by the potential
of aspects of our existence to ‘go viral ‘and achieve
levels of exposure unthought-of only a decade
ago. We are playing to more segmented audiences
as well, each one in search of that particular niche
which corresponds to their lifestyle and interests
and which they are in a position to research using an
ever-growing armoury of cyber-tools: Facebook, Trip
Advisor, Instagram, Pinterest and the like.
We must all adapt to this fast-moving industry and
the way it is evolving along organic lines, breaking
increasingly with traditional business practices and
social conventions as it redefines the ways we live,
work and play.
APR - JUN 2015 ISSUE NO. 7 | SESEL SA!
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Photograph courtesy Four Seasons Seychelles Resort & Spa
1.. . . . . . . . . . . . . CEO Foreword
4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Acajou
A natural union
10. . . . . . . . . . . . Awesome Avani
An old resort gets a facelift
14.. . . . . . . . . . . Weddings Special
Tie the knot in paradise
20. . . . . . . . . . . . Travel
Reunion
24. . . . . . . . . . . . Discover Seychelles
La Misere Exotic Gardens
28. . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Travel Essentials for the
Seychelles
29. . . . . . . . . . . . Party Time at Eden Island
Celebrating Carnival 2015
32. . . . . . . . . . . . Calendar of events
34. . . . . . . . . . . . Solo Travel Feature
37. . . . . . . . . . . . Gastronomy
Gout de France and French-Creole Cuisine
Sesel Sa Magazine
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43. . . . . . . . . . . . Dining Discoveries
Kannel at the Four Seasons
46. . . . . . . . . . . . Dining Discoveries
Surfers Beach Restaurant
49. . . . . . . . . . . . Travel Representation Agency Q&A
African Synergy
51. . . . . . . . . . . . Green Tourism
56. . . . . . . . . . . . Culture
African Heritage in the Seychelles
59. . . . . . . . . . . . Know your Seychelles
66. . . . . . . . . . . . Upcoming Event:
Fet Afrik
69. . . . . . . . . . . . Surfing in the Seychelles with iSurf
72. . . . . . . . . . . . Diving in another world
75. . . . . . . . . . . . Maps
80. . . . . . . . . . . . Contacts
84. . . . . . . . . . . . STO Contacts
Sesel Sa! is a joint collaboration with STB and Paradise Promotions Ltd.
Printed by ATLAS Printing Press LLC.
For more information with regards to advertising and editorial, please contact;
Managing Editor: Ineke Camille E: ineke@seychellespublications.com Tel: +2482520937
Assistant Editor: Lynette Botha E: lynette@seychellespublications.com Tel: +248 252 0937
Marie France Watson E: marie-france@seychellespublications.com Tel: +2482512477
Graphic Design and Layout: Olivia Michaud W: www.angelcreativedesign.com
Photographer: Suzanne Verlaque E: studio@seychellespublications.com
Contributors: Mawess Wirtz, Elke Telma, Mma Metsi, Marie Welsch, Glynn Burridge, RB
Published by Paradise Promotions Ltd. P.O Box 1539, Mahé, Seychelles
SESEL SA! | APR - JUN 2015 ISSUE NO. 7
A Natural Union
Newly renovated, the Acajou Beach Resort stands up as a conscientious choice for
holidaymakers. By RB
Back when the Acajou Hotel first opened on Praslin’s
Cote D’Or beach in 1996, the unique log-cabin
design of its rooms spoke volumes about what the
establishment stood for: rustic, authentic, natural.
A block of self-catering apartments, each with a full
kitchen and offering both one- and two-bedroom
varieties, is also now an option for those who wish to
enjoy a more independent living space.
Almost two decades later, the newly dubbed Acajou
Beach Resort re-opened its doors to guests last
December after a multi-million rupee renovation and
expansion, and appears to have gone all-in on its
‘green’ positioning. The result is a charming blend of
rustic Seychelles tradition, and modern eco-friendly
technology, with new room types and facilities to top
it all off.
All rooms feature works by local artists Alyssa Adams,
Michael Adams and Gerard Devoud, with themes
reflecting the natural environment of the room’s
surrounds: those in the standard and superior rooms,
for instance, feature forest scenes of natural greens
and earth tones with décor to match, whereas the
deluxe rooms on the beachfront adopt a minimalist
approach to its ocean theme, this in order to maximize
the natural colours from the sea view pouring through
the glass doors from the veranda.
Spoiled for Choice
Now featuring 52 total rooms, fans of the hotel’s
original log-cabin concept will be relieved to hear
that the standard and superior room blocks retain
their trademark styles, but with new bathrooms and
refreshed interiors for a more open feel.
The additional rooms are where things get a bit more
‘diverse’, Acajou General Manager Joanise Doway says.
A new block of deluxe rooms is positioned just behind
the beach, with oversized verandas offering sea views
from both the ground and first floors.
Two new family rooms have also been added to
the equation – spacious suites with an additional
bedroom and an extra-long veranda that spans both
spaces.
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“Our new room stock gives us a lot of versatility,” Ms
Doway says. “And we expect that our repeaters will
enjoy trading up into different room categories on
future visits.”
Traditional versus Modern
The divergence between the existing hotel structures
and the new ones might have been a concern at the
outset of the renovation project, but now it might just
be considered a strength, Ms Doway says, and not just
for the flexibility of room types.
Satellite TV channels and free Wi-Fi internet have been
among the most welcome additions to the resort’s
amenities, for guests who need to stay connected
during their holiday.
A view of Acajou from the beach
The signature Octopus Curry
The resort also boasts a brand new
modern infinity pool on a raised deck
looking out over the sea, accompanied by
an adjacent bar and restaurant offering
refreshments, cocktails and a selection of
local specialties and bistro-esque lunch
options. The new facility speaks to a much
more modern era than its counterpart:
the traditional breakfast-and-dinner
restaurant in the main concourse, which
still retains a decidedly Creole flair despite
also having been expanded during the
renovations.
Where Acajou truly bridges yesteryear
with modern-day, however, is in the way
technology has been adopted to improve
the resort’s infrastructure and efficiency.
Delectable desserts
Even in Seychelles, where operating
expenses seem to find new and creative
ways to go up, a hotel can find plenty of
uses for one-and-a-half million rupees.
Investment ideas of that scale are never
in short supply, especially if the upgrades
will fetch better customer feedback and
increased sales.
Contrarily, the SCR1.4 million Acajou just
spent on a new photovoltaic solar power
array is not going to pay dividends anytime
soon, but it will power about 50 percent of
the resort’s electricity needs, until additional
phases are completed for the resort to
operate fully on solar.
Cuisine is unfussy and focuses on fresh ingredients and flavour
The installation of a new sewage treatment
plant, an energy management system for
each and every room (which shuts down the
air-conditioning if the doors are left open
too long), and a composting project count as
other new eco-additions to the resort.
Before works began, the designs called for new
walkways to be built along the original standard and “We’re a Seychellois-owned property and
superior room blocks, but unfortunately, a massive we’re in this for the long run,” Ms Doway says.
Takamaka tree stood where one of the pathways was“It does us no good to cut corners and save
to be built. The owners didn’t like the prospect of money here or there for today, if it’s not going
cutting it down, so a couple extra hundred-thousandto be sustainable for tomorrow. The hotel is
married to its environment and we have to
rupees later, the walkway was built around it.
protect it.”
According to Ms Doway, this is one of several
situations in which the hotel has had to grit its teethMarriage and Compromise
and either invest, or hold back on a project, in order Even
to the best marriages have rough patches,
minimize its environmental impact.
and it hasn’t always been smooth sailing for
the hotel, either.
Visitors sometimes suggest ‘tourist-friendly’ changes
to the hotel, a common one being to clear the
Before works began, the designs called for
vouloutier vegetation along the beachfront in ordernew
to walkways to be built along the original
give a ‘cleaner’ view straight through to the beach standard and superior room blocks, but
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unfortunately, a massive Takamaka tree
stood where one of the pathways was
to be built. The owners didn’t like the
prospect of cutting it down, so a couple
extra hundred-thousand rupees later, the
walkway was built around it.
According to Ms Doway, this is one of
several situations in which the hotel has
had to grit its teeth and either invest,
or hold back on a project, in order to
minimize its environmental impact.
Visitors sometimes suggest ‘touristfriendly’ changes to the hotel, a common
one being to clear the vouloutier
vegetation along the beachfront in order
to give a ‘cleaner’ view straight through
to the beach from inside the resort.
“We simply can’t do that,” she says. “The
vouloutier holds the beach in place and
protects against erosion. It would disrupt
the natural balance of the coastline.”
The perfect place to zone out
Beach Benefits
In just about any magazine’s list of the
world’s best beaches, Seychelles is always
mentioned, usually by way of the nearby
Anse Lazio, or Anse Source D’Argent on La
Digue.
Praslin’s Cote D’Or beach seems to have
been left out of the ‘best beaches on earth’
conversation, but while it may not have Anse
Lazio’s reputation, or Anse Source D’Argent’s
picturesque granite boulders, it actually
serves as one of Acajou’s foremost selling
points for a number of reasons.
Wooden chalets
Bedrooms are understated yet modern
Some 2.5 km of white sand and turquoise
seas, Cote D’Or is – in addition to being
a beautiful beach in its own right – a sort
of gateway to some of the other fantastic
attractions and islands so easily accessible
from Praslin, including St Pierre and the
Curieuse Marine National Park, both of which
can be seen directly from the property.
“It’s one of the only beaches in Seychelles
that’s calm all year-round,” Ms Doway ways.
“So it’s great for swimming, and ideal for
families.”
Family Friendly
With its beachfront location and romantic
setting, Acajou has always attracted its share
of newlyweds. In fact, the new pool bar and
restaurant features a top deck that was built
primarily to host receptions and weddings,
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The perfect spot to watch the sunset with a cocktail
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with an unparalleled view.
With its strong environmental credentials, Ms Doway
believes the new iteration of Acajou will see many
couples eager to tie the knot on-site in a ‘green’
localized wedding. A full range of wedding services
are on offer, from the actual day itself to the pre- and
post-activities for bride, groom and guests.
Meanwhile, the renovation also afforded the resort an
opportunity to look at yet another segment that often
goes overlooked: families.
The addition of a children’s section to the new pool,
the new family rooms and apartments, as well as the
gentle temperament of Cote D’Or beach itself, all
contribute to a welcoming atmosphere for families
within the resort.
The cross-cultural kitchen team – with chefs from
Sri Lanka, China and the Philippines adding to the
contingent of Seychellois – is prepared to assist in that
regard as well, with the two restaurants catering for
child-friendly fare at irregular hours.
Idyllic landscapes
When not serving up a quick fish and chips, the teams
at the two restaurants are producing impressively
presented dishes using fresh local produce and exotic
specialties. Ms Doway says the blend of techniques
and ingredients from a diverse kitchen staff have
offered up a most creative selection at the main
restaurant, which offers nightly buffets or table d’hote
selections depending on the occupancy of the hotel.
If there’s one thing Ms Doway would like all of its
guests to sample – and that includes outsiders who
may venture in from Cote D’Or and over to the pool
for lunch – it’s the octopus curry. Served in a coconut
half-shell, the octopus is moist and tender, and the
creamy sauce is packed with the flavours of coconut
milk, cinnamon and other exotic spices.
“The food had been a strength for us before we
closed, but we think with the team we have here,
we’ve managed to raise the standard a bit further,” Ms
Doways says. “So far the feedback on the ‘new Acajou’
has been great on the whole, so it’s been uplifting to
see all the time and hard work of the past year bear
fruit.”
Acajou Beach
Resort By Numbers
Total Units: 52
Standard Rooms: 14
Superior Rooms: 16
Family Rooms: 2
Deluxe Rooms: 14
Self-Catering Apartments: 6
(4 one-bedroom, 2 two-bedroom)
Restaurants: 2
Main Restaurant serving buffet breakfast and
either table d’hote or buffet for dinner. Pool Bar and
Restaurant, beverages and cocktails all day long, a
la carte lunch and snacks
Main Pool: 9.7m x 6m, 1.4m depth
Children’s Pool: 6m x 2.8m, 0.6m depth
Massage Suite: 2 beds
1 Boutique
1 Fitness Centre
Indoor-outdoor dining
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© Frog974 Photographies
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Garden View Room
Amazing Avani
A secluded sanctuary on the west coast of
Mahe, Lynette Botha and family spent a
relaxing night at Avani Barbarons Seychelles
before the resort had officially opened
Visiting a resort during its pre-opening phase is like
having a hotel all to yourself. Such was the experience
my family and I had when we visited the newly
renovated property at the end of February.
View of the hotel from the beach
The resort, previously Le Meridien Barbarons, was
acquired by international hotel group AVANI and while
no changes were made to the original structure of the
previous resort, the lobby, restaurants and bars, all
guest rooms and suites were refurbished to meet with
the global AVANI standard, said the resort’s general
manager, Manish Jha.
Your first impression of the resort is as you step into
the lobby – and it definitely makes a lasting one –
high wooden ceilings, dangling chandeliers made
from natural fibres, polished wooden floors, the light
streaming in from the end of the patio with vistas out
over the ocean in front. You want to breathe out a sigh
of relief; you feel your stresses melt away.
Adjacent to the lobby on the left is the hotel’s main
restaurant, Elements, which has a very minimalist feel
about it – letting the views and spaciousness of the
place speak for itself. There is no need for grand décor.
Developed with AVANI’s Honest Food ethos at heart,
The beach is directly in front of the pool area
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AVANI Seychelles Barbarons understands that part of
the perfect holiday includes sublime dining and great
options when it comes to food.
Offering all day home-style dining, Elements dishes
up an impressive breakfast buffet, then western
classics, seafood delights and Creole specialties for
lunch, followed by lively evenings of themed BBQs
and market Creole nights with cultural entertainment.
Tamarind, the more glamorous of the two dining
options, offers lunch and dinner with creative twists
on Pan Asian recipes, tamarind and seafood specialties
and unique island cocktails that pack a punch with
local golden rum. The restaurant is right on the
beachfront, making for beautiful panoramas to look at
while you dine.
Relaxing into the rhythm
of island life is what it’s all
about
Bathroom
Gravity Shisha Terrace Lounge
Swimming Pool
Tamarind Restaurant
In addition, there are also 24 hour in-room dining
options, which is especially great if you have little
ones in tow or if you’d prefer to enjoy the comfort and
privacy of your own beautiful suite. If it’s romance
you’re after, or are visiting for a special occasion, a
Private Dining concept comes with a personal chef
to design the ideal menu, enjoyed when and where
guests like.
The resort’s two restaurants are accompanied by a
pool and shisha bars.
All 124 guest rooms and suites feature their own
balcony or terrace with garden, pool or ocean views.
Décor is vibrant and fresh and there is an option of five
room types – from small suites to adjacent connecting
rooms for families or group holidays. Perfect for
couples, families or even solo guests, the hotel has
something to offer everyone and is spacious enough
to find your own private piece of paradise to relax and
enjoy daily.
The resort is centred around the main pool, a striking
body of water a few steps back from the beach. There
is also a children’s pool and the Avani Children’s Club
to keep little ones entertained with arts, crafts and
games. There is also a gym and tennis court for those
more aerobically inclined.
And then, there is the spa, where I was lucky enough
to spend two hours and experienced the Avani
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And then, there is the spa,
where I was lucky enough
to spend two hours and
experienced the Avani Spa
signature massage – which
was quite honestly one of
the best massages I have
had (and I have been lucky
enough to have visited
many spas around the
world). The spa is calm and
tranquil and the staff are
professional and discreet
– and, most of all, highly
skilled in what they do.
Barbarons signature massage – which was quite
honestly one of the best massages I have had (and I
have been lucky enough to have visited many spas
around the world). The spa is calm and tranquil and
the staff are professional and discreet – and, most of
all, highly-skilled in what they do. With one double
and three single treatment rooms, a sundeck and
plunge pool, AVANISPA offers pampering “me time”
and “we time”. Options include beautifying facials,
nourishing body treatments and deluxe massages,
or exotic pampering such as an Ayurvedic therapy or
Turkish hammam ritual. The rest of your days can be
spent on the beach, swimming and sunbathing at the
pool or recharging with a yoga class.
Library
Spa Treatment Room
of AVANI Seychelles Barbarons Resort. On the night,
Mr Jha had proudly exclaimed, “All 124 guest rooms
and suites, which offer a balcony or terrace with views
of the garden and the ocean, have been redesigned to
offer an improved use of space and a host of modern
comforts. In addition, we have added new walkways
and decking all around the resort and pool, all
surrounded by beautifully re-landscaped grounds”.
Alain St Ange, Minister for Tourism and Culture, was
present at the opening and said that the government
is pleased to see that a hotel that has been part of
Seychelles’ tourism landscape for many years has been
revamped and reopened under a new brand.
Saturday 14 March marked the official grand opening
For more information and reservations, interested
parties are requested to contact AVANI Barbarons
Resort and Spa on 467 3000 or email Seychelles@
avanihotels.com
Elements Restaurant
Ocean View Suite
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MUMBAI
TANZANIA
MADAGASCAR
INTRODUCING
3 NEW
AMAZING DESTINATIONS
Mumbai & Tanzania as of 2nd December.
Madagascar as of 3rd December.
For bookings and queries please contact our Air Seychelles office on:
Tel : +248 439 1000 or visit www.airseychelles.com
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Weddings in Paradise
All you need to know about arranging a
wedding in the Seychelles.
