Absolute Seychelles 2019 Edition by Absolute Magazine Group

“discover the real seychelles” Discover the real seychelles and save upto 10% off the prices on BOOKING.com.

Connect directly with the very best hand picked hotels, private islands, villas and lodges. Also service providers including car hire and tour companies. www.authenticseychelles.com @authenticseychelles #realseychelles

ABSOLUTE

6:10 PM Praslin “There are times you share − and there are times you don’t share with anyone, except each other.”

www.raffles.com/seychelles

Index 12 18 44 52 58 64 74 84 90 94 102 106 110 114 124 128 134 138 142 148 152 158 160 126 164 170 176 180 186 188 192 196 202 206 208 210 214 216 220 230

ABOUT THE SEYCHELLES FASHION FEATURE HISTORY & CULTUREN ALPHONSE ISLAND FISHING CREATING ART IN SEYCHELLES SAVE THE OCEANS ALPHONSE ISLAND BIRD ISLAND KEMPINSKI THE H RESORT BLISS HOTEL MAHE PETIT AMOUR VILLA CARANA HILLTOP VILLA RAFFLES HOTEL LE DUC HOTEL BLISS HOTEL PRASLIN CÔTE D’OR FOOTPRINTS VILLA VERTE THE MOORINGS CREOLE EXCLUSIVE CREOLE TRAVEL SERVICES SUMMER RAIN TOURS & TRAVELS MC SEYCHELLES PIROGUE RESTAURANT & BAR CAPRICORNUS WEDDINGS EDEN ISLAND EDEN SPA GIANMARIA CARBOGNIN KANKAN KREOLOR VISION CARE LA PLAGE H RESORT BEAU VALLON BEACH ROCKPOOL OSCARS BOATHOUSE GRAN KAZ GALLERY - MARSHA DIN, PHOTOGRAPHY MAPS

Editor - Victoria Marie Emerson Guest Editor - Glynn Burridge Guest writer - Alexandria Faure Designer - Pete Hayward - www.petehayward.design Owners - Publishers Simon Darcy Abbott - simon@absolutemagazine.co.uk David Camici - dcamici@absolutemagazine.co.uk

Cover Shot Photography - Marsha Dine Photography Location - Alphonse Island, Seychelles Model - Anisa Rose Clothing - Kankan Seychelles Hair and make up - Anisa Rose Make up Stylist - KC Rose

ABSOLUTE is owned and produced by Make a Difference Media Ltd Absolute offices 1 Preston Road, Brighton, BN1 4QU

www.absoluteseychellesmagazine.com facebook UK @absolutemagazine / seychelles @absoluteseychelles twitter UK @absolutesussex / seychelles @absoluteseymag instgram @absolute_mag

W E LC O M E TO

Seychelles

Welcome to the 3rd year edition of Absolute Seychelles, our internationally

distributed magazine dedicated to promoting the Seychelles islands. Our

aim is to showcase the Seychelles to a global reader audience. From those in pursuit of the luxury five star resort to the eco conscious and the traveler

looking for affordability, but still a level of luxury, they all may experience

the very best of the Creole culture and stunning nature while visiting these magical islands.

The magazine and dedicated website serve as a resource tool for readers/ travellers to discover the best of the Seychelles, with information on the

best of the high end hotels and private islands to secluded boutique hotels and guest houses. We give you the very best hidden beaches and dive spots, the must-visit restaurants and bars, the top festivals and all the local hotspots to sample the famous vibrant creole hospitality and life.

Produced with the support of the Seychelles Tourism board and

the Ministry of Tourism, hope we can either inspire you to try the

Seychelles for the first time or, for the seasoned traveler to the islands, offer something new you may not have thought to try. ENJOY

ABSOLUTE

Absolute

Seychelles Be tempted to the Garden of Eden After a sleepy start, the Seychelles finally became connected to the rest of the world in 1972, via the construction of a new international airport, which resulted in the creation of the islands’ tourism industry.

Scattered like summer blossom across the Indian Ocean, The Seychelles is a destination well-renowned for being the ultimate in luxury, celebrity escapes, family adventures and the honeymoon location that dreams are made of. The 115 islands are hailed for their exquisite natural beauty, the peaceful harmony enjoyed by the multi-ethnic society, heavenly beaches, luscious peaked backdrops and a near perfect climate where the temperature is always somewhere between 24 and 33 degrees Celsius, earning the islands a reputation as ‘land of perpetual summer’. Out of all of the Seychelles islands, currently only 16 have hotels, several of which offer the most luxurious amenities and all of which possess their own natural 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. The islands’ utopian promise has long acted as a magnet to travellers in search of the Holy Grail of pristine tropical beauty and many famous travellers have beaten a path to its shores including the likes of Ian Fleming, author of James Bond, who visited the islands to receive inspiration for one of his Bond books. After a sleepy start, the Seychelles finally became connected to the rest of the world in 1972, via the construction of a new international airport, which resulted in the creation of the islands’ tourism industry. Seychelles, straddling the western Indian Ocean between 6 and 10 degrees south of the equator, is divided into 6 island groups with the Inner Islands of Mahé, Praslin and La Digue together with their neighbouring isles forming the hub of the islands’ tourism industry, the economic life of the nation and its political and social infrastructure. ABSOLUTE

Praslin’s central location makes this island ideally situated for holidaymakers wishing to island hop to a handful of nearby exotic destinations such as Chauve Souris, Cousin, Curieuse, St. Pierre, La Digue and the Aride bird reserve. It is also a haven for nature lovers seeking rare endemic species such as the black parrot for which Praslin is the last habitat or wishing to explore the island’s network of footpaths. For those seeking an ‘island where time stands still’, La Digue is situated forty kilometres (25 miles) from Mahé and 7 km (3.5 miles) from Praslin and is the fourth largest island in the Seychelles after Silhouette. This granite island, with its unique, languid pace of life, receives its visitors mainly by boat at the quaint jetty at La Passe and is a popular destination for holidaymakers wishing for a taste of the traditional.Here is a place where the bicycle and ox cart still hold sway on shady island pathways and where a distinct sense of antiquity pervades the island’s customs, architecture and general way of life. Beach lovers travel from all corners of the globe to experience Seychelles’ world-class beaches. Anse la Source d’Argent is among the island’s most famous and is celebrated for its granite boulders that seem to have been sculpted by a divine hand to adorn a beach of breath-taking beauty while at the Union Estate, visitors will have the chance to view some of the traditional local industries of times past. Nature lovers will have the opportunity to seek out the rare Black Paradise Flycatcher, once thought to be extinct but now protected in the La Digue Vev Special Reserve which is also home to two extremely rare species of terrapin. The woodlands of La Digue are especially attractive and nurture several species of delicate orchids. The island is also an ideal stepping-stone for the nearby island attractions of Grande and Petit Soeur, Félicité, Coco and Marianne.

ABSOLUTE

Overall, all the islands have been blessed with many natural assets and attributes including possessing a near-perfect and disease-free climate.

The remaining five groups of Outer Islands represent the far frontier of the Seychelles holiday experience. Here, shimmering atolls and reef islands, thread like pearls on strings of surf and unaltered since the days of their origin, offer the summit of island-style living. Currently, only three such islands offer accommodation: the islands of Denis and Bird located 100 miles to the north of Mahé and Desroches Island in the Amirantes, 140 miles to the south-east. Here the fishing, diving and sailing are superb in places where the only sail on the ocean and the only tracks on any beach will be your own. Overall, all the islands have been blessed with many natural assets and attributes including possessing a near-perfect and disease-free climate; an endless list of worldbeating beaches; a sanctuary for some of the world’s rarest species of flora & fauna and an enviable conservation record whereby almost half of the 455 sq.km landmass has been set aside as natural parks and reserves. There are also no less than two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the extraordinary Vallée de Mai where the legendary, doublelobed coconut, the Coco-de-Mer grows high on ancient palms in a setting so surreal it was once thought to be the original site of the Garden of Eden, and Aldabra atoll, the planet’s largest raised coral atoll. Nowhere else on earth will you find the mysterious Jellyfish Tree of which only 8 specimens remain; the Seychelles Paradise

ABSOLUTE

Flycatcher; the world’s smallest frog; heaviest land tortoise; largest population of giant land tortoises (150,000) living in the wild and the Indian Ocean’s only flightless bird. Between them, the islands also boast some of the most spectacular seabird colonies on earth as well as 13 species and 17 sub-species of birdlife that occur in Seychelles and nowhere else, making the islands a true birdwatcher’s paradise. Take a journey below the dazzling blue waters and you’ll find yourself amongst a natural aquarium boasting a dizzying array of coral reef fish, turtle, ray, shark, dolphin, marlin and sailfish as well as colourful coral growth and a host of other marine organisms. The world’s largest fish migrates to these waters: that gentle giant of the seas, the 40 ft. whale shark - one of Seychelles’ many protected species.

Sensual Seychelles creates the idyllic ambience for an unforgettable wedding day, honeymoon or anniversary upon the silver-soft sands and beneath the swaying palms of discreet island hideaways.

Transportation, both in between and around the islands, makes the visitor’s dream of island-hopping a reality and besides Air Seychelles’ domestic flights, fast ferry transfers or passages on traditional, sailassisted schooners all bring the principal islands and their satellites within easy reach. A varied choice of excursions, both land and marine, is available through local ground handlers that will introduce you to the very best that Seychelles has to offer while hire and chauffeur driven cars and taxis are also available for you to enjoy your personal voyage of discovery around the main islands of Mahé and Praslin. A wide network of bus routes on Mahé and Praslin caters for most itineraries for those who wish to sample an aspect of the typical Creole lifestyle. Further memorable experiences can be had via Seychelles’ suite of events that includes February’s increasingly popular Eco-friendly Marathon; August’s Feast of La Digue; September’s Tourism Ball and the perennial FetAfrik and Festival Kreol. The islands have been made accessible as never before thanks to the arrival on the aviation scene of major players such as Emirates Airlines, Kenya Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, Condor, Sri Lankan Airline, Turkish Airways, British Airways, Air France, Etihad and Air Seychelles, which offers daily frequencies to make Seychelles virtually one stop away from anywhere on the planet with the added advantage of zero visa requirements for any nationality. In a fast-paced world, we so often crave an escape, an existence and an experience where we can leave our cares behind and reconnect with Mother Nature. Somewhere we can regroup, relax and refresh, waving goodbye to our feelings of tiredness and daily stresses. Somewhere with the space to breathe the purest air and ample room to stroll the trackless, powder-soft sands of breathtaking beaches. A place for the senses to feast on the endless delight of fresh experiences. Revered as the site of the Garden of Eden, Seychelles has truly been blessed by creation. Against the backdrop of its unique island beauty, it is a place where harmony, tranquillity and Nature at its very best will conspire to leave you with the memories of a lifetime.

ABSOLUTE

Also on offer is an amazing degree of diversity which takes in the contrast between 41 towering granite isles and the 74 shimmering sand cays, reef islands and atolls of the Outer Islands while the multi-ethnic roots of its relatively young society lend themselves to a varied and vibrant culture with all its people and major religions living beside one another in perfect harmony. The diversity also extends to contrasting styles of architecture and beyond to the delicious, Seychellois Creole cuisine with its magical blend of European, Indian and Chinese culinary influences. No matter which island you have hopped across to, you will find yourself spoilt when it comes to things to do. There is a wide choice of world-class fishing, sailing and diving as well as spa & wellness holidays, honeymoons & romance, trekking, island-hopping & golf. All of these can be enjoyed from an equally diverse array of accommodation options that includes the ultimate in pampering at exclusive 5-star resorts and island hideaways, the Creole intimacy of the smaller hotel and guesthouse and the flexibility of any number of self-caterings. These are the stepping stones to your unique experience of Paradise, where the innate tranquility of the islands forms the ideal backdrop against which to recalibrate mind, body and soul and enjoy the vacation of a lifetime. No account of Seychelles’ riches can be considered complete without mention of its reputation as ‘The Islands of Love’ and it is little wonder that that lovers are inspired to take their vows and wed in this gentle and romantic atmosphere. Sensual Seychelles creates the idyllic ambience for an unforgettable wedding day, honeymoon or anniversary upon the silversoft sands and beneath the swaying palms of discreet island hideaways.

CMY

S E Y C H E L L E S

Fashion

Photography: Marsha Dine Photography Lighting Assistant: Savio Dyer Creative Director: James Dupres Make Up Artist: Anisa Rose Make Up, Ann-Marie Hair, Wigs and Make Up Hair Stylist: Ann Marie Hair, Wigs & Make Up, Federica Desir Models: Anisa Rose, Tasha-Lee Richemond, Trisha Dubignon, Felicita Filipin, Lady Zen Stylist: Kc Rose Wardrobe: Kankan, Portofino Sunglasses VisionCare / Beyond The Sea Eden Island

ABSOLUTE

Jewelry: Kankan, Gianmaria Carbo Locations: Alphonse Island Resort, Kempinski Seychelles Resort, Bliss Boutique Hotel Seychelles

ABSOLUTE

Clothes & jewelery Kankan

1. Black & White Clothes: Charoruiz Bag: Kankan Hat: Alphonse Boutique 2. Bikini Top: Kankan Skirt: Kankan

ABSOLUTE

3. Bikini Top: Kankan Skirt: Adry Project Jewelry: Kankan

SEYCHELLES

ABSOLUTE

Bikini: Kankan Sunglasses: Beyond the Sea

Clothes: Charoruiz

ABSOLUTE

1. Anisa Rose Bikini & Jewelry: Kankan 2. Trisha Clothes: Charoruiz 3. Lady Zen Clothes: Porto Fino Bikini: Melissa Adams Jewelry: Kankan Sungasses: Beyond the Sea 4. Tasha Clothes:Charoruiz

1. Trisha & Tasha Clothes: Charoruiz 2. Tasha Clothes: Charoruiz 3. Trisha Clothes: Charoruiz

ABSOLUTE

Bespoke jewelry for moments that maaers

Glamour - Charm - Dinstinction Portoﬁno - Eden Plaza - Eden Island Riccardo Carbognin - Camion Hall Victoria, Mahe, Seychelles P.O Box 612 +248 2504916 gianmaria@carbognin.com gianmaria.carbognin

ABSOLUTE

1. Tasha Swimsuit: Porto Fino Sunglasses: Porto Fino Jewelry: Driftwood 2. Tasha Black & White Swimsuit: Porto Fino Jewelry: Gianmaria Carbognin 3. Felicita Clothes: Kankan

ABSOLUTE

1. Lady Zen Swimsuit: Porto Fino Jewelry: Driftwood Bag: Kankan 2. Anisa Rose Jewelry: Gianmaria Carbogning Sunglasses: Porto Fino Bikini: Kankan

ABSOLUTE

1. Anisa Roe Clothes: Kankan Sunglasses: Beyond the Sea Jewelry: Kankan 2. Lady Zen Jewelry: Driftwood 3. Tasha Clothes: Driftwood

1. Anisa Rose: Clothes: Charoruiz Jewelry: Kankan Bikini: Melissa Adams

ABSOLUTE

1. Lady Zen Clothes: Driftwood Jewelry: Kankan

ABSOLUTE

1. Anisa Rose: Bikini: Melissa Adams Jewelry: Kankan Bikini: Melissa Adams

Let yovr nexu island be Bird Island... A private nature reserve and bird sanctuary on the northern tip of the Seychelles archipelago. Home to thousands of tropical birds, giant land tortoises, and breathtaking marine life. Not only is Bird Island a heaven for nature lovers, but a true Robinson Crusoe getaway, boasting an eco-lodge with only 24 cottages. For the authentic Seychelles experience in a natural, comfortable and simple setting, and at an affordable rate, join us on Bird Island Seychelles.

Bird Island Lodge, Seychelles | P.O. Box 1419, Victoria, Mahé, Seychelles T:+248 4224925 | F:+248 4225074 | E: reservations@birdislandseychelles.com

The History of The

S E YC H The documented history of Seychelles begins back in the 17th century, but the islands were uninhabited and isolated from the outside world by a thousand-mile moat of ocean until around 240 years ago. It’s perhaps this relatively recent settlement that could be contributed to creating the Seychelles’ rich and gloriously colourful history and culture.

Prior to this time, we have to rely on early maps discovered over the years and the many theories that have emerged from their study. These maps predate the recorded history by many centuries and tell a tale that starts in around 600 BC, when a Phoenician expedition sent down the Red Sea by pharaoh Necho II of Egypt circumnavigated Africa and returned through the Pillars of Hercules after three years. It’s an exciting prospect that they made landfall in the islands we now know as Seychelles, but this of course is yet to be confirmed. The first people to pass by the islands and probably use them as temporary shelters were the ancestors of the people who eventually populated the nearby island of Madagascar. They rode the oceans on primitive but rugged outrigger canoes from their home in the Sunda Islands of the Malay Archipelago sometime between 200 and 500 AD and it is likely some of their craft, blown off course during their spectacular migration, used the islands as a base before venturing on into the azure vastness to what would eventually become their new home. Some historians believe that the islands of Seychelles were first discovered by Arab sailors in the 12th century. Arab manuscripts from this period record ‘high islands’ beyond the Maldives while

Some historians believe that the islands of Seychelles were first discovered by Arab sailors in the 12th century. Arab manuscripts from this period record ‘high islands’ beyond the Maldives while Persian manuscripts appear to refer to them as the ‘golden isles’.

Persian manuscripts appear to refer to them as the ‘golden isles’. Later in the 16th century Portuguese navigators referred vaguely to a group of islands as the ‘seven sisters’. Vasco de Gama took a short cut from Mozambique to India and, in so doing, sailed past previously unrecorded islands. These were later recorded on Portuguese maps as ‘Almirante’ - the Admirals islands. Today they are still called the Amirantes. Fast forward a few years and we arrive at our first recorded discovery and landing of islands in the main Seychelles group in 1609. An English expedition came across an ‘earthy paradise’ consisting of a mountainous group of islands they mistook for the Amirantes, but were indeed part of the main Seychelles group. Around 130 years passed and then, in the mid-18th century, the first settlers to arrive in Seychelles landed on the island of St Anne. Records note there were 27 men and one woman. They included a doctor, a carpenter and seven slaves. The aim of this new colony was to exploit the resources of timber and tortoises and to use the islands as a staging post for shipping slaves between Africa and Isle de France. Shortly afterwards a second colony was established in the south of Mahé with the aim of producing spices. The colonies saw some very hard times over the first few years, with harvests failing

HELLES

and the settlers facing starvation as their commanders lost control. The grandly named Jardin du Roi spice garden project ended in fiasco. In May 1780, a ship was sighted from Mahé. Believing it to be English and not wanting the garden to fall into enemy hands, the gardens were burnt to the ground. When the ship sailed closer it was discovered to be French after all. But by then it was too late: the gardens and the spices, save

ABSOLUTE

The colonies saw some very hard times over the first few years, with harvests failing and the settlers facing starvation as their commanders lost control.

a cinnamon tree or two, were completely destroyed. Other man-made destructions occurred in those early years: the tortoise population on Mahé was decimated with many hundreds of tortoises shipped to Isle de France or eaten by the settlers. By 1778 they were almost completely wiped out on Mahé. The endemic Seychelles crocodile was also hunted to extinction as were several species of birds.

The History of The

S E YC H E L L E S

When the French Revolution began in 1789, the colony in Seychelles consisted of 69 French, including three soldiers, 32 free ‘coloureds’ and 487 slavers. In 1790 the French community, fired by the new spirit of revolution, set up their own Assembly and Committee, announcing independence from the Isle de France. But the newly independent colony did not last long. One by one the great declarations of independence were dropped, particularly the abolition of slavery, which was not at all popular with the colonists. Eventually it was agreed that the powers of the committee should be given to a new commandant who would be able to govern more effectively. The new commandant was a popular choice: Captain Queau de Quinssy (later spelled Quincy). He was not only the longest serving Governor of the colony, but also achieved the most during the long troubled years of the Napoleonic Wars. During the wars the islands changed hands between the French and the English several times, and

it was Quincy who repeatedly capitulated to avoid bloodshed. It was soon agreed that Seychelles should be a neutral port to the English and the French and so the settlers avoided the conflicts and blockades that other Indian Ocean ports suffered. This also suited the many French corsairs who were sailing the Indian Ocean plundering enemy ships: Mahé became a popular port of call for many of the most notorious corsairs of the day. Lured by the advantage of having strategic points on the route between India and the Cape, the British fought for Seychelles and Isle de France. In 1810, after a long blockade, Isle de France capitulated and the British renamed it Mauritius. That Seychelles would become British property was now guaranteed, and duly occurred in 1814. Quincy remained in office under British rule and died on Mahé in 1827 at the age of 79. He was buried with full honours near Government House, where his impressive grave still stands today.

It was soon agreed that Seychelles should be a neutral port to the English and the French and so the settlers avoided the conflicts and blockades that other Indian Ocean ports suffered.

ABSOLUTE

The History of The

S E YC H E L L E S

Seychelles began to gain an infrastructure of sorts during the British colonial period, gaining roads, schools, churches and a hospital. By 1900 the population had grown to 7,000 and in 1903 Seychelles became a crown colony in its own right, separate at last from Mauritius. The British Governor commemorated the event by erecting a clock tower in the centre of Victoria, a replica of the clock tower outside the Victoria railway station in London. Despite being a British colony, the culture of Seychelles remained steadfastly French. British Governors did attempt to anglicise the islands, but with little success: customs and language did not alter much during the British colonial era, giving rise to the

popular observation that Seychelles was “half-British but fully-French.” Political change was in the air during the Second World War and universal adult suffrage was granted shortly after it ended. In 1962 two political parties were formed under the leadership of two lawyers who were to remain the main political figureheads for the rest of the century: France Albert Rene and James Mancham. Independence from Britain was gained in 1976, and today Seychelles is a Republic within the British Commonwealth under the leadership of President Danny Rollen Faure with a population of 95,569.

Independence from Britain was gained in 1976, and today Seychelles is a Republic within the British Commonwealth under the leadership of President Danny Rollen Faure.

ABSOLUTE

F i s h i n g

o n

Alphonse Island

Known as the Alphonse Group, the paradise islands of Alphonse Atoll, Bijoutier and St. Francois Atoll lie within the Outer Islands Group of the Seychelles. Alphonse itself is a one hour flight south of Mahe and sits just three kilometres north of St. Francois and a thousand miles east of the African coast. A population of less than three hundred people surround a central lagoon, with the entire island is eight kilometres squared in size.

lphonse boasts tranquil expanses of utopian shorelines, crystal clear lagoons, immaculate white sandy beaches and stunning vistas. Head inland and a thrilling mass of dense jungle forests lie waiting for exploration, dotted with historic commercial coconut groves. The ideal forever-summer holidaying weather and idyllic luxury accommodation on the island make this a dream-like destination for relaxing and unwinding. However it is the creatures that lie within and surround the island that are the star attraction for visitors. Shearwater birds, tortoises, crabs and a plethora of exotic bird species call Alphonse their home, as well as the extremely rare Chiffchaff and Tufted Duck. Alphonse sings with tropical wildlife, however it is only when you delve deep into the twinkling turquoise waters that surround the atoll, that you discover a whole new world of show-stopping creatures that attract visitors from all corners of the globe. Alphonse Atoll is one of the most fabled fly fishing destinations in the world, often appearing in the bucket lists of the seasoned angler. The images of the pure white

sand flats of St Francois that sit as the home screen wallpaper on computers across the globe serve as a constant reminder of a “one-day” destination. There are many tropical flat fishing destinations all over the world, so what is it about Alphonse that makes it so special? Situated 400km from the mainland of Mahe to avoid excessive marine traffic and major industry, but close enough to be accessible by plane within an hour, Alphonse Atoll known as the best saltwater fly fishing destinations on the planet. This magnificent island threesome comprising of Alphonse, St Francois and Bijoutier fast established a reputation for holding one of the healthiest populations of bonefish on the planet. Nearby St Francois is approximately seven miles long and four miles wide, consisting of firm white sand bottoms interlaced with channels and cuts. The uniqueness that sets St Francois apart from many of the other Seychelles’ destinations is the endless white sand flats. In addition to the abundant bonefish flats, the lagoon envelopes coral finger flats and coral heads allowing anglers to catch several of the now 60 species targeted on a fly in the Seychelles.

ABSOLUTE

A whole new world of showstopping creatures that attract visitors from all corners of the globe.

ABSOLUTE

F i s h i n g

o n

Alphonse Island

The fishery is strictly catch and release, with a code of conduct that ensures sustainability.

ABSOLUTE

There’s more than just the remote location of these atolls and islands, which makes them so spectacular. Add in the terrain, the techniques, the season and the species diversity and you have an incredible mix, custom-made for fly fishing. On the terrain front, fly fishing in the Alphonse Atoll sets itself apart due to the largely landbased approach it offers. While blue-water, boat-based fishing is available to anglers, the main draw these atolls holds is for the angler to be able to target challenging species on foot. Whereas saltwater fly fishing destinations in many parts of the world are boat-based, the Alphonse Atoll stands apart because of the opportunities it gives anglers: to wading in shallow, warm water on hard white sand and turtle grass or on coral flats for to discover a plethora of exciting new species. It’s not all catching but getting the opportunity to cast at behemoth giant trevally or shoals of bonefish in the same knee-deep water you are standing in, is not something many fly anglers who are accustomed to boat-based fishing, will ever forget. It’s not that Seychelles guides’ and anglers are against boats in any way, but there is something more tactile, connected and satisfying about standing in crystal clear water, while site casting at fish. Many of the species caught, like the vegetarian milkfish or the picky Indo-Pacific permit, used to be thought of as unattainable, but, through the perseverance and pioneering techniques of the Alphonse-based guides, they are now a viable target species on a fly. Off the back of the work done by these innovative guides, and the diverse species they were able to target with their clients, the possibilities around what is or isn’t possible with saltwater fly fishing have been rewritten. Alphonse Island is credited with deciphering how to catch the first milkfish, pink parrotfish, yellow margin and moustache triggerfish on a fly as well as refining techniques for catching numerous other species like giant trevally and Indo-Pacific permit. To date, this fishery still accounts for more than 90% of the world’s milkfish caught and released on an annual basis.

The cherry on top is that the luxury resort of Alphonse Island was refurbished in 2017 and is known as one of the most comfortable fly fishing destinations globally. The addition of the Blue Safari activities that can be enjoyed by non-fishing partners, has generated a considerable amount of hype, making it a must for couples that don’t only enjoy fishing. The most important part of Alphonse is its conservation efforts that continue to preserve this amazing island threesome. The fishery is strictly catch and release, with a code of conduct that ensures sustainability. The assistance of the Island Conservation Society, Islands Development Company and Alphonse Foundation in managing the area ensures that minimal pressure is placed on this recourse but at the same still earning revenue to protect this Indian ocean jewel. Every catch brings a thrill, a lifelong memory and a story told time and again. Every release contributes to the health of the fishery and ensures that Alphonse remains as one of the ultimate bucket list destinations.

ABSOLUTE

The cherry on top is that the luxury resort of Alphonse Island was refurbished in 2017 and is known as one of the most comfortable fly fishing destinations globally.

CREATING

Art

IN SEYCHELLES THEN AND NOW Martin Kennedy, the author of the recently published and hardback ‘Art in Seychelles: Then and Now’ speaks to Absolute Seychelles about the story behind his highly-acclaimed book and we take an in depth look at the artists within that have shaped the island’s art scene throughout the years.

ABSOLUTE

“People were talking about the need to produce a book about art in Seychelles when I first arrived here in 1997 and I was told that this idea had been discussed for at least twenty years before that.” However, despite all the talk the project remained unrealised until Arterial Network Seychelles, under the direction of artist George Camille, decided to publish the first definitive volume on the history, development and current state of the visual arts in the Seychelles. Arterial canvassed its members, many of whom are working artists, and placed ‘calls to action’ in the national press, inviting artists to contact the organisation and express an interest in being included in the book. Martin Kennedy was asked to write it, based on his prior experience of writing catalogues and features on many Seychellois artists, as well as his international experience, mainly gleaned in the areas of UK gallery and school art education programmes. A core team was quickly assembled. Design and layout was undertaken by local company Silkwater Graphics and principal photography by French/ Seychellois Laurent Levy. Finally the Seychelles Pension Fund came on board with the financial assistance required to realise the project. The template for the book is simple. The ‘then’ section explores the development of visual art through sketches of the principal protagonists, commencing with the work of the emancipated slave Billy King and moving on to chart the topography of (mainly) painting and drawing through three categories of artists; the deceased, the transient and the lapsed. The ‘now’ section is significantly more substantial, taking up almost 85% of the publication. Kennedy explains:

“This was to establish the book as primarily a contemporary project. Each of the artists featured is currently producing art in Seychelles and every one of them is present in their own words as well as through the images of their work. There is my own critical contribution in each case but for me the more interesting aspect of this book is hearing the individual voices of the artists as they speak about their work and their lives.” With almost 80 artists featured across the two sections of the book, it is hard to single out individuals for particular attention, however Absolute took special note of the work of brother and sister Alyssa and Tristan Adams, both successful and prolific artists and, interestingly, the children of Michael and Heather Adams. Michael is recognised as the ‘father’ of contemporary art in Seychelles and his unique figurative paintings and prints represent to many residents and visitors the essential visual iconography of the country. Alyssa and Tristan have followed in Michael’s footsteps insofar as their art is a passionate, lyrical response to the natural environment of Seychelles. The styles of the two artists are very different, not only one from the other but also when compared to the work of their father. Alyssa’s paintings are intensely busy; her (often) limited palette compositions respond to the insane congestion of the tropical forest, where growth is a fight for survival and light is the ultimate objective. The artist gets in close to her subjects, working directly en plein air, getting to know their gnarled and tangled beauty; “I superimpose decorative motifs onto what are essentially representational landscapes” the artist says, “Although I paint directly from nature I get lost in whimsy. I am a brush seamstress.”

ABSOLUTE

CREATING

Art

IN SEYCHELLES THEN AND NOW

Tristan prefers to work at a greater distance from his subjects. We see fantastic and surreal islands comprised of piles of smooth granitic forms; churning and gurning oceans, and skies full of bruised clouds teeming with interest. The artist’s compositions often allow the sky full prominence. “The main difference” he says “between painting the sky and the ocean is that the ocean is so fast moving in fluid motion – whereas the sky seems to me to be retreating in slow motion.” Absolute were also struck by the powerful paintings of Zsaklin Miklos, originally from Budapest but now happily settled in the Seychelles, whose work also frequently responds to the local environment. Her sharp and tight technicolour interpretations can be labelled ‘stylised realism’. They are sensual yet graphic – a hard synergy to pull off – and there is tranquility and excitement, harmony and conflict. Miklos transcends the reality she is depicting, at times simplifying its forms and exaggerating its natural palette. “My intention is to open up my thoughts on the complexity of how our environment affects the personal development of those who interact with it. ” Miklos also creates vivid (and accurate) portraits, mostly of her Seychelles contemporaries. These are Fauvist in essence, with non naturalistic colours deployed with careful abandon. The subjects – all instantly and effortlessly recognisable regardless of the liberties taken with skin tones – are both with us and apart from us. They appear alien, their faces comprised of intuitively rendered building blocks of matt colour. The artist refers to a quest to accentuate the effect of light on form, in this case the human face, with the outcome presenting “the consequence of an intensified subject.” All three artists represent a fresh and open approach to figurative painting in Seychelles; they push the boundaries of representation, constantly working out within a gymnasium of paint.

ABSOLUTE

“Everything that we do should be mutually complementary” Kennedy concludes, “and should reflect the fact that we exist to support the arts in Seychelles.”

We see fantastic and surreal islands comprised of piles of smooth granitic forms; churning and gurning oceans, and skies full of bruised clouds teeming with interest.

This desire to move forwards and explore new forms of expression is present throughout the contemporary section of the book. Leon Radegonde’s work is at the forefront of a redefinition of how and why art is made in Seychelles. Radegonde, a co-exhibitor at the last two Venice Biennales, creates archival fusions of found objects and unconventional mark-making processes.“I age, sew, tease, rust, tear, stain, burn, glue, mend and paste. I use burnt engine oil, shoe polish, hot iron, charcoal and red earth colouring as my essential working tools.” Radegonde’s creations range from tiny assemblages on board to huge swaying tapestries. The palette is invariably sombre, with the artist having described too much colour as ‘parasitic’. Much is made of the so-called ‘tourist trap’, whereby artists create compromised representational work (think palm trees skirting a beach) in order to put food on the family table. Back to the author: “Secondary aims for this book include improving the lot of our working artists. The book provides contact details for each one of them so that a reader, having identified work that he or she likes, can pick up the ‘phone and talk to the artist about purchasing art directly. Additionally Arterial Network hopes to devote some of the money generated through book sales to provide small grants for artists; to say in effect – look, take three months from your market-oriented work and make art from your soul. We will take care of your expenses and at the end we will stage an exhibition of the work you have made in the Eden gallery.” This symbiotic relationship between the book, the gallery and related projects (a selling virtual gallery is planned for later this year) is core to the work of Arterial Network Seychelles. “Everything that we do should be mutually complementary” Kennedy concludes, “and should reflect the fact that we exist to support the arts in Seychelles. We are not and have never been simply a talking shop. We make things happen. This publication is but one example.”

ABSOLUTE

Seychelles

Takes Action on Plastic Pollution More than 250 Million tons of plastic are estimated to make its way into our oceans by 2025, painting a worrying image of the future.

ABSOLUTE

he impact of plastic on the world’s oceans has shocked many and with the worrying statistic that there will be more plastic than fish in the sea by 2050, it’s but a wonder as to when and how this statistic can be reversed. Scenes of a hawksbill turtle getting a straw pulled out of its nose, the sea birds feeding their chicks plastic or a washed up whale with over 50 plastic bags found in its stomach, are impossible to unsee. As Governments and international organisations seek new policies and discuss these very issues at Ocean Conferences on the environmental impact of plastic, small Non-Governmental Organisations of the paradisaic small island state of Seychelles are combating the scourge of plastic in community building and innovative ways. The Ocean Project, the SIDS Youth Aims Hub and the Seychelles Islands Foundation, are three of the many non-governmental organisations at the centre of pioneering projects combating the catastrophic impact of plastics in the Indian Ocean, whilst implementing new ways for the population to live sustainably. In 2017, the result of fervent campaigns by numerous NGOs, saw Seychelles ban plastic bags, cutlery and take away boxes and in 2019 a ban on plastic straws will soon come into place. The monumental efforts for policy change and outreach to encourage sustainable consumer habits have also encouraged actions on the outer islands, of which are out of reach and largely unpopulated but are negatively impacted with coast line plastic pollution. The Island Conservation Society (ICS) and the Seychelles Islands Foundation (SIF) are two environmental organisations that manage several of Seychelles’ outer islands and have been carrying out beach clean ups in the areas under their remit. But the work doesn’t stop there! These efforts, concentrated on changes of consumption on Seychelles’ main islands have also encouraged actions on the outer islands, which are largely inaccessible and unpopulated, but also have plastic accumulating. The Island Conservation Society (ICS) and the Seychelles Islands Foundation (SIF) are two environmental organisations that manage several of Seychelles’ outer islands and have been conducting small scale beach cleans on the areas they manage.

The Ocean Project Seychelles (TOP) In response to the global issues of marine plastic pollution affecting Seychelles, two young women, Zara Pardiwalla and Karine Rassool co-founded The Ocean Project Seychelles (TOP) in November 2016 with a mission to tackle the problem through education, action and research. Since its establishment the Ocean Project have hosted 41 coastal clean ups, engaged 1200 volunteers and have collected over 8+ tons of rubbish consisting of plastics. This passionate group combine education and action on the plastic pollution issue, of which another goal is to spark positive and lasting changes in consumer habits.

Biggest Beach Clean Up On the 15th September 2018, to commemorate World CleanUp Day, TOP in collaboration with LWMA and the Seychelles Sustainable Tourism Foundation (SSTF) hosted the “Seychelles’ Biggest Beach Clean Up”, which was the biggest NGO and private sector collaboration in Seychelles and saw the participation of over 700 people, cleaning 27 beaches across 7 islands and collected 3.5+ tons of rubbish (supported by the GEF Small Grants Programme and the Environment Trust Fund).

ABSOLUTE

Seychelles are combating the scourge of plastic in community building and innovative ways.

Action on Plastic Pollution

The Last Straw Campaign TOP is also the NGO behind The Last Straw Seychelles; an innovative campaign to reduce the use of plastic straws in Seychelles and the amount of plastic straws ending up in the oceans, through commitments from individuals and venues to stop serving plastic straws. As a result of this campaign many

hotel chains in Seychelles have made the switch and are using alternatives such as pasta straws, paper straws and aluminum straws for their clients. TOP recently purchased the screening rights of the documentary, A Plastic Ocean. Two school screenings were held in 2018 and at least four screenings are scheduled over the next few months, including a screening at the Seychelles Ocean Festival (also supported by the GEF Small Grants Programme). Also in the pipeline is TOP’s Plastic Arts project. TOP has previously collaborated with The Meraki Foundation to create plastic art pieces and will be launching a new project which aims to build and exhibit aesthetically powerful, largescale, art installations out of plastic debris to educate a national audience about marine plastic pollution and to engage action on the issue (supported by the GEF Small Grants Programme). www.theoceanprojectseychelles.com

ABSOLUTE

Beach Clean Ups with an Educational touch The TOP team carry out clean ups that also promote citizen science, by working with volunteers to sort the rubbish collected into various categories and data is recorded on the type and amount of rubbish collected. The data has already proven useful in informing other TOP projects and has also been shared, with the Department of Environment and the Land Waste Management Agency (LWMA). TOP is looking to focus more on research in the coming years and to undertake a marine littering monitoring programme at fixed locations across Mahe.

Many hotel chains in Seychelles have made the switch and are using alternatives such as pasta straws, paper straws and aluminum straws for their clients.

SIDS Youth AIMS Hub-Seychelles (SYAH Seychelles)

ABSOLUTE

SIDS Youth AIMS Hub- Seychelles is the Seychelles Chapter of a regional network of young people on Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in the Atlantic, Indian Ocean, Mediterranean and South China Sea (AIMS) is a youth led NGO. SYAH Seychelles was founded in 2014 with the aims of promoting and advancing youth-led sustainable development projects, as well as increasing youth participation in decision-making at both national and international level. The overall objective involves a network of regional small island states engaging young people to play an active role in the sustainable development of their countries, on a national, regional and global level. There are many initiatives and projects relating to the 4 Sustainable Development Goals such as, Clean Energy (SDG 7), Climate Change (SDG 13), Life below Water (SDG 14) and Life on Land (SDG 15).

A Seychelles Free Plastic Bags Campaign A Seychelles Free from Plastic Bags was a campaign launched by the SIDS Youth AIMS Hub - Seychelles in July 2015 to commemorate International Day free from plastic bags. After it was announced, late 2015, by the Ministry of Environment, Energy and Climate Change that there would be a ban on plastic bags, SYAH chose multi tasked approach - online and offline education, action orientated policy and research. They coined their campaign with the hashtag - #SayYesToThePlasticBan of which 12 clean ups over 12 months took place mobilising small groups and large groups to take action against coastal littering and raise awareness on the negative impact of plastic. SYAH also aw the collaboration with prison inmates at the Seychelles prison to produce alternatives to plastic bags where the inmates produced bags that can be reused of which were then sold and reinvested into the campaign.

Action on Plastic Pollution

Blue Economy Internship Programme The Blue Economy is a developing world initiative pioneered by Small Island Developing States (SIDS) aimed at changing mindsets and behaviour of using the ocean as a means of free resource and waste dumping - a mechanism for a more sustainable use of the ocean. As well as endorsing the importance of the ocean towards a country’s prosperity, it also encourages sustainable development of conducting ocean based economic activity. With youth unemployment rising across the world, SYAH Seychelles is driving for young people to use new opportunities such as the Blue Economy to promote sustainable development opportunities by exposing them to existing frameworks and organisations that fall under the Blue Economy remit. The internship includes a 2 week placement in different organisation followed by a fully funded trip to Mauritius provided that the interns fulfil their deliverables. In Mauritius the interns learn and exchange information about the developments of the ocean economy within the region.With the exposure to different sectors under the Blue Economy, the aim is that young people can then assess where the gaps remain and how the would like to start an enterprise to bridge the existing gaps. Dive Against Debris SYAH will soon be launching a new project called Dive Against Debris which aims to allow participants to get their Open Water PADI Certificate in order to Dive against Debris in the next two years to reduce marine pollution in the ocean. www.syah-seychelles.weebly.org

ABSOLUTE

With youth unemployment rising across the world, SYAH Seychelles is driving for young people to use new opportunities such as the Blue Economy to promote sustainable development opportunities by exposing them to existing frameworks and organisations that fall under the Blue Economy remit.

Seychelles Islands Foundation & the Aldabra Clean Up Project (SIF) The Seychelles Islands Foundation (SIF) is a non-profit charitable organisation that was established as a public trust by the government of Seychelles in 1979. SIF manages and protects the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Aldabra Atoll and the Vallée de Mai and has the President of Seychelles, Danny Faure, as Patron. SIF is managed by a Board of Trustees of 15 members who are appointed by the President. The foundation is mandated and dedicated to ensuring that the World Heritage Sites of Seychelles are well-managed protected areas where conservation, research, education and tourism are sustainably balanced. A major focus is on scientific research to direct, support and improve conservation management of the unique biodiversity and ecosystems of these two very different sites. SIF have undertaken a myriad of projects such as the European Union Invasive Alien Species Project aimed at addressing the problem of invasive species in the two world heritage sites in Seychelles, Aldabra & the Vallée de Mai on Praslin Island; the UNESCO funded eradication of introduced birds on Aldabra which was successfully completed in 2017.

The Aldabra Clean-Up Project Plastic pollution is affecting the world’s second largest coral atoll, the home of the largest population of giant tortoises and a UNESCO World Heritage Site; the majestic Aldabra. The plastic pollution that has been washing up on the shorelines of Aldabra for decades now, blocks the paths of nesting green turtles, entangles and is ingested by seabirds and waders, and strangles marine mammals such as dolphins and whales. Pieces of plastic from this washed up debris are even increasingly found in the droppings of (land-based) giant tortoises. SIF is currently spearheading the first ever ‘Aldabra Clean-Up Project’ that unites six Oxford Graduate student volunteers with six Seychellois Volunteers, selected through a national video competition. The project was launched in the UK in May 2018 at the Royal Society, and in Seychelles by the President of Seychelles (SIF’s Patron) in June 2018. The project is aimed at tackling the problem of marine plastic pollution through action, education and research. With the accumulation of plastics on the coastline of Aldabra over several decades the impact on Aldabra’s wildlife has been noticeable and in recent years that action had to be taken! The team of 12 volunteers removed waste from Aldabra’s shores on a five-week expedition in March 2019, which was then be transported over 1000km to Mahé for proper processing.

ABSOLUTE

Action on Plastic Pollution

The project encompasses much more than just a beach clean-up, the volunteers have been fundraising to cover the costs of the project, whilst also raising awareness locally and globally on the huge impact of marine pollution. During this unique expedition the volunteers will be collecting trash from all the different areas of Aldabra, even the most remote sites and the waste will be split into categories with some items such as flip flops, plastic bottles, glass bottles, fishing buoys and rope collected separately in slings and gunny bags and sent to Mahé where further segregation will take place. With the aim of re-using and re-purposing the waste, items like buoys will be given to organisations operating at sea, especially conservation-oriented ones based in Seychelles, as well as involving local and international processors to find out whether plastic can be baled and reused. A whole operation will be underway to make sure that as much waste was possible isn’t landfilled, and in the most creative way, SIF hope to create art pieces and other exhibits from plastic, particularly flip flops which are hard to recycle. To date, beach surveys have identified 73 brands with products washed ashore on Aldabra and it was found that a 100 metre stretch of Aldabra beach, during the northwest season, receives on average five kilograms of marine debris daily! Moreover these surveys have indicated that while flip flops, lighters and drink bottles are the most numerous items being washed on to Aldabra, fishing gear (ropes, nets and buoys) is the most prominent form marine debris by weight. More information on the quantity, composition, source of this marine debris as well as the effort needed to remove it will be made available after the expedition through our social media platforms (@AldabraCleanup) and more official channels. It is our hope that this research will inform individual choices as well corporate and governmental policies to make the necessary changes. Ultimately, the Aldabra Clean-Up Project will provide a baseline for future and further actions on top of being an example of what a group of committed young people can accomplish together.

ABSOLUTE

www.sif.sc www.queens.ox.ac.uk/aldabra

To date, beach surveys have identified 73 brands with products washed ashore on Aldabra and it was found that a 100 metre stretch of Aldabra beach, during the northwest season, receives on average five kilograms of marine debris daily!

ABSOLUTE

Ultimately, the Aldabra Clean-Up Project will provide a baseline for future and further actions on top of being an example of what a group of committed young people can accomplish together.

Alphonse Island If a healthy blend of adventure and relaxation are your key ingredients to creating your own personal paradise, then Alphonse Island, part of Blue Safari Seychelles is your calling.

ABSOLUTE

The island is considered one of the purest natural idylls in the world. Beautiful white beaches line the edges of a lush tropical forest.

his pristine, natural paradise in the Seychelles Archipelago, is a private island and part of the Alphonse group of atolls, which includes St Francois and Bijoutier. The island is considered one of the purest natural idylls in the world. Beautiful white beaches line the edges of a lush tropical forest surrounded by miles of unblemished shorelines, lagoons, sea flats and protected coral reefs home to the vast array of wildlife that exist in this ecosystem. Situated only 7 degrees south of the equator and outside of the cyclone belt, Alphonse Island is blessed with one of the world’s healthiest climates and gorgeous, consistent weather. Alphonse offers guests year-round summer days with temperatures seldom dropping below 22°C [72°F], allowing them to relax and indulge in this luxurious nature lover’s paradise anytime they wish. To celebrate being open all year round, a special stay-sevenpay-five package will be available from the 1st May until the 30th September 2019. The seven-night package costs USD $5025pp full board, based on two people sharing a Beach Bungalow and also includes a generous array of activities and inter-island transfers. Alphonse Island is truly unlike any other island in the Seychelles. Located 400km from the mainland of Mahé, Alphonse Island is accessible only by plane. Accommodation is comprised of 22 Beach Bungalows and five Beach Suites, all with direct beach access and panoramic, uninterrupted views of the Indian Ocean. Beach Bungalows maximise the stunning surroundings, set amongst lush tropical plantation just metres from the beach. With outdoor showers, patios with gorgeous views, and the beach just steps away, the rooms are all focused on the surrounding natural beauty. The five one-bedroom Beach Suites are nestled amongst tropical plants, close to the white sandy beach. Discreet and luxurious,Beach Suites offer two bathrooms and a lounge area to give guests more space, as well as private plunge pools. Interiors reference Creole style and local materials, reflecting a sophisticated fresh island style of the 21st Century.

cattered like summer blossom across the Indian Ocean, The Seychelles is a destination well-renowned for being the ultimate in luxury, celebrity escapes and the honeymoon location that dreams are made of. The 115 islands are hailed for their exquisite natural beauty, the peaceful harmony enjoyed by the multi-ethnic society and a near perfect climate where the temperature is always somewhere between 24 and 33 degrees Celsius, earning the islands a reputation as ‘land of perpetual summer’.

Out of all of the Seychelles islands, currently only 16 have hotels, several of which offer the most luxurious amenities and all of which possess their own natural charm. They offer everything from the opulence of worldfamous 5-star resorts to the picturesque charms of affordable smaller hotels, Creole guest houses and self catering.

ABSOLUTE

There are 34 dive sites that surround Alphonse Island, all of which are easily reached in under 30 minutes on comfortable purposebuilt dive boats.

ABSOLUTE

Unlike many hotels and resorts, the room is not the main attraction. Alphonse Island encourages its guests to spend as much of their time as possible out of their room and discovering all the island offers. Due to its size and remote location, Alphonse Island is free from the influx of tourism that is often present at resorts. Guests visit to explore and discover an authentic Seychelles experience that cannot be recreated or encountered anywhere else in the Seychelles and marvel at the pristine splendor of Alphonse Island in a tranquil environment, where privacy is paramount. The attraction of Alphonse Island is the island itself, her sister islands, Bijoutier and St Francois and the crystal clear, sparkling ocean that surrounds this island trio. Guests of Alphonse Island can experience the fascinating marine environment on a first-hand basis as they swim in the crystal-clear waters of the Indian Ocean and encounter shoals of assorted, vibrantly coloured fish of varying species: Green and Hawksbill Turtles, Spinner Dolphins and Humpback Whales, all in their natural environment. Swimming with sailfish and manta rays is an unforgettable experience, like no other. An encounter with these animals in their own habitat is incredible and unforgettable experience, whether seen from a boat, from the shore or in the Indian Ocean itself. Be amazed as they flash through the crystal waters and witness these craniate animals in their own environment. These unique experiences with an extensive array of marine life make Alphonse Island nothing short of spectacular.

Guests of Alphonse Island can experience the fascinating marine environment on a firsthand basis as they swim in the crystal-clear waters of the Indian Ocean and encounter shoals of assorted, vibrantly coloured fish of varying species

ABSOLUTE

ALPHONSE ISLAND

ABSOLUTE

It is a destination like no other, it is paradise perfected and this enchanting island is just waiting to be explored!

Swimming with - and photographing - Manta Rays, is a particularly magical ocean experience

Hawksbill and Green turtles; the turtle patrol and tracking project provides important insights into the population numbers and their movement, which helps the team protect them. Aquatic adventures at Alphonse Island are not limited to below the water. Kayaks are a perfect and nonintrusive way to get up close to turtles and rays around the flats and allow guests to enjoy Alphonse from a new perspective. Choose between a guided tour by nature experts who will point out seabirds and spot fishermen’s delights such as bonefish, permit and triggerfish, or for something more private and personal, kayaks are readily available for guests use. This way guests get to appreciate the untouched exquisiteness of Alphonse Island solely at their own pace and a picnic basket can be organised for you to carry along, ready to choose a spot for a secluded meal. If it’s a larger vessel that floats your boat, how about setting sail into the Alphonse Lagoon on one of the luxury boats, ready to salute the setting sun with a cocktail or beer from the onboard bar. Share stories from your week and bask in the stillness of the departing day. It’s not just the resort, the diving opportunities, the thrilling activities and the weather that makes Alphonse Island so spectacular. Add in the terrain, the techniques, the season and the species diversity and you have an incredible mix, custom-made for fly fishing. On the terrain front, fly fishing in the Alphonse Atoll sets itself apart due to the largely land-based approach it offers. While blue-water, boat-based fishing is available to anglers, the main draw these atolls holds is for the angler to be able to target challenging species on foot. Whereas saltwater fly fishing destinations in many parts of the world are boat-based, the Alphonse Atoll stands apart because of the opportunities it gives anglers: to wading in shallow, warm water on hard white sand and turtle grass or on coral flats for to discover a plethora of exciting new species. It’s not all catching but getting the opportunity to cast at behemoth giant trevally or shoals of bonefish in the same knee-deep water you are standing in, is not something many fly anglers who are accustomed to boatbased fishing, will ever forget. It’s not that Seychelles guides’ and anglers are against boats in any way, but there is something more tactile, connected and satisfying about standing in crystal clear water, while site casting at fish.