Compiled by Lynette Botha
Without a doubt, one of the biggest draw cards of the
Seychelles is its prime location for the perfect island
wedding. It’s not “just another island”, it’s another
world. A world often sought out by tourists looking
to tie the knot somewhere magical. Whether a beach
wedding for two or a grand affair on a yacht out at sea,
hoteliers and tour groups have arranged them all. We
chatted to a few insiders to get the exclusive scoop
on wedding planning, secret locations, the most
extravagant requests and more…
Q&A with Nicol St Ange from Mason’s Travel, who
consider themselves to be the Seychelles’ wedding
specialists.
Why is the Seychelles such a great wedding
destination?
Seychelles is the ideal destination for a wedding
as there is a huge selection of beautiful beaches to
choose from, making it a perfect romantic getaway.
The tropical climate is always a big bonus, but
Seychelles differentiates itself as we are out of the
cyclone zone and temperatures range from 2630 degrees Celsius all year round. Additionally no
vaccines are required so it makes Seychelles such
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an easy choice for travelers. Most importantly, the
Seychelles is one of the few places left which offers
privacy, picturesque landscapes and a dreamy
atmosphere for couples seeking the ultimate for their
special day.
What services do you offer?
Mason’s Travel offers the complete wedding service.
From the moment you let the team know of what your
dream day should be like; we ensure that every aspect
is catered for your special day. From booking the
accommodation, handling the legal documents and
administrative requirements to validate the ceremony,
organising of the cake, hairdresser, bouquets and
photographers. Every single detail is covered by our
team, making sure that the wedding couple can relax
and enjoy themselves knowing that they are in good
hands.
Do you work closely with guests or do you take
care of everything?
Each client is different that is why we have a specific
Weddings team to cater for them individually. Some
clients are very involved in every little detail, such as
the type of flowers they want and the choice of décor
for the event whilst others are very laissez faire as they
simply want to make the most of their holiday and
just turn up to their ceremony with everything already
organised!
“We encourage couples to be
involved in the planning, as this
is the first day of the rest of their
lives together, their involvement is
essential.”
What unique venues can you arrange?
The majority of couples wanting to get married in
Seychelles choose a beautiful beach as their backdrop,
and mostly it is a small group of friends and family or
sometimes only the wedded couple. One of the most
unique venues is aboard one of our catamarans as you
can drift between the islands and say your wedding
vows at sea. Some couples also choose to disembark
at a secluded island for their ceremony and then
continue onboard for their celebrations.
What is the biggest wedding you have coordinated? And the smallest?
The largest wedding party we have catered for is 150
people coming from Algeria. It was a lavish event
in a four star resort with a Creole banquet and a
Creole band, guests danced away till the early hours
of the morning; it was a very successful event. The
guests also requested traditional Seychelles music for
their special day. The wedded couple then also had
their honeymoon in Seychelles once all their guests
departed.
The smallest wedding is simply the couple, the
registrar and the Mason’s Travel representative, who
acts as the witness. This is a very intimate affair, but
nevertheless romantic. Many guests opt for this and
sometimes opt to have a small party back in their
home with a backdrop of the photos or videos of their
special wedding in Seychelles.
What is the most popular island to get married
on?
Undoubtedly one of the most requested islands is
La Digue – Anse source d’Argent. Being one of the
most photographed beaches in the world, it sets
itself as the perfect scene for amazing photos for the
bride and groom. There is a charming little hut for
guests to conduct the ceremony and we organise the
decorations, cake and champagne for the wedding.
The backdrop of the granitic boulders is stunning in
the pictures.
What documents / paper work do couples need in
order to get married here?
Different nationalities require different documents.
The main documents are passports and original birth
certificates. Our team is well accustomed to all the
necessary procedures and government bodies to
ensure that everything is in place for the ceremony.
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“Many years ago, there was
a couple who wanted to get
married under the sea. Mason’s
Travel organised this and it was a
first for the Seychelles.”
What is the quickest turnaround you’ve ever had
for having to arrange a wedding?
We require at least 21days to prepare all the
paperwork and documentation, as this also involves
postage to and from international destinations. With
one particular request, we were given only two weeks
notice. With our strong network in the trade we were
able to successfully coordinate the wedding and
have all the necessary documentation ready for the
ceremony.
What is the most unique wedding you have
arranged?
One particular couple had wanted to get married on
an island amongst giant tortoises. A luxury speedboat
was organised to take them from Mahe to Curieuse
Island where the ceremony was held. The beach décor
had been set up, the registrar; photographer and the
Mason’s Travel representative were ready for their
arrival… together with the giant tortoises roaming
free for the wedding celebrations.
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What are the strangest requests you’ve had?
Many years ago, there was a couple who wanted to
get married under the sea. Mason’s Travel organised
this and it was a first for the Seychelles.
What is the most budget-friendly option for
people wanting to get married here?
Praslin offers some very good packages for guests
wanting an intimate ceremony and the famous Anse
Lazio is a favourite for wedding couples. Most hotels
offer attractive packages inclusive of cake, champagne
and decorations – our team are well versed on the
offers and certainly present the variety of options to
the guests and they then tend to add on extras based
on their needs.
For a budget of SR50 000 and 25 guests, what
sort of a wedding would you arrange?
With this budget I would certainly recommend a
private charter of the catamaran for a sunset cruise.
There are several sized catamarans available and
the Indiana, the smallest catamaran, can take up to
20 people, whilst Anahita can go up to 80. In your
budget you could also include a band or DJ, food and
beverage, decoration and a photographer. This choice
of wedding has a real ‘wow’ factor to it as guests
cruise privately on their own catamaran taking in the
beautiful scenery of the surrounding isles.
Have you ever arranged a wedding or honeymoon
for a famous person or celebrity?
We have arranged several weddings for famous
people such as footballers or TV personalities.
Celebrities tend to choose Seychelles as a honeymoon
destination and one of the main reasons for this
is that you can enjoy your time on a private island
where there are no worries about paparazzi or media
to hassle you. There are very few locations that offer
this kind of landscape with so much privacy. We have
arranged honeymoons for many VIP guests but we
need to remain confidential, as this is often one of the
key requirements in acting as their local agent.
Where is the best place to honeymoon and what
makes it unique?
There are so many choices and this is what makes
Seychelles so special – in fact every Wedding
Anniversary should be celebrated in such a romantic
destination. There is nothing quite like visiting a
private island and this is what sets Denis Private
Island apart. The guests always comment that just
the landing on to the island is such a highlight as you
are landing on a grass strip with the ocean metres
away. Once they are settled into the island and start
their ‘barefoot luxury experience’, that is when they
truly appreciate the beauty of such a place. Having a
private cottage on the beachfront with a day bed for
lounging, deserted beaches, the only noise are the
birds above and the hotel offers exquisite gastronomy
mostly produced on the island from the local ecofarm. Couples can get back to experiencing nature as
it should be, from swimming amongst colorful fish,
watching turtles come and lay their eggs or walking
through the forest to see endemic birds – Denis
private Island is the ideal place to start your new
journey as a wedded couple.
Hotel and resort weddings:
who offers what?
Notes from the wedding teams
FOUR SEASONS RESORT AND SPA SEYCHELLES
WEDDINGS COORDINATOR: VICTORIA BIKULOVA
•
•
We offer two packages at Four Seasons Seychelles,
but with the option to customise each to your
tastes. It’s really about building a relationship with
your Wedding Coordinator, in the knowledge that
they are there to make your dreams a reality.
Couples can be as involved as they wish to be.
Some couples really want to be hands on and
make choices about everything from the
boutonniere to the cutlery, whereas some just
want to be relaxed and enjoy their vacation while
we take care of everything. If they want to do
the minimum then all they really need to do is
17
some very minimal paperwork (copies of passports
and certificates, and checking the draft of their
marriage certificate), all that’s left then is to say “I
do!”
• Every wedding here is totally different. We only
host around 25-30 per year, so we give each our
extra special attention. We love it when guests
really have fun with each other and that’s when
they get some really amazing, imaginative photos
that capture the moment! That’s what people
treasure when they share these pictures with
friends and family back at home.
SAVOY HOTEL AND SPA
WEDDING SPECIALIST: JENNIFER TOUSSAINT
•
•
Savoy Resort and Spa offers a personalised and
memorable experience when it comes to
weddings. Our aim is to create the ultimate ‘wow’
effect while our guests are able to breathe and
enjoy each moment as it unfolds. From a lavish
and romantic wedding to an intimate gathering
with extraordinary cuisine, we can arrange it all.
The biggest wedding we have hosted so far is for
a high level person in the local society, however
we have plenty more to come – our experience
combined with our accommodating team
members and our breathtaking location, means
18
•
there is so much we can do.
We encourage couples to be involved in the
planning, as this is the first day of the rest of their
lives together, their involvement is essential.
We like to get to know our clients to have a better
understanding of the way they dream and envision
their big day. This enables us to deliver our service
with confidence, and our helpful staff and
professional event planning team make it easy to
coordinate and execute the brief.
Unique and strange
Want something special or out of the ordinary for your
big day? Here are some of the strangest and most unique
requests that have been made for a wedding in the
Seychelles
A bride asked us if we could make a small step for her
to stand on during the ceremony, as the groom was
very tall and she wanted the extra height.
~ Desroches Private Island
The strangest was the request for a groom to arrive
on an elephant (sadly not possible!) and the most
unique was a couple who jumped into the pool in full
wedding attire after the ceremony.
~ Coco De Mer Hotel
“One of the most unique venues
is aboard a catamaran, as you
can drift between the islands
and say your wedding vows at
sea. Some couples also choose
to disembark at a secluded
island for their ceremony and
then continue onboard for their
celebrations.”
The most surprising wedding so far was of a couple
who did not want anything at all except for the
registrar service. They did not bother with a venue and
said their room would do. After flying all the way to
the Seychelles to get married, we expected the guests
would want to get the most out of this journey.
~ Savoy Hotel & Spa
A venue with a difference
Aurelie Etienne-Simon, events coordinator
at La Plaine St Andre, shares why a wedding
at their venue is unlike any other in the
Seychelles…
19
La Plaine St. André is an outstanding and unique
planter’s homestead on the South East Coast of Mahé.
It was built over 200 years ago by Jean Francois Jorre
de Saint Jorre, one of the first French settlers on the
islands. We believe couples will instantly fall under the
spell of the luxurious colonial house lovingly restored
and refurbished which offers the perfect setting to
capture magical photographs, memories to share with
family and friends.
For more information: +248 4372010 / aurelie@
takamaka.sc / www.laplaine.sc
Awarded ‘Best Tourism establishment 2015’, our
property is an exceptional venue to exchange your
vows in the intimacy and the romanticism of the
‘Bilimbi Avenue’. In order to enhance your ceremony,
we put at your disposal stylish iron tables and chairs
while our gardens and grounds guarantee a beautiful
celebration that will be memorable for all who attend.
Our Chef has created fabulous bespoke menus for
each wedding and he is pleased to cater to your
culinary needs with a large variety of Créole fusion
dishes. Our friendly and experienced team will create
the day of your dreams through a wide range of high
quality services; from delicious cocktails exclusively
created by our bartender and customised décor, to
a wedding planner and live music – or anything else
that will work within your plans and budget.
1.
2.
We believe that each couple and each wedding
is unique, which is the reason why our team is
committed to tailor making our clients’ dreams a
reality.
20
The fine print
All the legalities, documentation and other
information needed for a wedding in the
Seychelles, as provided by the Seychelles
Tourism Board
A church wedding without a civil
ceremony is not recognised as being
legal and the parties must therefore
conduct a civil wedding prior to the
religious ceremony.
Persons wishing to organise their own
wedding must apply to the Seychelles
Civil Status Office in Victoria on Mahé for
a civil ceremony and the relevant church
body for the religious ceremony.
3.
It is advisable that the wedding is
planned at least two months in advance
to allow for the processing of
documentation.
4.
Couples must advise the Civil Status
Office of their wedding date at least
eleven calendar days in advance.
However, this eleven-day period may be
exempted by applying for a Special
Licence, normally issued within two days
from the date of application at a charged
fee.
5.
The couple must be present in Seychelles at
least 2 days prior to the civil ceremony.
6.
Civil ceremonies may be conducted around
the hotel property with permission from both
the hotel and the Civil Registrar. Weddings
outside the hotel property can only be
performed in private and authorised places. The
authorisation needs to be obtained from the
Civil Registrar.
7.
Weddings can also be performed in the Civil
Status Office on Tuesdays and Thursdays
between 0900hrs and 1100hrs, in the presence
of two witnesses provided by the parties
themselves.
8.
Couples wishing to marry outside the Civil
Status Office will be required to pay a fee. This
fee applies to ceremonies held on any weekday
on Mahé or one of the Inner Islands. It should be
noted that the Inner Islands include: Anonyme,
Bird, Cerf, Cousine, Denis, Frégate, La Digue,
Moyenne, North, Praslin, Round, Ste Anne, and
Silhouette islands. The couple will be required
to cover the transportation cost for the Registrar
officer to travel to these islands. However, the
Civil Status Office also has officers on both
Praslin and La Digue.
9. Couples wishing to marry on one of the Outer
Islands, including Alphonse or Desroches, will
be required to pay a different fee plus the
transportation cost to these islands for the
Registrar officer.
10. A fee is charged for ceremonies held after
1700hrs on a weekday or at any time on a
Saturday and Sunday.
11.
12.
13.
Legally conducted marriages in Seychelles are
recognised under European laws.
There are no nationality requirements that need
to be fulfilled.
A special stamp (apostille) is required to validate
the marriage certificate obtained after the civil
ceremony for all nationalities except for British
nationals. This stamp is available at the
Registrar’s office located at the Supreme Court
for a fee of SCR140.
Legal proof in the case of a name having been
changed
Copies of the first 2 pages of both parties’ valid
passports
Document to show that there is no impediment or
lawful hindrance to the intended marriage (If this
cannot be obtained, an affidavit has to be signed in
Seychelles after a solemn declaration has been made
to that effect)
15.
All the above documents must be originals or
copies duly certified before departure from
one’s home country and must be translated into
either English or French if the translation has
not already been made.
16. For details of the different fees mentioned
please contact the Seychelles Civil Status Office
directly.
17.
French law requires that French nationals
wishing to get married abroad follow certain
specific procedures. For information concerning
these, contact either your local municipality or
the Seychelles Civil Status Office or the French
Embassy in Seychelles. The following are their
respective contact details.
Seychelles Civil Status Office
PO Box 430, Victoria, Mahé
Tel: +248 4 29 36 13 / 4 29 36 04
Fax: +248 4 32 10 46
Email: info@civilstatus.gov.sc
French Embassy of Seychelles
1st Floor, La Ciotat Building
Mont Fleuri, Mahé
Tel: +248 4 38 25 00
Fax: +248 4 38 25 10
Email: marie-may.confiance@diplomatie.gouv.fr
Opening hours: Mon-Fri: 0800hrs-1300hrs and
1400hrs-1700hrs
For more information, please visit
www.seychelles.travel
14. The couple must produce the following
documents:
Birth certificate or certified copy thereof
If either party is divorced, the decree of divorce must
be produced
If either of the parties is a widow or widower the death
certificate of the former spouse must be produced
21
La Famille in
la Reunion
Photographs: Supplied by Reunion Tourism Board. This feature was originally published in FH&L Magazine Summer 2015 issue
Selecting the best family must-dos, sees and
stayovers in Reunion is no easy task, but
Lynette Botha tried her best…
and set off for island life. Once you do, be sure to do,
see and stay at the following:
Sun, sea and sand. Sounds heavenly, right? But there
is so much more to Reunion Island than it being just
a great place to enjoy a break with your feet up in
a hammock. For the adventurous family who enjoy
food, fun and getting their pulse racing, Reunion
offers a plethora of activities.
From swimming, scuba-diving, paragliding
and guided hikes to zip-lining and crocodile
spotting, these adventures are so exciting,
you’ll want to try them all
Just two hours by aeroplane from Mahe and with
no visa required, Reunion Island is close enough
for a one week escape, and far enough to feel like
you’ve actually adventured far afield. It’s the perfect
destination to tie in with your trip to Seychelles
especially if your travelling with your kids – there’s
so much to explore! Thanks to the diverse landscape
and the incredible history and culture, this little slice
of island offers so much for families with children of
varying ages. Islanders lead an easygoing lifestyle,
and children are welcomed by all; locals are extremely
friendly and helpful, especially when seeing families
travelling with children. While English is not widely
spoken in Reunion, kind gestures and big smiles are
understood in any language. There is no need for any
special vaccines before travelling (including malaria),
so you can literally book your tickets, pack your bags
22
GET OUT AND ACTIVE
Mini Scuba Enjoy scuba diving suitable for the family at Mini
Scuba. Young ones are able to splash around
and discover life beneath the lagoon waters. All
equipment can be hired at the location, including
underwater cameras to document all the underwater
adventures. Contact: stephless@gmail.com / €10 per
person for 20 minutes
Le Grand Bleu Along the West coast, departing from Saint-Gillesles-Bains, you will find the Grand Bleu, with two
glass-bottom boats that go out for approximately
75 minute trips and promise a unique perspective
of the island. The view from the boat out at sea is
exquisite – you will see everything from from steep
cliffs, beaches of white and black sand and tranquil
lagoons, to the peak of Grand Bénare and the slopes
of the Maïdo. And while the adults are in awe of the
Ferme Lou Cachet’ has received organic farming
accreditation and also offers afternoon teas with
pastries and a variety of treats such as Creole cakes,
gingerbread, home-made jams and bread, fresh
fruit juice. It is definitely a must-visit to add to your
itinerary, but remember to book – reservations are
compulsory.
ferme.loucachet@gmail.com / €5 entrance per person
Croc Parc
views, the kiddies no doubt will be starng downward,
at the underwater world below. If parents want to try
a trip on their own, book the sunset cruise – its a little
longer (90 minutes) and includes cocktails and local
Creole music to get your feet tapping as you watch
the sky turn a multitude of beautiful hues.
Contact: info@grandbleu.re / €19 per person per trip
Akoatys Park
What could be a more exciting way for the little (and
big) ones to cool off on a hot day than at a waterpark?
Akoatys boasts three giant waterslides, a swimming
pool for kids with an enchanted castle, a kids play
area, picnic areas and a standing wave for surfing.
It faces the beach of Etang Salé and is located in
a secured area. The slides are suitable and safe for
all. Make a day of it, and enjoy lunch at the on-site
cafeteria, which serves sandwiches, salads and of
course, ice-creams.
contact@akoatys.com / children less than 0.90m are
free, while kids and seniors’ tariffs range from €5 –
€18
Enjoy a pre-historic like afternoon at the Croc Park,
home to magnificent male and female crocodiles.
There are four different ponds housing the crocs, as
well as botanical gardens, a mini-farm, kids rides, a
water park and an elecyronic games area. Plan your
visit for late afternoon if you’d like to witness the crocs
being fed (around 4pm) or arrive early and make a
day of it. orizon.reunion@wanadoo.fr / €8 per adult
or group prices: €7 per adult, €5 per child. Rates for
children under 12: €6
REST YOUR WEARY HEAD
After a day spent splashing around at the
waterpark, zip-lining through tree canopies
or on boat rides taking in views and sea air,
choose one of these amazing places – from
luxe to budget – to rest and recuperate for
the next day’s adventures.
Lux Reunion
Makes Aventures
Ready to get your pulse-racing? For an adrenalin
rush of note, at an altitude of 1 300m, join Makes
Aventures for a zip-lining adventure that you’ll
remember for a lifetime. On offer are four treeclimbing routes with three difficulty levels, which will
see you swinging from tree to tree and allow you to
explore ‘liana’ jumps, the ‘giant’s leap’ or even barrels
lines, deoending on the course.
There are two routes suitable for children under
1.4m. Makes Aventures is open seven days a week,
but reservations are compulsory. laurent.sauval@
wanadoo.fr / For children under 12, entry is €15. For
big families, prices will vary from €13 to €21.
Ferme Lou Cachet’
For a farm with a difference, visit Ferme Lou Cachet’,
an educational farm that houses a traditional bread
oven, a bird observatory, a hive observatory, a honey
house, a Creole orchard, an aromatic plant area, a
farm animal park, ponds, a children’s play area and
a camping area. Sounds like a family heaven, right?
23
the option of enjoying the hotel catering if preferred
or on occasion. Situated close to the beach, with a
special rate for the water activities on hand at Akoatys
Park, this has all the amenities one needs to keep the
kids entertained.
http://www.hotel-floralys.com / The Superior Family
Room ranges from €90 - €120 per room per night.
Camping Ermitage
Apart from the drawcard of the LUX Play Kid’s Club
(a daily programme of fully-supervised activities
for children aged 3-12), Lux also offers interleading
rooms for absolute family comfort, luxurious
unexpected touches and amazing fresh meals. The
French Creole-style setting is unique and the outdoor
kitchens and sundowner sessions add an extra
appeal.
http://www.luxresorts.com/en/hotel-reunion/
luxiledelareunion / rates vary depending on room and
dates
Le Recif
Le Récif Hotel, offers 3-star accommodation near
Saint-Gilles-les-Bains town centre. It boasts a threeacre garden overlooking the spectacular lagoon of
Ermitage. The hotel is made up of 17 Creole-style
villas, 146 rooms, and 4 suites. The Superior Family
Suites are ideal for a large family, catering for up to 4
adults and 3 children (under 12 years old).
http://www.hotellerecif.com/fr/bienvenue / rates vary
depending on room and dates
Iloha Seaview Hotel
Set in luxuriant natural surroundings overlooking
Saint-Leu bay on the West Coast, Iloha Seaview
Hotel is a mere 300 metres from the ocean. The
hotel comprises of 50 bungalows accommodating
2 to 6 people in each, some are self-catering with
a kitchenette. The easy-going layout of the hotel
includes a bar, a restaurant, two swimming pools
and a wellness area. You’ll also find a full activity
programme, including billiards, table tennis and
croquet. www.iloha.fr / €125 – 190 for either a double
or triple room including kids.
Le Floralys
A variety of rooms and chalets will ensure that
families – or groups of friends – will enjoy privacy and
peace during their stay. Guests can self-cater, with
24
For accommodation with a difference and for a truly
unique experience, how about camping ? Affordable
and well-located on the shores of the lagoon in Saint
Gilles, Camping Ermitage charges a basic cost to pitch
your own tent or offers the rental of a fully equipped
safari-style tent that has electricity and space enough
for six. The nearby beach offers hours of fun but the
resort also has a kids play area, spaces for petanque,
ping-pong and volleyball and a braai area. The
communal showers and toilets are modern and clean.
http://camping-ermitage-lagon.allonslareunion.com/
index-en.html / From €200 - €350 per Safari tent for a
7 night stay
Reunion’s diverse beauty, incredible natural
landscape (42% of the Island is recognised as UNESCO
Heritage area) and adventure-rich activities make it
a destination with a difference – not forgetting that
it’s home to one of the world’s most active volcanoes.
Which really adds to the thrill of this journey. Book
your tickets to one of the Indian Ocean’s most
under-rated locations via Air Austral, www.airaustral.
com Reunion’s diverse beauty, incredible natural
landscape (42% of the Island is recognised as UNESCO
Heritage area) and adventure-rich activities make it
a destination with a difference – not forgetting that
it’s home to one of the world’s most active volcanoes.
Which really adds to the thrill of this journey. Book
your tickets to one of the Indian Ocean’s most underrated locations via Air Austral, www.airaustral.com
25
Discover
Seychelles
Down a winding road at the top of La Misere, lies an
exotic garden created with care…by Lynette Botha
If it weren’t for the bright and eye-catching billboard proudly
announcing “La Misere Exotics Garden Centre” on the La
Misere pass, you would never expect to find a lush tropical
garden hiding in the middle of Kennedy Road.
Around 15 minutes from Mahe CBD, the garden, which is
open to the public from Monday to Saturday, 9am to 5pm, is
like a secret botanical sanctuary. Owned and run by husband
and wife team Eddie and Anna Westergreen, the land has
belonged to Eddie’s family for over 40 years.
The garden lies on a sloped piece of land that has been
lovingly landscaped to include numerous pathways, staircases
and winding trails, all well-signposted, which lead you around
the property. With almost 300 plant varieties and a total of
over 50 000 flowers and other botanicals growing on three
acres of land, a visit to the gardens is one that shouldn’t
be missed. From Dwarf Heliconia and Anthuriums in every
colour to fruit and vegetable trees (like wild guava, jamalac,
star fruit, squash and clove), there is so much to see – luckily,
on arrival, you are furnished with a map so you know exactly
where to go and ensure you don’t miss any secret nook or
cranny. Almost 15 years in the making, this attraction is more
than “just a spot for tourists to stopover at” – it is a passion of
Eddie’s and it shows in what he has accomplished.
Besides all the botanical delights that will have you snapping
photos left, right and centre, the views from the summit of
26
Photograph credit; Suzanne Verlaque
the gardens are exquisite and there is also an area to
see giant tortoises, fish, chameleons and other little
creatures who call the gardens home, swings for the
kids, as well as an area to relax and enjoy the peaceful
surrounds, sip on some cold water (available to buy)
and in the future, connect to WiFi and share your
experience with friends and followers via social media.
The leisurely walk will take around 45 minutes to one
hour and is suitable for the whole family. If possible,
get Eddie to give you a guided tour – his knowledge
and passion is an added extra and will make the
experience that more delightful.
Entrance fee is SCR120 per person (children under 12 enter free of charge). Contact details: Call: 434 4415 or 256
4259 / email: lamisereexotics@yahoo.com and find them on Facebook: La Misere Exotics
27
a
l
n
s
i
d
s were name
r
e
t
u
o
e
h
t
w
o
d
H
What’s in a name? When it comes to the Seychelles’
history, quite a lot, in fact By Mawess Mirtz
Photographs courtesy of www.seychelles.travel
1. THE AMIRANTES GROUP
In 1502,Vasco Da Gama was promoted to admiral,
in honour of his new status he named the islands
he came across after himself as “isles of the admiral”
then during his second expedition the name was
changed to Amirantes. On November 8, 1965, the
United Kingdom split the Airantes from the Seychelles
to become part of the newly created British Indian
Ocean Territory together with Farquhar, Aldabra
and the Chagos Archipelago but on 23rd June 1976
it was returned when the Seychelles attained its
independence.
Desroches Island
On the Forbes top ten - The largest outer island of the
Amirantes group is Desroches. It was first found by the
28
British and was named Wood Island because it was
densely covered in tall trees. The second expedition
sent by Praslin in 1769 had a Commander Chevalier
de Roslan of the ship L’heure du Berger who named
the island after the Chevalier des Roches who was the
Governor of Mauritius and Réunion. It was explored by
Chevalier de la Billiorére in 1771.
2. THE FARQUHAR GROUP
Farquhar atoll
It is thought that during Vasco da Gama’s 1498
voyage, one of his captains, Juan de Nova, saw some
of the Seychelles islands in 1501 which he named
after himself. During the 16th century the islands
were renamed after the first governor of Mauritius,
Farquhar.
Saint-Pierre
In 1732, the captain of the ship “Saint Pierre” named
Duchemin divested of the norm and named the island
(his originality amazes) after his ship.
3. THE ALDABRA GROUP
Assumption
Aboard the smaller ship “Le Benoit” which
accompanied Morphey’s larger ship “Le Cerf” in the
expedition, the captain Prejean discovered the island
in July on the day of the Assumption.
4. SOUTHERN CORAL GROUP
Coetivy
At one point Coetivy was called St.Francois because
mariners had been unsure as to where the island that
had been named ST.Francois actually was. Then on
the 3rd July 1771, the commander of the ship “Ile de
France” named it after the Chevalier de Coetivy.
5. THE ALPHONSE GROUP
Alphonse
Discovered in 1730 by the commandant of the ship,
“Lys”, who was named Alphonse de Pontevez and did
they usual of naming his discovery after himself.
29
Top
Travel Essentials
There’s no doubt that the Seychelles is paradise, and while there’s not much you’ll need while
here to enjoy your holiday, these essentials are always recommended to bring along…
Plug adaptors
Seychelles uses the standard British three-pin, 13amp
sharp electric plug. Visitors are encouraged to bring
their own adaptors, as many hotels and resorts only
have a limited amount available complimentary. If
you are staying self-catering, it may be hard to find
a shop that has an adaptor you need. Also to note,
throughout Seychelles the voltage is 220-240 volts AC
50 Hz.
Money matters
Credit cards are widely accepted throughout
Seychelles, especially Visa and MasterCard. The
currency is Seychelles Rupee and while many outlets
will accept Euros and Dollars, it’s best to exchange
money to the local currency at a registered bureau de
change before you head out shopping.
Magazines and books
Book stores and shops offering international
magazines are few and far between; if your idea of
relaxing is catching up on reading on the beach or
poolside, stock up on reading material prior to your
trip or download books and magazines on your iPad
or Kindle.
Sun essentials
Of course, if you’re heading to the Seychelles, chance
are you plan to spend a lot of time in the sun. Bring at
least a bottle or two of sunscreen for every week you’ll
be here. Also good to bring is After Sun Lotion, sun
hats and sunglasses. All of the above are available on
the island, but at a (rather large) cost.
Medication
If visiting Mahe or Praslin, visitors will have access to
pharmacies and doctors, whereas the more remote
islands access to medical supplies are not as readily
available. Irrespective of where you’ll be holidaying,
it’s best to bring any specific medications you need
with, as well as general medicine for pain, fever and
the like.
Baby essentials
It’s best to bring along any specific items you need for
babies in terms of medicine, formula and day-to-day
essentials. Diapers and wipes are available at most
shops, but a specific formula or food type may not be.
Also bring enough pacifiers/dummies and bottles.
30
If staying at big resorts, they will normally provide
ample bath and beauty goodies, as well as a camp cot,
potties and high chairs for little ones if you let them
know in advance.
Mosquito repellant
While there’s no fear of malaria or any tropical illnesses
from mosquito bites in Seychelles, that doesn’t mean
the pesky bugs aren’t still annoying. Almost every
shop on the island stocks mosquito repellants, but if
you have sensitive skin or prefer a specific brand (or
would like to save a few pennies), bring your own.
Trust us, you’ll be snapping
photographs left, right and
centre during your visit –
natural beauty abounds,
nevermind capturing your
personal memories. So ensure
you have a back-up battery
and memory card for your
cameras, or if you prefer old
school, lots of film!
Camera, batteries, memory cards
Trust us, you’ll be snapping photographs left, right
and centre during your visit – natural beauty abounds,
nevermind capturing your personal memories. So
ensure you have a back-up battery and memory card
for your cameras, or if you prefer old school, lots of
film!
Walking shoes
There are lovely hikes and walks around the islands
and even a day spent discovering Victoria CBD is
better done in comfortable trainers rather than
slipslops or sandals.
A sense of adventure
Last, but not least, a travel essential for a visit to the
Seychelles islands is a sense of adventure. There is so
much to discover and so much fun to be had – bring
an adventurous spirit and big smiles.
Party time
at Eden Island
Three reasons to get
into the Carnaval
spirit at Eden Island
Carnaval time in
Seychelles is always a very
exciting time. Exciting for
the myriad international
participants that make
their way here every year,
exciting for Seychelles
and its many islands,
exciting for Victoria and
also very exciting for Eden
Island.
Why so exciting for Eden
Island? For three good
reasons…
31
1. Every year the staff of Eden Island
gather and design a float, prepare dance
routines, measure and fit their garish and
bright costumes and regalia and join in
the festivities of the colourful procession.
This year the Eden Island Hotel and the
Eden Bleu Luxury Accommodation teams
will be joining the Eden Island troupe
of over 30 people on the day of the
procession through the streets of Victoria.
2. Every year Eden Island Development
Company is a proud sponsor of the
Carnaval and assists the organisers
Seychelles Tourism Board by providing
substantial amounts of complimentary
accommodation on Eden Island to
celebrities, journalists, musicians, dancers,
jugglers, fire eaters…...and more, as they
converge on Seychelles for the event.
We work closely with STB in making sure
their stay in Seychelles is a memorable
one every time. The vibe these folk create
around Eden Island, Eden Plaza and the
restaurants over this period is wonderful.
Eden Island becomes its own little
Carnaval focus point.
3. Thirdly and probably the most
significant part of this time of the year
is that it is simply the best time from a
climate and weather perspective with
wonderful balmy sunny days the norm…
great for Carnaval and great for Eden
Island and Seychelles as the perfect
destination for a holiday in Paradise. The
Eden Island Luxury Accommodation
managed by the Eden Island Rental Pool
has an incredible range of luxury 1,2,3
32
bedroom apartments, beautiful maisons
some with their own splash pools and also
the exquisite 4 to 6 bedroom villas each
with their own swimming pools available
for rental over this holiday and Carnaval
season.
With its four beaches, a gym, tennis court
and residents’ pools available to anyone
who rents(or buys a unit) on Eden Island
there is so much to do and see. Part of
the holiday offering on Eden Island is a
cleaning service that can be arranged for
your stay.
And even if you are not planning to stay
on Eden Island a visit to Eden Island is
something one really should put on the
agenda…from the many restaurants, bars,
Eden Bleu hotel, Eden Casino and soon
to be opened Aquarium to the boutique
shops and ice cream parlours, it's a
must-visit…you can even charter a Boat
to go diving or deep sea fishing form the
international marina.
Eden Island at Carnaval time is simply the
best place to be. Seychelles is incomplete
without a visit to Eden Island.
For rental enquiries and more information
on Eden Island visit www.edenisland.sc.
33
Out And About
Calendar of Events 2015
Booking a trip to visit our islands in the near future? Plan correctly
and your dates could coincide with one of these upcoming events.
Carnival International de
Victoria
Friday 24th April –
Sunday 26th April 2015
Come to celebrate the Seychellois joiede-vivre! Every year for 3 days, the islands
throw a big party to celebrate what it is to
be Seychellois. Seychelles is a melting pot of
different cultures and it has always been a
source of pride for the people to boast itself
racism free. The main event is a carnival
through the capital of Victoria where there is a
swirl of colours with dancing, singing, and fun.
Miss Seychelles…..
Another World
Friday 29th May 2015
Seychelles hosts its own Beauty pageant
where island girls compete for the title
in promotion of “Beauty with a purpose”.
The winner of the title sets out to
compete in the Miss World pageant and
is an ambassador of the Seychelles to the
outside world. Come see the outgoing
Miss Seychelles crown her successor in a
beautiful gala dinner event.
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Feast of the Assumption of Mary
Saturday 15th August –
Sunday 16th August 2015
Seychellois are a very religious nation. This event,
which takes place annually on La Digue, gives locals
and tourists alike a chance to renew their faith. La
Digue is generally very busy at this time – if you plan
to visit, book early, or go a week earlier or later if you
prefer a quieter experience of the island.
Seychelles Arts Festival
September; exact dates TBC
closer to the time
The biggest public arts festival in Seychelles,
this biennial event attracts visitors from
across the islands and the world. Art
forms celebrated include traditional visual
mediums such as painting and drawing, as
well as music and dance. For a real taste of
Seychelles arts and culture, this is the event
for you. Well the focus is on local artists,
there is also recognition for works and
performances from international artists. A
fun and lively event for all ages.