ABSOLUTE

The waters surrounding Alphonse Island are outstanding for both diving and snorkeling. The PADI certified dive centre caters for children, who can experience their first foray into the underwater world from 9 years old by completing a Bubble Maker course. It also offers exclusive dives to families where children from the age of 8 can experience the wonders of scuba diving with their parents. Alphonse Island Dive Centre offers a full range of PADI courses from Discover Scuba diving to Divemaster. Advanced divers can develop new skill sets all endorsed by the world leading training agency the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI). These include PADI Underwater Naturalist, PADI Deep Diver, PADI Peak Performance Buoyancy, PADI Digital Underwater Imaging, AWARE Shark Conservation, AWARE Coral Reef Conservation, AWARE Dive Against Debris, AWARE Specialist and AWARE Fish Identification. There are 34 dive sites that surround Alphonse Island, all of which are easily reached in under 30 minutes on comfortable purpose-built dive boats. The highlights of diving in the waters surrounding Alphonse Island include the chance to see Manta ray and squadrons of Eagle ray, the ‘Wolf Pack’ of hundreds of Bluefin trevally and associates patrolling or even attacking prey on the reef. Groups of Bumphead parrotfish, schools of batfish numbering in the hundreds as well as interesting animal behavior such as nesting triggerfish can be viewed. As part of the Blue Safari Seychelles portfolio, Alphonse Island are committed to the protection of the environment and as of September 2018, they are proud to have become the first commercial Outer Island with a hospitality offering to rely on solar power and go completely ‘off-grid’. Designed to allow guests to reconnect with nature while respecting it, the Island Conservation Society (ICS) team offers activities to create an island that is intimately connected to the natural environment, which guests are encouraged to join. By guests assisting the ICS, they gain a wider understanding of the environment that exists on Alphonse, St François and Bijoutier and the importance of their work and how it greatly affects the islands. As part of the guided walks and Native Vegetation Restoration project, guests can choose to plant an endemic tree. Swimming with - and photographing - Manta Rays, is a particularly magical ocean experience, which helps capture important data about individual specimens and their movements. These islands provide important nesting grounds for our endemic

ALPHONSE ISLAND

bride and groom to create delicious menus, signature cocktails and canapés, as well as arranging tropical flowers and fantastic music. Each and every detail is carefully considered to create an unforgettable wedding in paradise. Begin married life on sugar soft, white sand beach with azure waters stretching before you-perfect! For those who seek exclusivity, Alphonse Island can be hired in its entirety-the ultimate wedding venue! Exceptional experiences last a lifetime. They are stories that people tell people with enthusiasm, passion and love, they are memories that can never be erased. Alphonse Island is a sanctuary for the senses, a discovery for the mind, food for the soul. It is a place where guests are at one with the environment, where peace and tranquillity reign. It is a destination like no other, it is paradise perfected and this enchanting island is just waiting to be explored! For more information, please visit www.alphonse-island.com

ABSOLUTE

With days filled with adventures on land, in or above the shimmering waters of the Indian Ocean, relax at the central dining and bar area, as the sun slowly dips into the ocean and melts away, signaling the end of another day in paradise. Socialise alongside the sparkling pool and shoreline, with diverse cuisine inspired by the island atmosphere and complemented by a comprehensive wine list. With the use of indigenous flora and fish, along with garden produce, the menus are built around freshness. Combining the influences of local Seychellois Creole and French cuisine, dishes are inspired from all corners of the Indian Ocean. In addition to the restaurant, private dining can be arranged to allow guests to enjoy meals on the terrace of their Beach Bungalow or Beach Suite, on a special spot on the beach, or alongside the pool. The idyllic, pristine and picture-perfect paradise that is Alphonse Island is the definitive wedding destination. Alphonse Island has a full license for weddings and the talented team of staff are able to arrange every detail from providing the registrar, to working with the

Located directly on a secluded beach, in dazzling surroundings of untouched, natural beauty, our beachfront paradise offers a private haven for discerning travellers in search of a world-class island escape. +248 438 6666 R E S E R VAT I O N S . S E Y C H E L L E S @ K E M P I N S K I . C O M

ABSOLUTE

KEMPINSKI.COM/SEYCHELLES

Bird Island Lodge The Seychelles is known as one of the most luxurious holiday destinations in the world, but it’s not all about the big expensive hotels. Whilst island hopping around this extraordinary archipelago, you’ll discover that the Seychelles is rich in history, in culture, is abundant in nature and offers visitors some of the best beaches in the world.

Each and every island has its own charm but one of the most compelling is Bird Island. Even as the plane comes in to land, guests are greeted by incredible viewsamazing hues of the blue ocean and the whitest sandy beaches, leaving one with a sensation of excitement and also a state of wonder. This northern-most island of the Seychelles archipelago is only 101 hectares; a small island but the experiences guests take from here are far from this. Simplicity is key on Bird Island. Its 24 bungalows are spacious, each with a sitting area, a large bathroom and a verandah overlooking the natural gardens. The wooden louvered windows allow the cool breeze to flow through the bungalows, ideal for those who prefer to relax inside. A stone’s throw away is the magnificent West Beach, perfect for sunbathing or for a refreshing swim. The main lodge houses the reception, the restaurant, the bar and the lounge areas. Here, guests will also find the island’s quaint little library where you can borrow and get lost in novel and a short walk away sits the boutique. The lodge’s look is typically island style, from its buildings to its furnishings, giving off a relaxed atmosphere encouraging you to feel at home. Bird Island is an eco-lodge and safeguarding the island’s natural heritage is priority. The owners have been working hard to ensure this since the lodge’s opening some 40 years ago. Formerly a coconut plantation, the proprietors turned it into the first eco-lodge in the Seychelles and is to this day the only one of its kind. With an awareness of man’s impact on the environment, the family-run lodge has been determinedly educating its visitors on its philosophy through its green practices; from the solar heated water, to its fresh locally sourced creole dishes and the fact that offshore sport fishing is no longer offered.

ABSOLUTE

Bird Island is an eco-lodge and safeguarding the island’s natural heritage is priority. The owners have been working hard to ensure this since the lodge’s opening some 40 years ago.

ABSOLUTE

Bird Island Lodge

Bird Island offers guests a place to get away from the busy, fast paced, modern world of today and without phone signals and T.V. connections, they can do just that.

Exploring the island will open your eyes to all the natural wonders of the Island and all the conservation work undertaken by its custodians. As you kayak or snorkel in the surrounding waters you may come across the juvenile sea turtles feeding off the sea grass in the shallows or as you go for an afternoon walk, you may stumble upon the intriguing giant tortoises on their own exploits. The most phenomenal of all however, is the sooty tern colony when at its peak. Visitors come from the world over just to witness this spectacle. The northerly location of Bird Island also makes it an ideal ‘port of call’ for many passing birds, a sunny spot away from the winter weather of their homes, much like the human visitors. This allows Bird Island to become a sort of ‘summer home’ for a variety of interesting birds for a period of the year. Bird Island offers guests a place to get away from the busy, fast paced, modern world of today and without phone signals and T.V. connections, they can do just that. Visitors come to immerse themselves into the island, into nature and into the people who live and work here. The wildlife is astonishing, from the birds in their thousands to the sea turtles nesting around the island daily; a humble reminder of just how precious such places are. On Bird Island, guests live, eat and sleep like true islanders. The island is accessible by daily flights booked directly with Bird Island. Flight Times: Depart Mahé at 10:40am (check in 9:40am.) Depart Bird at 11.25am (check in 10:55am) with arrival into Mahé at 11:55am. 15KG Luggage allowance. Other Suitcases can be stored at the airport (for a fee).

ABSOLUTE

For more information or to make a reservation, please visit www. birdislandseychelles.com

On Bird Island, guests live, eat and sleep like true islanders.

Hotel / Villa / Cafe /Restaurant / Bar / NightClub

Welcome to Le Duc de Praslin Your luxury home away from home

Le Duc de Praslin • Côte d'Or • Praslin • Tel: +248 429 48 00 Email : leduc@seychelles.net • www.leducdepraslin.website/

Kempinski Kempinski Seychelles Resort Baie Lazare invites you to experience veritable paradise in settings of understated opulence and down-to-earth hospitality.

ABSOLUTE

ailed as “the original Garden of Eden” by early settlers and now a leading luxury destination for discerning holidayers, it is without doubt that the Seychelles archipelago is the very jewel of the Indian Ocean. Kempinski Seychelles Resort Baie Lazare is located on the exclusive south-end of Mahé, just 30 minutes from Seychelles International Airport. Here, glittering turquoise oceans lap gently against a white-sand beach – a slower paced retreat, ideal for those looking to leave behind the daily rat race of their 9-5 , get off the beaten track and say goodbye to their dayto-day worries. It’s time to immerse yourself in an unforgettable island getaway. This rustic-chic hideaway is all but invisible from the coast and is set behind a chain of swaying palm trees in dazzling surroundings of untouched, natural beauty and offers much in the way of exclusivity and privacy. The approach from the property’s main

gate is a winding journey through 68 hectares of tropical garden that will deliver you to the formidable French-colonial-style lobby and the beginning of your Kempinski Seychelles experience. A selection of private rooms and suites have been designed to blend harmoniously with the natural environment and refined to reflect years of Kempinski service excellence. In a market saturated with “villaconcept” hotels spread out over vast areas, prompting the need for a buggy to reach hotel restaurants or the beach, Kempinski Seychelles Resort’s traditional layout offers unparalleled ease of access to an 800 m stretch of remarkably beautiful coastline. The resort’s premium room category, a Sea View Garden room, is ideal for direct beach access from your private terrace, just 100 to 150 m away from the sand. As this is the only hotel in the bay, the area receives very few outside visitors, and guests are able to relax and enjoy their time on the beach in relative seclusion.

ABSOLUTE

Synonymous with the Kempinski brand, a taste of true European luxury awaits you when you ditch the winding drive from Mahé’s main ports and arrive in style via a chartered helicopter transfer, landing at the resort’s very own helipad (the only one of its kind to be found in the south of Seychelles’ main island). While Mahé’s stunning beaches are very well documented, few travel brochures manage to convey the immense scope of the island’s mountainous landscape. Undoubtedly, these views can best be appreciated from above. A scenic helicopter flight comes highly recommended and is easily booked at the hotel’s front desk. Diverse flavours capture the cultural mix of the Seychellesand you can experience all of those at all four of the resort’s dining outlets. Their uncompromising search for authentic recipes and quality local ingredients means guests are able to enjoy a wide variety of regional and international cuisines in an array of atmospheres, ranging from beachside casual to fine-dining elegance. Treat yourself to a unique gastronomic experience at L’Indochine, the celebrated fine dining restaurant at Kempinski Seychelles Resort Baie Lazare. An incredible selection of seafood, freshly caught from the Indian Ocean rim, is prepared by the chefs for an exquisite fusion of flavours for you to enjoy in a stylish, understated setting. The extensive sushi menu presents an innovative selection of fresh nigiri, sashimi and sushi rolls, which are best paired with a chilled bottle of sake from the resort’s extensive collection. While L’Indochine specialises in seafood, there’s plenty on the menu to suit all tastes - and the team will be delighted to recommend the perfect wine to accompany your meal. For authentic European cuisine infused with

traditional Indian Ocean flavours in the Seychelles, look no further than the L’Indochine. As the resort’s signature restaurant, L’Indochine is the ultimate in luxury dining, so sit back and enjoy the indulgence of our fresh, quality food and drink. If sipping a cocktail while on the white sandy beaches of the Indian Ocean sounds like heaven to you, then look no further than Windsong Beach Restaurant. Designed in complete harmony with the natural surroundings, this beach side haven has everything you need for deep relaxation: the sounds of the sea, a delicious selection of drinks and snacks, and an unbeatably laid-back atmosphere. Windsong Beach Restaurant is the epicentre of relaxation at the Kempinski Seychelles Resort Baie Lazare. Guests can unwind with a drink, relax with friends or spend a quiet afternoon beside the pool at Kempinski Seychelles Resort’s popular beachside restaurant, the ideal setting for your stay in the Seychelles. For a truly memorable and intimate evening, be sure to book a bespoke private dinner: enjoy a romantic candlelit dinner for two on a palm-lined beach or beside the resort’s private lagoon. Pure luxury and pampering is guaranteed at Kempinski The Spa, which offers sumptuous treatments in a serene environment, using only organic and natural products inspired by the change of European seasons. Guests of the resort are invited to delight in an array of indulgent experiences, from classic spa treatments to luxurious therapies inspired by this unique tropical location. As winners of the World Spa Awards – Best Seychelles Resort Spa, your satisfaction is all but guaranteed.

ABSOLUTE

Kempinski

With its world-class beaches and breathtaking scenery, the Seychelles has a reputation as the romance capital of the Indian Ocean that is well deserved.

Those who are looking to do more than just recline on a sun bed while taking in exquisite views of the glittering ocean will be delighted by the facilities on offer at the water sports and recreation pavilions: an onsite PADI dive centre and complimentary snorkelling gear will assist you in exploring the Seychelles’ abundant marine landscapes, while surf lessons and stand up paddling provide exciting opportunities to experience the thrill of the Indian Ocean from above the waves. For the ultimate reef experience, guests can enjoy a guided snorkelling tour to feed the fish at Fish Cave – a popular spot with marine residents on the house reef – or hire a transparent kayak and enjoy the marvels of Seychelles’ pristine marine life without getting wet. Further facilities for those active types come in the form of a well-equipped gym and outdoor sports courts which join an Olympic-length swimming pool. A short hike through dense tropical jungle will guide you to the summit of “Mount Kempinski” – a vast granite elevation overlooking the resort and tranquil Baie Lazare and you can even begin your day from this unique vantage point, with an unforgettable hilltop Yoga or Pilates class. It’s not just the big kids that are catered for. A comprehensive Kids Club will keep the resort’s littlest residents busy from dawn to dusk with a range of supervised activities, such as giant tortoise feeding, arts and crafts, and traditional Sega dancing, while a separate children’s paddling pool ensures that no guest is left out of the aquatic fun. With its world-class beaches and breathtaking scenery, the Seychelles has a reputation as the romance capital of the Indian Ocean that is well deserved. It should come as no surprise that countless couples flock to the islands each year to exchange vows or begin their journey as Mr and Mrs with an unforgettable honeymoon. Kempinski Seychelles Resort Baie Lazare offers couples a range of exquisite wedding venues, when they choose to begin their life together in this magnificent corner of paradise. Whether you are planning an intimate ceremony for two or a festive celebration with family and friends, Kempinski Seychelles Resort and their team of dedicated event planners have a great selection of indoor and outdoor venues to suit your needs. What sets this hotel apart from other wedding venues on the island is their commitment, not only to their clients, but to each remarkable moment that makes up your special day. Whether it’s romance, reunion or rejuvenation, whether you are looking for small home comforts or spacious luxury and bespoke banqueting, Kempinski Seychelles Resort Baie Lazare offers a private haven for every individual, couple, group of friends or family, making this resort an ideal location for those seeking a world-class island getaway.

ABSOLUTE

www.kempinski.com/seychelles

THE

H Resort

Unparalleled Paradise Tranquil, boutique and culturally connected, the resort offers guests a chance to create memories worth sharing.

The H Resort Beau Vallon Beach is known for its turquoise ocean views, crystal white beach and lush emerald greenery where you can expect nothing but undisturbed sights, charming creole hospitality and new heights of life & style indulgence.

ABSOLUTE

ocated on Beau Vallon beach which lays northwest on the island of Mahé; a mere 30 minutes’ drive from the international airport - The H Resort is a contemporary & chic property featuring 100 rooms comprising of villas and suites, an award winning spa and 7 eclectic dining experiences. As your paradise home away from home, the resort offers you the opportunity to enjoy all the modern comforts in this beautiful tropical paradise entwined with chic décor, sumptuous food & beverages and spacious luxury to relax in. Whether it’s a fun holiday with the family, a romantic escape or the start of one, or to even look back and reminisce life with a loved one - The H Resort Beau Vallon Beach is known for its turquoise ocean views, crystal white beach and lush emerald greenery where you can expect nothing but undisturbed sights, charming creole hospitality and new heights of life & style indulgence. The H Resort Beau Vallon Beach offers an unparalleled collection of opulently appointed accommodations, relaxation and recreational spaces that showcase the true heritage of their Seychellois surroundings. The 100 villas and suites redefine paradise - they simply exude stylish opulence, stylish comfort and idyllic bliss. Designed to

represent a blend between creole and colonial architecture - the resort is an epitome of tropical luxury. From plush furnishings and mesmerizing backdrops, to the spacious layout and beautiful finishing’s - all overlooking the topical tropical gardens leading to the beach. The beach facing private pool-villas offer an entirely new level of luxury. A unique product available only at this resort in the Beau Vallon beach area - each one occupies a private spot on the beach with direct access to the bay as well as a private pool, pool-deck, cabana, outdoor rain showers, luxury in-room amenities and personal pampering products. Similarly the suites include a comfortable double bed and lounge area with luxurious amenities of comparison. All suites have choice of private terrace balcony or a terrace that opens out onto the resort gardens, complete with sun loungers. Each villa or suite also features indoor and outdoor daybeds and dining areas; plush sofas, beds and seating areas; pristine bathrooms featuring oversized free-standing bathtubs and rain showers - as well as all the modern technologies such as a large screen LCD and complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi. With seven eclectic dining experiences in the form of bars and restaurants to choose from – you’re spoilt for choice. The resort offers a wide selection of dining options.

ABSOLUTE

THE

H Resort

ABSOLUTE

VASCO’s is the main restaurant featuring continental cuisine, that serves breakfast & themed dinner buffets is named in honor of the Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama. The 1502 Lobby Bar is your haven for for eclectic cocktails that compliment your meals throughout the day. Seyshima is the Japanese teppanyaki restaurant on the lagoon that serves up an excellent show and delectable sushi and Eden is the specialty Creole inspired beachfront barbecue restaurant. Ripples Pool Bar is ideal for some amazing cocktails and light lunch and Trader Vic’s the French-Polynesian tiki bar concept restaurant features Latin-American live entertainment. Guests can also choose the resort’s ‘pièce de résistance,’ a bespoke, romantic under the moon & stars dining on the beach coupled with the ambience of the soothing ocean waves. Customised options also include privatised group reservations for beach and/or in-villa barbecues as well as a luxurious in-villa floating pool breakfast. Holidays are meant for indulgence so guests are encouraged to pamper themselves at the award winning Sesel Spa or try some customised workouts at the Beau Vallon Gym & Yoga Studio to flaunt that beach body. Sesel Spa is a true heaven within a haven - whether it’s a results orientated treatment, or just an experience of utter relaxation you’re looking for, it is a must, to make it a part of your Seychelles experience.

Holidays are meant for indulgence so guests are encouraged to pamper themselves at the award winning Sesel Spa or try some customised workouts at the Beau Vallon Gym & Yoga Studio to flaunt that beach body. Explore the healing elements in nature and discover the true essence of being at one with yourself. Named as a tribute to its destination (Sesel is the Creole name for Seychelles), this blissful space features a total of seven treatment rooms including five single rooms and two couples suites, in addition to a Vichy Hydrotherapy room. We also have a salon for nails, hair and other beauty therapies. ‘Sesel Spa’ offers a selection of signature treatments that infuse the best of Western and Eastern techniques – all implemented by expert therapists who take a holistic approach to wellness. The luxury relaxation areas offer a tranquil setting for both pre and post massage treatments, so make sure you spend some time there to truly rediscover wellness. Open 24/7 and overlooking the lagoon, the Beau Vallon Gym & Yoga Studio is equipped with state-of-the-art Life Fitness cardio machines and free weights. The Beau Vallon Studio is perfect for syncing your body and mind with yoga. Guests can take advantage of the complimentary recreational schedule – ‘Fit Happens @ H’ which is designed for the holidaying guest’s fitness goals. In addition to our fitness and yoga programmes, recreational facilities are dotted throughout the resort with the stunning infinity pool taking centre stage. With ample sun loungers and parasols bordering it, the 24 meter long sapphire blue water invitingly tempts you to submerge. The accompanying kids’ pool is a safe 0.4 meter in depth. Also on offer is tennis, volleyball, pétanque, table tennis, a giant chessboard, masks, snorkels, paddle boards and kayaks to satisfy all your holiday recreational needs.

ABSOLUTE

THE

H Resort

ABSOLUTE

This intimate, tropical island retreat is the perfect location for a destination wedding or honeymoon.

Couples can choose to say ‘I do’ either along the beach, in the spectacular garden gazebo or in a number of secluded venues dotted around the resort. In addition to an idyllic backdrop, a customised wedding ceremony can be organized by the team of wedding specialists. From eclectic table designs, tiered wedding cakes and bespoke menus, to entertainment, bamboo ceremony archways and a civil ceremony officer, there’s no dream that can’t be made into a reality. The H Resort offers a number of packages that can be tailored to ensure that each and every wedding is both perfect and personal. If you are looking for the ultimate honeymoon escape or just a time away with family, then look no further than The H Resort Beau Vallon Beach. Everything, from the moment you arrive, to the time you reluctantly depart, has been designed with the discerning traveler in mind.

For more information or to make a reservation, please visit www.hresortseychelles.com or follow them on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @thehresortseychelles.

ABSOLUTE

It’s not only the grown-ups that are spoilt - a world of exploration and fun awaits the little ones at Treetops Kids’ Club. Happy kids make for happy parents and this is the main priority. You can enjoy peace of mind knowing that your child is well cared for by a team of professional caretakers who arrange fun-filled activities. Suitable for children aged 3 to 12 years, the club is open daily from 9am – 6pm. The resort also offers baby-sitting services and can prepare baby-food upon prior requests. Guests can also indulge in our weekly activities that includes a range of paid & complimentary options like transfers to Victoria city, drop-off for the Anse Major Hike, cocktails & conversations with the resort management, a scenic sunset cruise in a glass bottom boat, bi-weekly live-entertainment, Cinema Paradiso, sundowners and many more seasonal events – there’s always something for everyone to enjoy at the resort. This intimate, tropical island retreat is the perfect location for a destination wedding or honeymoon. When one thinks of the term ‘tropical island’, it conjures up thoughts of pristine ivory shorelines, a turquoise ocean and a backdrop of luscious greenery. This is exactly what you can expect at The H Resort Beau Vallon Beach – the perfect destination to turn the dream wedding into a beautiful reality.

100

Opening Summer 2019 www.edenholistichair.com Eden Island Shopping Plaza First Floor Seychelles

Email :info@edenholistichair.com

101

Bliss Hotel A Paradisiac Hideaway

idden within a lush cove on the northern side of Mahe, Bliss Hotel overlooks a stunning beach caressed by cascading boulders and cuddled within a lush backdrop of green forest. One of the oldest hotels in Seychelles that was once called Vista Do Mar and was abandoned for some time, the owner Mr Alain Hazan renovated it and transformed it into the beautiful gem that it is today. The Suites are decorated with only natural materials found in Seychelles and as well as combining creole architecture with contemporary interior design, Bliss Hotel evokes an exotic, friendly and romantic space with 24 Suites, each with its own charm. Bliss Hotel believes in ‘real relaxing’ where the sounds and beauty of nature inspire the guest and provide them with a total escape. There are no paintings on the wall in this hotel, to promote tranquility and keep the focused attention on mother nature. Situated within the same building guests can also enjoy soothing natural massages and treatments at the Pure-Bliss Spa with Coconut Scrubs, Patchouli Sugar Scrubs and other delightful treatments on offer. The hotel is situated in the quiet area of Glacis that’s only 10 minutes’ drive away from the famous Beau Vallon Beach, home to the Bazaar Labrin Street Market, the Baobab Pizzeria, Boat House Restaurant and water sports activities. Travelers can enjoy varying ambience at Bliss, the Seaside and the Hillside. Both with its own unique features. Seaside Let the lapping of the waves on the shores delight you! The Suites overlook a stunning white sandy beach and the world’s most breath taking deep orange sunsets. The private beach is nestled within the cove and features a natural swimming pool, made from the cascading boulders surrounding the shoreline. One of the pearls of the Seaside is the Junior Opuni Suite with its rustic furniture and a panoramic view of the Indian Ocean that can

102

also be enjoyed in the outdoor bathroom. The Oceanfront Wave Suite offers a stunning view of the beach with a private terrace, and a personal sitting area ideal for socializing and relaxing. For a more inspiring blend of contemporary and creole architecture, the Suite Birgo would be the luxury escape. The white cement and polished granite plays beautifully with the setting sun creating deep shades of relaxing earthy colours. The Family Apartment, named The Shadow, provides enough space and is ideal to accommodate up to 6 adults and somehow in the various spaces, the sails and the sun are having fun; the shadows and reflections somehow merge. The natural wood used to decorate the rooms give off a natural and organic feel, providing the perfect space for a relaxing and re-energizing holiday at one with nature. The hotel also offers Zumba and Yoga classes for the active clients!

ABSOLUTE

Let the lapping of the waves on the shores delight you! The Suites overlook a stunning white sandy beach and the world’s most breath taking deep orange sunsets.