For more info on all events, keep an eye on www.seychelles.travel
35
Solo
travel
and the Seychelles
10 reasons why travelling alone is good
for you – and why the Seychelles is a great
destination for going it solo
By Lynette Botha
36
Solo travel is one of the biggest trends in tourism at
the moment. Whether you’re married, have kids or
in fact, are single, the movement to travel alone has
more to do with what you get out of your adventure
than wanting to get away from anybody…
So, why should you travel alone?
IT’S EASIER
Organising flights, hotel rooms and itineraries for
you and your girlfriends to go overseas would be a
logistical nightmare – in fact, you’d probably have to
start planning a couple of months in advance. Ditto
for travelling with a family. If you’re on your own, all
you do is book a flight, book a place to stay and make
the rest of the decisions as you go. When you arrive
– if you decide you’d rather stay somewhere else, or
in a different area, all you have to do is pack up your
belongings and move.
And the Seychelles requires no visa to visit – you can
book your flight at the drop of a hat.
Maybe you’d never normally go
zip-lining on holiday because
your wife’s afraid of heights
or you’ve never dived before
because your boyfriend’s
claustrophobic – a solo visit to
the Seychelles can tick both of
those activities off your list.
YOU GET OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE
It’s important, for self-growth, to challenge yourself
and do things that take you out of your comfort zone.
Solo travel is perfect for this. It puts you out there and
gets you doing things you may not usually do were
you with others.
Maybe you’d never normally go zip-lining on holiday
because your wife’s afraid of heights or you’ve never
dived before because your boyfriend’s claustrophobic
– a solo visit to the Seychelles can tick both of those
activities off your list.
YOU GET TO MEET NEW PEOPLE
New people, with interesting life experiences to share,
who you may not have struck up a conversation with
were you in a group or with your partner. People from
different parts of the world will share different views
on things – and never are people more likely to open
up than when they travel.
Move out of hotels and resorts and visit local bars and
restaurants in the Seychelles where you’re likely to
meet locals and tourists alike.
STICK TO THE BUDGET
When it’s only you – you are the master of your
budget. You can give yourself an amount that you
have for your holiday and that’s it – but you can use it
as you wish. If you feel like blowing a small fortune at a
luxury resort on an extravagant lunch one day and eat
take-out from the local Chinese place the next – that’s
your choice. If you want to use most of your money on
activities and stay in more budget accommodation –
you can.
Find great self-catering places to stay in the Seychelles
on www.seychelles.travel/accommodation
PACK LIGHT
Travelling on your own to the Seychelles means you
can literally pack a hand luggage sized bag and wear
the same three outfits and two swimsuits on rotation.
You have no partner to dress up for, no children to
pack six outfits a day for and travelling lighter is easier
on all fronts.
There are great local crafts and fashion brands to pick
up on and around the islands, so leaving some space
in your bag would be recommended – especially if
you’re visiting from a country where the exchange rate
is in your favour. Take some of the beautiful islands
home with you.
DRAMA (AND DISASTER) AVOIDED
Travelling is not always the easiest – in fact, many
relationship books tell you to travel to foreign
countries with your potential partner before tying the
knot. Only once you have seen how you are both able
to deal with situations that are out of your normal dayto-day lives will you truly know someone. Having said
that – travelling alone avoids any potential drama and
disasters; no spats with your partner, fallouts with your
girlfriends, accidents with the kids.
DO WHATEVER YOU WANT
Spend three days on the beach finishing reading the
books you never get to back home, catch up on sleep,
walk the entire CBD taking your time to visit hidden
shops and museums, stop for a local meal and general
sightseeing. There is no time limit on anything.
Travelling alone avoids any
potential drama and disasters; no
spats with your partner, fallouts
with your girlfriends, accidents
with the kids.
A GREAT WAY TO HEAL
If you are healing from a life event that has hurt you,
leaving home and travelling somewhere new solo is a
great way to mourn in peace – whether a relationship
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has ended, you’ve lost a loved one, you’ve been
retrenched or any other traumatic life experience.
Spending time alone with your own thoughts and
away from the reminders of home is very healing.
PERSPECTIVE
Travelling always changes your perspective on the
world – it gives you a renewed love for where you
come from or makes you realise that perhaps where
you are is not where you’re meant to be.
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REFLECTION
In the words of the great and wise Thomas Jefferson: “I
think one travels more usefully when they travel alone,
because they reflect more.”
Plus, think how much you’ll miss those you leave
behind – and how happy you’ll be to see them and
share your travel memories with them when you
return; after all, absence really does make the heart
grow fonder.
Goût de France
Quand la Francophonie et la Gastronomie
française se rencontrent aux Seychelles
Editorial du chef Alain Ducasse / Marie Welsch
«Réunir 1300 cuisiniers dans le monde – sur
une base purement volontaire – pour préparer un
dîner français, cela signifie quelque chose de fort. Cela
signifie d’abord que tous ces professionnels savent
où sont les racines de leur métier. Ils appartiennent à
des dizaines de nationalités – 150 pays vont participer.
Beaucoup ont été formés en France. D’autres ont été
formés, hors de France, par des cuisiniers français.
Mais, au bout du compte, tous sont parfaitement
conscients que le savoir-faire culinaire français est le
socle de leur pratique.
Le rayonnement de la cuisine française,
c’est donc d’abord cela : une chaîne humaine
– des hommes et des femmes dont les racines
professionnelles plongent très loin dans la grande
tradition culinaire française – une confrérie de
professionnels qui se connaissent, qui partagent et
font vivre aujourd’hui les mêmes valeurs, dans le
monde entier.
Le deuxième enseignement que je voudrais
tirer de cet accueil très positif est tout aussi important.
Si l’on regarde les cuisiniers qui vont participer à Good
France, on voit très vite une incroyable diversité –
toutes les générations, tous les styles de restaurants
sont présents. Voilà, pour moi, le véritable visage
de la cuisine française d’aujourd’hui – une cuisine
vivante, une cuisine diverse, une cuisine en phase avec
l’époque.
Je ne peux pas m’empêcher de le noter
au passage : ceux qui font mine de croire que la
cuisine française est monolithique et hyper-formelle
sont tout simplement aveugles. Pour une raison très
simple : parce que la cuisine française c’est d’abord
et avant tout une attitude. Le respect du produit, le
respect des saisons : c’est ce qui fait sa force. C’est
ce qui fait sa capacité d’adaptation à la diversité des
terroirs – selon les lieux et les saisons, les ressources
disponibles changent mais l’attention portée aux
produits et les techniques sont partout les mêmes. Et
c’est même ce qui fait son avenir : la cuisine française
est respectueuse de la Planète et de la diversité des
cultures. C’est une cuisine humaniste.
Voilà le message que Good France va porter. Un
message modeste mais fort. Une fête de la cuisine
française – une fête de la cuisine, tout court.»
«Goût de France /Good France». Voilà un
très beau jeu de mots pour désigner cette opération
d’envergure lancée par Laurent Fabius, Ministre des
Affaires Etrangères et du développement international
pour promouvoir et faire vivre la gastronomie
française à travers le monde.
Reprenant la belle idée du grand chef
cuisinier Auguste Escoffier qui initiait en 1912 les
« Dîners d’Epicure» dont le principe était de prévoir
le même menu le même jour dans plusieurs villes
du monde, le ministre associe les restaurants des
quatre coins du monde, du petit bistrot à la grande
table, pour faire honneur au repas à la française,
inscrit depuis 2010 au patrimoine culturel immatériel
39
de l’humanité. Ainsi que le souligne le ministre, peu de pays
«disposent de produits aussi variés, d’une aussi grande qualité
et d’une telle diversité de traditions culinaires régionales» que
la France. Au coeur de notre identité, la gastronomie participe
pleinement au rayonnement de la France dans le monde.
Le soir du 19 mars, l’excellence et la modernité du repas
à la française seront célébrés à la table de 1300 restaurants de
tous les horizons. Chaque restaurant participant rendra hommage
à une cuisine ouverte et innovante, tout en restant fidèle à ses
valeurs de partage, de respect, et de plaisir d’une nourriture
saine et équilibrée. Chaque menu reproduira une cuisine utilisant
moins de gras, de sucre et de sel, soucieuse du «bien manger»
et de l’environnement, laissant la part belle aux légumes. Les
restaurants du monde entier ont été invités à candidater sur le site
officiel (www.goodfrance.com), en proposant un menu valorisant
la tradition culinaire française. Un comité international de chefs,
présidé par Alain Ducasse, a validé la liste des chefs participants,
parmi eux Paul Bocuse (France), Raymond Blanc (Royaume-Uni),
Thomas Keller (Etats-Unis), Kiyomi Mikuni (Japon), Paul Pairet
(Chine), Joël Robuchon (France), Nadia Santini (Italie), Guy Savoy
(France).
Les Seychelles s’inscrivent également dans le paysage
mondial dessiné par Goût de France : sur place, Le Conseil National
du Tourisme des Seychelles et l’Alliance française se sont emparé
de l’événement.
40
L’Alliance française est
en partenariat avec l’Hôtel Hilton
Seychelles Resort and Spa, ISPC, France
Volontaires, la Région Réunion, le
Féder Coopération et la SBC pour le
tournage d’une émission culinaire selon
le modèle de Master Chef, intitulée «Un
Goût de France aux Seychelles», diffusée
le 19 mars au soir. Le principe est le
suivant : un concours de cuisine est
organisé entre six candidats amateurs
ou professionnels devant concocter
un plat typiquement français avec des
produits frais et de saison. Les candidats
seront départagés par un jury composé de trois chefs
cuisiniers de grande renommée dont M. Jean-Claude
Cleret, chef cuisinier de la Villa Angélique à Saint-Denis
de la Réunion, qui anime un atelier de découverte de
la gastronomie réunionnaise. Le lauréat du concours
culinaire se verra offrir un week-end pour deux à
l’Hôtel Hilton Labriz à Silhouette.
Le Conseil National du Tourisme des Seychelles,
sollicité par l`Ambassade de France aux Seychelles,
a quant à lui invité de nombreux hôtels à se lancer
dans l’aventure culinaire de Goût de France : à date
de rédaction, le restaurant Botanica, le Méridien
Fisherman’s Cove, Constance Lémuria à Praslin,
Banyan Tree, l`hôtel Sainte-Anne, le Kempinski, Hilton
Northlome et Hilton Labriz préparent pour le 19 mars
un repas à la française, comprenant une entrée froide,
une entrée chaude, deux plats principaux (poisson
ou volaille), des fromages français et un dessert au
chocolat, le tout accompagné de prestigieux vins
français. Ces repas à la française seront bien entendu
adaptés au contexte et préparés avec des produits
locaux, véritable métissage entre les saveurs du terroir
français et celles, très exotiques, des mets seychellois.
L’esprit de Goût de France/Good
France, c’est une véritable invitation au voyage
gastronomique que la France adresse au monde
entier, c’est une parenthèse enchantée de saveurs
rares et uniques, dans un cadre idyllique, celui des
Seychelles, pays fier de son héritage français et de son
riche métissage.
Citations
« Parler de cuisine – de cuisine française – c’est
parler de joie de vivre, de légèreté, d’optimisme et de
plaisir – des idées tout à fait centrales pour l’image de
la Destination France ». Alain Ducasse
Pour Alain Ducasse, à la tête de 20 restaurants dans
le monde, dont trois restaurants 3 étoiles à Monaco,
Londres et Paris : « La cuisine française est l’interprète
d’une cuisine qui a évolué vers la légèreté dans
l’harmonie avec son environnement (…) le point
commun c’est la générosité, le partage, l’amour du
beau et du bon, il s’agira d’une parenthèse enchantée,
l’occasion de fêter la cuisine française partout dans le
monde ».
41
French-inspired cuisine
in the Seychelles
Following the Gout de France event, we further
celebrate the fusion of French and Creole cuisine
in this issue with recipes from some of Seychelles’
leading hotels
42
Recipe contributed by Banyan Tree Hotel & Spa
The perfect Black Angus beef rib eye steak
served with breadfruit
INGREDIENTS
3 kg
Black Angus beef rib-eye
0.03 kg
Garlic
0.1 L
Olive oil
1 kg
Black lentils 0.2 kg
Carrots
0.05 kg
Curry leaves
0.02 kg
Thyme
0.2 l
Coconut milk
0.02 kg
Biryani
2 kg
Bread fruit
1 l
Fresh coconut milk
1 pc
Vanilla pod (from la Digue)
0.06 kg
Sugar
0.05 kg
Nutmeg
1 pc
Cinnamon stick
0.02 kg
Fleur de sel 0.020kg
Salt 0.020 k
With pepper powder
METHOD
Black Angus beef rib-eye
Cut the rib-eye into big pieces, around 600g, and marinate with
crushed garlic, olive oil and seasoning. Leave cooking on the BBQ for
the last minute.
Black lentils
Soak the lentils in water for about 45 mins. Add sunflower oil to a pot
and let it warm on a low heat. Add the lentils and all the ingredients
except salt and coconut milk, let it cook for 1hr 30mins then add salt
and coconut milk and stir it all together.
Breadfruit daube
Peel the Bread Fruit then Cut in to even-sized cubes. Combine the
breadfruit cubes in a large pan with the coconut milk (the coconut
milk must cover the bread fruit). Slit the vanilla pod in half lengthways
and add to the pan along with the nutmeg and cinnamon. Sweeten to
taste with sugar then bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce to a simmer,
cover and cook gently for about 20 minutes, or until the breadfruit is
tender enough that it can easily be pierced with the point of a knife.
This dish can be served warm or cold.
If you like a more porridge-like consistency, simmer for about 5
minutes longer and mash the breadfruit cubes with a fork.
Fresh and Delicious Fish Carpaccio
INGREDIENTS
3 kg
0.5 kg
0.5 kg
0.5 kg
0.5 kg
0.5 kg
0.1 g
0.1 g
0.2 Ltr
0.05 kg
0.05 kg
50 g
Fish
Mixed salad leaves
Carrots
White radish / Turnip
Orange juice
Lime juice
Mustard seeds
Parsley
Olive Oil
Salt
White pepper powder
Chopped shallots
METHOD
Make a citrus dressing using the orange and lime juice,
whisk it with olive oil and add some mustard seeds;
season it with salt and pepper. Put aside.
Cut the fish in thin slices, place it flat on a serving plate
then add sea salt, white pepper powder and chopped
shallots. Add your mixed salad leaves on top, together
your julienned carrots chop in julienne style. Pour over
dressing and add petit croutons if you like.
Recipe contributed by Constance Lemuria Hotel & Spa
43
Recipe Contributed by Kempinski
Hotel & Spa
Verger Seychellois
served with Tropical fruit, local
vegetable, cucumber jelly, vanilla vinaigrette
INGREDIENTS (SERVES 1)
50gms
Watermelon (cut in to square or rectangle)
15gms
Jack fruit
7gmsGuava
15 gms
Cucumber
5gmsCarrot
15gms
White radish
5gms
Red radish
5gms
Beetroot (sliced paper thin, soaked in ice
water)
2gms
Avocado shaved with a peeler
2gms
Celery leaves (soaked in ice water)
10gms
Mandarin segment
15gmsPomelo
3gms
Red onion
5gms
Palm heart
5gms
Star fruit
10gms
Baby gem
10gmsEndive
10gms
Red endive
1gms
Dried Hibiscus leaves (see recipe)
20ml
Vanilla/Lime dressing (see recipe)
3gms
Fleur de sel
1.5gms
Cashew nuts
METHOD: MAIN DISH
1-Take the water Melon rectangle on a plate and
season with fleur de sel and Vanilla dressing. Arrange
the above fruit and Vegetable (except Avocado, red
onion and the lettuce, dried hibiscus) on a tray lined
44
with kitchen paper season with fleur de sel and lighly
dress. Start arranging the above on the melon in the
order or preference you like. You have to be quick the
salt will soften the vegetables. Garnish with shaved
avocado, dressed lettuce, top with finely sliced onion
and dried hibiscus leaves. Finish again with the
remaining dressing and fleur de sel and serve.
VANILLA DRESSING (5 portions)
1 pod
vanilla Tahiti (scraped the seeds)
40 ml
Lime juice
60 ml
extra virgin olive oil
2gmsSalt
5gmsSugar
METHOD: VANILLA DRESSING
Put all the above ingredients (except the pod, just the
seeds) in a high speed blender and emulsify. Check
seasoning and set aside
DRIED HIBISCUS (3 portions)
40gms
or two Fresh Hibiscus flowers
(washed and petals removed)
1gmsSalt
10ml
olive oil
METHOD: DRIED HIBISCUS
Line a plate with cling film. Pour olive oil and spread
over the sheet evenly. Arrange the petals on the plate
lined with cling film. The oil will help the Hibiscus
petal stick to the plate. Cook in a microwave on high
heat for 30 seconds at a time. Repeating this 4 or 5
times till the petals are dry and crisp. Store in a dry
place on the same plate.
DINING REVIEW
Kannel (Creole for “cinnamon”) is a 126-seater
restaurant that brings a fusion of authentic
international and Creole-influenced flavours to the
shore of Petite Anse from a sheltered spot amongst
the cinnamon trees adjacent to the Four Seasons
Kannel
Dinner features favoured
local dishes prepared by the
Seychellois team, as well as
Asian specialties overseen
by Restaurant Chef Deden
Permana. Their famous Creole
night every Saturday features
the best of local cuisine, plus
live music and dancing to
bring the spirit of the Seychelles
to life.
45
46
The atmosphere is laidback
and relaxed, yet still elegant,
with great service and
an unbeatable location;
tourists and locals alike
chatter animatedly amongst
themselves, with the sound
of crashing waves in the
background and the wind
rustling through the palms
a perfect soundtrack for
enjoying a meal.
location; tourists and locals alike chatter animatedly
amongst themselves, with the sound of crashing
waves in the background and the wind rustling
through the palms a perfect soundtrack for enjoying
a meal.
The restaurant is open to all visitors, whether staying
at the hotel or not, with prior booking. Book in
advance to avoid disappoint. Guests can also join
Kannel’s chefs and learn how to prepare traditional
Creole dishes in an open-air cooking class – now that’s
an experience to remember.
The restaurant is open to non-resident guests.
Bookings are preferred, and can be made by calling
+248 4393000 or emailing restaurants-reservations.
sey@fourseasons.com
pool. The restaurant also serves nutritionally balanced
spa cuisine as well as snacks. Lunch is an interesting
combination of lighter bites influenced by distinct
Creole flavours, including ingredients grown in the
Resort’s tropical grounds. Local favourites such as
Creole Fish Curry, are served alongside sandwiches,
wraps, burgers and salads, as well as pizzas from the
restaurant’s wood-fired oven.
Dinner features favoured local dishes prepared by
the Seychellois team, as well as Asian specialties
overseen by Restaurant Chef Deden Permana. Their
famous Creole night every Saturday features the
best of local cuisine, plus live music and dancing to
bring the spirit of the Seychelles to life. The popular
Fish Market is available weekly on a Thursday, with
a delicious selection of fresh local fish and seafood
to select for cooking à la minute, and Arabic Night,
with accompanying Shisha Lounge, takes place on a
Monday evening.
The atmosphere is laidback and relaxed, yet still
elegant, with great service and an unbeatable
47
DINING REVIEW
Surfers Beach Restaurant
A true beach front café by Ineke Camille
Sitting on the edge of tranquil waters in the quiet
district of Takamaka, Surfers Restaurant is one perfect
for families and groups alike. Visit during the North
East Monsoon and it’s also a good spot for some
surfing, thus aptly named. But don’t worry the
waves crash a good distance out and will not affect
enjoyment. Here on the shore, the waves lap gently
on a beach that is picture perfect with calm, warm
waters perfect for a pre - or post-meal dip.
The fare at this beach restaurant is your usual café
styled menu but is complimented by a neverending
black board filled with mouthwatering meal options
that will leave you spoilt for choice. And if per chance
you have something specific in mind, don’t worry, this
dedicated kitchen will do it’s utmost to accommodate
your taste buds. For a particular meal (not on the
menu) or an occasion with a large group, do call ahead
to avoid disappointment. With opening hours from
10am – 10pm Monday to Sunday, and with such a
refreshing stance to service and delivery, there are
few who can say that Surfers Beach Restaurant is not
accommodating. Come for a sit down meal or opt for
a take away, great food and simple warm hospitality is
a guarantee.
With ample seating, the restaurant has two areas of
wooden, covered decking where one can take in the
views and enjoy the tranquility. The lower option is
alfresco where you can walk in the sand and be at one
with nature, here you directly take in the views of the
beach with its soft white sand, inviting blue seas, and
fringed with the swaying of coconut trees. The crabs
dance nearby and you can feel the coolness of the
breeze from nearby trees. If not already taken, feel
free to sway in the hammock while you wait for your
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meal or drink. The sight of the hammock alone
will mellow you.
Food, glorious food. Simple fares of burger and
chips, and pizza win high points here, as do
t-boned steaks, grilled fish (fresh having been
brought in daily from the local fishermen) and
garlic prawns, really the list is endless. Their fresh
juices are mouth-watering and desserts delicious.
Best of all, your order is delivered in record time.
Having opened five years ago, Surfers know
their clientele well and having tweaked and
perfected their current offerings, including the
recent extension of the covered decking, the next
big plan for 2015 is a bar area which has been a
recurrent request over the years. The restaurant
is already a popular venue for parties, able to
host up to 150 people and this new area will add
another dynamic to the current offerings.
For more information or bookings, please call on
2783703
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Selling the Seychelles in SA
This month we chat to Sue Howells
from African Synergy, a travel and
hotel representation company based in
Johannesburg, who pride themselves on
building relationships between hotels and
lodges and the travel industry as a whole.
They represent the Constance Hotels Brand
in the South African Market
What are your thoughts on the Seychelles?
The Seychelles is still redeemed as an “exotic”
destination for most South Africans. However it has
become more attainable and more affordable over the
past few years. I do feel it offers something unique to
the short haul destination options that South Africans
have. she made it her mission to relocate there – and four
years later she has done so. That alone is an indication
of what a trip to Seychelles does for you – it really is
‘another world’.
People often group Seychelles and
Mauritius as the “same type of holiday”;
how do you think the Seychelles differs?
I think Seychelles offers a much more exclusive and
intimate holiday, though the concept of the holiday is
much the same. Resorts in Seychelles are beginning to
gear themselves to appeal more to the international
markets, so in this it is becoming more inline with the
likes of Mauritius. What do you think is a unique selling point
about the Seychelles?
The combination of the natural tropical vegetation
and the picture perfect beaches, and that it is less
commercialised than other popular Indian Ocean
islands. Which is your favourite island of the
Seychelles to suggest to your clients? I have only ever visited the islands of Mahe and Praslin,
and each has its own personality. Overall I would have
to say Praslin for its beautiful beaches. What were your highlights when visiting the
Seychelles?
Definitely the beaches. I have travelled to many islands
and beach destinations, and Seychelles has by far
some of the prettiest beaches I have ever seen. Do you have any interesting stories
from your clients about their travels to
Seychelles?
Yes, funnily enough the first time I travelled with a
media group to Constance resorts in Seychelles, one
of the journalists was so taken with the Seychelles that
51
What are your top five must-dos or mustsees in the Seychelles?
Definitely doing a self-drive around Mahe, to stop and
venture through all the little beaches tucked away, a
trip to La Digue Island, a visit to Vallée de Mai Nature
Reserve, which is a nature park and UNESCO World
Heritage Site on the island of Praslin and definitely
to do some water activities such as fishing and
snorkelling. What can the Seychelles Tourism industry
do to boost tourism or any areas that can
improve?
I think a stronger footprint on Social Media platforms
would help considerably, the Tourism board is quite
hands on and very willing to work with the key
partners in the industry, but I feel that perhaps there
could be a stronger awareness in the public market. Many bookings are lost to other destinations that offer
a more “All-Inclusive” package offer with drinks and
food all included, however this is not the destination
that Seychelles presents itself as, and in so, keeping
with a more exclusive feel. But even the most affluent
of clients are seeking all-inclusive deals in recent
times.
How have groups you’ve brought to the
islands responded to their trips?
We have had excellent feedback from the various
groups that we have had in our resorts in Seychelles,
specifically Constance Ephelia Resort, as it offers
so much to do and to experience for a group or
incentive-based trip, along with fantastic food and
service. 52
Have you seen an increase in interest of
Seychelles as a holiday destination?
We have seen increased numbers to our hotels in
Seychelles (Constance Ephelia Resort and Constance
Lemuria Resort) from the South African market, this is
mainly due to the product that we offer which is great
value for money whilst providing quality that has
come to be known with the Constance Resorts and
Hotels Brand. Contact details:
Sue Howells Sales and marketing manager, African Synergy Tel: 2711782 0636
Instagram: African Synergy s
le diving in Seyc
b
i
s
hel
on
p
le
s
e
R
By Elke Talma. Icons courtesy of
Green Fins.
The reefs of Seychelles may
not be featured in the top 10
best dive sites in the world,
but we still offer some rather
spectacular year round diving
and/or snorkelling to meet the
needs of the ever increasing
numbers of marine enthusiasts
who visit our shores.
Coral reefs are often been
described as the “tropical rain
forests of the ocean”, with 25%
of ocean species occurring in
an area of less than 0.2% of the
ocean floor. Yet according to the
2008 Status of Coral Reefs of
the World report, our planet has
effectively lost nearly 20% of its
coral reef area. Another 45% will
be lost within the next 40 years
if urgent measures are not taken
to reduce both local and global
impacts to coral reefs. Divers
can play a key role in helping
save our reefs.
No stepping on Coral
No stirring the sediment
Whether you are a beginner
or experienced snorkeler,
wearing a life jacket helps you
avoid standing on or kicking
the shallow corals. It also
prevents a lot of accidents from
unexpected currents while
increasing your visibility to
passing boats. Similarly, a good
scuba diver maintains neutrally
buoyancy.
Do not chase or touch
marine life
No touching or chasing marine life
DOs AND DON’TS OF AN
ECO DIVER
Look but never touch or try to
get too close as this can cause
great stress to any animal.
Touching can also transmit
diseases or remove protective
coatings of fish, mammals,
invertebrates and other marine
species. You are also at risk
as threatened animals may
bite, sting or in some cases
use electrocution as a defence
mechanism.
Do not wear gloves
Do not step on the coral
Always be aware of the coral
around you when you’re in
the water – it’s alive! Corals
are very fragile and take a
long time to grow. Stepping
on the corals can break it or
damage its surface making it
more susceptible to infections.
You could also cut yourself or
even develop a rash from the
toxins discharged from the
nematocysts.
Control your buoyancy
No feeding fish
Wearing gloves gives a false
sense of protection and
encourages you to hold on to
things underwater. In addition
to potentially damaging marine
life, wearing gloves can be
dangerous for you too as they
will not provide any security
against stings or bites from
marine life.
Do not stir the sediment
No littering
If you are not careful, the
flipping of your fins can stir the
sediment and debris to upset
53
small habitats and cover corals.
This reduces the ability of the
coral to photosynthesize and
could cause it to die. This can
also lead to small animals being
washed away or increase their
chance of predation. Stirring up
sediment also reduces visibility,
ruining the dive for whoever
comes after you.
Do not feed the fish
Feeding fish or any other
species can cause them to rely
on that food source and the
people supplying it. This can
interrupt the natural balance
of the coral reef as the fish no
longer maintain their natural
behaviour and feeding cycles.
It also makes fish less weary
of humans. Fish may become
aggressive towards divers,
particularly if feeding was
discontinued for a period.
Don't buy souvenir of coral
and marine life
Do no support shark finning
Do not collect marine life
– dead or alive
Removing species that would
normally break down and be
recycled into the sea leaves
other animals without nutrients
and elements that they need
for growth. Even empty shells
on the beach play an important
role as homes for hermit crabs.
Take nothing but pictures, leave
nothing but bubbles.
No spear fishing
54
The destructive impacts of
anchors can be avoided by
using mooring buoys. This
practice also sets a good
example for others and
raises marine environmental
awareness. Mooring buoys
are usually deployed in
marine parks or reserves and
maintained by rangers. Dive
operators can be encouraged
to deploy mooring buoys at
sensitive sites outside the
protected areas.
Trash that ends up in the sea is
often eaten by animals that live
there, which can harm or even
kill them. It is also a problem for
humans since we are at the top
of the food chain. Additionally,
trash ruins the beauty of the
sea, stops tourists from coming
back, damages boats and
carries diseases.
Do not buy corals or
marine life as souvenirs
Do not anchor on coral reefs
Do not anchor on coral
reefs
Coral takes hundreds of years
to grow yet can be destroyed
by a simple act of negligence.
Use mooring buoys
Do not litter
Do not spearfish
Spear fishing removes the
largest and slowest reproducing
species on the reef, thus
changing the balance of the
ecosystem and upsetting the
food chain. It is also likely
to injure a species if it is not
speared correctly, leading to a
slow and painful death. Spear
fishing can also be dangerous
to other divers, snorkelers and
swimmers in the vicinity. Spear
fishing is illegal in Seychelles!
Anchors are heavy and often
have a long chain attached.
When dropped and dragged
onto a fragile coral reef, they
cause great destruction,
particularly if the boat changes
direction with wind or currents.
If you see a boat damaging
the reef, please contact the
Greenline (2 72 21 11).
Do not collect dead or alive marine life
Although they look pretty,
buying shells and other
marine products may support
unsustainable harvesting and is
never environmentally wise. If
the buying stops, the killing and
collecting can too.
Do not support shark finning
Over 70 millions sharks are
killed each year because of
the shark fin trade. Sharks are
primarily killed for their fins,
which are used for soup but
also for shark liver oil which
is believed to be a cure for
certain illnesses. Removing
these top predators can mean
the imbalance of our seas. Shark
fining is banned in Seychelles –
fishermen are required to land the
whole animal and use all parts of
the shark.
others. A little help from
everybody goes a long way.
Do tell others about
these tips
Pass on these tips to friends,
family and anyone else you think
is unaware. Encourage people to
be responsible for their action
and do all they can to help coral
reefs survive!
Follow the rules
Seychelles has marine parks and
marine reserves. These have been
set aside to promote reef health
and diversity. Different rules may
apply depending on the site.
No gloves
Report environmental
violations
You should report destructive
practices and violations
of environmental laws to
the Greenline (2 72 21 11).
Informing key authorities of
your observations can lead to
appropriate action, particularly if
you can back up your claim with
photographic evidence. By letting
them know your concerns, you
are being part of the solution.
Wear life jacket when snorkelling
Choose an eco-friendly dive
operator
Use your purchasing power
to guide the market in the
right direction by choosing a
dive operator that is not only
environmentally aware but also
practices what they preach. Visit
the company website to see what
they are doing or ask questions
such as ‘Will I be allowed to collect
corals & shells? Will you feed the
fish to guarantee a sighting?
Do you use mooring buoys at
dive sites? Do you employ local
dive guides and instructors? Do
you organise reef clean-ups or
conduct reef surveys with local
NGOS?’ etc. If you see a company
behaving irresponsibly, let them
know it as this could encourage
more responsible SCUBA diving
practices in their future.
Use mooring buoys
Report environmental violations
Participate in conservation
projects
There are a number of marine
based NGOs in Seychelles that
accept volunteers. By becoming
an eco-volunteer, you can
have a positive effect on the
environment and help educate
Join in conservation projects
55
FACES OF
TOURISM
Wedding tales
Nothing says romance quite like a tropical island; it is the location that many dream of having
a wedding, and most definitely where you want to go for a honeymoon. But what about if you
actually live in paradise? By Mawess Wirtz
The Event Planner
Joyce Laljee is an event planner and some of the
events that she has taken the most pride in planning
have been weddings. I sat down with her to find out
what it’s like to plan and execute a successful wedding
in Seychelles. Her suggestion is that before you even
start dreaming of your perfect wedding, sit down,
compile your guest list, set a date and work out your
budget. The limiting factors in planning a wedding are
those three. Armed with the information, Joyce can
then consider it day one of planning your wedding
and she opens a file (complete with a picture of the
couple on top). She will then begin to advise you on
choosing and organising EVERYTHING.
On the job
Currently Joyce works for the Kempinski Seychelles
Resort where she has worked with both local
and international couples. She has had amazing
experiences and each wedding has been unique, with
each new couple she learns how
to provide the best experience for
the next. Couples gain access to a
veritable expense of knowledge.
She knows exactly what her
establishment has to offer and she
works with the couples to offer
them the best package that they
can afford.
If there is onething that Joyce lives
by, it’s that the big day is all about
the bride and the groom but she
admits that with each couple
it becomes difficult to make it
so when the respective parents
and friends get involved. She
has however developed certain
diplomatic skills that allow her
to divert the focus back onto the
needs of the couple and she works
hard to give them what they want
as much as possible.
She works hard from the moment
that she meets the couple up until
the day after the wedding. It helps
that she knows her resort like the
back of her hand as it permits her
to be able to advise the couple
where at the resort would be
the best site to hold either their
ceremony or reception. There are
very different menus available and
she helps the couple tailor one to
their theme.
56
Joyce completes her service package by being a
source of contacts for every service you need to
enhance your wedding experience. You need a Dj? A
band? A photographer? From her years of experience
she has accumulated the phone numbers of some of
the best in the business, heed her advice and have the
right people servicing your wedding.
Before the wedding …..tips to ensure
smooth sailing!
Choose a venue
Choosing a location depends on how much you
want to spend, what is provided on site and what
your theme is. According to Joyce, in Seychelles the
location where most local weddings take place is the
International Conference Centre (ICCS) which has cost
and location on its side.
Choose a theme and colour scheme
There is a plethora of choices and Seychellois have
been known to choose any and all of them, even
colours that are not conventionally associated with
each other (like lime and purple), but apparently
the most common is a shade of blue. Seychelles is a
tropical island surrounded by clear blue sky and azure
sea, it is what we know.
If there is one thing that
Joyce lives by, it’s that the
big day is all about the
bride and the groom but
she admits that with each
couple it becomes difficult
to make it so when the
respective parents and
friends get involved. She
has however developed
certain diplomatic skills that
allow her to divert the focus
back onto the needs of the
couple and she works hard
to give them what they
want as much as possible.
Budget everything
Break down the budget to find how much you are
willing to pay for each requirement. Joyce suggests
that if there is one thing that you must not skimp on,
it’s food. One of the things that stick to mind after
a wedding is the food provided; no one really cares
whether you had balloons or tinsel in the room.
Go over the guest list
It is your wedding, do you know everyone coming?
Are there people that you are friends with only
through circumstance? Are there people that you
are no longer friends with but you feel like they
should attend? Will you one day look at your wedding
pictures and wonder why in the world certain people
were at your wedding when you never see them now?
Be considerate
Even though it is your wedding, what kind of person
does not take into account the health of their guests?