103

Bliss Hotel

The Suites are surrounded by green vegetation, tropical flowers and the sounds of birds singing. Perched on the hillside, the rooms are spacious and plush. Hillside Nestled up in the Secret Garden, the Suites offer beautiful views of the Indian ocean and the relaxing sounds of nature. The Suites are surrounded by green vegetation, tropical flowers and the sounds of birds singing. Perched on the hillside, the rooms are spacious and plush with wooden furniture and white walls, some with beautiful shell curtains. The Charme Superior Room is spacious with a double view of the garden and the ocean with a private terrace/ garden which melts in luxuriant tropical vegetation. Set amidst the vegetation, guests can enjoy the private pool or the choice of walking down just a stone throw away to the secluded beach. Dining at the Bliss Hotel is an unforgettable authentic experience of traditional creole cuisine using fresh ingredients from the island!

Barefoot Terrace Restaurant Bliss Hotel offer their clients homemade Breakfast and Afternoon Tea, found only on the islands in the stunning Barefoot Terrace Restaurant that boasts amazing sunset views, sandy floors and wood beamed ceiling covering the comfortable sofas. Once the sun has set behind the horizon and the sky is adorned by a tapestry of exotic colours, guests can enjoy happy hour sipping a tropical cocktail in tranquility. For Dinner guests can taste the exquisite authentic creole cuisine Buffet. The restaurant also offers an a la carte lunch menu that offers a variety of local dishes as well as snacks and coffee. Whatever time of day that you are enjoying a meal, you can do it soothing your toes in the sand, sitting back and relaxing with the amazing view and sounds of the waves. Rockpool Seafood Grill & Bar Another must try is the Rockpool Restaurant that is shaded just below the terrace offering a cozy and elegant atmosphere. The friendly team offer wonderful cocktails and some of the best Italian food on the island. Rockpool is the ideal venue to experience the perfect fusion of local and Mediterranean culinary delights with a hint of creole touch, whilst enjoying a stunning panoramic view of the Indian ocean. Be sure not to miss the majestic Silhouette Island in the far distance. The hotel offers a few attractive packages such as the Honeymoon Package, Wedding Package and Long Stay Package. To make your holiday to Seychelles exciting, snorkeling trips to beautiful secluded beaches can be organized on their very own boat. An opportunity not to miss to see colourful fish and corals in the alluring clear turquoise waters.

104

As well as snorkeling, the team at Bliss Hotel can arrange for Hiking, Fishing, Island Tours, Diving and other activities to make your holiday moments memorable. At Bliss Hotel guests can experience mother nature in her truest form and marvel at the world’s most beautiful sunsets, all the while enjoying traditional creole cuisine and appreciating the rustic and creole inspired architecture. Got more information or to make a reservation, visit www.bliss-hotel.net

ABSOLUTE

105

Petit Amour Villa

A Luxurious Mountain Top Home

Petit Amour Villa has been specifically designed to offer guests a unique luxury home away from home. A calm sanctuary that boasts breathtaking panoramic views of the lush mountains and stunning Beau Vallon Bay.

t 6:35pm the sky glows a deep orange with skews of pink strands. This is the kind of sky dance that replenishes the soul of travellers - you’ve arrived at your very own luxurious mountain top home in the north of Mahé Island. Petit Amour Villa has been specifically designed to offer guests a unique luxury home away from home. A calm sanctuary that boasts breath-taking panoramic views of the lush mountains and stunning Beau Vallon Bay, Petit Amour Villa is a privately owned residence offering luxurious seclusion in paradise. The stunning four bedroom property has been designed at the hands of talented interior designers and local artisans, providing the space with a fusion of contemporary European styles and authentic creole influences. Petit Amour Villa is located in the North West of Mahé, known for its stunning beaches featuring the iconic cascading granite boulders and is a 20 minute drive away from Victoria and a 45 minute drive from Mahé International Airport. Situated on the mountain top in the Glacis area, the four bedroom property is available for rental on an exclusive use or per-room basis and it is set within a tropical garden of palms and frangipani and an infinity pool with stunning views of the ocean under a backdrop of lush green vegetation. Petit Amour Villa is owned and run by Michel Benoit and Jon Perkins. Their experience in the tourism industry has been a long and checked one, with their expertise being acquired from both in the air as cabin crew and on the ground at Heathrow Airport. Petit Amour Villa was the end result of many trips abroad and the wish to give all their guests a special experience that can come

106

only from a desire to ensure that they are happy and relaxed when they are on holiday. All their staff are trained to ensure the needs of the guests are met and to anticipate what they would need. From the moment you are picked up at the airport, to the moment you arrive at the Villa, a team of friendly and welcoming staff are ready to make your stay to the idyllic islands a memorable one. The staff will be on hand to welcome you with a welcome drink and refreshing cold towel as you arrive at Petit Amour Villa – this is the beginning of your experience where every wish is anticipated and fulfilled graciously. During your stay, a team of permanent, highly attentive staff will be present to provide genuine hospitality and cater to your every need. They can also assist with planning of any additional activities you wish to add to your holiday plans. They can arrange boat charters and guide on the best spots for snorkelling, scuba diving and dining in the area.

107

ABSOLUTE

Petit Amour Villa

108

Michel Benoit and Jon Perkins

The Villa is within a five minute drive of one the most popular beach locations on the island. The immediate areas of Bel Ombre, Beau Vallon and Glacis are filled with restaurants serving Creole, Fusion and European food. Petit Amour Villa consists of four on-suite bedrooms and two lounge rooms. There are two suites on the top floor and two double rooms on the ground floor. Each room is individually decorated and allows the guest to step out of their room and onto the veranda, with its unhindered vista of turquoise ocean and lush green mountains. The Master Executive Suite is themed in gold and black in an impressionist Dolce & Gabbana style, with its 65 m2 of living space, it boasts a walk-in rain shower, his and hers wash basins, a walk-in wardrobe, mini bar and complimentary tea and coffee. The super king size bed is on a raised platform allowing full view of the flat screen TV, with a choice of over 400 movies on demand. The Superior Suite is situated adjacent to the Master Suite and shares the upper floor lounge space. The Superior Suite boasts a walk-in rain shower and separate bathtub and a single wash basin. The Superior Suite also comes with a separate living room area and has ample wardrobe space. It comes with a mini bar and also complimentary tea and coffee. The bedroom is off the veranda which allows you to enjoy the full view of ocean and mountains from the moment you wake in the comfort of your bed. The two other separate bedrooms are cosy with a unique theme and design, both overlooking the view of the ocean and the mountains from the veranda. The Gold and Cream bedroom exudes a classy touch of elegance with a majestic golden frame surrounding the bed and the cream curved furniture, whilst the other room boasts a red berry theme with a modern twist. Both rooms feature a walk-in shower and small walk in closet, as well as a flat screen TV with over 400 movies on demand. At Petit Amour, you can have the wedding of your dreams! The friendly team are ready to assist you in organising the perfect wedding under the sunset. With the open plan sitting and dining area overlooking the beautiful north coast of Mahé, the location makes for a stunning romantic and private wedding ceremony with specially made cocktails and catering. Petit Amour Villa is a fully licensed wedding venue and they take care of the whole package, from the organisation of the décor and flower arrangements, the registration and certificates as well as the reception at the Villa. There’s nowhere more romantic for a wedding than the view of the stunning lush mountains cascading down towards the ocean under the backdrop of a deep orange sunset. The Villa is within a five minute drive of one the most popular beach locations on the island. The immediate areas of Bel Ombre, Beau Vallon and Glacis are filled with restaurants serving Creole, Fusion and European food. At Beau Vallon, guests can also enjoy the weekly Bazar Labrin featuring authentic creole food, souvenirs and a performance of the Moutya under the night sky. www.petitamourvilla.com

ABSOLUTE

Photos: Paolo Bordoni, wedding images. Other: Jolly Press

109

The

Carana Hilltop Villa Mahe

If your idea of the perfect holiday spot is a secluded and jungle-sequel hill top location, with breath-taking island-wide views, walled grounds and a private swimming pool, be sure to head inland to The Carana Hilltop Villa.

his impressive villa is framed by lush, multi-coloured tropical flowers in the front garden and by fruit trees facing the outside dining area where guests may enjoy meals in the total serenity of a unique setting. Offering an authentic Creole home-away-fromhome, this charming holiday accommodation allows guests to enjoy this tropical haven at their own whim and pace, in keeping with the timeless traditions of Seychellois hospitality. The Carana Hilltop Villa presents the best of both worlds; it is positioned amongst the mountains of North East Mahé Island and is just a mere 5 minutes walk to the adventure of Carana Beach. The villa is only 20 minutes’ drive from the international airport, a mere 10-15 minutes’ drive to the capital, Victoria and Beau Vallon Beach, Mahé’s most famous beach while only a short walk from the nearest bus stop and local supermarket. Add to this ideal location delicious cuisine, fine island living and villas lavishly furnished with luxury and you have the perfect blend for the holiday of a lifetime. Accommodation varies according to budget and ranges from 90 to 125 euros a night for a single room with bed and breakfast or alternatively the whole villa can also be hired to cater for a large family or group. Each bedroom is air conditioned, with ensuite bathroom, television, mini-bar, telephone, and desk and PST rooms come complete with their own balcony. The villa also caters for guest in search of self-catering facilities as well offering sublime cuisine from their Creole kitchen which features such dishes as BBQ’d fish straight from the ocean, octopus curry prepared in coconut milk, smoked fish and mango salad. Ensuring every guest need or request is met, hairdressing, beauty therapy and in-room massage are all available on demand while car rental packages, airport transfers and a variety of excursions can easily be arranged, either when making your reservation or at any time at the villa reception. The villa also has an internet facility. For more information or to make a reservation, please visit www.caranahilltopvilla.com

110

The Carana Hilltop Villa presents the best of both worlds; it is positioned amongst the mountains of North East Mahé Island and is just a mere 5 minutes walk to the adventure of Carana Beach.

111

ABSOLUTE

112

be un!que

CAPR!CORNUS development Seychelles

Architecture_Engineering_Project Development P.O.Box 1035 Victoria / Mahe_Seychelles +248 2 754 882 +248 2 769 026

Your dream is our Motivation

Raffles For over 120 years Raffles has gone out of its way to give you the warmest welcome, the richest experiences and the fondest of memories and today the legend continues all over the world.

he Raffles name is synonymous with luxury, glamour and extraordinary adventure. Each hotel is an oasis of calm and charm at the crossroads of a civilization. Each is a carefully chosen destination in its own right. Each is uniquely, indefinable, sublimely Raffles. Now as the brand grows and reaches new and sometimes surprising destinations, guests can rest assured that wherever in the world the brand travel, it will remain distinctly Raffles – infused with the same spirit of adventure, luxury and sublime service. Exciting and enchanting, refreshing and invigorating, Raffles is loved by those with an adventurous spirit and a taste for the very best. In 2011, Raffles’ first ever resort in the Indian Ocean was opened in one of the world’s most far flung destinations, the island of Praslin in the Seychelles. Beautifully designed upon a lush hill facing the Indian Ocean, Raffles Seychelles features 86 private villas, some of the most spacious in the archipelago. Each villa offers a private pool and outdoor pavilion to soak up the breath-taking views of the opalhued ocean, white sandy beach and rolling green hills. An oasis of laidback luxury, Raffles Seychelles instills a sense of wellbeing and creates an atmosphere of blissful relaxation, ideal for the paradise seeker. The resort sites right on the beautiful and renowned Anse Takamaka Beach, 500 meters of pristine white sand line the resort’s beachfront, with dramatic granite formation adding to the picturesque coastline. It only gets better as you can step a few meters from the beach and enjoy two, 45 meters long infinity pool, where paradise seekers can relax, sunbathe and enjoy fresh cocktails.

114

The resort sites right on the beautiful and renowned Anse Takamaka Beach, 500 meters of pristine white sand line the resort’s beachfront, with dramatic granite formation adding to the picturesque coastline.

ABSOLUTE

115

Raffles

116

Another amazing attraction to Raffles Seychelles is the signature Raffles Spa, a haven of peace, relaxation and rejuvenation.

ABSOLUTE

Another amazing attraction to Raffles Seychelles is the signature Raffles Spa, a haven of peace, relaxation and rejuvenation. Steps away from the coastline of Anse Takamaka, amidst stunning surroundings, it’s carefully designed to calm the spirit and awaken the senses. This luxurious spa features 13 treatment pavilions, showcasing the spectacular view of the blue ocean, tropical gardens and dramatic granite boulders. Two spa suites, a first in the Seychelles, are fitted with steam showers, Japanese soaking tubs and observation decks where guests can enjoy stunning vistas in privacy. A tranquil spa garden makes the ideal spot for pre- and post-spa relaxation. Set among natural rock formations and high above the water, even the journey to the treatment pavilions is an intrinsic part of the Raffles Spa experience. At 1,234 square meters this is the largest spa in the archipelago, and the closest spa to the Indian Ocean.

117

Raffles

Dining at Raffles Seychelles is an absolute pleasure as you are spoilt with the world of fresh seafood before you! Beach dinners under the stars, cocktails on a rooftop overlooking the ocean, finely crafted sushi and sashimi, contemporary Creole dishes: Raffles Seychelles presents a diverse collection of culinary experiences at its four restaurants; Losean Restaurant, Curieuse Restaurant, The Sushi Room, and Pool Restaurant & Bar. Offering breakfast dishes from around the world to an evening menu inspired by the Indian Ocean, Losean offers thoughtfully-prepared and contemporary food throughout the day. Come evening and Losean becomes an elegant dinner setting, with tables both inside and out in the gardens, candlelit and accompanied by the sounds of the sea. Incorporating local ingredients and freshly-caught fish, the à la carte menu is a tribute to the best of Creole and Indian Ocean-inspired food; simple and delicious, with a contemporary twist. Curieuse Restaurant is gastronomic journey tracing through India, China and South East Asia, Curieuse, led by Chef de Cuisine Sunil Dutt, is the Seychelles’ only Asian restaurant. Infused with oriental spice and aromatic ingredients, the menu varies from Thai salads and spicy sour soup to Indian curries and traditional Chinese stir-fries. With low-lit outdoor tables dotted amid the leafy Seychellois surroundings, Curieuse is an atmospheric, islandchic setting for an unforgettable dinner.

118

Dining at Raffles Seychelles is an absolute pleasure as you are spoilt with the world of fresh seafood before you!

Pool Restaurant & Bar showcases fresh, local products and light cuisine and offers a casual lunch setting, perfect for refueling during a busy day of soaking up the Seychellois sun.

ABSOLUTE

The Sushi Room - In a location famed for its fresh fish, The Sushi Room at Curieuse celebrates the island’s world-class catch with an exciting menu of sushi and sashimi. The intimate, eight-table room, just off the main Curieuse restaurant, allows guests to witness the chef in action, skillfully preparing each dish moments before it arrives at their table. The evening tasting menu presents an assortment of nigiri, tataki, maki and sashimi for a well-rounded experience of Japanese cuisine, complemented by a variety of sake. Sushi can also be enjoyed à la carte at Pool Restaurant & Bar for lunch. Pool Restaurant & Bar showcases fresh, local products and light cuisine and offers a casual lunch setting, perfect for refueling during a busy day of soaking up the Seychellois sun. Serving salads, sandwiches and well-loved classics from around the world, as well as sushi and sashimi, the menu’s diverse options cater to every appetite.

119

Raffles

120

The team at Raffles help you create the perfect proposal, picture-perfect wedding, unforgettable honeymoon or anniversary. You are guaranteed an unforgettable celebration.

Celebrations are also done in exquisite Raffles style in Praslin. When it comes to marking your special occasion, the possibilities are endless at Raffles Seychelles: enjoy a group trip of a lifetime, complete with beach barbecues, cookery classes, excursions to neighboring islands and fishing trips; celebrate birthdays and anniversaries with private dinners under the stars, rooftop cocktails and spa treatments. Synonymous with romance thanks to its white sands, stunning scenery and beautiful sunsets, the Seychelles is a destination that’s ideal for couples. The team at Raffles help you create the perfect proposal, picture-perfect wedding, unforgettable honeymoon or anniversary. Complete with romantic dinners, couples’ massages and aromatic baths at Raffles Spa, champagne cruises and sundowners on Anse Lazio, one of the world’s best beaches, you are guaranteed an unforgettable celebration. There’s never a dull moment in paradise as this resort comes equipped with an amazing recreation team who knows the island better than anyone! Indoor or out, relaxing or inspiring, for families or couples; Raffles Seychelles has activities which help you feel at one with the natural beauty of the archipelago. With a range of water activities, from snorkeling to boat excursions, to table tennis on the resort or hiking trails for the adventurous, there is something to suit every taste. Fear not the worry of having the kids on holiday as The Sugar Palm Kids Club is a dedicated club catering to toddlers, children, and even teenagers on the resort. Lively, educational and age appropriate activities are coordinated by the Recreation team to ensure that the young ones can enjoy the idyllic paradise of Praslin, as much as adults do.

ABSOLUTE

www.raffles.com

121

Love The Ocean Like You Love Your Skin

An essential daily hydration & sun protection duo with powerful results. Modern & honest products, designed for all skins including the most sensitive. Formulas leave no toxic residue on your skin, marine systems and coral reefs. Protects our ecosystems.

122

ABSOLUTE

www.people4ocean.com seychelles@people4ocean.com / 00248-2509820

123

Le duc de Praslin Hotel & Villas

The Jewel of Côte D’Or With an ‘out of this world’ location combined with world-class facilities and amenities, it is no wonder that Le Duc de Praslin Hotel & Villas is often considered as the ‘Jewel of Cote D’Or’! Set on Praslin’s outstanding Cote D’Or beach in the Seychelles, the turquoise sea lapping the fine white sand of this world famous beach is your daily playground – just a few steps away from your luxurious retreat amidst lush tropical gardens.

he hotel & villas offers the holiday of a lifetime with true Seychellois hospitality and exceptional value. Extensive improvements and new additions to its facilities have won Le Duc de Praslin Hotel & Villas many awards to position it amongst the best hotels of Seychelles, allowing your ideal dream holiday to become a reality. Whether you are visiting as a family on an adventure, lovers on a honeymoon or celebrating with friends, the hotel offers the widest choice of luxury accommodation and exquisite dining options, accommodating your every whim. State-of-the-art rooms are located around the main building which houses the reception and main restaurant, where water meanders through fishponds and lush tropical gardens and a profusion of flowers to create a ‘Zen’ atmosphere. Le Duc de Praslin Hotel and villas consists of a total of 65 rooms which includes 20 superior rooms, 20 deluxe rooms, 4 honeymoon suites, 2 large one bedroom family suites, 2 family apartments of two rooms and four villas which are only a one minute drive uphill from the hotel with spectacular views of Cote D’Or. No matter which type of accommodation you choose, you can be sure that all rooms are spacious and each has an enchanting veranda and your creature comforts are met with modern en-suite bathrooms. All rooms have ceiling fans, and are fully air-conditioned; ensuring guests a cool and comfortable stay. All rooms include all the necessities for a seam free holiday, including a safe, mini-bar, hairdryer, tea/coffee making facilities, Nespresso Machine, direct dialling telephone, free Wi-Fi, 32inch LCD satellite TV, wireless internet access, iPod docking station with cd player and six of the superior rooms have interconnecting doors. Suites offer all the above, but are upgraded to a 40inch LCD TV with a DVD player. The hotel has three unique Magna Pools designed to provide natural and superior quality water from

124

natural ocean minerals to cater for the ultimate wellbeing of its clients. The prime focus is on health, beauty and environment, the most ecological and best swimming pool filtration system worldwide. The 360 Villa with open terrace, gazebo, private gym, Jacuzzi and Magna swimming pool, boasts 4 bedrooms, all with en-suite bathrooms. The villa offers 360 degree views of the bay of Cote D’Or on one side, the mountain and valleys on the other side. The building is split in two with the bedrooms at one end on two levels and the living area, kitchen, living and recreation area at the other. The villa is 750 sq.m and can accommodate up to 8 persons The Manager’s Villa is located in the grounds of the hotel and offers 4 en-suite bedrooms, a kid’s playroom packed with toys, large outdoor terraces for dining and relaxing, fully equipped kitchen with fridge and freezer, a Magna plunge pool with Jacuzzi. The villa is 600 sq.m and can accommodate up to 8 persons. Hillside Villa has 4 en-suite bedrooms with sweeping sea views, vast terraces, two fully equipped kitchens and an infinity Magna pool with additional kids pool. The Hillside Villa makes for an ideal space for entertains, with a large outside dining terrace for those al fresco dinner parties and barbecues, plus all the standard amenities that keep a holiday carefree. The villa is 400 sq.m and can accommodate 8 adults and 4 children.

ABSOLUTE

Whether you are visiting as a family on an adventure, lovers on a honeymoon or celebrating with friends, the hotel offers the widest choice of luxury accommodation and exquisite dining options

125

Le duc de Praslin

Entertainment and relaxation refined, the “Chill Out” Tapas Lounge Bar with perhaps the most magnificent views on Cote D’Or beach, is the place to enjoy a lighter evening dining option over a few drinks with friends and family. The 300sq m Hillside Maison is a 3 en-suite bedroom villa with a large fully equipped kitchen and terrace with spectacular sea view. The Maison also boasts similar facilities to the villa with its own Magna pool and Jacuzzi. The villa guests are privy to many exclusive additional services, including a full butler service. Villa Manager providing fully dedicated concierge service and free car rental (excluding the Manager’s Villa). Villas are fully serviced by the hotel and guests have the choice of taking meals at the hotel or in the villa for an additional fee, as well as having the option to hire a private chef for those special occasions Complimentary Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel, although any regular visitors would highly recommend you disconnect with the outside world and use the opportunity reconnect with yourself and your environment! Take a step outside your villa, room or apartment and take time to experience all the culinary delights that Le Duc de Praslin Hotel & Villas has to offer guests. Set right on the beach, the Café des Arts Restaurant has earned its reputation as the best restaurant in Seychelles by creating outstanding mouth-watering dishes served in the most amazing setting. Synonymous with gastronomy at its finest, seafood and epicurean dishes are the main attractions at Café des Arts, making the restaurant an experience not to be missed. The art is in the attention to detail and the fresh ingredients served to perfection with refined service and a touch of class. By day the restaurant is a sophisticated yet relaxed beach dining experience and by night the whole atmosphere transforms into a chic and elegant high-class venue with a sumptuous decorum with the “Blue Octopus Bar” serving cocktails, fine wines and local spirits. ‘Le Dauphin’ is the hotel’s main restaurant located in the heart of the hotel complex. Surrounded by water and live fishponds amidst profusion of flowers and plants, the restaurant and bar serves themed buffets and A la Carte options in the evenings and a scrumptious buffet breakfast in an elegant tropical décor. The themed buffets propose a fusion of dishes from the local Creole delicacies to the international classic fare with an exotic twist. Every single day of the week provides a mouth-watering surprise! The dining quality afforded to guests is unmatched – variety, authenticity, choice and above all affordability. With its cosy bar, unobtrusive, friendly service and discrete atmosphere, Le Dauphin is the best in-house dining experience, with its own beverage outlet – the “Charcoal Bar”. Entertainment and relaxation refined, the “Chill Out” Tapas Lounge Bar with perhaps the most magnificent views on Cote D’Or beach, is the place to enjoy a lighter evening dining option over a few drinks with friends and family. The perfect place to relax, chill and be entertained, this outlet offers a wide range of beers, wines, cocktails and tapas for a unique experience in socialising.

126

The sophisticated décor and pastel colours are soothing to the senses. Stylish, swanky and trendy, the surroundings blend in to create a cosmopolitan and erudite feel conducive to a warm tropical ambience ideal for refined mingling. Presenting rejuvenating treatments for the body, mind & soul, the hotel’s Spa Pavillion located atop the north wing complex of deluxe rooms is the retreat where guests can experience total relaxation and revitalisation. The upmarket Spa Pavilion will have four treatment rooms and clients can opt for both indoor and outdoor treatments. The experienced team of therapists provide treatment menus that will sooth all your anxieties and worries, lulling you into a world of homeostatic balance. For those who are looking to maintain their fitness regime, the sophisticated fitness centre is located above the north wing complex of deluxe rooms. It provides guests with state of the art equipment comprising exercise bike, treadmill, resistance machine, cross trainer and free weights. Hotel guests are welcome to make use of the facility free of charge during their stay at the hotel, making the centre a welcome addition geared towards one’s wellbeing and staying in shape while on holiday.

ABSOLUTE

www.leduc-seychelles.com

127

Bliss Hotel Praslin

The Bliss Hotel, Praslin is an exotic, friendly and romantic escape located in the heart of Praslin, lying between the romantic beach of Grand’Anse and the tropical land in the shade of the ‘Coco de Mer’.

plendid and preserved, the island of Praslin offers an Edenic frame for a stay in the Seychelles archipelago. Just 14 minutes by plane or 45 minutes by boat from Mahé, Praslin is the second island of the archipelago with an area of 26 km². Less mountainous than its Mahé, it owes its reputation to its exceptional Vallée de Mai, a nature reserve, classified in the UNESCO world heritage, where grows the emblematic coco-fesse, you can also find Anse Lazio, one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. This sumptuous retreat charms its visitors with a delicate blend of modern architecture and Creolity, giving a nod to the island’s heritage, but with a foot firmly in the future. Visitors to The Bliss Hotel can choose from a variety of accommodation, including 27 Rooms and Suites set within 15 chalets that hide away within nature’s paradise. The 15 Chalets available are built with local wood and granite and are set on lush tropical land, surrounded by island Fauna and Flora. The interior decoration of each chalet is inspired by Seychelles and Mother Nature herself, whilst the interiors of the rooms and suites themselves are breathtakingly exotic and a feast for the senses. Enjoy your stay in one of the 6 welcoming and homely ‘Charme rooms’ set in a Chalet. Let the tranquility wash over you the moment you enter this warm and Creole ambiance styled room, where you will be seduced by its simplicity. Each 22m2 room is accompanied by a vast 11m2 terrace; your ideal place for relaxation and reflection. You will wake up as birds sing and be greeted by colourful tropical flowers and luxurious shades of green. For those looking for even more room to kick back and relax, there are 18 ‘Charme Superior’ Rooms, (35m2) that feature an additional reading bed/sofa corner, a large dressing room, an office corner and, as with the Charme rooms, your very own terrace for relaxation and reflection.