Provide vegetarian options. Think of those with low
blood pressure and other issues, even that crazy
friend who breaks out into a fever when she eats curry
has to eat. When planning the menu, think of who
is attending the feast. Do you have a handicapped
guest? How does the handicap manifest? Think about
it, if your loved one is unhappy, the odds are that you
will be too.
Bridezilla and monster-in-law………..the
stories are real!
The most difficult thing Joyce has to deal with is
the bride. They come in two types, the one that has
planned her perfect wedding and wants everything
done her way, NOW and the other one has no clue
what she wants and expects you to do it all for her –
both are bridezillas for different reasons. Then there
is the mother-in-law and mother of the bride… Joyce
didn’t want to go into detail but she confessed that
her most difficult work days have been when she
has had to put up with demands that she never saw
coming or are downright ridiculous. A winter theme
on a tropical island, anyone?
Meet the new Mr and Mrs… her biggest
pride!
For Joyce the wedding starts on the day that she
meets with the couple. She starts a file, complete
with a picture of the couple so that she knows exactly
whose wedding she is working when they are not
there. The file contains the theme, colour scheme,
the food, and the list of personnel that she has to
work with. She meets the couple periodically up until
the big day. The couple selects the food, band, Dj,
photographer etc..and Joyce takes note. On the big
day everyone just turns up because by then Joyce
will have guided the couple through everything they
needed to do and she was now the sole conductor
of the wedding. She keeps an eye on everything and
takes pride in throwing flawless weddings. After the
wedding has ended, Joyce is still left working up until
the next day when she takes stock and balances the
books before she closes the file on the couple.
57
Roots in the motherland
A look at the influence of Africa on the
Seychelles’ culture
By Mawess Mirtz
The minute a visitor steps foot in Seychelles the fact
that the people must have originated from Africa is
apparent in the colour of our skin, in the texture of
our hair and it is something that the people do not
deny. While the physical resemblance to our African
counterparts is obvious, what are those other nuances
that are not so noticeable? Our African ancestry
permeates into every aspect of our Seychelles culture,
making us the Kreol we are.
Let us start at the very beginning of it all. Seychelles
had been discovered a long time before it was finally
colonised in 1770 by the French and the group
contained 28 people, one Frenchman, one negress
and 26 slaves. Mr Jean-Claude Mahoune, Seychelles
anthropologist, describes the slaves as, “Coming with
only their souls, they had nothing else, only loincloths,
the Africa lived within them and was passed down
from the knowledge gathered from a tiny group of
people”. And there on that fateful day was planted the
first seed of Africa into our tropical islands.
Currently the branches of that seed are evident in our
food, our dance, our music, our language, and even
our mannerisms. Mr Mahoune has spent many years
investigating and writing about exactly what Africa
gifted Seychelles and here is what he has found.
The sway of our hips
The dances that are considered to be of African origin
elicit the same “feeling” and have the same essence as
it is thought that the instruments used, the “zez” and
“bom” ,are of African origin.
Moutya (thought to be of Kenyan origin)
According to Mr Mahoune this dance was named
after the Bantu word “mutcira” and practised at night
around a bonfire of coconut leaves. Currently, the
moutya is still practised the same as it was in the past.
Hand held, thin drums made out of animal skin are
warmed over the fire as men and women assemble.
The dance starts with the men calling out to the
women (could be anything from an observation,
the day’s happenings, scandals, or complaints) and
the women respond with high pitched voices. The
improvised songs could only be described as protests
against the lifestyle the slaves led. They did all the
Photograph courtesy
Seychelles Tourism Board
58
work on the plantations, in all conditions, for little
gratitude. The songs were accompanied by a dance
between the men and women. The women would
shuffle around the fire, lifting their shirts, exposing
their petticoats while the men would spread out their
arms and circle the women in a gesture reminiscent
of a barrier. While the dance looks suggestive, the
partners never actually touch but that did not stop the
“masters” in the old days to try and stop the practice,
calling them orgies. Mr Mahoune’s assumption is that
the slave’s music was probably disturbing the master’s
rest, which was why laws to limit and restrict the
dance was installed in quick succession.
Sega Otantik/Tranble
The older and more traditional version of the sega
uses the hollowed-out coconut trunk covered by
goat’s skin at one end as a drum. These were usually
played by the men while the women would hit a piece
of bamboo to add to the tempo. Dancers would try
to follow the beat with their hips and feet resulting in
a quick paced, hip thrusting dance. The songs were
usually descriptions of events or the chance to poke
fun at the masters. Currently, there is a more modern
form of sega and the music is continuously being
evolved but the dance remains the same.
Sokwe
This is a masked dance were dancers would obscure
their identity using dried banana leaves/or creepers .
The country of origin is contested but the fact that it
stems from Africa is undeniable. The lead singer would
call out “instructions” that the dancers would follow.
Currently there are hotels that put on a show some
nights to show visitors this dance.
Tinge
Hear us speak…
While the French influence is obvious in the Creole
language of the Seychelles, traces of the motherland
can also be heard. According to Mr Mahoune’s findings
it is thought that the language was constructed
from the slaves’ attempts at speaking French. The
slaves substituted pronunciations to suit their African
accents and introduced their idioms and habits. It is
thought that certain mannerisms and references in
the Creole speech also stem from the motherland. The
act of calling out to greet a person is thought to be a
typical African act.
Even in play…
In the past these games would have been carried out
by children and then passed down across generations
however the advance of technology has affected even
the Seychelles …….no longer can such games be
seen being played after school to the beat of childish
laughter, thankfully there are schemes that still pass
them on to the new generations.
1. Zwe Kafoul This game is played using dried coconut shells broken/
or sawed in half. A song was sung and the two shells
were passed to players in a circle, the tempo would
increase with each round. The objective is not to be
the player holding the shells at the end of the song,
because that means you are out of the game.
2. Granmanman Bebe
This game also involved a song. The theme of the
game is that there is an angry grandmother who is
searching for her grandchildren, the players form a
line and the grandmother chants the song, at the end
she grabs one and that player has to now follow her as
she attempts to grab other players.
This dance is performed by the men, while the women
and children watch and accompany them by clapping
and chanting. The men face each other in rows and
the dance consists of miming to strike to kill, where
one row places a foot forward before the other row
can remove theirs and so forth.
3. Konser
Madilo
While we can assume that during the early years
of colonisation, the slaves would have been too
preoccupied with their back breaking work to express
themselves through paint and canvas but in the
next century, there came to light the fine art of one
Billy King, one of the freed slaves. However, there is
evidence of crude wooden animals such as turtles,
fish, birds, and these are believed to be the result of
skills the slaves picked up in their native country.
This dance involves dexterity and a large stick. The
dancers form two rows facing each other and holding
the stick on one side, they then have to swing their
legs in tandem over the stick as they sing without
falling over or catching a breath. Out of all the dances,
this one is probably the most interesting to watch
and the most fun to try. It is a dance for everyone
(although if everybody else is tall and you are the only
short one, it is not a good idea to try it out).
Dance is not the only area where that stamp of our
African heritage lingers but it is certainly the most
active! Come over… let’s get physical, let us hear your
body talk.
Seychelles has many traditional tales and in the spirit
of such, the players would act out the stories complete
with songs.
Expressed by art…..
All dressed up….
The slaves were thought to have gotten off the ships
delivering them to Seychelles in only their loin cloths
but later traditional African dress found its way into
the traditional dress through the head scarves of the
59
women and the men’s proclivity to
being bare-chested. There are also
similarities between the big, free
flowing traditional blouses of the
women and those of certain African
tribes.
After all these years, there are no
longer individuals of African, Asian or
European descent solely. The islands
are happy places with no hint of
racism so there has been many an
intermingling of races, history tells us
that with each ship there were more
slaves than “masters”, the Seychelles
now has a population of around
90,000 and there is a veritable hybrid
of ethnicities featured in most of its
people, however no one forgets the
African influence and everyone gets
the chance to celebrate their African
ancestors during the yearly event, the
Fet Afrik (African Festival), to be held
this year on the 22nd May 2015.
By artist Vasantha
Bibliography
Mahoune, J.-C. (n.d.). Virtual
Seychelles. Retrieved March 10, 2015,
from http://www.virtualseychelles.sc
60
KNOW YOUR SEYCHELLES
Think you know all there is to know about
these magicial Indian Ocean islands? Read on
and see…
The Seychelles were only recently discovered in
comparison to other countries, being that, according to
my secondary school history booklet there is evidence
that some of the islands were discovered “as far back
as 200 -300 AD by Malays” and there is proof in a
manuscript from “AD 851 that Arab merchants also
knew of the islands”. By 1771, all the islands of Seychelles
had been discovered and named but the stories behind
them are what’s interesting. When the Seychelles is an
archipelago of 115 islands (and counting), we won’t
feature them all but here is a few that is most accessible.
The country - Seychelles
The Malays and Arabs showed no interest in their
findings and the islands were left undisturbed. It was
in 1502 that the Portugese who came across them
charted them on a map, nameless. Later, in 1506, they
were referred to as the “seven sisters”. Interestingly it
was the French who first claimed the islands and in
1756 they were named Séchelles, after the minister
of finance under the reign of Louis XV, the Viscount
Jean Moreau de Séchelles. When the British took over
the name had stuck and they could only anglicise it to
Seychelles.
THE INNER ISLANDS
There are 41 granitic and 2 coralline inner islands. They
are referred to as the inner islands because they are
located nearest to main island of Mahe and are mostly
granitic.
Clock tower
Marine Park Island by Raymond Sahuquet
THE MAIN ISLANDS
Mahe – The island with the capital Victoria
All flights or boats will lead to Mahe, it is the biggest
and most populated island but it also has the
country’s only international air and sea ports. It is
considered to be the main island as the capital,
Victoria is there. The voyage of Vasco da Gama of 1468
produced a map in 1502 that showed an island that
might be Mahe named as Ganaa. On the 19th January
1609, a British commerce expedition of the English
East India Company under Alexander Sharpeigh did
come ashore on Mahe but he thought that it was
an island of the Amirantes and did not name it. The
first name noted was Ile d’Abondances by Lazare
Picault after his 1742 expedition. After Picault’s 1744
expedition he renamed the island Mahe after Mahe de
la Bourdonnais who was the governor who had sent
him on the expdition . However, in 1756, when Picault
and La Bourdonnais were no longer around, the new
governor Magon, sent Corneille Nicolas Morphey who
tried to name the island Sechelles but the mariners
kept referring to the island as Mahe so Sechelles (or
Saichelles, Seichelles, Sechel, Seychelle, depending on
who was writing) became the islands in its entirety.
Praslin – Home of the UNESCO world heritage site, the
Valle de Mai
The second largest and most populated island Praslin
was initially called Ile Palmes in 1742 by Picault.
The name reflected all the tall majestic palm trees
that grew abundantly there. Then the name was
changed to Ile Moras after Francois-Marie Peirenc
de Moras. Finally, in 1768, the maritime secretary of
state Cesar Gabriel de Choiseul-Chevigny, the Duke
of Praslin, organized an expedition to find the fastest
way to the islands and map the routes there. During
the expedition the captain of the ship “Curieuse”
61
Lamperiare named the island Ile Praslin after the duke.
The Valle de Mai of Praslin is a huge forest which is the
only place in the world where the giant coco-de-mer
and Seychelles black parrot can be found.
La Digue
The island was also among those discovered by
the Picault second expedition in 1744 but no one
bothered to name it. The first expedition authorized
by Praslin in 1768, included a ship called “La Digue”,
which was commended by Marion Dufresne who
came across the island and named it (with such
originality) after his boat. The La Digue has always
kept one foot firmly in the past and activities such as
the building of boats by hand using old fashioned
tools and refining copra is still in practice. Locals
still make the traditional liquer called ‘kalou’ and
transportation is still mainly by bicycle, as well as eco
cars and taxis. This is because unlike other islands La
Digue was only populated in 1789. The old cemetery
shows the names of the first settlers which still have
descendants walking around on the island.
The Ste Anne Marine Park islands
Along with Ste.Anne the islands of the marine park are
Cerf, Moyenne, Long, Round, and Cachee islands but it
is Ste.Anne that has the most illustrious past.
Ste Anne – The first inhabited island
The first colonists where French and came in 1770.
The first island inhabited was Ste.Anne and not the
main island Mahe that was colonised later. The island
was named thus because the island was discovered
on Saint Anne’s Day. The island is now part of the Ste.
Anne Marine National Park. Previously the island had
been used as a refuge for escaped prisoners, then it
became a whaling base, then it housed the National
Youth Service from 1981-1992.
Silhouette - The inhabited but still wild
Silhouette was one of the islands that the crew of the
English East India Company also visited in 1609 but
again thinking they were in the Amirantes, they failed
to name it too. On the 28th January 1771 Charles
Oger who took possession of it in the name of the
King of France. The island was named after Etienne de
Silhouette the “Comptrolleur Generale de Finance”.
North island – The preferred 5* getaway for celebrities
North is actually the first island that Alexander
Sharpeigh of the East Indian Company berthed at in
1609. The first observation was that the island had
a huge population of land tortoises. Nowadays the
island hosts one of the world’s most luxurious resorts
that focuses on providing their customers that rare
commodity called privacy. It is why the resort has
become the holiday of choice for such celebrities
as the Beckhams and royalty such as the Duke and
Duchess of Cambridge. It is also designated as a
UNESCO World Heritage Site and a lot of money and
care has been poured into turning the island into a
sanctuary for native flora and fauna.
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THE TWO INNER CORALLINE ISLANDS
Bird island – At one with nature
The island used to be called “iles aux Vaches” after
the seacows that used to live around the island but
when it was sighted in 1771, because it housed an
innumerable amount of birds it was referred to as Bird
island and the name stuck even though across the
years the number of birds decreased due to human
activity. The island had a moment in the spotlight in
1989 when one of its tortoises “Esmeralda”, topped
the scales at 298 kg to become the world’s heaviest
tortoise according to the Guiness Book of Records, the
tortoise also happens to be the oldest free-ranging
tortoise as well as he is thought to have been born
in 1771. Currently there is a resort on Bird that has
made leaps in attempting to restore the environment
of the island, so much so that they have won various
prestigious environmental awards, the last being the
Green Planet Award for Environmental Management
and Good Practice, and has only been contenders in
other categories.
Denis island – Reclusive charm
The island was named after Denis de Trobriant, a
French explorer in 1773. There is actually a legend that
somewhere on the island is a bottle of evidence that
he claimed the islands in the name of the French king.
The island also has a lighthouse that dates back to
1908 and the country’s only ecumenical chapel, which
catered to all the residents of the time immaterial
of faith. Currently the island boasts one of the best
resorts of the country and is famous for being an
angler’s paradise. The fish that have been caught from
the clear sea around the island have been known to
be record breaking.
La Digue, Ox Cart
Environmental conservation at the heart of privately managed islands
Denis Island
The Seychelles archipelago, comprising of 115
islands, is well-known for its unique environment,
which houses some of the world’s rarest flora and
fauna and supports a vibrant marine ecosystem.
However, the Seychelles islands’ natural environment,
like that of most oceanic islands, has been marred
by human activities ever since the islands were
colonised, especially by deforestation for plantations
and the introduction of invasive alien species (IAS).
Consequently, many of the Seychelles islands have
suffered from native habitat loss and extinction of
species.
Reversing the hands of time
Some privately managed islands have dedicated
themselves to restoring the islands’ natural
environment, and conserving the unique and rare
flora and fauna of the Seychelles. Two such examples
are Denis Private Island and North Island, though it is
worth noted that other islands such as Fregate and
Cousine etc... are also involved in conservation work.
Within the last decade, these islands have carried out
substantial conservation measures with the help of
Green Islands Foundation (GIF), a non-governmental
organisation (NGO) committed to the mainstreaming
of sustainable development. Next to GIF there have
been other organization that have also assisted the
islands, such as Wilderness Safaris on North Island.
protocol has been imperative in ensuring that the
island remains free of rats and other pests. Denis
Private Island, which also enjoys rodent-free status,
has been on a mission to remove Common Mynas
since 2010 as they are a major threat to the rare and
endemic birds of the island.
After the islands have worked to reintroduce endemic
bird species, a number of them can now be heard or
seen there, such as the White Eyes on North Island
and the Magpie Robins, Flycatchers, Warblers and
Seychelles Fodies on Denis Private Island that are
classified as endangered, critically endangered, near
threatened and vulnerable respectively by the IUCN.
With their habitats improved, a number of other bird
species, such as the Blue Pigeon on both islands, are
naturally returning to the islands.
Another important aspect of the conservation work
carried out on the two islands has been the removal
of alien invasive plants such as the coconut trees on
The first step in the two islands’ conservation
programme has been the arduous task of eliminating
invasive animal pests and predators. Today, North
Island is one of the few islands entirely free of rodents.
Other feral animals such as goats and cats have also
been removed. The establishment of a biosecurity
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North Island that outcompete the native plants. With
the dense vegetation, it has been hard work and
time consuming to clear the area. But, that’s not the
end of it – the cleared area also needs to be restored
and maintained, at least initially. Thus far, 47.2 ha
of land have been rehabilitated on North, with the
ultimate target of 55 ha. On Denis, 60.2 ha have been
rehabilitated. Different methodologies were used on
both islands, on Denis Private Island, rehabilitation
is part of continuous forest management with some
specific bouts of increased labor involvement with
outside contractors. Between 2011 and February 2015
this has resulted in an additional rehabilitated area
North Island_photo courtesy North Island ltd
64
of approximately 9.5 ha, whereas on North Island a
directed effort was put in place for 8 months (and
counting) with four labourers working full time on
rehabilitating the island. Between August 2014 and
February 2015, 8.59ha had been rehabilitated, of
which 6.06ha is considered newly rehabilitated land.