128

Families are made very welcome at The Bliss Hotel, with 3 ‘Suite Family Chalet’ available, at a huge 46m2 in size, plus a terrace at 15m2. As well as the bedroom area, these suites feature a relaxing living area that is sure to make you feel like you have arrived to your very own traditional Seychelles house. Sitting on your intimate terrace set in a chalet, families can simmer down and enjoy the sound of the birds, enjoy some refreshments and take in the huge variety of plants and exotic species that surrounds.

Take a stroll out of your chalet and you will discover a white sand beach where the sun embraces your skin. As you relax by the waves, you’ll be able to glance upon the sea horizon, scattered with little islands such as Cousin and Cousine.

Away from the beach, the Bliss Hotel Praslin Sea Side pool and bar is an ideal place to sip a cocktail of your choice while feeling the ocean breeze and enjoy a meditation moment.

ABSOLUTE

This sumptuous retreat charms its visitors with a delicate blend of modern architecture and Creolity, giving a nod to the island’s heritage, but with a foot firmly in the future.

129

Bliss Hotel Praslin

The gastronomy is as enticing and blissful as the accommodation. The Beach House Restaurant, set in a cozy, comfy and elegant ambiance, serves exquisite Mediterranean cuisine prepared by devoted chefs. With breakfast served 8AM to 10:30AM each morning, you can enjoy a breakfast buffet teaming with fresh local fruits and vegetable, daily pastries and choices of breads, Seychelles jams and paste, yoghurt and cheese, a choice of cereals and more. The team will welcome you for breakfast, be it for the buffet or all day dining with its a la carte menu. Always looking to please and accommodate, the Morning Chef will be delighted to cook your delicious early bright eggs at your taste! Fish and Mediterranean cuisine are served at The Beach House from 12PM to 9.30PM. In this peaceful, cosy, comfy and elegant setting, enjoy the calming ambiance with a feast of fresh fish brought daily from the nearby Seychellois fishermen that you can enjoy grilled or cooked with local ingredients. The Beach House à la carte menu brings authenticity in delivering Mediterranean cuisine with a selection of pasta, appetisers, salads, fish, meat and delicious desserts.

The Beach House serves all day cocktails to sip, choices of fresh juice and drinks to quench and delicious coffee & teas, perfect for when you want to take for a break. The tropical Garden Pool & Bar is set in the middle of all the Chalets and will refresh you after a beach day or a long day exploring the island. Tea Time is hosted from 4-5PM each day, where you can enjoy complimentary homemade tea set around the Garden Pool. You will taste delicious homemade cakes and pastries, plus Iced Island Vanilla Tea and iced flavoured spring water.

130

Set by the sea’s edge and in harmony with the natural surroundings, Pure-Bliss Spa offers a range of local products exclusively made of fresh and organic ingredients. Enjoy a moment of blissful relaxation with a selection of treatments and entertain yourself in the boutique with some local handmade shopping items.

Venture outside of the hotel grounds and Praslin will present so any opportunities to you for exploration, relaxation and adventure. Praslin enjoys the most famous beaches; Cote d’Or on the east coast, and Grand Anse on the west coast. There is also a multitude of idyllic beaches such as the famous Anse Lazio, his little sister Anse Georgette and Anse Boudin facing the nature reserve of Curieuse Island or Anse la Blague, which are more difficult to access and therefore less crowded. Not to mention the many lonely creeks cradled by the only sound of the waves that you will cross everywhere on the island.

Cruises aboard a sailboat or a boat are the best way to discover the wild coasts of Praslin and explore the surroundings of the Island Curieuse a natural reserve, the surrounding islands like Cousin, Cousine, Aride, the islet Saint Pierre offering a great plant diversity. The Bliss Hotel staff are only too happy to arrange activities such as sailing for their guests, as well as island tours, fishing, diving, snorkelling or hiking. Whatever your wish, the caring and devoted staff will make you experience an unforgettable holiday with a distinct and personalised service. A feeling of paradise. Just bliss…. https://bliss-hotel.net/en/

ABSOLUTE

Venture outside of the hotel grounds and Praslin will present so any opportunities to you for exploration, relaxation and adventure. Praslin enjoys the most famous beaches.

131

Discover Paradise in the Unspoiled Seychelles Surrender to pure island splendour in the Indian Ocean’s Seychelles, where natural scenic wonders, lush exotic coastlines, & tranquil turquoise waters reign supreme. Come aboard with The Moorings and discover your own piece of unspoiled paradise in this dazzling destination that’s anything but ordinary. With 50 years of trusted chartering, The Moorings invites you to realise your best holiday ever on a private Sail, Power, Skippered or all-inclusive Crewed yacht in the awe-inspiring Seychelles. Come experience the Five-Star difference and capture unforgettable moments on the water.

U N F O R G E T TA B L E M O M E N T S

on the water

Call 033 0332 1505 or visit moorings.co.uk/seychelles

132

ABSOLUTE

A Y E

133

Côte d’Or Footprints Where Time Stands Still

Uniquely luxurious and small enough to feel like your own personal getaway

n order to meet demands, Côte d’Or Footprints has been busy expanding its capacity and reducing its carbon footprint. Joining the family are two brand new two-storey family chalets rounding the total number out to twelve. Along with this, Footprints now generates 30 percent of its own power via solar energy, as well as using rainwater harvesting for landscaping. Footprints on Côte d’Or Beach, Praslin, is a family owned, self-catering establishment. The architecture, although in concrete, reflects the old-style creole buildings of our ancestors. Surrounded by lushly landscaped gardens, all chalets are elegantly decorated and equipped with modern conveniences. All chalets are equipped with furniture locally designed and crafted by master artisans here at home. Côte d’Or Footprints offers twelve individual chalets/villas all hugging this most beautiful beach of Côte d’Or. Every chalet enjoys a superb view of the beach and the ocean, being a short few steps away! Spoil yourself – Swim and frolic on one of the best beaches in the world, relax in our salt-water pool, or better yet, do both! Towels, loungers, kayaks and fresh water open air shower are at your disposal! Personal bbq grills are available for grilling under a starry sky. These are complimentary. The best part – you can also decide to do absolutely nothing! Deemed the most touristy of the Seychelles’ 115 islands, Praslin offers the tourist’s dream holiday. Just 36 km from Mahé, with air shuttles and high-speed ferries you can find yourself in paradise in no time. Praslin is a granitic island; about 11km long by 4km across and has its highest elevation at 340m above sea level. Yes, Praslin with its famous “Coco de Mer” growing wild in the renowned, lush Vallée de Mai, has been named the original Garden of Eden.

134

ABSOLUTE

135

Côte d’Or Footprints The Praslin coastline offers an abundance of the most beautiful beaches imaginable: from the small, secluded, romantic little beach nestled in that special little cove, to the splendour of majestic Côte d’Or Beach.

136

The Praslin coastline offers an abundance of the most beautiful beaches imaginable: from the small, secluded, romantic little beach nestled in that special little cove, to the splendour of majestic Côte d’Or Beach. Besides lazing on the beach and catching up on your tan, you can also go snorkeling, scuba diving, fishing or trying out the other multitude of water-related activities on offer around the island. Taxi boats are also available to take you to the adjoining islands, such as St Pierre and Ile Curieuse! Day trips to La Digue are also recommended. The ferries between these two islands are frequent and regular and only take 10 to 15 minutes each way. Should you prefer land-based activities, try hiking up the yet untouched-by-man hills, go bike riding or explore the island by car. The world-famous Vallée de Mai with its Coco de Mer palms growing in their natural habitat is a must for all! Praslin is also renowned for its wide variety of restaurants, from the smallest, quaint “on-the-roadside” shack to the classiest of upscale restaurants. As you can see, you can choose to be a busy bee or laid back vacationer – it’s up to you. To aide in your adventures and tour scheduling, our manager is always happy to facilitate you with achieving a most memorable experience. *Not recommended on holiday, but if you must, free wifi is available to all. Come and get away from it all. Follow in the footsteps of the family’s generations by creating memories and leaving only footprints in the sand. Côte d’Or Footprints located right on Côte d’Or Beach. Historically, the official name of this beach is Anse Volbert, named after Auguste VAULBERT, one of the first French settlers of the area. The name Côte d’Or was given to this estate by its original owner, Charles JOUANIS, grandfather to the present owners. Côte d’Or Estate at the time was quite vast and included Anse Volbert as well as parts of Baie Ste Anne. In 1744 this island was first named Ile des Palmes by Lazare PICAULT, no doubt in reference to the abundance of the giant Coco de Mer palms on the island. A second name in 1756, Ile Moras, was given by Nicolas MORPHEY who was the new Financial Controller in France. The name Praslin finally came in 1768 in honour of César-Gabriel CHOISEUL-CHEVIGNY, Duc de Praslin, the French Minister of the Navy.

ABSOLUTE

www.seychellesfootprints.com

137

Villa Verte

AND THE GEORGE CAMILLE GALLERY An Art Lovers’s Retreat

at harmoniously within the surrounds of a lush forest upon La Digue Island, Villa Verte is a holiday home that has been lovingly created and designed by well known local artist, George Camille. Featuring colour schemes that reflect the lush surroundings as well as displaying many of the artist’s original paintings, this is a retreat that sings with the promise of a relaxing, tropical atmosphere and a glimpse into the laidback and friendly lifestyle of the island. The fourth largest island of the Seychelles group, La Digue is considered to be one of the most beautiful islands with palm–fringed beaches, towering granite boulders and turquoise waters and is only a short sail away from the larger island of Praslin. The villa is ideally located on the north east of the island by Anse Gaulettes and is just a 15 minute cycle to bustling La Passe, but far enough away to provide a quieter and more relaxing spot. It was built in 2002 on the site of a old creole wooden house which had fallen down, with the gentleman who constructed it running a small holding there together with a few farm animals to keep his lifestyle self sufficient. Ensuring the the character and story of the site was upheld and respected, the walls of the ground floor were made from granite rocks that were broken on site whilst the land was being cleared for the construction, whilst the rest of the the house is clad with timber, allowing the villa to sit camouflaged within its surroundings. Today this striking three storey building

138

houses not only holiday accommodation on the top two floors, but the highly acclaimed George Camille Gallery on the ground floor, making it the perfect accommodation for lovers of the arts. Villa Verte can comfortably sleep 6 – 8 people in 3 double ensuite bedrooms, the largest of which is on the upper floor and has ample space for an additional 2 single beds. It is without doubt that the most popular place in the house is the 36 square metre verandah with its wooden swing and great views over the ocean and across to the cluster of islands that includes Felicite, the sisters islands and Coco Island. The wooden balustrade and lambrequin are both hand carved with leaves. The villa itself is painted green, the colour of new leaves and is built in the traditional creole style with quaint wooden shutters hung on traditional forged metal hinges and locked with metal crochets all made on La Digue. If you can pull yourself away from the enchanting verandah, you’ll find a small convenience store about 100 meters away and two restaurants within a short 10 minute walk, all offering fish from the sea, fruits from the forest and the best of local produce available on La Digue. The artwork within Villa Verte has all been created by the Seychellois artist George Camille, inspired by local flora and fauna, creating an eclectic, breezy and tropical feeling. Camille was born and continued to live and work in Seychelles and its Indian Ocean environment inspires,

drives and informs everything he does. ‘Living next to the ocean has resulted in its sounds, smells and beauty being represented through forms and movements in my work. Within my aesthetic environment, natural forms intertwine and overlap, creating a sense of place recognisable as the multi-layered panorama of light and texture I see when I look at the sea and sky every morning.’ George Camille Over the last twenty six years, etchings has become Camille’s medium for his more detailed and figurative work. Having his own press has allowed him to experiment with a range of intaglio print techniques, combining a variety of material and processes to create images which have shaped the development and presentation of his personal visual alphabet. Working mainly on copper plates and using dry point and acid bite techniques, Camille produces limited edition monochrome prints as well as hand painted etchings that strive to capture the spirit of Seychellois life. His heavily textured collages, made from glued pieces of cut and ripped canvases and painted in acrylic depicting traditional Creole scenes and sceneries, transport the viewer on an intense journey into the physical beauty and evocative mythology of the Seychelles islands. Camille’s most recent work has incorporated elements of ‘objets trouve’ into mixed media work which has seen the artist experimenting with embossed copper, recycled electrical wire, metal, relief work and installation art. Initially self-taught, Camille later developed

his wide-ranging yet distinctive style through formal tuition at Blackheath College of Art and Goldsmiths College, both in London. In 1987 Camille established Sunstroke Studio in Seychelles and, in so doing, provided an outlet for his design and craft activities. This was followed in 1997 by the restoration of an old wooden colonial house, Kaz Zanana, which he opened as his first gallery in Seychelles and in 2001 by the opening of the George Camille Gallery at Anse Gaulette on the island of La Digue. Numerous solo and group exhibitions featuring Camille’s work have been staged in Seychelles, Mauritius, Martinique, Reunion, UK, France, China, Germany, Russia, Brussels, Ivory Coast, Mali, and Italy. Camille was selected to represent Seychelles at the 57th and 58th Venice Biennale in Italy and is the grand winner of the Seychelles Biennale 2017. He has original work in many private collections worldwide, and has completed a significant number of commissions, including both public and corporate. George Camille is the founding chairman of Arterial Seychelles and is currently chairman of Seychelles Art Projects Foundation. The vision of SAPF is to create a vibrant, dynamic creative sector locally and to promote Seychellois artists on the international stage. villaverteseychelles.com/

ABSOLUTE

Today this striking three storey building houses not only holiday accommodation on the top two floors, but the highly acclaimed George Camille Gallery on the ground floor, making it the perfect accommodation for lovers of the arts.

139

141

THE

Moorings For more than 50 years, The Moorings has been providing travellers and adventure-seekers from all walks of life with second to none yacht charter experiences in some of the most idyllic destinations across the globe.

“

With The Moorings, transforming this daydream into a real life memory is easier than you think.”

ake a moment to imagine travelling aboard a private yacht, surrounded by postcard-worthy scenery, in one of the world’s most magnificent cruising destinations. You wake up in a deluxe cabin, walk up to the main deck and look out to a breathtaking vista of bright blue sea and sandy white shores, the likes of which you’ve never laid eyes on before. The morning beckons with endless opportunities for adventure as you savour the moment and think, “What am I in the mood for today?”. With The Moorings, transforming this daydream into a real life memory is easier than you think. For more than 50 years, The Moorings has been providing travellers and adventureseekers from all walks of life with second to none yacht charter experiences in some of the most idyllic destinations across the globe. Originally founded by Navy veteran Charlie Cary in 1969, the company was built based on a genuine passion for sailing, strong values, and longstanding customer loyalty.

142

ABSOLUTE

A steadfast commitment to Cary’s vision for success has allowed The Moorings to set the standard for premier yacht charters in over 20 of the world’s top-rated travel destinations, thus creating the ultimate Five-Star experience on the water – consistently described by guests as their “best holiday ever”. Choose your high quality cruising platform from a cutting-edge fleet of more than 400 state-of-the-art Sail and Power yachts and select from an array of charter options to best suit your group. Whether you are a party of 2 or 20, The Moorings can accommodate all your “time off” needs with no detail spared. Classically refined and contemporarily equipped, The Moorings monohulls set the standard for performance and comfort. Backed by the boat-building heritage of Beneteau, these vessels are some of the most sought-after charter yachts available. The Moorings is also proud to partner with renowned builder Robertson & Caine to offer award-winning Sail and Power catamarans that deliver impeccable style and spacious layouts. Fuel-efficient Powercats let you go faster and farther on a fully-equipped charter platform that makes cruising feel effortless.

143

THE

Moorings From the moment you begin planning an awe-inspiring Seychelles escape to the moment you disembark from the dock, the chartering process is made as seamless and stress-free as possible.

144

From the moment you begin planning an awe-inspiring Seychelles escape to the moment you disembark from the dock, the chartering process is made as seamless and stress-free as possible, so you can enjoy more time on the water with the ones you cherish most. Break free from ordinary holidays and discover unlimited offshore freedom, on your own clock and compass. Step aboard your private Sail, Power, Skippered, or all-inclusive Crewed yacht and discover your own piece of unspoiled paradise nestled neatly in the crystalline Indian Ocean. Apply your seasoned seafaring skills at the helm of one of the featured Seychelles charter yachts – a sleek and spacious Moorings 4800 Sail catamaran or a high-performance Moorings 514 Power catamaran. Or, hire a Moorings Skipper to safely navigate the pristine Seychelles cruising grounds for you. If you’re looking for the ultimate first-rate charter experience, all-inclusive Crewed yachts satisfy those with the finest taste in upscale travel. Indulge your senses like never before with the best onboard accommodations and unmatched service in a world-class destination. With an expert captain and personal gourmet chef catering to every charter need, The Moorings Crewed charters allow you and your favourite travel companions to cast all cares to the wind and enjoy more unforgettable moments on the water while basking in the natural beauty that abounds in the Seychelles.

ABSOLUTE

For more information or to make a booking, please visit www.moorings.co.uk/destinations/indianocean/seychelles

145

146

ABSOLUTE

147

Creole Exclusive

148

tailored luxury travel at its finest At Creole Travel Services, they understand that every traveler has their own set of expectations, as well as particular standards that they wish to experience throughout their stay. With Seychelles being known as a luxury travel destination, especially amongst honeymooners, Creole has created a specific branch that is dedicated to the needs of the high end traveler… their elite brand, the Creole Exclusive.

shopping spree with the Creole Exclusive Gold Card. The in-house Exclusive reservations team at the Creole headquarters in Victoria directly liaise with tour operator partners from all over the world, who represent the clients in turn. Together, they create an itinerary that is based on both what the clients want, and what the team recommends. These extend from the types of hotels they would prefer to stay in, the modes of transfer they are most comfortable with and the excursions and tours they want to experience. Once the clients are happy with the itinerary, they set everything in motion. They confirm the hotel bookings, the transfers and tours. Most importantly, prior to the arrival date of the client, a pre-arrival brief about them and their activities is sent out to all team members who will be catering to them in some way or the other. Upon their arrival, guests are provided with VIP assistance and fast track service to save them the hassle of waiting at immigrations. As soon as visitors step out of the Arrivals Gate at the Seychelles International Airport, the first thing they will see is Creole Travel Services’ kiosks. Manned by their well trained airport staff, they welcome their guests with warm Creole smiles to the islands. Creole Exclusive have a separate airport team to cater to VIPs, either to guide them to their waiting transfers if they are staying on Mahé, or to the Creole Exclusive VIP Airport Lounge should they be taking a domestic flight to another island.

ABSOLUTE

he Creole Exclusive team is a designated group of travel experts, specifically assigned to cater to and meet the needs of VIP and VVIP clients with utmost care and privacy. From the moment they are first informed of their intention to visit our islands, to the moment they arrive and eventually leave, the Exclusive team is there to ensure that their expectations are met - or better yet, exceeded. Creole Exclusive offer luxury travelers privileges that in brief, include a personal Reservations Agent for hotel bookings, personal Creole Exclusive representative, fast track services at the airport, exotic flower garlands upon arrival, assigned Creole Exclusive hostess, access to the Creole Exclusive VIP Airport Lounge, a selection of Creole authentic gifts and chauffeur-driven luxury vehicle transfer. Creole Exclusive has its own separate branding that distinguishes it from the main Creole brand, whose iconic frangipani is white whilst Exclusive’s is gold, and its transfer vehicles black. The branded Welcome Pack clients receive comes complete with a personalised welcome letter, the clients’ respective itineraries, an excursion brochure, a map of the islands, as well as a specially presented gift upon departure. But the elite treatment does not stop there as Creole has associated itself with preferred local partners - Local Arts & Crafts and jewellery shops, RTW shops and restaurants – to offer their clients significant advantages while on a

149

Creole Exclusive The VIP transfer vehicles are easily distinguishable by their sleek black colour with gold Creole branding. You can ride in style on the Porshe Cayenne, in the care of their professional Exclusive chauffeur, or even choose to fly via helicopter to your island destination, with their aviation partner, Zil Air. All the regular Creole Adventure Excursions are available to VIPs, although they of course cater to organizing private tours and other special requests during the trips. Even better, Creole Exclusive can tailor their tours and excursions and create itineraries to the specific wishes of their guests. Their twin 25m sailing catamarans, the Odezir and Oplezir, can bring you island hopping, on romantic sunset cruises, champagne cruises and even organise special events onboard! From weddings, to cocktail parties, birthday surprises… all you have to do is let the team know in advance, and they will do their best to give you your hearts’ desire. Again with their partners, Creole Exclusive can also organise helicopter tours, including to neighbouring islands of Praslin and La Digue, to give guests a bird’s eye view of our jewel isles. If they would prefer to stay on land, the team can provide experiences such as Private Cooking Classes at their very own Cap Lazare Nature Reserve on Mahé Island. The Chef will take guests on an exotic market shopping experience at the local bazaar, where they can pick and choose the finest ingredients to bring to the class, whilst learning about the unique Creole cuisine and the history behind it.

150

Another not to be missed experience is the Champagne on the Rocks at Cap Lazare, where clients can watch the sun go down from a rocky outcrop on the property. They can enjoy the natural light show of the Seychelles’ signature tropical sunset, whilst sipping on bubbly and indulging in canapés, as the calls of nesting wild birds fill the air. Although it is imperative that clients receive the privacy and exclusivity they have come for, the Creole Exclusive Team do constantly get in touch throughout the duration of their stay, to ensure that they are being well attended to and that they continue to be satisfied with their itinerary. It brings great honour to any service provider to know that their clients are satisfied and happy with their experience… but it is an islander’s pride to know that once again, beautiful Seychelles and her people have given a visitor a special memory that will stay with them for a lifetime. wwww.creoletravelservices.com

From weddings, to cocktail parties, birthday surprises… all you have to do is let the team know in advance, and they will do their best to give you your hearts’ desire.

ABSOLUTE

151

Creole Travel Services

152

Passionately Seychelles Creole is one of the leading destination management companies (DMC) of the idyllic Seychelles Islands. Rich in its history, the team are celebrating their “20 Years of Creole” this year, and look forward to growing bigger and better with every passing decade!

Exclusive Lounge at the airport, or straight on to their awaiting transfers to bring them to their respective hotels. To bring clients to neighbouring Praslin and La Digue islands from mainland Mahé, the company’s sister InterIsland Boats Ltd. provides the fastest ferries crossing the islands on a trio of high speed catamarans, the Cat Cocos fleet, with a seating capacity from 227 to 475 passengers respectively. Creole’s Le Domaine Collection features 4-star properties on Praslin and La Digue islands. The first built by the family was the Le Domaine de L’Orangeraie on La Digue, featuring 63 stunning villas and the Eden Rock Spa, highlighting local architecture and the warmth of wood in a pure Zen style. Le Domaine de La Reserve on Praslin has its own exclusive beach, Anse Petite Cour, and faces the Curieuse Island Marine National Park. The hotel offers 40 rooms housed in traditional Creole style buildings, and boasts one of the largest swimming pools in the Seychelles. To entertain their guests, Creole offers a wide variety of activities to not just show you the islands, but to encourage you to take part of and learn from the culture and traditions. Creole can whisk you away on both land and sea, often blending both within the same excursion, on their twin catamarans: the Oplezir and Odezir. Easily identified by the giant frangipani insignia on their matching sails, the team will guide you into discovering why the Seychelles is often called the last paradise on Earth. Creole love their young guests too! Through their Looker 440GB, the Zephir, a semi-submersible vessel can immerse you and your children into the unique underwater world of the company’s marine parks. Young minds will be thrilled as they learn to identify different fish species and other sea creatures, dry and safe onboard the open air deck.