Aside from the terrestrial conservation work, the
islands have extended their conservation efforts to
the surrounding marine areas. Notably, Denis Private
Island gives particular attention to its marine habitat,
ensuring that a healthy ecosystem is maintained for
the fish, green turtles and other inhabitants. Tagging
and monitoring of Hawksbill and Green turtles is
carried out by both Denis and North. Marine Surveys
and mapping of the coral reefs have also been carried
out to determine the most ecologically viable marine
areas of the islands.
The potential to be established as Protected Areas
These private islands’ conservation programmes
have contributed significantly towards safeguarding
Seychelles’ natural treasures. The support provided
by the islands’ owners proves to be a valuable asset
to the overall management and protection of the
country’s environment. The islands are essentially
already functioning as de facto protected areas.
With the extensive investments in conservation and
the conservation work they have undertaken, Denis
Private Island and North Island have the potential of
being proclaimed Protected Areas (PAs). This is being
supported by the GOS-UNDP-GEF Protected Areas
project, which endeavours to have the two privately
managed islands officially recognised as PAs. The
PA status will further strengthen their respective
conservation programmes, while creating greater
synergies between these islands and the Government
of Seychelles at the same time.
How can you help?
Private de facto PAs deserve far greater recognition
and support than is the case at present. Private
islands in the Seychelles make a large contribution
to our country, namely through the conservation of
biodiversity, promoting the concepts of eco-tourism
and raising awareness on the immense contribution
that Seychelles makes in worldwide conservation.
Individuals can assist by understanding and following
the access protocols, which are largely biosecurity
protocols to prevent the re-introduction of invasive
alien species such as rodents. The issues of access to
the islands is no secret and has been raised countless
times in the past decades. For this reason, island
owners maintain open and good communication
with fishermen and other stakeholders at all times.
Simply, you can help by supporting conservation
of Seychelles’ pristine natural environment areas
by supporting initiatives by private islands and
participating in stakeholder consultations when they
are carried out.
Contributed by:
65
The lemon tree
When life gives you lemons… make good use of them! By Mma Metsi
Seychellois are known to love their fruit juices and the
lemon is a common feature in the mixes. Restaurants
and cafes have also been charge a pretty penny for
the luxury of a freshly squeezed lemon juice but aside
from being a refreshing drink, the lemon also provides
health benefits with every sip. Mr Ferdinand Vidot, a
renowned herbalist of the Seychelles has a lot to say
about using lemon in various types of medication, and
he has such a wide range of uses for the lemon that he
gives “self-medication” another meaning.
The lemon tree is from the Rutaceae family and has
the scientific name of Citrus limon, while it is well
known for the nutritional value of its high potassium
and vitamin C content, Mr Vidot has figured out how
to heal with them.
According to our local medicine man, he disburses
lemons frequently to soothe sore throats. He
recommends a juice of hot lemon with wild honey and
a dash of ginger for sore throats, coughing and other
symptoms of influenza.
66
According to Mr Ferdinand, he uses the whole plant
for various remedies. The lemon peel can be grated
and boiled into a tea which can help cease diarrhoea,
lessen flatulence, and any other digestive tract issues.
He uses the seeds to make a paste that he dissolves
in milk to deal with worms in children. The fruit he
squeezes out the juice and uses it to swab cuts to
prevent infection, and he advises to soak a cotton
wool with the lemon juice to stop nosebleeds.
Modern medicine however, while agreeing with the
medicine man’s uses for the fruit, has also discovered
many more uses for the wonder fruit. It is even being
considered to be a component in treatments for
cancer.
Mr Ferdinand however does not caution against the
wide use of the fruit like modern medicine does. It has
been found that lemon juice has corrosive effects on
tooth enamel, and it worsens gastroesophageal reflux
disease (increases acidity).
Fet Afrik 2015
Celebrating African heritage and its ties to the Seychelles, Fet Afrik is an annual festivity not
to be missed Photographs courtesy of Seychelles Ministry of Tourism
Fet Afrik has become an event on the Seychelles’
cultural calendar that many look forward to. A multicultural and multi-artistic festival, Fet Afrik captures
the spirit of Africa and its influence on the islands’
history and culture through music, dance, food and
more. It is the Seychellois’ way of celebrating Africa
day, which falls on 25 May.
The Seychelles prides itself on being made up of
a fusion of cultures and is proud of the historical
influences of Africa, as well as from France, Great
Britain, India, and China.
Fet Afrik is just one of many events that the Seychelles
Tourism Board has initiated over the years in order to
celebrate the diverse cultural influences of the islands.
“Today we are a melting pot of cultures; we live
proudly as the rainbow people. For many years, Fet
Afrik has been celebrated annually on Africa Day to
mark the rich link of our islands with Africa, and La
Francophonie is celebrated to mark the Seychelles ties
with France and to spell out proudly that our islands
remain French speaking. From 2013, it [was] decided
by the management team at the Ministry of Tourism
& Culture to add three special days on the islands’ list
of national events: these are the Commonwealth Day
to spell out our islands’ ties with Great Britain and to
make the statement that we are English speaking as
islands; an India day will be launched; and there will
be a China Day to mark our historical ties with these
Fet afrik captures the spirit of
africa and its influence on the
islands’ history and culture
through music, dance, food
and more. It is the Seychellois’
way of celebrating Africa Day,
which falls on 25 may.
two countries where settlers moved to the shores of
Seychelles to help us be what we are today,” Seychelles
Minister of Tourism and Culture, Alain St Ange, proudly
stated in 2013, upon launching additional cultural
days to the Seychelles events calendar.
This year, Seychelles will honour African cuisine with
a public African Culinary event and the participation
67
in Africa and its place in the tourism development.
A one day international seminar will explore the
theme “Development of cultural tourism in Africa” in a
plenary presentation of best practices to be followed
by a B2B networking.
of five chefs from different countries in the region
namely KwaZulu Natal, Zambia, Mauritius, Rodrigues
and Madagascar. This event will be held on Saturday
23rd May around the National Cultural Centre
premises.
The celebration will also draw the public attention to
the pride of Seychelles in appreciating the culture of
the world and especially for this occasion the culture
68
The Seychelles FetAfrik 2015 will take place from
Friday 22nd to Monday 25th of May, which is the
International Day for Africa (Africa Day).
22nd Official opening
23rd Show - African Culinary event
25th “Koze Kiltir”, an international seminar
The concept of this celebration, a multi-artistic
Festival, is focusing on the subtle blend of tourism and
culture with a platform permitting interaction and
exchange between Seychellois public and the African
culture.
This multi-artistic festival colourfully expresses and
highlights the strong amalgamation between African
and Creole culture and it is also the Seychellois way of
honouring Africans and what they have contributed to
the islands on Africa Day.
Surf’s up with iSurf
Seychelles may not be the first destination
that comes to mind when you think of a surf
holiday, but it’s definitely got potential – and
as a beginner, there’s no better spot to learn.
iSurf CEO and surf instructor extraordinaire
James Clarke Howard shares more…
Born in South Africa and raised in Australia and New
Zealand, James Howard Clark has been surrounded
by epic surf all his life. He’s worked in the luxury
surf charter industry for the past 10 years, as well as
being a professional lifeguard in Australia. Following
numerous visits with clients to the Seychelles on
surf trips, he realised there was a big market here for
watersports such as surfing and stand up paddling
and in 2013 he teamed up with with his old friend
and Seychellois surfer, Arnold Hoareau to start iSurf
Seychelles. Lynette Botha finds out more...
What made you start iSurf?
iSurf started as a provider of luxury surfing tours to
private high end clients. The water and waves are
beautiful and suitable for beginners, so couples and
families on holiday can safely try something they have
always dreamt of.
We still offer one-off private surf trips worldwide, but
this has become an exciting and enjoyable sideline to
iSurf.
“Most of our clients start
the lesson saying they don’t
expect to be able to catch a
wave in just 90 minutes, but
nine out of 10 times we get
them riding their first waves.
It’s an awesome experience.”
What other services does iSurf offer?
Apart from surf lessons, we also offer stand up
paddle (SUP) lessons, body surfing, waterman tuition,
equipment hire, island tours, boat tours, beach
adventures, photography and private worldwide surf
trips. We are also currently working on our first range
of surf apparel.
69
Seychelles is not necessarily
promoted as a surf destination –
are you trying to change that?
The Seychelles does not get enough
consistent swell to be thought of as
a surf destination, so surfing here is a
great add on to a holiday. When the
swell hits there are suitable waves for
advanced surfers. But for intermediate
and beginner surfers you can’t get better.
I consider the Seychelles to be one of
the best locations to learn to surf in the
world due to the warm safe waters, no
crowds, manageable waves and stunning
beaches. It all works together to create a
lifetime experience.
How many lessons do you suggest
to visitors?
Start with one and see how it goes from
there. Mind you, after their first class,
most clients try to book in as many more
as they can before heading home.
What is your most popular
activity?
Definitely surf lessons. Especially with
family groups as it’s an awesome way to
do something fun that everyone will get
involved in.
Which beach do you mainly
operate from?
Our main location is in Baie Lazare and
depending on the skill level of our clients
we travel to different beaches. The surf
is always stronger and more consistent
on the south of the island, so we also
70
Do you have returning customers?
We have a number of clients who reach out every
time they are in the Seychelles. And as their skill
level improves it’s a great chance to explore
more of the island and test out more challenging
waves.
Why should people include activities
with iSurf as part of their itinerary when
visiting Seychelles?
offer pick up for clients staying on the north side. Our
top beach for beginner lessons is Anse Gaulette, while
more experienced surfers we take to various beaches
depending on weather conditions.
Any stories to share about tourists you have
taught?
One moment we are always pumped to witness is clients
standing up on their first wave. Most of our clients start
the lesson saying they don’t expect to be able to catch a
wave in just 90 minutes, but nine out of 10 times we get
them riding their first waves. It’s an awesome experience.
iSurf can give you an experience of the Indian
ocean beauty of the Seychelles that few get
to see; safely taking you to beautiful locations
suitable to your ability and the conditions of the
day. Imagine a day filled with soft white sand, the
beautiful warm Indian Ocean water, catching your
first waves, and finishing on the beach with an icy
beverage (maybe even a freshly-opened coconut
to sip on, right off the tree). Book with us – you
won’t be disappointed.
For more info on iSurf and to see what they get up
to in the Seychelles, visit www.isurfseychelles.com
Follow them on Facebook: @iSurfLtd, Instagram:
@isurfseychelles and Twitter: @isurfltd
71
Diving in
Another World
The oceans of the Seychelles offer diving like
no other on the globe
By Glynn Burridge
One of Seychelles’ greatest assets is the exotic
assortment of its multitude of islands and the variety
they offer to visitors wishing to enjoy a soulful,
authentic experience of island living in the land where
summer never sets.
With each isle having its individual geography and
character extending from granite boulders to coral
reefs, from untouched forests and bird sanctuaries to
private resorts and hideaways, never has the visitor
been more spoiled for the sheer choice of unspoiled
island venues.
Out of all of Seychelles’ islands currently only 16 have
hotels, several of which offer the most luxurious
amenities and all of which possess their own natural
72
charm. They offer everything from the opulence of
world-famous 5-star resorts to the picturesque charms
of affordable smaller hotels, Creole guest houses
and self caterings. Celebrated hotel chains such as
Banyan Tree, Beachcomber, Constance, Raffles, already
operate hotels on the islands among other excellent
accommodation choices. The islands of Bird, Denis,
North and Silhouette, located to the north of Mahé,
Frégate to the east and Desroches to the south each
offer diverse and unforgettable island experiences.
Those fortunate enough to travel to the islands of
the far south will be rewarded by the heart-stopping
beauty of Cosmoledo, Farquhar and the jewel in
Seychelles’ crown, Aldabra, with its magnificent
lagoon and teeming wildlife. An efficient network
of inter-island boat, plane and helicopter transfers
will accommodate almost any itinerary affording the
visitor the opportunity to explore and discover the
unique features of each island.
training organization. A selection of land based operators will
introduce divers to the thrill of diving around the Inner Islands
while a number of live-aboard dive operators make the remoter
diving spots accessible. Many of these offer value-added
activities such as beach Bar-b-q’s which just adds to the fun.
Diving is possible year-round in Seychelles but very much
depends on an island’s position and on the prevailing winds.
Generally speaking from October to May the water temperature
stands at about 29 degrees centigrade and visibility can be over
30 metres.
From May to September the winds blow south-easterly, causing
a proliferation of plankton and the appearance of pelagic fish
such as Manta rays and Whale Sharks which are common sights
during these months and a major attraction for divers. During
these times the temperature of the water is chillier and use of a
4mm ‘shorty’ dive suit is recommended.
The diving around the Inner Islands is very spectacular and
includes both true coral reefs and the impressive granite reef
formations that this area is renowned for. There are a number
of world recognised dive sites, such as the Ennerdale Wreck
and Brissare rocks as well as the lesser known, more remote
but even more spectacular sites around Marianne, The Sisters,
Aride, Trompeuse and several other islands. Some of the more
remote locations are only accessible by live-aboard charter dive
boats.
Inner Island marine life reveals an abundance of fish even on
shallow inshore reefs and features different types of Butterfly
fish and Angel fish, Soldier fish, Squirrel fish and Sweepers
among many others. The island reefs are also havens for many
invertebrates including Octopus, Spiny Lobster and a plethora
of Nudibranchs, such as the Spanish Dancer.
Photo credit; www.seychellescruises.com
The Seychelles Islands, indeed, offer a
wide diversity of experiences and this is
particularly the case in the realm of diving.
Situated amid 1,400,000 sq.km. of economic
zone, the islands offer varied diving
experiences for amateur and aficionado
alike, ranging from the imposing granite
seascapes of the Inner Islands to the caves,
canyons and spectacular wall-dives offered
by the remoter outer islands where you can
be sure of diving where very few have still
ventured.
All diver training is conducted by
internationally qualified instructors,
most of whom are members of PADI,
the Professional Association of Diving
Instructors, the world’s largest sport diver
Sites with regular current flows support fan corals and colourful
tree coral formations while remoter sites shelter the larger
fish species, such as the Napoleon Wrasse, Giant Grouper, Reef
Sharks and Ribbon-tailed Stingrays. Most spectacular are the
plankton eating Whale Sharks most common between August
and November.
The Outer Islands offer exciting and diverse diving experiences
off numerous coral atolls and sand cays. The little-visited sites
of these remote islands are accessed mainly by live-aboard
charter yacht but there are also two dive centres located on the
island of Desroches, famous for its caves and canyons, and also
on Alphonse.
Impressive dive sites are also found at the St. Joseph atoll in
the Amirantes group and especially at the remoter islands of
Astove, Cosmoledo and the legendary Aldabra, famous for the
thrilling drift dive through the pass of its giant lagoon.
Marine life around these relatively isolated islands tends to be
even more prolific than around the Inner Islands, with frequent
sightings of many of the larger grouper species, particularly the
spotted Potato Bass as well as Grey Reef, Silver Tip, Nurse Sharks
and the occasional Hammerhead shark.
73
A number of rare exotics have been identified from
this area such as the African Pygmy Angelfish thought
to exist only in small numbers at depth off Mauritius
and now found regularly in easy diving depths off
Astove.
The cartoon-like Yellow Rubber Lipped Sweetlips
is another firm favourite while elusive long-nosed
hawkfish can be easily found in most gorgonian fan
areas.
All licensed Dive Centres rent out properly maintained,
modern diving equipment which is inspected on
an annual basis. For visitors not wishing to bring
their own, Dive Centres have a range of equipment
and other dive and beach accessories such as basic
snorkelling equipment.
There is a twin-lock, two-man recompression chamber
located at Victoria Hospital operating 24 hrs manned
by qualified medical personnel and supported by
trained hyperbaric assistants from the diving industry.
Another recompression chamber is situated on nearby
Silhouette Island.
Sea life is vast and colourful
74
To minimise the possibility of a decompression
incident at the end of a diving vacation, the current
recommendation is that divers should leave a
minimum of 12 hour after their last dive before
flying and, where possible, an 18 hour period is
recommended.
For health reasons, Dive Centres will not allow divers
to dive on the morning of departure or prior to an
inter-island or helicopter flight.
Dive Centres operate strict conservation rules and
divers may not take anything from the sea but
pictures. Special attention is given to special buoyancy
control and reef care, especially in the Marine Parks.
It is illegal to take or damage corals, shells or any
other marine organism and stiff penalties will be
enforced on those breaking the law. The purchase or
acquisition of certain shells is governed by CITES, the
protection of Endangered Species regulations. The use
of spear guns is banned in Seychelles and they will be
confiscated at customs.
Do you think you know Seychelles?
This picture was taken by expat Luke Meyer somewhere on the
beautiful islands. An idyllic spot, wouldn’t you say?
But, where is it?
Send your answer to email ineke@seychellespublications.com
along with why you love Seychelles in 200 words and you could
win a Seychelles memorabilia from the
Seychelles Tourism Board.
Good Luck.
Where Am I?