ABSOLUTE

reole is a family owned and operated business, falling under the extensive umbrella of the JFA Group of Companies. JFA would be the initials of the literal “founding father” of Creole and affiliated companies, Mr. Joseph France Albert, the Chairman and father to CEO, Mr. Guillaume Albert. Through his hard work, Mr. Albert has built his entire empire from scratch and with the help of Guillaume and his two other sons, Jean Christophe and Gregory, the Albert legacy continues to grow and prosper. The DMC started off as Creole Holidays until it merged with Travel Services Seychelles, giving birth to Creole Travel Services – a nationally recognised and celebrated tourism brand. Creole has offices in the three main islands of Mahé, Praslin and La Digue – key destinations to offer their clients a wide range of products and services that are unique to each. Mahé is the most populated and home to one of the tiniest capitals in the world, Victoria. Praslin is the second largest island in the archipelago and guards one of two UNESCO Heritage Sites available in the Seychelles: the mysterious Vallée de Mai, rumoured to be the original Garden of Eden. La Digue is famous for being the bicycle island, where the two wheeler is the main mode of transport for the inhabitants, meaning less pollution, less noise and a more authentic island roots experience for everyone. Creole strives to be the complete package as a destination host, wanting to be able to cater to the needs of their clients from airport meet and greets, transfers, tours, accommodation and entertainment. They are able to accomplish this in synergy with our sister companies. Their airport staff welcomes clients as soon as they step out of the arrival doors, and guide them into the Creole

153

Creole Travel Services Nature is important not just to the Seychelles, but to Creole and the Albert family too, and Creole can show you just how beautiful the country is by bringing you to their exclusive property in the south of Mahé, the Cap Lazare Nature Reserve. An extensive 65 hectare protected area, they offer a unique restaurant in the shape of an oversized open air, A-frame, thatched roof hut. Other amenities include a helicopter pad, nature trails, viewpoints and a small area with farm animals, a hit with children. Furthermore, the beach attracts hawksbill turtles to lay their eggs during nesting season. A perfect location for corporate and private events, Cap Lazare has hosted everything from exclusive weddings and corporate parties. As the modern traveler evolves into being more independent and seeking for more than the regular tourist attractions, Creole welcomes the changes and challenges, for they believe that they must evolve along with their clients’ needs, travel goals and advancing expectations. As issues of climate change and the need for more conservation efforts grow, Creole is fully onboard to take on its responsibilities as a company to contribute in their roles towards the well-being of the Seychelles’ and the world’s environment. Creole have pledged to go green, to ensure that the beauty that they show and share with their clients today, will still be here tomorrow for our future generations and visitors to their country. They have signed up with Travelife, “a leading training, management and certification initiative for tourism companies committed to reaching sustainability”. They are “dedicated to making holidays more sustainable”, working with “travel businesses around the world to help them improve their social, economic and environmental impacts”. By working towards their Travelife certification, Creole will have to undergo changes in how they operate their business in a socially and environmentally sustainable manner. This is something they are very excited about, and are prepping themselves to ensure they can meet the criteria required. Simultaneously, Creole are also in the process of refreshing their brand. Although they have a strong trademark, it is unwise for any company to rest on its laurels at any point of its existence. Their iconic frangipani is symbolic to Creole and what they represent, and they are keeping with their strengths, and improving on where they feel they can and should. Although they will always be professional in their functions and communications, they are moving away from being overly “rigidly corporate” in how they market themselves. They are a young and dynamic company, who aim to reignite in their partners, their clients, and the world – and themselves, of course the passion and excitement for the Seychelles islands. The rebranding will officially be launched later on in the year. The team have a running joke that with the upcoming “20 years of Creole” anniversary this year, the company will move on from its “teenager” years which they have used to build themselves as a company and a brand, and now as an “adult”, we will have to “reinvent” themselves to keep with the times and the evolution of modern travel. This way, they can refresh themselves as a company, their image and functions, yet still stay true to their slogan of being always “passionately Seychelles”. www.creoletravelservices.com

154

ABSOLUTE

Creole is fully onboard to take on its responsibilities as a company to contribute in their roles towards the well-being of the Seychelles’ and the world’s environment.

RESTAURANT BAR & SPA

for more information visit facebook @boathouseseychelles / @boathousespaseychelles phone: 00248 4247466 (spa) 00248 2514196 (restaurant) location: beau vallon beach mahe seychelles

EXPLORE & DISCOVER THE SEYCHELLES ISLANDS IN STYLE

ABSOLUTE

www.summerraintours.com summerraintoursis@seychelles.net 00248 - 4373135 157

Summer Rain Tours & Travels A Luxury Travel & Tour Company The stunning paradisiac islands of the Seychelles deserve to be explored with the people who know it best, Summer Rain Tour & Travels. The team at Summer Rain offer a wide range of services and customised packages to make your holiday to the paradise a personalised luxury adventure a million miles away from mass tourism.

r Mervyn Esparon brings his own love of luxury adventure travel and exploration to the Company by offering clients uniquely tailored tours and packages, transportation services, hotel reservations and ground handling. Established in 2017, the company is run by highly qualified professionals with more than ten years of experience in the tourism and aviation industry. The company caters to everyone, from the adventure enthusiasts who may have a thrilling interest in Island Hopping, Diving, Snorkelling, Fishing, Nature Trails and Zip lining, to the more laidback holidaymaker who might prefer Sightseeing, Private Yachting and Helicopter Tours, to the honeymooners. Whatever your choice of the type of holiday you’d like to have, the team at Summer Rain will be personally involved in making sure that it’s the best one yet. The team at Summer Rain offer an exploration of paradise in comfort giving travellers the opportunity to discover the soul of the islands at their own pace. This can include charters, fishing, scuba diving and snorkelling trips which Summer Rain can organise on the different islands. Whilst the Seychelles is a popular beach destination, those who prefer a more adventurous holiday can get the opportunity to explore the nature trails – an experience that the Summer Rain team can organise. As part of their services, Summer Rain can offer guests the ‘Exclusive Water Sports Tour’ which includes a combination of sightseeing, relaxing and adventure! There are different packages which include glass bottom boat charters, BBQ lunches, parasailing, snorkelling, jet ski riding and much more. The company personalise each trip with experiences that are unique and authentic.

158

Excursions on Land, on Water or in the Air Island Hopping Tour This package is a combination of two beautiful islands, Praslin and La Digue. This fun packed and exciting tour features a visit to the Valle De Mai, home to the Coco De Mer and the Black Parrot, as well as a beach trip to Anse Lazio, one of the best beaches in the world. The tour then continues with a boat transfer to the Island of La Digue which includes an authentic creole lunch prepared by a friendly Diguoise, a tour of the island by bike and a trip to Anse Source D’Argent, another stunning beach added to the international list of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

Cousin & Curieuse & St Pierre Island The journey begins as you set sail for the Island of Cousin, a nature reserve and home to unique species of birds. After exploring Cousin, the next stop is Curieuse Island National Park where guests can enjoy the delicious creole lunch on the beach and the opportunity to walk along the nature trail. The final stop on the tour is a snorkelling session at St. Pierre island, where guests can enjoy the beautiful and unique marine life! Coco, Sister & Felicite Island You can embark on a spectacular journey from La Digue for a short boat ride to Coco Island, renowned for its pristine clear and turquoise waters – one of the most beautiful snorkelling spots. Your next stop is then Felicite Island where you can explore the underwater world and admire the coastline of Praslin as you sail towards the Sister Islands where you can enjoy a BBQ Lunch right on the beach!

The Ultimate Culinary Experience The Seychellois cuisine has an amazing legacy spanning across different continents with the excellent use of spices, fruits and vegetables. Summer Rain Tours can organise to take you to the most popular and authentic restaurants that serve the best of the Seychelles’ culinary legacy.

Romantic Proposals Proposing to the love of your life can be the start of making magical memories. The team at Summer Rain are on hand to give you the essential help in making that dream come true, whether you already have an idea in mind or want to choose from one of their exquisitely put together packages. From the Underwater Proposal to the Relaxing Spa Proposal to the Surprise Proposal on a helicopter ride, Summer Rain can make your marriage proposal an unforgettable one that will last a lifetime.

Tying the knot in paradise The Seychelles boasts some of the world’s most stunning and secluded natural wedding venues with its untouched and breathtaking beauty. The team at Summer Rain can offer hassle free wedding packages. From luxurious accommodations to champagne; their all-inclusive package, is all you need for your dream wedding to become a reality. As a wedding and honeymoon expert, Summer Rain Tours & Travel provide you with daily travel specials, all inclusive services, discounts and customised packages. From luxurious accommodation to champagne; the all-inclusive wedding packages offered by Summer Rain might be the answer to a stress free and stunning wedding. Planning a wedding or honeymoon

The team at Summer Rain offer an exploration of paradise in comfort giving travellers the opportunity to discover the soul of the islands at their own pace.

can be stressful, however Summer Rain offer a range of exclusive packages that takes care of all your needs. The packages include several nights stay at the top hotels on the island, as well as the airport transfers, decorations, wedding coordinators, meals, registrations services, the setting up of the ceremony and much more. With the Bougainvillea Package, Hibiscus Package, Lor Kreol Exclusive Package and the Coco D’amour Wedding Package, guests get to pick which package suits their needs to experience the wedding of their dreams. From the save-the-date cards before the wedding to the flowers, by opting for an ecofriendly wedding, the bride and groom can reduce their impact on the environment. The Eco-conscious couple can say ‘I Do’ under a backdrop of endless skies and magnificent surrounding lush mountains cascading towards the shoreline with the Mission Lodge Wedding Package. The enchanting Ceremony takes place at the Mission Lodge with a variety of services and offers such as a floral arch, exotic bouquet, tree planting to commemorate wedding nuptials and more. Alternatively, the Summer Rain team are on hand to provide you with the perfect setting with the Cerf Island Dream Wedding Package which features a majestic sunset ceremony with the silhouette of Mahe island in the background. Thanks to mother nature the beach and the ocean are a natural stunning venue for the perfect weeding. The Barefoot Wedding Package includes a choice of beaches where guest can exchange their vows, with beautiful eco-friendly décor and a ceremonial tree planting. There’s nowhere more romantic for a tropical wedding then the stunning beaches in Seychelles. The exotic beachfront settings makes for the ceremony of a lifetime reflecting an ambience of islandstyle luxury. Get the personalized service for the holiday of a lifetime with the passionate team at Summer Rain Tours & Travels who are ready to create your perfect holiday in Seychelles, packed with unforgettable moments. Summer Rain are on hand to plan and organise every detail of your holiday, whether it be for a proposal, wedding, honeymoon or just a break away, the team are ready to make your trip to Seychelles a memorable one!

ABSOLUTE

www.summerraintours.com

159

Explore Praslin with

MC Seychelles MC Seychelles is the go to company for luxury private taxies, tours and transfers on the Seychelles island of Praslin. Be it for fun or function, whether you require airport or ferry pick ups, drop offs or simply want to explore the island and its many stunning beaches and tourism attractions, MC Seychelles will take the stress out of traveling and will get you from A to B in style and comfort.

raslin, with a population of 6,500 people, is Seychelles’ second largest island. It lies 45km to the northeast of Mahé and measures 10km by 3.7km. A leisurely tour around the island by car will take approximately 2 hours and so private taxi hire is highly recommended to make the most it! There is so much to discover on Praslin. It is the site of the fabulous Vallée de Mai, one of Seychelles’s two UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The island also features truly exquisite beaches such as Anse Lazio and Anse Georgette, both appearing on the top-10 list of world’s best beaches in recent years. Customers unfamiliar with the island can make use of the expertise and local knowledge MC Seychelles offers by allowing them to arrange a perfect restaurant or bar for a romantic evening, a sunset tour to take that perfect picture or even wedding parties and events. The brand new fleet of vehicles can accommodate all sizes of groups, plus all the staff have a vast knowledge of the island, so guests are free to ask away. The dedicated experienced staff are there to make your visit or stay on Praslin a memorable one. MC Seychelles also offer quality car hire and rentals, with a fleet of brand new high spec small 4 door cars, as well as new 4 / 5 & 7 seater models such as the Hyundai Creta SUV, Suzuki Ertiga and Hyundai Grand i10. The company can arrange hotel or villa drops or can even meet you on arrival to Praslin via the airport or ferry jetty. With an MC Seychelles car, you’re free to start exploring the island on your own terms, however should you require some guidance, the team can also help with recommendations for routes, book restaurants or bars, provide pin drop locations for Google mapping directions and information on sunsets. The MC Seychelles’ story all began about 8 years ago with Michel Chetty, who started with a tour guide business

160

with a 12 seater bus. After completing a tour guide course, he started taking clients for tours all over the island of Praslin. Two years later, he encouraged his father to join the business as the number of clients was on the increase and there was a growing demand for transfers. Michel started a service with an 8 seater mini van and around 5 years ago he had a vision to launch a self-catering accommodation business. Constantly working with tourists, he has able to effectively gauge demand and at the time it was clear that there was a distinct gap in the market for this style of holiday let. Michel constructed a one bedroom apartment and launched what is now known as MC Selfcatering, which is still going strong to date. With a great demand for car rental on the island, Michel often found himself unable to hire a transport for his MC Selfcatering clients and so decided to invest, along with his girlfriend, in a car rental company; MC Rent a Car. Originally launching with a 5 car fleet, the company now boast a fleet of 9 brand new cars, ranging from 5 seater to 7 seater. As demand for transfers was also on the rise, the company extended their offering to mini bus services, now known as the MC Bus Service, which operates 2 brand new Toyota Hiace 16 seater buses. The family business now comprises of MC Tours, MC Taxi Service, MC Car Rental, MC Selfcatering and MC Bus Services, all of which fall under the umbrella company title of MC Seychelles. With the tourism industry continuing to grow and thrive on Praslin Island and with Michel being the enterprising business man he is, MC Seychelles has other new projects related to tourism on the horizon, as well as the expansion of existing ones. www.praslintaxitourstransfers.com www.praslincarhirerenatal.com

The dedicated experienced staff are there to make your visit or stay on Praslin a memorable one.

ABSOLUTE

The brand new fleet of vehicles can accommodate all sizes of groups, plus all the staff have a vast knowledge of the island.

161

162

BEST ENJOYED AT A LEISURELY PACE

IN STORES TODAY! RRSP SCR 32 (30 + 2 BOTTLE DEPOSIT) NOT FOR SALE TO PERSONS UNDER THE AGE OF 18. DRINK RESPONSIBLY. DON’T DRINK & DRIVE.

163

CAPR!CORNUS Development Seychelles

The High End Holistic Project Development Company

f you’ve ever visited Seychelles, you’ll know immediately that there's a special feel to the green lush mountains and the sandy shorelines characterised by the cascading granite boulders. You’ll also immediately understand the architectural challenge such a terrain can present to any individual with a plan to build a home, luxury hotel or apartments. Follow the chain of project development in Seychelles and you will discover a small market, a stunning but challenging environment that appeals to all senses, and the difficulty in finding the all-encompassing service that can take your design plans from sketch to the finished building.

Founded by Doreen Savy and Michael Schwarz, CEO and CTO of CAPR!CORNUS development Seychelles, the company is the first of its kind in the country that offers an entire range of high end project development, architecture, financing, legal advice, rent, sale, property management and engineering with a sustainable and ecological approach. Michael has designed the inter alia skyscrapers in the Emirates, educational institutions and even one of the biggest Mosques worldwide in the United Arab Emirates; exceptional expertise which he has brought to the profound development company that is CAPR!CORNUS today.

164

CAPR!CORNUS was founded in 2016 and after an intensive research of the market and the business environment started its operations in April 2018.

The company works with an all-encompassing, challenging and unique dynamism in project development, through a holistic approach to projects and with over 30 years of international experience, the team is well equipped to handle large scale developments on the Island such as hotels and apartment blocks, to new single housing and retail complexes. The firm specialise in creating iconic buildings which address several challenges in geography, function and scale. The strength lays in designing for complex and challenging sites - addressing environmental, societal and economical issues. The firms understanding of context goes towards an open, highly subjective interpretation of all accessible facts, figures and emotions. With their focus on quality CAPR!CORNUS develops contemporary architecture and engineering which creates a new context within the environment of the new project. Each project undergoes an in depth analysis which results in the presentation of several solutions to the client. How CAPR!CORNUS works The firm designs and develops projects for their clients as well as for the on portfolio. The clients share the highest level of architectural ambition which enables CAPR!CORNUS to create an architecture or development with the highest demand in each part of the journey. These projects then ensure a deep satisfaction of the client with all : design, function, ecology and profitability.

Identity In today’s world, especially among young people, more and more are identifying with the digital environment which is replacing the real one. In most of the design-work of CAPR!CORNUS, the firm tries to create or uphold the Identity of a place, and this, requires a deep understanding of the history and culture. This how identity is created. Doreen is a child of Seychelles. Born and raised in the country, having served in the National Youth service for 2 years, she also studied at the Seychelles Polytechnic, and has worked for one of the best known companies on a Management level. She has been running her own business for more than 10 years and she looks at each new project with this cultural background, paired with her experience of having lived in Zimbabwe and Mauritius. All new projects undergo a serious discussion in the firm to ensure that the ‘Identity’ is not just a hollow phrase but is filled with the right approach from the first line on drawn in the design phase. Her input is essential for the success of each project. Successful transformation is located somewhere between the past and the future. For CAPR!CORNUS this leads to a process of analyzing existing structures and function and with this result in developing future needs and desires. The potential for innovation then can be found in the present.

ABSOLUTE

Michael has extensive international experience in architecture, engineering and project development, having worked as an architect in Dubai and in Germany by holding a Professorship for Architecture at the same time. He understands the delicate specifics of Architecture, finance, ecology and engineering required to take the client’s dream idea from the mere sketch to the finished building.

Transformation CAPR!CORNUS are translating the culture and history of architecture and engineering into the language of the 21st Century with the unique urban, ecological and economical research they carry out, as well as providing definitive advice on the ways that the challenging and energetic terrain of the islands can be used to the clients advantage.

A Dialogue between the Old and the New Imagine a complete dinner and kitchen area built outside the main building of a house combined with a 28 metre long and 2 metre wide pool - this is an extension which will be completed in 2019 by CAPR!CORNUS that has incorporated the tradition of creole architecture with a modern twist. The creole-Seychellois architecture, with its cantilevered roofs and supported by wonderful slim, black steel columns provide shading, featuring large terraces; depicting a life that happens outside, of which has become an eclectic part of the history and identity of Seychelles and should be preserved. “We are trying with each of our projects to translate the culture, history and identity of a place into the language of our century. It’s about the dialogue between the new and the old which ensures the Identity of both”

165

Ongoing Developments & Projects in Seychelles All the designs of CAPR!CORNUS are created with a multidisciplinary approach involving innovative, sustainable and economical solutions for the client.

At the moment, CAPR!CORNUS is working with inter alia on a luxury Boutique hotel development in the North-East of Mahe, the construction of thirty six high end Apartments in the South, and a multi-use Project with Retail Units and eight Apartments at Beau Vallon. Several Villas and a Guesthouse complete the work of the firm. Other projects, inter alia at Anse Intendance overlooking one of the top 10 ranked beaches in the world are also in the pipeline. The Hotel is situated at an outstanding location on the Island of Mahe. The concept is to integrate the Nature of Seychelles in a way that each guest can enjoy both the ocean and the lush mountains from their guestroom. The green mountains at the back and the breathtaking view over the ocean at the front of each room. This projects translates the laid back atmosphere in the country into a quiet and unspectacular built environment. Not missing at the same time all amenities any visitor would expect from such project. This includes a life stock of chicken and a vegetable garden for the use of the Restaurant. With the engineered sustainable technique Concept, the project will be 80 % independent from public energy-suppliers, of which includes rainwater harvesting system that will be used for the watering of the landscape. The water overflow of the pools will be integrated into this system as well. A hotel owned 60 ft. Yacht will add unique experiences for the guests when visiting the outstanding marine life of the Seychelles.

All apartments and residential projects designed by CAPR!CORNUS follow the goal of contemporary living within a unique and tropical environment. The Apartments at Beau Vallon are overlooking the Ocean and the Touristhotspots situated in the area. The most important approach when designing this project was taking into consideration the openness to the several views and getting the Nature as part of the living experience inside and between the 150 sqm and 230sqm sized Apartments. The Apartments have digitally controlled shading devices which are fixed outside of the glass facades to reduce the amount of heat getting into the rooms by direct sun-radiation. With a smart inbuilt home technology the Buildings communicate with other energy producers, storage facilities and consumers. The principles have been met by an intelligent combination of innovative technologies in energy production, storage and use, with the aim of the self-sufficiency of the buildings. “Each project has its own challenges and all our projects are important to CAPR!CORNUS”

166

The keyword for a Mix use project is “Complexity” which sums up the experience of designing a solution that accommodates all the specific needs and desires of diverse target groups, whose only common multiple is the physical site on which they reside.

The Mix Use projects in which CAPR!CORNUS is involved with, takes the small available market in Seychelles into consideration when carrying out the feasibility studies, but at the same time delivers a fresh and inviting design to the shops, coffee-shops, offices and supermarkets. The firm developed, in agreement with the customers, an outside advertising concept for the shopping units which excludes inter alia the common extensive facade advertisement for Alcohol to the greatest extent which stands in an educational context as well as in the one of design. The Corporate Identity is ensured by the in and outside design – the attraction and business is created by curiosity.

Keeping these elements in mind CAPR!CORNUS work in a way that is dynamic and whereby design surpasses the rigid frameworks of the past but at the same time incorporating the modern world into fruition.

Contact CAPR!CORNUS Email: ccdsez@gmail.com Tel: +248 2 754 882 +248 2 769 026

ABSOLUTE

167

Petit Amour Villa

Your luxury private hilltop paradise

Available for room or whole villa bookings

ABSOLUTE

w w w. p e t i t a m o u r v i l l a . c o m tel: 00248 2 578 039 Facebook @petitamourvilla Sorento Glacis, Mahe Island, Seychelles

169

SAYING

I Do IN THE SEYCHELLES

he Seychelles group of islands is a treasure in the Indian Ocean. It is possibly the most romantic archipelago in the world; the perfect paradise location for a dream wedding. With talcum-powder white sandy beaches, crystalline clear turquoise waters, lush flora and gently swaying coconut trees, all teamed with a warm tropical climate makes it ideal for that special life event - Seychelles certainly ticks all of the boxes for a sensational wedding destination. It is often the case that couples don’t know where to start in their preparations for the big day. Someone who has all the answers and the expertise to make your wedding fantasy into a reality is James Dupres, an island wedding event specialist. James is Creative Director of his company ‘Mr and Mrs Weddings’ and is responsible for working closely with the couple to make them feel comfortable and at ease with the event. In his opinion, it is crucial to challenge the norm and work in an environment that is both suited for the event and applies to the client’s request. He coordinates the entire ‘wedding team’ to ensure everything is perfect and of the best standard. As a master communicator, it is the Creative Director’s job to understand the client’s wish and execute it flawlessly. With such expertise in the field and with us being keen to get all his top tips, Absolute Seychelles talks to James about tying the knot in paradise. Here is his ultimate guide…

170

Wedding Venues Getting married in the Seychelles allows one to enjoy all the diversity in accommodation that Seychelles has to offer, from charming Creole guesthouses, intimate hotels both large and small, to the magical experience of sumptuous five star resorts and exquisite island hideaways. Below are a few key recommended venues ideal to exchange your “I Do’s”.

The Beach Kick off your shoes, and enjoy a truly romantic wedding on the pristine beach. Your friends and family will never forget the experiences, and you as a couple will have something truly special to look back upon. The best beach for such experience are Anse Source D’Argent, Anse Takamaka, Anse Gouvernment only to name a few. With Seychelles’ perfect climate, you are guaranteed a sunny day and warm cool breeze. If you wish to switch it around to have it leading to the night, a bonfire can be done right after the ceremony while entertainers can create the creole ambience while you and your loved ones star gaze up in the clear sky. Hotels The islands of Seychelles are filled with romantic hotels, ideal for weddings ranging up to 5 stars. You may wish to have the ceremony at the balcony, the gazebo, a villa or even inside a spacious conference room to accommodate your list of invitees. An additional benefit of holding your wedding at one of the many hotels is that you are provided with an extended team to cater for all your needs such as your menu. Work with their skilled chefs to make your culinary vision a reality, from hors d’oeuvres to the wedding cake.

Photographers Be sure to take time to find the perfect photographer to capture your wedding. Each different photographer will have a different signature style, be it formal, causal or reportage. I often work with photographer Mr. Marsha Dine who creates artistically beautiful imagery with a fresh, modern look and style. Personality is equally important. Mr. Dine approaches each shoot with enthusiasm, poise and style while managing the day efficiently and effectively. With great proven photographic experience, his own high quality digital equipment, computer proficiency and professional appearance and demeanour, Mr. Dine delivers topnotch products to satisfy the clients’ demand.

ABSOLUTE

‘Mr and Mrs Weddings’ offer wedding photoshoot packages on the main islands of Seychelles such as Mahe, Praslin, La Digue, Silhouette, Desroches just to name a few. From your quick service wedding to one of a greater grandiose, we serve to cater to your needs.

171

SAYING

I Do Make Up Artist and Hair Stylist Your wedding is all about feeling good and so your hair and makes up artist should ensure just that. I collaborate often with Ms. Anisa Rose who is an expert at weddings and all that goes with it. Being the bearer of an upbeat personality, good energy and a love for all things beautiful, this make-up artist is one to have. She has the ability to apply a natural look on different skin tones as well as extensive eyebrow application. Anisa is well versed with the wedding theme, having to cater for both locals and tourists. With many years abroad as make-up artist and model, Ms. Anisa Rose has managed to gather a bucket load of experience, encounters and familiar with using a wide range of cosmetic brands.

Requirements for your wedding Planning a wedding might be overwhelming and stressful with the never ending to do list. So to imagine getting married overseas, one might think that would merely double the tasks. Rest assured that getting married in the Seychelles is not as grim as one might think. Here are the main points you will need to know before getting married: The majority age for male or female to contract marriage is eighteen years and over. Parent’s consent is required for any to contract civil marriage. Any person in accordance with the Laws of Seychelles can get married. Female minor children must produce proof of the consent (a notary document) in writing if one of the parents can’t be there in person to give a verbal consent Before the marriage can take place, the banns are published for eleven days prior to the date of marriage. Foreigners wishing to get married in Seychelles may call at the Civil Status office at Independence House or may wish to make arrangement through their Local Travel Agent or Hotel. What documents do I need to present ? Birth certificate Seychelles National Identity cards Death or Divorce certificates where applicable Passport where appropriate

172

If you dream of a romantic religious wedding in Seychelles, this can now become a reality.

Religious Ceremonies If you dream of a romantic religious wedding in Seychelles, this can now become a reality. Although Roman Catholicism is the dominant religion in the country, there are also Anglican and other Protestant churches, as well as smaller Muslim, Hindu and Bahá’i communities. You will have to contact the relevant religious body in order to arrange your wedding, however it is worth noting that, under Seychelles law, a religious ceremony is not recognised by law without a civil ceremony prior to it.

Where do I get more information about getting married? The couple who wish to register their marriage should be present in the Civil Status office with a witness from each side. If the couple wishes to register their marriage at home, they should inform the Civil Status office at least a week before the marriage takes place.

ABSOLUTE

www.facebook.com/mrmrsweddingsandevents

173

Discover The Seychelles In Style Guided Island Tours / VIP Ferry & Airport Transfers Press Tours / Island Tours / Luxury Car Hire - Rentals

www.praslintaxitourstransfers.com www.praslincarhirerental.com

Eden Island Eden Island, with its four secluded beaches, swimming pools, a tennis court, a jogging track that circles the entire island and a gymnasium, is the idyllic holiday destination, all set in lush green landscaped gardens. For the past decade, those seeking a tropical escape have found their paradise in Eden Island, however, go back further a few years and you’ll find this hasn’t always been the case. Eden Island has been constructed and raised to opulent perfection.

ovingly formed from what was once merely a dead coral reef, Eden Island now majestically graces the east coast shoreline of Mahé. The transformation began when Seychelles officials recognised an opportunity to create both a new p lace for many people to call home and a community and lifestyle in itself. They approached South African property developer, Craig Heeger and after meticulous planning, construction of the foundations of Eden Island began just prior to 2000 and ran up until 2006. Throughout those next 6 years, the luxury villas, maisons and apartments that you see today soon arose and by 2006, the international market was invited to purchase - and purchase they did. By less than 10 years later, around 500 units had been snapped up and developers and officials were quick to see the impact the development had made. Eden Island now offers an enticing array of luxurious homes are available for sale and for rental in this prestigious island location. You’ll find three product offerings available; spacious Apartments, deluxe Maisons and top of the range Villas which are the epitome of luxury and sophistication – all with ocean frontage in superb surroundings and all available either to buy or to rent long term or for a selfcatering holiday. Eden Island occupies 56 hectares and is connected to the mainland by bridge. Each private residence is sold as freehold. You’ll find 3-6 bedroom villas;$1300000 to $1800000 3-4 bedroom, duplex maisons and $500,000 to $995 000, 1-3 bedroom apartments to accommodate all tastes, with the one-bedroom units specifically targeting the rental market. Neatly avoiding the hassle of buying furniture and decorating, Eden even gives you a choice of different styles for furniture and interior decor. All you need to do is turn the door key and step into your new island life. An additional advantage is that as an owner, you and your family can apply for Seychelles residency and you can also place your home in the Eden Island Luxury Accommodation portfolio and rent it out on short or long term. Buyers also have access to the attractive resale market which has already shown some impressive capital growth.

176

All these beautiful residences are nestled within an island cocoon of tidy gardens with hotel, gym, clubhouse, swimming pools, tennis court, four private beaches, 300-berth marina and commercial centre containing Seychelles’ only shopping mall, restaurants, bars, coffee shops and a myriad of retail outlets. Eden has attracted a lot of attention for the ambitious nature and scale of its development, earning accolades at the International Property Awards, Arabia and Africa 2013/14 and 2015/2016 events but perhaps the most eloquent statement of confidence comes from customers themselves, over 25% of the homes on Eden Island are owned by people who have two or more homes on the island. Nothing, after all, succeeds like success.

ABSOLUTE

177

Eden Island

178

Each home comes with its own mooring for a boat, allowing you the opportunity to leisurely spend your days exploring the neighbouring islands. Because motor vehicles aren’t allowed in the residential area on Eden Island, buggies come standard with every home, with a private bay for parking. There is a separate, secure parking garage for residents who have cars. Eden Island has become an all-in-one destination within the Indian Ocean island destination of Seychelles. The Eden Plaza shopping centre offers a broad range of shops and services from a supermarket to banks to restaurants and there is even a small brewery on Eden Island, medical services and a Spa so there is no need to travel far. You’ll find almost everything you need on Eden Island itself. The commercial marina boasts an array of charter offerings. If it’s diving, snorkelling, fishing, sailing or day tripping you are after, there are people just waiting to whisk you away out into the Indian Ocean. One thing that’s particularly noticeable is the number of different languages spoken upon the island. No less than 43 nationalities have already bought property on Eden Island which is totally in keeping with Seychelles’ age-old tradition of being a melting pot for nationalities from all across the globe. Over the years, it is precisely this grand diversity which has bestowed on the islands their unique sense of social and political harmony – an oasis of calm in a world of turmoil - and it’s heartwarming to see Eden maintaining the tradition of this welcoming, gentle way of island living.

ABSOLUTE

The commercial marina boasts an array of charter offerings. If it’s diving, snorkelling, fishing, sailing or day tripping you are after, there are people just waiting to whisk you away out into the Indian Ocean.

Now is the time to visit Eden Island for what will be a memorable holiday for the family. With all that Eden Island has to offer, it is the perfect place to base yourself to explore the beautiful Seychelles and have the Eden Island Luxury Accommodation team look after your every need. You can book or make enquiries online and one of the team will give you all the detail you need to plan an unforgettable holiday. It’s not just private rentals that are on offer to shortterm visitors, with a handful of exceptional hotels available upon the island. Eden Bleu hotel is one of the recent additions to Eden’s expanding portfolio. Ideally located, just minutes from both the airport and the capital, Victoria, this chic hotel offers a comprehensive suite of facilities to the discerning vacationer or business traveller including a restaurant, bar, swimming pool and even conference facilities. Its deck overlooks the Eden marina, where a vast flotilla of yachts and pleasure craft, some local, others visiting, take advantage of state-ofthe-art facilities. That, and the fact that the Seychelles seascape with its many islands, all within easy sailing distance, is not only visually stunning, but also safe. From here, it’s only a short walk to the Eden Plaza with its many boutiques, services, SPAR supermarket, coffee shops, bars and rich choice of restaurants. I find myself considering what else a resident of Eden Island might need by way of amenities and sheer convenience. So whether it’s a lifestyle or investment that you are looking for, or you’re just planning your next holiday destination, Eden Island definitely ticks all the boxes. Join the many different nationalities who have already visited Eden Island and enjoyed their holiday in paradise or become a homeowner and own your piece of paradise. For more information, please visit www.edenisland.sc

179

180

ABSOLUTE

Eden

Holistic Spa A Haven to Truly Disconnect Like Nature Intended

estled within the first floor of Eden Plaza and overlooking the beautiful Eden Island Marina, Eden Holistic Spa grounds itself in a philosophy of natural and organic healing for the body, mind and soul - just as nature intended it. The Spa is a relaxing haven for guests to experience rejuvenating treatments inspired by the healing philosophies of nature, combined with technologies to nurture the body, soothe the mind and re-energize the soul. Attending to each guests’ individual needs and providing the space to truly disconnect is what Sabine Hamma has been committed to providing with more than 20 years of experience in the health and beauty industry. A family business, wife and husband, Sabine & Abdelkader Hamma along with their son Samir, are at the centre of creating the Eden Holistic Spa brand that is taking wellness back to nature and to the body, mind and soul of every guest. Having seen exponential growth since the Spa first opened its doors five years ago and four back to back ‘Phorest 5 star Client Experience Awards’, the Spa will soon expand its offerings even further with Eden Holistic Hair, a luxurious Hair Salon virtually next door to the Spa, carrying forward the same philosophy of natural and organic hair and client care.

‘You’ll walk out glowing and stress free at Eden Holistic Spa’

ABSOLUTE

With the rejuvenating backdrop of the lush mountains and tropical turquoise blue waters, the spa offers a range of relaxing and rejuvenating treatments to find beauty, balance and complete wellbeing. Elegantly designed, the spa features six unique and private rooms for treatments, a couple’s room, nail bar, fitness studio, two elegant changing rooms and a private lagoon area which includes a Hammam, infrared sauna, two rain showers, experience shower and bucket shower. The Spa offers the best treatments available using cutting edge and non-invasive technologies for beauty treatments. If Seychelles isn’t warm enough, you can enjoy their top of the range infrared sauna to detox and increase blood circulation, and also let off some steam in their state of the art Hammam; all in complete privacy and at your own pace. Couples can also enjoy a shared treatment in the Couples room and book the Lagoon area for the ultimate relaxing spa day.

181

Eden

Holistic Spa

182

The Valuable organic plants substances combined with knowledge gained from the latest research and findings provide you with an effective cosmetics range for your skin’s needs.

Massages & Body Treatments Guests can choose from a wide range of relaxing massages aimed at relieving muscle tension, stress, aches and pains as their skilled therapists work on you, leaving you bathing in a blissful & tranquil experience. All massages start with a foot ritual and end with a tea ceremony. You can choose from a long list of massages that feature the use of hot stone, warm bamboo and hot himalayan salt stone. The body treatments that include body slimming, body wraps and scrubs are out of this world and feature the use of natural oils and soothing beauty products. All the products at Eden Holistic Spa are unique, highly effective and 100% natural and are sourced both locally and globally. Guests can buy a range of beauty products at the retail boutique at the reception of the Spa, ranging from Master Lin products, Regulat Beauty an award-winning highly effective natural skin care range, Eco-Cosmetics and more. They sell their own signature wellness products which includes a huge range of elixirs and essential oils such as Rose Geranium, Citronella, Ylang Ylang, Lavender, Pure Aloe Vera Gel, Organic Cold-Pressed Virgin Coconut Oil and exotic massage oil blends. Have your body’s skin pampered and cared for with the wide range of high-therapeutic natural Eden Holistic Spa Signature Oils on offer. Guests can buy Eden Holistic Spa beauty elixirs and essential oils, housed in beautiful white glass bottles, for home use to further enjoy the extensive and safe healing benefits that these oils offer. The Master Lin range is founded by the feng shui master and expert of the far eastern herbal medicine, Master Lin and is a luxury cosmetic line based on the millenia-old TCM philosophy with products containing pure gold, pearl and far eastern wild grown healing herbs and luxurious ethereal oils. Using purest fine gold and 17 precious essential oils and plant extracts and the scent of lotus flower which relaxes your senses. Or you can try the Eco Cosmetics collection, which is, an award-winning certified natural cosmetics brand that will leave your skin feeling nourished and above all beautiful. The Valuable organic plants substances combined with knowledge gained from the latest research and findings provide you with an effective cosmetics range for your skin’s needs. For those looking to open their mind, body and soul, Eden Holistic Spa have designed an extensive menu of integrative wellbeing offerings that creates the space for real relaxation and rejuvenation. Opening Hours: Mo-Sat: 9.30am – 8.00pm Sun: 11.00am - 8.00pm

www.edenholisticspa.com

ABSOLUTE

All Photos by Dewaal Rautenbach

183

OSCARS Relax Refresh Remember

THE BAR & GRILL SEYCHELLES Creole / Thai Fusion Dining Cocktail lounge / DJ / LIVE music open for breakfast most days facebook.com/OSCARSSEYCHELLES/

Tel.+2482773919 location

South-West Mahe bay of Anse á la Mouche

185

Portofino

by Gianmaria Carbognin

186

ABSOLUTE

he primary objective of wearing jewellery is personal beautification and Gianmaria Carbognin is no stranger to this. Stand outside his eclectic boutique ‘Portofino,’ based at Eden Plaza in North East Mahe and try to fight the magnetic effect it has on you as it slowly pulls you to its doors. Its walls are adorned with graceful diaphanous silks and every corner is filled with leather goods hailing from quaint Italian villages, unheard of by most people. However, it is not these luxurious accessories, but the shimmering necklaces, bracelets and rings delicately arranged beneath the glass cases that makes Portofino a literal treasure chest. This is where visitors are promised to discover the most fashionable jewellery in Seychelles, with the boutique specialising in loose diamonds and fashion jewellery, plus a wide selection of ring styles, silver and silver necklaces for ladies.

ABSOLUTE

It is in this visual delight that Gianmaria spends most of his time; conversing with the many local and foreign visitors who trek in and out of his boutique every day, searching for the perfect trinket. Each and every single one of his pieces are bold and daring, which is exactly how those closest to the designer would describe him; he exudes confidence and shows great knowledge and love for everything artistic. Aside from sketching his unique creations and bringing them to fruition, music also plays a large role in his life and it shows through his designs. Usually dressed simply in a white T- shirt, baseball cap and jeans, he describes his unpretentious style as a way to use his outfit as a canvas for the jewellery. This flare for the creative side is deeply rooted in Gianmaria’s family history; the Carbognin name has played an important and dominant role within the Seychelles’ jewellery business for over 30 years now. Gianmaria’s mother, the flamboyant and well-loved philanthropist Mary Carbognin found her way into jewellery making after she left the Seychelles for Italy, her own mother wanting her to get a sense of the world outside of the quiet, tranquility of the islands she had become accustomed to. It was during Mary’s time in this new foreign land that she met her late husband Ricardo Carbognin, a jeweller and designer himself. After spending several years in Italy mastering and perfecting their art they decided to move back to the Seychelles to open their own design house. As an adolescent, Gianmaria knew from the very get go that he too would follow in his parent’s footsteps and it did not take him long to choose a college once the time came. In 2004, very much like his mother many years before him, he left his little island home and enrolled at the famous Le Arti Orafe in Florence. Here Gianmaria’s passion grew with

the new knowledge he acquired, such as metal casting, soldering and the study of all the great jewellery designers before him. While he was in Florence he made friends with fellow students who were studying to be fashion designers. These acquaintances aided him in learning which type of necklace best matched an A-Line dress or which earrings were better suited if one had their hair styled in a chignon. Aside from all of this, what Gianmaria excelled best at in his time at Le Arti Orafe was stone setting. This was a craft that neither his parent’s possessed and an exciting addition to his own and the family’s toolbox. In 2007 after graduating with a distinction, he returned to Seychelles ready to add his fresh new ideas to the Carbognin line. Fast forward to present time and the name Gianmaria Carbognin can be seen tagged occasionally on the daily social media posts of Seychelles’s young fashion forward generation. His most famous line to date which draws its inspiration from the islands renowned Coco de Mer nut, suitably named Coco Candy has been a huge hit with locals and tourists alike. Gianmaria’s jewellery symbolises the Seychelles culture and lifestyle and every piece of jewellery has a unique story to tell. His thirst for knowledge and passion for gemmology has made him one of the most original designers in Seychelles today. If you haven’t already visited, the next time you are in Seychelles, stop by his boutique on Eden island to experience the magical world of Gianmaria Carbognin first hand. Portofino - Eden Plaza - Eden Island Riccardo Carbognin - Camion Hall Victoria, Mahe, Seychelles P.O Box 612 +248 2504916 gianmaria@carbognin.com gianmaria.carbognin

187

KanKan

188

The Grace of the Islands Through High Fashion

nspired from the islands of the Seychelles, KanKan is a high fashion brand that is reflective of the paradisaic elements of the islands with a stylishly elegant flair. The creole word for ‘spreading the word’, the brand features unique collections of clothing, jewellery and tableware. Karine Dupouy, the fashion designer who created the brand says that the KanKan woman is a sophisticated and elegant dresser with a busy lifestyle who demands designs of the highest quality but yet with comfort on holiday. ‘I want to take my designs and Seychelles fashion to an international level and that is why I strictly add Seychelles to my branding guidelines. I couldn’t think of anywhere else to live, my heart belongs here.’ Born in Mauritius but raised in Seychelles, Karine graduated from the London fashion school Central Saint Martins and wants to make a big contribution to the fashion world both in Seychelles and beyond. Couture Elegance and beauty is apparent in the collections, which seemingly have two main categories; Ready to Wear and Haute Couture. The ready to wear collection contains summer dresses, kaftans and tops in subtly printed cotton, perfect for the warm summer season and the elegant, classic evening wear jumps out at you as you marvel at the attention to detail and romance in every stitch. The designs and outfits are unique and any woman wearing these designs will surely stand out from the crowd. Karine carefully selects all her beautiful silk fabrics from India and Turkey, to ensure the best quality. There’s an artistic process that involves pouring her heart and soul into each design, from the fabric purchase, the designing phase, and then to the hanger. ‘As soon as I see a fabric I can visualise the garment in my head. I used to favour black fabrics but am moving away from this shade recently.’ The coral and palm inspired print of the summer dresses and kaftans, become the bare essential to your summer wardrobe and holiday.

ABSOLUTE

Karine carefully selects all her beautiful silk fabrics from India and Turkey, to ensure the best quality. There’s an artistic process that involves pouring her heart and soul into each design, from the fabric purchase, the designing phase, and then to the hanger.

189

KanKan

KanKan is able to gently touch the fine divide between the tropics, luxury and elegance and crystallise them into gorgeous unique collections.

190

ABSOLUTE

Jewellery Collection Jewellery that can transport you to another world is very rare, KanKan is able to gently touch the fine divide between the tropics, luxury and elegance and crystallise them into gorgeous unique collections. The fine dance between the gold plated shells and the crystals, tells the story of the lush tropics and colours of the islands. ‘The leading exotic fashion label exudes elegance and luxury’ The ‘Delicate Vanity Her’ statement necklace is made with beautiful crochet crystals in light a gold color and large centerpiece crystal beads and a Nickel free Adjustable size made in Italy. It also features the popular gold plated charm bracelet featuring the coral life of the oceans of Seychelles, or the coral and shell bracelet with a silver chain. ‘Breath in the ocean with the intricate earrings featuring starfish designs and gold plated seashells.’ KanKan Home Create a warm and inviting home! Inspired from the Seychelles, KanKan has introduced its tableware and homeware designs that will brighten the home. The Kankan tableware sets help to create the perfect dining table and complement your tableware with a twist of individuality and creativity. The 100% Linen table set will add a fantastic flourish of style to your dinner table and is a perfect choice for a dinner party with friends. This would make wonderful special gift for someone who adores entertaining, or just has a passion for food and all its trimmings. The beautiful colours and fusion of the contemporary and tropical designs makes the collection the perfect gift or souvenir from the Seychelles. The set includes one table matt, two reversible coasters and one napkin. Each set comes inside a linen bag with a large embroidery of the brand. The range also includes beautiful handmade glass vases and uniquely designed bowls, cutlery, cups and glasses.

Shop KanKan at the different Boutiques: Location Kings Gate House Opening Hours : Monday - Friday 9.30 am - 5.30 pm Saturday : 9.30 am - 2 pm

ABSOLUTE

The Seychelles International Airport Duty Free & the Ephelia Resort

191

Kreolor

Born from the Islands A unique island luxury brand that looks to nature for its richly decorated collection, Kreolor fuses traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design. Stand out from the crowd wearing decadent jewellery from the paradisiac islands of the Seychelles.

192

ABSOLUTE

he Kreolor craftsmen are hand-making jewellery and artefacts that are brought to life by using materials from the Indian Ocean - exotic woods, endemic palm seeds, pieces of coconut shell, brightly coloured seashells, oyster shell and rostrums of swordfish, all combined with 18 carat gold are what makes the jewellery collection truly original. The culturally rich islands of the Seychelles make for the perfect environment to create meaningful and eco-conscious jewellery and at the birth of this brand the founders of Kreolor worked alongside local master goldsmiths to create the first island luxury brand boasting the extraordinary paradisiac emblems of the islands. Founded in 1990 and the first to introduce local manufacturing of gold jewellery on a large scale, Kreolor is unique to Seychelles and tells the story of a diverse joint venture between local and foreign investors. With Claudio Izzi as its Creative Director, Kreolor offers travellers the feeling of taking home true locally made intricate jewellery and crafts that keep alive the memories of their visit to the idyllic holiday destination. Having discovered Seychelles at the age of 15, the founder of Kreolor, Claudio Izzi hails from Valenza Po, one of the worlds capitals of jewellery where he learned the craft of jewellery making in a small workshop and later went on to study at a Goldsmiths Art School. Coining the journey of creating Kreolor as an adventure he’d always dreamed of, Mr Izzi talks about the brave encounters back in the early days proposing the project to the Government of Seychelles that has today become an original jewellery luxury brand depicting the beauty of the queen that is Mother Nature. There are two different collections to choose from; Gold and Craft, both boasting a rich variation of charming souvenirs for travellers and a proud symbol of home for locals. The gold jewellery collection offers a stunning range of eye-catching brightly coloured pieces including

rings, pendants, necklaces, bracelets and earrings skilfully sorted, cleaned, cut and polished. With fabulous creations such as Pendants with tropical motifs, stunning mother of pearl and 18 carat gold set of earrings, necklaces and bracelets there are plenty of pieces to choose from that bring a touch of brightness to the day. Beautiful earrings that shimmer in the light with the creative pairing of colourful shells and 18 carat gold to the sunset orange red helmet shell, oyster set of bracelets make the jewellery a must-have. One of the bestselling and luxurious designs offered is the iconic double sided 18 carat gold Coco De Mer Pendant. A rare Nut native only to Seychelles that has for centuries been the stuff of legends – the love nut that ancient sailors believed to have grown from a mystifying island under the ocean. The iconic Coco De Mer features on many designs of the Kreolor pendant, necklace, ring, earrings and bracelet pieces of which are also very popular. The Craft Collection is distinctively unique, authentic and has been in existence since 1998, a range that’s locally sourced using natural raw materials. The Collection has more of an earthy design, with materials like coconut palm and Takamaka, coconut shells and seeds from local palms widely used to make innovative gift ideas such as fun wooden combs, ethnic bracelets, boxes, photo frames, letter openers, trays and more. A wide array of bracelets and necklaces made from palm seeds, coconut timber and coconut shells, cream coloured with speckled chocolate brown spots can be chosen from. With such variety of crafts and original designs that can add a touch of classical paradise to your home, you’ll find it hard to choose between the fun and practical combs in wood with inlays of shell, photo frames with slivers of various timber, coconut shell or the multi-purpose boxes in swordfish bill, timber and palm seed.

Kreolor is not only a luxury brand, but a an array of charming designs and a craftsmanship that is a rare remainder of the days gone by when people were happy to use natural products found in mother nature to create rudimentary jewellery and craft items. Kreolor have various outlets in Seychelles where one can discover the handmade magic. The items can be viewed and bought at the following shops: Mahe: Camion Hall, Albert Street, Victoria, tel: 4322268 Eden Plaza, Eden Island, tel: 4346600 Seychelles Int. Airport, Departure Lounge, tel: 4373344 Praslin: Valle de Mai tel. 4236220 La Digue: La Passe

ABSOLUTE

www.kreolorseychelles.com

193

R O C K P O O L PA S TA , B A R & G R I L L

To book +248 4 242 672 • Vista Bay Mahé • Beau Vallon • Seychelles find us on Facebook @rockpool2016

Carana Hilltop Villa... A Truly Exceptional Experience Carana Hilltop Villa echoes the very soul of the Seychelles Islands and their timeless promise of the ultimate, tropical shangrila and enviable, tranquil island lifestyle. The villa is framed by lush, multi-coloured tropical flowers in the front garden and by fruit trees facing the outside dining area where our guests may enjoy meals in the total serenity of a unique setting, serenaded by birdsong and by the restful gurgle of our fishpond’s waterfall. FREE WiFi available on site - Car Parking- Large Swimming Pool - Safe at Reception Laundry and Pressing - Vehicle/Car Rental can be arranged - Arrival Transfers (extra charge) - Departure Transfers (extra charge) TV Lounge - Meals on Request - Wedding can be arranged - Daily Housekeeping

BOOK NOW

www.caranahilltopvilla.com Prices from just 100.00EUR B&B per night

ABSOLUTE

Carana Hilltop Villa’s excellent choice of accommodation proposes a total of 10 rooms from standard and superior through to family, honeymoon and luxury suites with all rooms air conditioned and with ceiling fans. Comfortable king and queen sized beds come with private bathrooms with shower and bath.

195

The world of

Vision Care

196

With a distinguished pedigree of over 30 years in the business and a proven track record in Seychelles after 17 years of operation, Vision Care combines stateof-the-art optometric services with the provision of a wide range of eye-catching, high-quality spectacle frames, lenses and contact lenses at affordable prices.

ABSOLUTE

elcome to the world of Vision Care Seychelles, the islands’ premier chain of optical stores with 5 outlets in prime locations on Mahé and Praslin. While on holiday in Seychelles, you can do no better than to check out our fast, efficient service that caters for all your vision requirements with state-of-the-art equipment designed to provide a truly memorable service and results you can depend on. For the last 25 years, flamboyant owner Hermann Holst, an Optometrist originating from Hamburg and now living in Seychelles, has handpicked his range of stylish frames on the round of international shows such as take place in Milano, Paris and Munich as well as Hong Kong, always with his keen eye on the lookout for new, upcoming designer brands to allow his clients the choice of having frames that are more individual in nature. Hermann’s expertise is ably complemented by that of Markus Temming, an international eyewear designer from Gutersloh and creator of exquisite eyewear and, together, they launched Seychelles’ first ever International Designer Concept Store –Beyond the Sea.

Their spectacular selection of the very best includes Blackfin from the mountains in Italy, Lafont from Paris, Mykita, Imago and Marcus T from Germany, Lindberg from Denmark, and Woodys, Etnia and Kaleos from the Spanish fashion capitol Barcelona, to name only a few. Hermann enjoys a close relationship with all these suppliers and every show is like a family get-together, resulting in a wide-ranging, personal service of the highest quality. With a distinguished pedigree of over 30 years in the business and a proven track record in Seychelles after 17 years of operation, Vision Care combines state-of-theart optometric services with the provision of a wide range of eye-catching, high-quality spectacle frames, lenses and contact lenses at affordable prices. When it comes to sunglasses, Vision Care is proud to offer such lines as Maui Jim from Hawai as well as Mako from Australia with their top quality lenses ensuring maximum protection. Vision Care only sells AA quality lenses from world leader ESSILOR and is always on top of the latest developments and technological breakthroughs.