Go to
and download your
own digital copy
79
HONORARY CONSULS
HONORARY CONSUL OF THE KINGDOM
OF NETHERLANDS AND DEAN OF THE
CONSULAR CORPS
Sunset Beach Hotel, Glacis,
P. O. Box 372,
Victoria, Mahé
Tel №: (+248) 426 12 00 / (248) 426 11 11
Fax №: (+248) 426 12 21
OF DENMARK
BODCO Building, New Port,
P. O. Box 270,
Victoria, Mahé
Tel №: (+248) 428 57 00
OF SWEDEN
P. O. Box 270,
Victoria, Mahé
Tel №: (+248) 428 57 00
Fax №: (+248) 422 40 65
OF SPAIN
c/o Hunt Deltel, Trinity House,
P. O. Box 14,
Victoria, Mahé
Tel №: (+248) 438 03 00
Fax №: (+248) 422 53 67
HONORARY CONSUL OF THE FEDERAL
REPUBLIC OF GERMANY
The Centre for Environment and
Education, Nature Seychelles, Roche
Caiman,
P. O. Box 1310,
Victoria, Mahé
Tel №: (+248) 460 11 00
Fax №: (+248) 460 11 02
HONORARY CONSUL OF THE
SULTANATE OF OMAN
c/o BMI Offshore Bank,
P. O. Box 672,
Victoria, Mahé
Tel №: (+248) 432 56 60
Fax №: (+248) 432 54 90
HONORARY CONSUL OF THE ITALIAN
REPUBLIC
c/o Kreolor, Le Rocher,
P. O. Box 499,
Victoria, Mahé
Tel №: (+248) 434 45 51
Fax №: (+248) 434 47 54
HONORARY CONSUL OF THE REPUBLIC
OF INDONESIA
c/o Tirant Associates, Room 104, 1st
Floor,
Ocean Gate House,
P. O. Box 31,
Victoria, Mahé
Tel №: (+248) 422 48 35 / 422 50 77
Fax №: (+248) 422 51 56
KINGDOM OF MOROCCO
c/o Allied Builders (Seychelles) Limited,
Les Mamelles,
P.O. Box 215,
Victoria, Mahé
Tel №: (+248) 438 07 00
Fax №: (+248) 434 45 60
HONORARY CONSUL OF THE REPUBLIC OF
MAURITIUS
Conservation Centre, Roche Caiman,
P. O. Box 1310,
Victoria, Mahé
Tel №: (+248) 460 11 00 / (248) 460 11 01
Fax №: (+248) 278 01 42
OF HUNGARY
c/o 7° South, Kingsgate House,
Independence Avenue,
P. O. Box 475,
Victoria, Mahé
Tel №: (+248) 429 28 00
Fax №: (+248) 429 28 99
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC SOCIALIST
REPUBLIC OF SRI LANKA
Serret Road, St. Louis,
Victoria, Mahé
Tel №: (+248) 251 52 00
80
WITH JURISDICTIONS IN THE SEYCHELLES
HONORARY CONSUL OF SWITZERLAND
MG Building, Providence Industrial Estate,
P. O. Box 935,
Victoria, Mahé
Tel №: (+248) 437 42 78
Fax №: (+248) 437 43 04
HONORARY CONSUL OF SERBIA
Glacis,
P. O. Box 1001,
Victoria, Mahé
Tel №: (+248) 426 11 75
Fax №: (+248) 441 06 00
OF FINLAND
Fisherman’s Cove Estate, House No.69,
Bel Ombre,
P. O. Box 1191,
Victoria, Mahé
Tel №: (+248) 271 98 30
HONORARY CONSUL OF THE KINGDOM OF
THAILAND
P. O. Box 933,
Victoria, Mahé
Tel №: (248) 422 45 47
Fax №: (+248) 432 38 88
HONORARY CONSUL OF SLOVAC
REPUBLIC
c/o Creole Travel Services,
Orion Mall Building,
P. O. Box 611,
Victoria, Mahé
Tel №: (+248) 429 70 00
Fax №: (+248) 422 58 17
OF CYPRUS AND DEAN OF THE
CONSULAR CORPS
SkyChef, Seychelles Airport,
P. O. Box 450,
Victoria, Mahé
Tel №: (+248) 437 30 50 / 437 31 55 /
438 17 50
Fax №: (+248) 437 34 56
OF BELGIUM
1st Floor, Eden Marina House, Eden Island,
Roche Caiman,
P. O. Box 232,
Victoria, Mahé
Tel №: (+248) 434 61 61 / (+248) 251 11 05
Fax №: (+248) 434 61 00
HONORARY CONSUL OF THE FEDERAL
REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA
Quincy Street,
P. O. Box 88,
Victoria, Mahé
Tel №: (+248) 432 26 39
Fax №: (+248) 432 61 00
HONORARY CONSUL OF THE HELLENIC
REPUBLIC (Greece)
Docklands Building, New Port,
P. O .Box 743,
Victoria, Mahé
Tel №: (+248) 271 51 96
HONORARY CONSUL OF THE REPUBLIC OF
MALDIVES
P. O. Box 63,
Victoria, Mahé
Tel №: (+248) 424 71 77
Fax №: (+248) 424 76 76
OF NORWAY
Office C3, Trainon Apts, Serret Road, St.
Louis,
P. O. Box 723,
Victoria, Mahé
Tel №: (+248) 251 22 20
OF KOREA (South Korea)
New Port,
P. O. Box 222,
Victoria, Mahé
Tel №: (+248) 429 06 00
Fax: (+248) 422 44 56
81
RESIDENT FOREIGN
AMBASSADOR
HIGH COMMISSIONERS
IN SEYCHELLES
HIGH COMMISSION OF INDIA
Francis Rachel Street
P. O. Box 488
Victoria, Mahé
Tel № : (+248) 461 03 01
Fax №: (+248) 461 03 08
EMBASSY OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA
St. Louis
P. O. Box 680
Victoria, Mahé
Tel №: (+248) 467 17 00
Fax №: (+248) 467 17 30
BRITISH HIGH COMMISSION
3rd Floor, Oliaji Trade Centre,
P. O. Box 161w
Victoria, Mahé
Tel №: (+248) 428 36 66
Fax №: (+248) 428 36 57
AMBASSADE DE FRANCE
1er Etage, La Ciotat, Mont Fleuri
P. O. Box 478
Victoria, Mahé
Tel №: (+248) 438 25 00
Fax №: (+248) 438 25 10
EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF CUBA
Bel Eau
P. O. Box 730
Victoria, Mahé
Tel №: (+248) 422 40 94
EMBASSY OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION
Le Niole, St. Louis
P. O. Box 632
Victoria, Mahé
Tel №: (+248) 426 65 90
Fax №: (+248) 426 66 53
AMBASSADE DE L’ORDRE SOUVERAIN
MILITAIRE DE MALTE
Clarence House, Vista Bay Estate
Glacis
P. O. Box 642
Victoria, Mahé
Tel № : (+248) 426 11 37
Fax № : (+248) 426 11 37
EMBASSY OF LIBYA
Transvaal House, Beau Vallon
P. O. Box 1177
Victoria, Mahé
Tel №: (+248) 462 06 67
Fax №: (+248) 462 04 44
82
SEYCHELLES DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS ABROAD
BELGIUM
Embassy of the Republic of Seychelles
1st Floor, 28 Boulevard Saint Michel
Box 23, 1040 Brussels, Belgium
Telephone №: (322) 733 60 55
Telefax №: (322) 732 60 22
Email: brussels@seychellesgov.com
PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA
Room 1105, The Spaces
№ 8 Dongdaqiao Rd,
Chaoyang District, Beijing 100020
People’s Republic of China
Telephone №: (8610) 5870 1192
Telefax №: (8610) 5870 1219
Email: amb.legall@yahoo.com
ETHIOPIA
Bole, Woreda 13, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Telephone №: (25111) 62 97 721
Email: j.nourrice@gmail.com
FRANCE
Ambassade de la République des Seychelles
51, Avenue Mozart,
75016 Paris, France
Numéro de téléphone: (331) 42 30 57 47
Numéro de téléfax: (331) 42 30 57 40
Email: contact@ambsey.fr
GENEVA
Permanent Mission to the UN Office
and other International Organisations
in Geneva
Chemin Louis-Dunant 15b, 1202 Geneva
Switzerland
Telephone №: (41) 22 730 17 28
Telefax №: (41) 22 730 17 29
Email: geneva@seymission.ch
INDIA
High Commission of the Republic
of Seychelles
F-4, Anand Niketan
New Delhi – 110 021, India
Telephone №: (9111) 241 141 02
Telefax №: (9111) 241 141 03
Email: seychelleshighcommission@gmail.com
INDIAN OCEAN ISLANDS
Ambassador of the Republic of
Seychelles to the Indian Ocean Islands
Maison Quéau de Quinssy, P. O. Box 656
Mont Fleuri, Mahé, Seychelles
Telephone №: (248) 428 35 00
Telefax №: (248) 422 48 45
Email: cdoffay@mfa.gov.sc
SOUTH AFRICA
Seychelles High Commission
Unit D 02/01, The Village, Cnr Gleenwood
& Oberon Avenue,
Faerie Glen, 0043 Pretoria,
Republic of South Africa
Telephone №: (27) 12 34 80 270
(27) 12 34 80 720
Telefax №: (27) 12 34 069
Email: sez@seychelleshc.co.za
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Villa № 6/1, Murror Area, 23rd Street,
P. O. Box 43107, Abu Dhabi
United Arab Emirates
Telephone №: (9712) 491 77 55
Telefax №: (9712) 491 77 14/18
Email: seychellesembuae@gmail.com
UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN
IRELAND
High Commission of the Republic
of Seychelles
4th Floor, 11 Grosvenor Crescent,
London SW1X 7EE, England
Telephone №: (44) 207 245 06 80
Telefax №: (44) 207 235 75 09
Email: seyhc.london@btconnect.com
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Suite 400C, 4th Floor
800 Second Avenue
New York, NY 10017
United States of America
Telephone №: (1212) 972 1785
Telefax №: (1212) 972 1786
Email: seychelles@un.int
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Climate Change and Small Island
Developing State Issues c/o Permanent
Mission of the Republic of Seychelles
to the United Nations, Suite 400C
4th Floor, 800 Second Avenue
New York, NY 10017
United States of America
Telephone №: (1212) 972 1785
Telefax №: (1212) 972 1786
Email: seychelles@un.int
83
Seychelles Tourist
Offices &
Representatives
Worldwide
HEADQUARTERS
Chief Executive Officer
P.O. Box 1262 • Victoria Mahé • Seychelles
Tel: (+248) 4 671 300
Fax: (+248) 4 620 620 / (+248) 4 620 640
e-mail: info@seychelles.travel
sherin.naiken@seychelles.travel
SEYCHELLES NEWS BUREAU
Bel Ombre, P.O. Box 1262
Victoria, Mahé, Seychelles
Tel: (+248) 4 671 300
Fax: (+248) 4 620 620
glynn.burridge@seychelles.travel
lena.hoareau@uksto.co.uk
E-MARKETING
Bel Ombre, P.O. Box 1262
Victoria, Mahé, Seychelles
Tel: (+248) 4 671 300
Fax: (+248) 4 620 620
email: info@seychelles.travel
FRANCE
Office du Tourisme des Seychelles
18 Rue de Mogador - 75009 Paris • France
Tel: (+33) 1 44 53 93 20
Fax: (+33) 1 44 53 93 32
e-mail: info-tourisme.fr@seychelles.travel
GERMANY
Seychelles Tourist Office
Hochstrasse 17
60313 Frankfurt am Main • Germany
Tel: +49 (0) 69 297 207 89
Fax: +49 (0) 69 297 207 92
e-mail: info@seychelles-service-center.de
84
ITALY
Via Pindaro 28N
Axa• 00125 Rome
Italy
Tel: + 39 06 50 90 135 Fax: + 39 06 50 93 52 01
e-mail: info-turismo.it
@seychelles.travel
MIDDLE EAST
Mohamed Al Geziry Consultancy
100 Al Fattan Plaza • P.O. Box 36345
Dubai • U.A.E.
Tel: (+971) 4 2865586
Fax: (+971) 4 2865589
e-mail: info-tourism.me@
seychelles.travel
SPAIN
Calle princesa, 40
28008 Madrid • Spain
Tel: (+34) 91 702 08 04
Fax: (+34) 91 702 23 74
e-mail: info@turismoseychelles.com
SOUTH AFRICA
Cape Holiday Services
36 Union Road • Milnerton 7441
Capetown South Africa
Tel: (+27) 21 551 5855
Fax: (+27) 21 551 5898
e-mail: seychelles@stoza.com
SOUTH KOREA
#411, Doosan We’ve Pavillion
58 Susong-dong • Jongno-gu
Seoul • South Korea
Tel: +82 2 737 3235
Fax: +82 2 737 3236
e-mail: consul@seychellestour.co.kr
sey@seychellestour.co.kr
UNITED KINGDOM
Seychelles Tourist Office
Fourth Floor, 130-132 Buckingham
Palace Road, London, SW1W 9SA
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0) 20 724 561 06
e-mail: info-tourism.uk
@seychelles.travel
CHINA
#8 Dongdaqiao Road, The Spaces
Chaoyang District, Room 1105
Beijing, 100020
China
Tel: +8610 5870 1192
Fax: +8610 5870 1219
e-mail: lrjll.sey@gmail.com
ABU DHABI
Embassy of the Republic of Seychelles,
Villa number 6/1, Plot number 8,
Muroor Area, Street 23
Abu Dhabi, UAE.Tel: + 00971 2 4917755
Fax: +971 2 4917718
e-mail: aliette.esther@seychelles.travel
RUSSIA
Access Russia
Vorotnikovskiy Lane 8, bld. 1 of 12
1270006 Moscow
Russia
Tel: (7) 495 699 9351
Email: erussiayanova@accessrussia.ru
SOUTH AMERICA
BRAZIL
Global Vision Access
Rua Manoel da Nobrega 111# 41
Paraiso, Sao Paolo
SP 04001-080 Brazil
Tel: (55) 11 2367.3170
Fax: (55) 11 99627.3160
Email: gisele@globalvisionaccess.com
Contacts
PHONE OPERATORS
EMERGENCY
AIRLINES
Cable & Wireless (Seychelles) Ltd.
Francis Rachel Street
Victoria
P.O. Box 4
Mahé, Seychelles
Tel: (+248) 4284000
Fax: (+248) 4322777
W: www.cwseychelles.com
Central Police Station
Victoria
P.O. Box 46
Mahé, Seychelles
Tel: (+248) 428000
Fax: (+248) 4224412
Emergency: 999
Hotline: 133 / 112
E: office@police.gov.sc
W: www.police.gov.sc
Emirates Airline
Caravelle House
Victoria
P.O. Box 152
Mahé, Seychelles
Tel: (+248) 4292700 / 4373008
E: ekseychelles@emirates.com
W: www.emirates.com
Airtel Telecom (Seychelles)
Emerald Building
Providence
P.O. Box 1358
Mahé, Seychelles
Tel: (+248) 4600600
Fax: (+248) 4601602
W: www.africa.airtel.com/seychelles
AIR SEYCHELLES
Air Seychelles Ltd. (International &
Domestic)
Head Office
Seychelles International Airport
Pointe Larue
P.O. Box 386
Mahé, Seychelles
Tel: (+248) 4391000
Fax: (+248) 4391229
E: webinfo@airseychelles.com
W: www.airseychelles.com
Praslin Airport
Amitié
Praslin
P.O. Box 386
Mahé, Seychelles
Tel: (+248) 4284666
Fax: (+248) 4233055
International Flight Information
Point Larue
P.O. Box 386
Mahé, Seychelles
Tel: (+248) 4391200
Fax: (+248) 4391229
Immigration Office (Airport)
Pointe Larue
P.O. Box 430
Mahé, Seychelles
Tel: (+248) 2713193
E: asupervisor@gov.sc
Baie St. Anne Police Station
Baie St. Anne
Praslin
P.O. Box 46
Seychelles
Tel: (+248) 4232332
Fax: (+248) 4232075
E: baiestanne-stn@seypolice.sc
Grand Anse Police Station
Grand Anse
Praslin
P.O. Box 46
Seychelles
Tel: (+248) 4233251
Fax: (+248) 4233933
E: grandanse-stn@seypolice.sc
La Digue Police Station
La Passe, La Digue
P.O. Box 46
Seychelles
Tel: (+248) 4234251
Fax: (+248) 4234031
E: ladigue-stn@seypolice.sc
Seychelles Hospital
Mt. Fleuri
P.O. Box 52
Mahé, Seychelles
Tel: (+248) 4388000
Fax: (+248) 4388000
E: office@moh.gov.sc
W: www.health.gov.sc
Baie Ste Anne Praslin
Hospital: 4233414
Logan La Digue
Hospital : 4234255
Ambulance 151
Kenya Airways
Kingsgate Travel Centre
Independence Avenue
Victoria
P.O. Box 288
Mahé, Seychelles
Tel: (+248) 4323903
Fax: (+248) 4324162
E: sez.sales@kenya-airways.com
W: www.kenya-airways.com
Ethiopian Airline
Mason’s Travel Building
Revolution Avenue
Victoria
P.O. Box 459
Mahé, Seychelles
Tel: (+248) 4288907
E: marenaud@masonstravel.com
W: www.ethiopianairlines.com
ZIL AIR
Zil Air (Pty) Ltd.
Pointe Larue
P.O. Box 1110
Mahé, Seychelles
Tel: (+248) 4375100
Fax: (+248) 4375101
E: info@zilair.com
book@zilair.com
W: www.zilair.com
FERRY
Cat Cocos Ferry - Inter Island
Boats Ltd
Po Box 356
Kingsgate House,Victoria, Mahé,
Seychelles
Tel: (248) 4297164
Fax: (+248) 4324845
Reservation: (+248) 4324843
Email: reservation@catcocos.com
W: www.catcocos.com
Praslin to La Digue Ferry
Inter Island Ferry Ltd
Tel: (+248) 4322329
85

Sesal Sa Magazine April - June Issue

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