197

Vision Care You will immediately appreciate the wide selection of our fashionable products, designed to meet - and surpass - the expectations of our discerning clientele. Whether your budget is SCR 400 ($US30) or 10,000, ($US730), Vision Care have a product just for you, delivered with exactly the same courteous, professional service and expert guidance from their knowledgeable staff when it comes to specific types of lenses required to meet all your visual needs, whether at home, at work or even for sporting activities such as biking, trekking, golf, sailing or fishing. From the moment you step into any one of the beautifully arranged, chic, modern outlets resembling galleries of fine, functional art, you will immediately appreciate the wide selection of fashionable products, designed to meet - and surpass - the expectations of their discerning clientele. You will also remark on the swift, attentive service of the highly-trained staff - and if the lenses you have chosen are available in-store, you can walk out with your new glasses in as little as ten minutes! Vision Care also stocks most of the top international brands such as Ray Ban, Oakley, Persol, Bulgari, Jimmy Choo, Vogue, Tom Ford, Gucci, Armani, Prada, Swarowski, Silhouette, Fendi, Michael Kors, Dolce and Gabbana, Marc Jacobs and many more. Vision Care is also about ensuring the health of your vision by way of offering comprehensive eye tests by highly-qualified optometrists using state-of-the art equipment that allows the Vision Care team to engage in telemedicine. Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) diagnoses multiple conditions of the retina which can then be shared with specialists worldwide. Fundus cameras as well as Digital slitlamps allow them to send pictures in the event that the diagnosis is not clear. Available procedures include medical history, refraction, binocular vision tests, colour vision tests as well as screening for such eye diseases as Glaucoma, Diabetic Retinopathy, Uveitis, Conjunctivitis, Cataracts and other abnormalities. Referrals to the Eye Clinic are given in the event that tests suggest any existing eye diseases or conditions and we also work closely with a renowned Retinal Specialist Dr. Zia Carrim in Mauritius. Enter the world of Vision Care - where all your vision cares will be taken care of.

198

ABSOLUTE

199

b o at c h a r t e r / d i v i n g / f i s h i n g / i s l a n d h o p p i n g & t r a n s f e r s w w w.t u r n s t o n e s e yc h e l l e s . c o m w h at s a p p 0 0 2 4 8 - 2 5 1 2 1 3 8 200

ABSOLUTE

201

La Plage

Fine Dining In The Seychelles

202

La Plage restaurant, located on Beau Vallon Beach a few metres from the Indian Ocean , offers a fine Belgian brasserie cuisine, fused with the flavours and the colours of the Creole cuisine. A family run restaurant for almost 10 years now, it’s been a thrilling journey for the owners, whose roots have inspired this unique fusion menu.

ABSOLUTE

The family’s passion for wine since 1862 will assure you that in the 168 references you will find your perfect match for your meal. Let the team take you for a wine trip through France, Italy, Spain, South Africa, Australia and South America.

ositioned right on the beach of Beau Vallon, La Plage offers you a stunning panorama whether you are sitting inside or out on deck. The views of Silhouette island, North Island and the turquoise waters of the bay will mesmerise you throughout the day, and let’s not forget the sunset that turns the skies into a blazing fire. The Executive Chef, Pat Monthy, will delight your taste buds with the best of the two cultures through the freshest local ingredients and from abroad. The lunch menu offers salads, smoked marlin from the kitchens , Yellow Fin tuna tartare or sashimi, Rock lobster, 100 % beef burger or lamb burger, a selection of pastas from linguine seafood to the penne rigate with octopus and the classic linguine Bolognese. Enjoy the beach and the sea while tasting one of the desserts or Mövenpick ice cream and sorbets. In the afternoon, enjoy a quick bite from our list of 21 tapas. Home made Job fish croquettes with Mozzarella or fresh guacamole or rillettes of sword fish or Thaï fish cakes or a bruschete with garlic and Parma ham… while zipping a cold draughted Heineken or a rosé wine. The family’s passion for wine since 1862 will assure you that in the 168 references you will find your perfect match for your meal. Let the team take you for a wine trip through France, Italy, Spain, South Africa, Australia and South America and the various wineries and their wide varieties of grapes and appellations which will please your pallet and enhance your dishes. Enjoy Rothschild, Antinori , Gonzales Byass, Louis Moreau, Guy Saget, Louis Roederer, Nicolas Feuillatte, Lancelot Pienne, Baron Patrick de Ladoucette, Paul Blanck, Alexander Bottega, Domaines d’Ott, Château Peyrassol, Marianne, Mulderbosch, Ornellaia and many other wines from worldwide renowned wine makers.

203

The La Plage team has great synergy and it is clear their sole intention is to make everyone welcome inside of the establishment.

204

La Plage In the evening enjoy the gastro menu starting weekly with new dishes from the Chef’s weekly suggestions. The chefs receive weekly fresh oysters from Oléron and we have created numerous tasty dishes made from local ingredients as well as international flavors. Start with a black pudding tartlet or a potato and curry soup or an oyster soup or an octopus carpaccio with mild curry or foie gras velouté with morilles or a Charolais beef tartare or a fresh palm heart salad with truffle vinaigrette. Continue the journey with risotto seafood or a Red Snapper filet provencale vegetables smoke fish and potato brandade or an octopus curry . If you fancy a good piece of meat after days of fish plates, visit the meat corner for meat lovers with its 400 gr ribeye steak La Normande or a Salers beef striploin of 250 gr served with either baked potato and garlic butter or French fries with a fresh béarnaise sauce, raifort and pepper mustard sauce. If you enjoy vegetarian dishes, then be sure to order the goat cheese tartlet or vegetable risotto with summer truffles or how about a crunchy vegetables curry. If you want to completely go out of your boundaries than opt for the cheese fondue or Bouchot mussels casserole “marinières” or “vin blanc” or “red curry”. Having a special occasion, order the Chinese fondue and enjoy cooking your filets of fish or your calamari or your veal filet or your chinese noodles… The whole family is catered for at La Plage, with a whole exciting range of kid’s specials: 100 % beef burger or pasta with home made Bolognese or fish and chips or the signature chicken Yakitori, all of course (if requested) accompanied with real ketchup, french fries or rice . On a lazy Sunday morning, enjoy an exquisite brunch “à la carte” with scrambled eggs , asparagus and truffles or perhaps Eggs Benedict, the freshly baked croissants feuilletés or bread blades, a fresh cucumber (grown in Seychelles) salad or a smoked salmon plate. Relax with a drink on the terrace, with a vast menu boasting everything from fresh juices to tasty cocktails made with the best spirits or a glass of bubbles with a Prosecco or a Champagne or enjoy of glass of wine by the glass or by the bottle selection in all 3 colours. Do be sure to ask about special menus available for special occasions for 2 or more as the Chef will be delighted to suggest various menus that can be paired with the wines of your choice. La Plage is open 7 days a week from 11:00 AM until 23:00 PM. The team is composed of long lasting staff and a few students eager to learn, lead by the eldest son of the family. The La Plage team has great synergy and it is clear their sole intention is to make everyone welcome inside of the establishment. From Christopher who has been with this restaurant for over 10 years as headwaiter to new young Seychellois students who wish to establish themselves in the world of service, the La Plage team covers all areas and strides to provide the greatest quality of service Seychelles has to offer.

ABSOLUTE

www.facebook.com/Restaurant-La-Plage-Seychelles

205

Culinary Discovery at

The H Resort Beau Vallon Beach A world of gastronomic adventure is waiting to be discovered at The H Resort Beau Vallon Beach Seychelles. Open to both guests and now the public, this luxury resort now offers a smorgasbord of restaurants set to capture the imaginations and hearts of the most discerning of diners.

Eden Nestled between the luscious greenery of the gardens on the property and at the foot of the beach, Eden is a hub of gastronomic experiences. Romantic yet authentic, it serves a delicious selection of Creole inspired dishes with fresh seafood and prime cuts of meat from the BBQ. The restaurant seats up to 50 people and can be hired out, upon request, for intimate wedding receptions and celebrations. The dedicated team of chefs & service staff ensure and cook the meat to your choice while the sommelier enthralls you with their excellent selection of wines.

Seyshima Seyshima, derived from ‘Sey’ for Seychelles and ‘Shima’ - the Japanese term for island, is a venue that oozes Asian sophistication and is renowned for its mouthwatering selection of Teppanyaki and Sushi. The restaurant is located on the natural lagoon that flows through the resort and true to its name gives you an island dining experience. The quaint and cosy restaurant can seat up to 25 persons and is perfect for family and couples to dine in. A popular venue for Japanese cuisine on the Mahé, diners can simply enjoy some freshly rolled sushi or can dine a la carte whilst they revel in a Teppan show by the chef.

Vasco’s & 1502 Lobby Bar The resort’s main restaurant, which is named after the Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama, is the perfect spot to enjoy your breakfast or to finish your day with a hearty dinner. Openaired, bright and contemporary in décor, it

206

offers both indoor and al fresco seating for up to 125 guests. The buffet and live stations feature international and Creole cuisine and offers a daily changing theme for dinner. On dedicated evenings, a variety of traditional dance and live music performances keep you entertained.

1502 was the year in which Vasco da Gama sighted the Seychelles islands. This lobby bar is a quintessential venue and the place to discover your own paradise with their concoctions of delectable cocktails, fine wines and spirits. You can enjoy some shisha on the terrace while you soak in the sunset colors or some sporty bites and beverages while you enjoy the live sports and games or a weekly screening of classic movies. Trader Vic’s Seychelles Trader Vic’s is an internationally renowned restaurant and bar. The founder Victor Jules Bergeron, Jr. opened his first outlet that bore his nick-name Trader Vic and ever since the French-Polynesian bar & restaurant concept has grown by leaps and bounds. Trader Vic’s Seychelles as a venue is the life and soul of the Beau Vallon and home to the famous Mai Tai® cocktail – which dates back to 1944. Years ahead of his time, this world renowned restaurant chose to offer Chinese dishes alongside the then-contemporary continental cuisine, creating the original fusion menu decades before it would become a trend. Following the culinary curiosity along the ancient spice route, the founders collected

recipes to bring back to Trader Vic’s, and this eclectic cuisine reinvented fine dining. Following in these footsteps, each venue is constantly innovating and adding to the menu while the zeal to scour the globe for new ideas and revolutionising dishes goes on.

The signature restaurant in Seychelles sets a world-standard for tropical sophistication with its eclectic cuisine – enhanced by using a Chinese wood-fired oven. Trader Vic’s Chinese Ovens can be traced back to the Han Dynasty. This method of cooking differs from traditional direct fire barbecues and imparts a subtle flavor and helps create a unique dining experience. Each Trader Vic’s showcases this style of ancient cooking. You get to savor an exciting menu every month along with the authentic ‘Taste the World Cuisine’ available all through the year or just enjoy and sip the tropical cocktails curated from international & local favourites. Be it the Mai tai or the Seyhorse, you are guaranteed an amazing time as you relax & sit in the spectacular interior space, or on the terrace overlooking the lagoon while you are entertained by the resident band featuring a Latin-American influence. The restaurant has an exciting atmosphere with the exotic décor, including timeless and authentic artefacts from around the globe and can seat up to 100 guests. It’s the perfect venue for corporate parties, wedding reception or simply celebrating life! For more information, or to make a reservation at any of the restaurants, please visit www.hresortseychelles.com

From top, Eden Seyshima Vasco’s & 1502 Lobby Bar 1502

ABSOLUTE

Trader Vic’s

207

Rockpool Seafood Bar & Grill Mediterranean Inspired Cuisine with a Sunset View

“

The atmosphere is calm, natural and exclusive.”

arvel at the world’s most beautiful sunset, all the while enjoying the delicate fusion of mediterranean and creole influences on your plate. Hidden within a cove on the northern side of Mahe, the rustic Rockpool Seafood Bar & Grill is home to the panoramic view of a stunning beach caressed by cascading granite boulders and a deep orange and pink sunset. ‘Let the lapping of the waves on the shores delight you whilst you dine or enjoy an early evening cocktail!’

Today, eating out is often an opportunity to immerse yourself in a constellation of good food and conversation, but also in a vibe that fades the fast pace of modern life far, far away. The designers of Rockpool have taken this into account and have incorporated rustic wooden styled furniture, zen art and authentic decor to transport you into a world of dining that you can escape to.

The restaurant is found just below the terrace of Bliss Hotel, offering a cozy, elegant, outdoor atmosphere. Upon entering Rockpool you are immediately drawn to the secluded and authentic feeling, not to mention the large golden Buddha statue under the shade

208

of the tree in the middle of the restaurant. The friendly team are ready to take you to a table with a smile and offer wonderful cocktails, and some of the best pasta and grills on the island. Rockpool is the ideal venue to experience the perfect fusion of local and Mediterranean culinary delights with a hint of creole touch but be sure not to miss the majestic Silhouette Island in the far distance on the horizon. From the moment the restaurant opens at 1230 until it closes later in the evening at 10pm, guests can come and enjoy a freshly mixed cocktail or coffee whilst feasting the eyes on the beautiful view. If you’re looking for a romantic or relaxed atmosphere for lunch or dinner, the menu offers a range of mouthwatering starter, main course and dessert dishes. Pastas & Grills And how would you like your pasta, Al Dente? If you’re asked this question in any restaurant, you know for sure you are dining at a place that knows how to make an amazing pasta dish. There are many pasta dishes to choose from, think of it as the popular recipes with an island twist. The creamy curry coconut shrimp is one you cannot miss! And there are also vegetarian options which include vegetables, pine nuts or pesto.

Desserts Imagine the best dessert on the island - the freshly made Panna Cotta qualifies under this category. Guests have hard decisions to make when it comes to choosing from four delightful desserts. From the creamy Panna Cotta, the Tiramisu, and the sweet Apple Crumble with ice cream or the Affogato Al Caffe (Hot coffee with ice cream) the decision will be a tough one to make. Whatever your pick is, there’s a delicate balance of textures and flavours at work that will satisfy your sweet tooth. The delicious meals and unique ambiance at Rockpool continue to romance travelers and lure new visitors everyday. Opening Hours: Everyday from 1230-2200hrs facebook@rockpool2016

ABSOLUTE

The rustic Rockpool Seafood Bar & Grill is home to the panoramic view of a stunning beach caressed by cascading granite boulders and a deep orange and pink sunset.

209

Oscars Bar & Grill Revisit the Golden Age of the Seychelles

In south-west Mahé there lies a bar and grill whose formula of the perfect location, outstanding cuisine and panoramic views of the bay of Anse á la Mouche, revives the Seychelles’ legendary beachside entertainment scene.

eychelles in its heyday was dotted with any number of beachside bars with deliciously informal atmospheres and al fresco menus, pulling revellers and diners like magnets onto sun-kissed beaches to while away the hours enjoying good company, great food and drinks and, in particular, that relaxed, authentic island atmosphere that kept them coming back for more. There is much talk about how those days in the sun, enjoying classic, island-style leisure time, appear to have evaporated in the latter-day tropical haze but, thanks to the Oscars Bar and Grill, no more! The brainchild of entrepreneur Mark Davison and his partner Milen Velikov, who until recently ran the popular Sound Garden Bar in Baie Lazare, this exciting new venture right at the water’s edge with its breezy tropical garden, looks all set to turn that around. The philosophy of Oscars is simple and built on three pillars: amazing, multi-faceted venue; an eclectic and uncomplicated menu designed to please and fun activities to match. You feel the difference as soon as you walk into the large veranda and encounter the expansive bar, crafted in local wood and with murals inspired by local artist Alcide Libanotis to resemble a ghost ship washed ashore on a deserted island, with its shattered mast, cracked planking and ghostly lighting. Its

210

ingeniously-conceived wood backdrop is home to row upon row of bottles waiting to be cunningly blended into Oscars repertoire of cocktails conjured up by resident alchemist and virtuoso barman, Warren. Oscars also offers a selection of ice-cold beers, including 1664 and Carlsberg on draft. Further along the veranda, tables in the main dining area overlook the ocean over a low sea-wall, part of which is arranged as a secondary bar where one can also sit and catch coral sunsets or follow the antics of the marine life caught in Oscars floodlights. On the other side, in a pretty beachside garden, waving coconut palms dapple a further array of tables in sunlight and shade by day and are etched in turn by delicate fairy lights by night, adding yet another dimension to the Oscar experience. This is a haven for families and children who will relish the space and safe access to the sea. At the end of the garden, in just one step, you are on the pristine beach and, in two, already in the balmy, shallow waters of the bay. With its capacity for 60 diners, Oscars offers an enticing combination of Milen’s now-famous signature grilled fish and tasty Creole and Thai dishes as well as a choice of healthy salads. Oscars offers the largest selection of deep-sea and reef fish anywhere in the islands, all grilled to melt-in-your-mouth. Not

to be missed is Oscars fish tartare, freshly prepared in house from tuna steak. For the lucky few, Milen occasionally treats his guests to traditional culinary masterpieces from his native Bulgaria, with an island twist, of course. As if that isn’t enough to tempt diners from all over the island, Oscars host different themed evenings; special DJ parties from 2-10pm; weddings and private functions as well as movie and sports nights thanks to Oscars large screen and state-of-the-art projector. Oscars offers a full-day, all-inclusive package where you pay a set fee and then kick back and enjoy a whole day’s relaxation with drinks and food from the à la carte menu included; something unique in Seychelles. Oscars also offers a full, traditional English breakfast, complete with all the trimmings. As a small recognition of Seychelles’ long, sea-faring history, any guest arriving at Oscars by boat is welcomed with a drink “on the house”. Thanks to the innovative spirit behind Oscars, any nostalgia for its Golden Age is now a thing of the past. facebook @ OSCARSSEYCHELLES

ABSOLUTE

The philosophy of Oscars is simple and built on three pillars: amazing, multi-faceted venue; an eclectic and uncomplicated menu designed to please and fun activities to match.

211

www.seychellesbarbers.com

PROFESSIONAL MENS GROOMING Port Victoria, Beau Vallon, BeachHouse, Seychelles TEL: 00248-2538297

212

Find us on facebook @baisbarbers #baisbarbersseychelles

The

Boat House Seychellois Creole Cuisine Under the Crows Nest

elcome aboard Boat House! A favourite among visitors and locals alike, Boat House is one of the Seychelles’ most famous creole specialty restaurants where the evenings come alive with guests enjoying a sumptuous creole buffet served on a boat or A La Carte menu inside the restaurant. The business began back in 1993 when Karen and Richard Mancienne were selling model boats and arranging boat charters for the tourists from their home by the beach after working hours. This prompted the name, The Boat House for the old building, where the couple lived with their three young children. One evening with just 25 Rupees, Richard brought home a fish, rice and a few vegetables and prepared a meal for two tourists near the road in front of their home. He returned that evening with SR 100 and invested that to cook for four clients the following day. Every night more and more food lovers came and in 1996, Richard started running the business full time and it eventually grew into the popular Boat House Restaurant on the shorelines of the famous Beau Vallon Beach. Today, the three young children now adults, Dominic, Francoise and Nicole have returned to Seychelles to carry on the family business and have introduced new concepts such as the Spa, Boutique & Gallery, as well as the Deli and Beer Garden. In addition, just above the restaurant is a Barber Shop - the experiences and services any holidaymaker would need are right next to each other. Boat House Restaurant & Bar As you walk into the restaurant, friendly faces greet you and you are immediately drawn by the crow’s nest that overlooks the dining area and the relaxed open air feel of the place. The true beauty of Seychelles cannot be fully experienced unless you taste the traditional local cuisine and Boat House is the perfect place for that experience. Sitting right in the centre of the beautiful Beau Vallon Beach, the restaurant can offer you creole cuisine in all its splendour. The Mancienne family, of whom are the owners of Boat House, have been running the restaurant for more than two decades and have created a strong community around the traditional local food, that can sometimes be rare to find in other restaurants on the island. You’ll be tasting excellent creole food at the friendliest place on Mahe! The decor and surroundings are rustic and homely, giving the visitor a real sense of the true island life, preparing you for the creole home cooked dishes ready to be savoured.

214

The Seychellois cuisine has an amazing legacy spanning across different continents with the excellent use of spices, fruits and vegetables. At Boat House you’ll experience this culinary legacy and you won’t be disappointed. The popular buffet dinner features over 20 local specialities such as mouthwatering grilled fish, papaya satini, fish and chicken curries and breadfruit chips - the legend goes that if you eat breadfruit you’ll return to Seychelles. Barbeque lovers should not miss the barbecued fish and steaks every night. You can enjoy your meal overlooking beautiful views of Beau Vallon Beach with Silhouette Island floating on the horizon. At lunchtime you can enjoy the A la carte menu which features popular creole dishes and desserts. To accompany your meal, it’s highly recommended that you order a Seybrew or cocktail from the Boat House Bar and savour the taste of the islands. The open bar just across the road from the beach is a tempting attraction for visitors and locals walking by the restaurant. The bar turns into a buzzing area in the evenings as the Beer Garden with its adorned fairy lights fills up with conversation and gatherings. But it gets better! The Bar is home to some of the islands best cocktails, mixed and created by the talented Bartender, Kevin Payet. Unique, affordable and made with fresh ingredients, if you merge the amazing vibe, the cocktails and the deep orange sunset, then you have yourself a Happy hour experience in paradise that you’ll never forget. Boutique, Gallery & Deli For the beachgoers you can buy a refreshing ice cream or treat yourself to a quick bite of the homemade paninis at the Deli and relax in the Beer Garden. The quaint little Deli offers ice cream, paninis, fresh smoothies, milkshakes, cakes and coffee. You’ll be greeted by two friendly Italian ladies, Alice and Luigina, who’ll be ready to serve you with a bright smile and also guide you to the Boutique and Gallery just a few steps away, where you can buy locally made artisanal goods, souvenirs and t shirts to take back home as gifts. The Gallery also features incredible paintings and art by two famous local artists, George Camille and Nigel Henri, as well as Russian artist, Vladimir Tarakanoff. You’ll be transported into a world of colours!

Boat House Spa, Hair & Beauty It was Nicole Mancienne’s childhood dream to manage her own spa and in 2017, this dream became a reality. Situated just down the road from Boat House Restaurant, the Spa is a rustic chic getaway for the guest who wants to be pampered and re-energise the mind, body and soul. They also offer haircuts, blow dry and hair dyeing treatments, for the ultimate beauty and spa experience. Exuding the creole charm, the spa offers a list of rejuvenating and relaxing massages and facials, as well as manicures and pedicures. Using Body Shop as its main beauty product for treatments and facials, guests also have the option of buying the products which are on sale at reception. At an affordable price, guests can enjoy any spa treatment from the list and feel total relaxation in the private rooms or treat themselves to a manicure and pedicure in the open air lounge with the sunlight caressing their skin. With the fresh ocean breeze filling through the curtains, the Boat House Spa is the haven you are looking to soothe the mind and re-energize the soul. Boat House Restaurant & Bar Open Mon-Sun: Breakfast: 0900hrs-1100hrs A La Carte menu lunch: 1200hrs – 1600hrs Buffet Dinner served at 1930hrs -2130hrs Boat House Spa Mon-Sat: 1000hrs-1900hrs

ABSOLUTE

Deli & Boutique Mon-Sat: 1100hrs-1830hrs

215

island casinos / bars / restaurants / art gallery Gran Kaz offers so much more than just gaming and in the form of a variety of in-house bars such as the popular Zez bar located on the ground floor of Mercury House. Offering competitive prices and excellent service, this is where both locals and visitors can enhance their gaming enjoyment.

216

Gran Kaz C

ABSOLUTE

reated in 2014, Gran Kaz, located in Mercury House in the heart of the capital, Victoria, is home to Seychelles’ superior gaming experience for clients aged 18 and above. Cocooned within a visually stimulating, roomy and relaxing atmosphere, this unique experience, available Monday to Sunday, includes an offering of a vast variety of the most technologically-advanced slot machines as well as a world-class casino experience including Roulette, Black Jack, Russian poker, Casino Hold’em poker and Baccarat. Gran Kaz offers so much more than just gaming and in the form of a variety of in-house bars such as the popular Zez bar located on the ground floor of Mercury House. Offering competitive prices and excellent service, this is where both locals and visitors can enhance their gaming enjoyment in an enticing, vibrant atmosphere, watching sports events, enjoying an after-work drink with colleagues or catching up with friends in a conveniently central location. On the first floor of Mercury House, Bonm bar, a smaller, more intimate version of Zez provides a more select venue to accommodate those in search of a quiet ambiance perfect for smaller gatherings. Finally, as its name suggests, the Piano bar in the Mercury House Annex provides the perfect, sophisticated venue by way of its lounge-like atmosphere with its signature cocktails and renowned, Gran Kaz first-class service. Gran Kaz has recently extended its footprint to include the exclusive Gran Kaz Bel Ombre Slots in the bustling north of the island where a technologically-advanced entertainment centre caters for a wide range of audiences. Complementing this exceptional gaming experience, its Tanbour Bar and Grill is, quite simply, the finest sports bar on the island offering its clients big-screen sports entertainment with delicious signature cocktails and a fine bar menu to help them relax after work or gather with friends at the weekend. Already with a reputation for hosting spectacular, outdoor events such as the Moonlight Invasion, Valentine’s Day Bachelor Auction, Gran Kaz’s International Jazz Day Celebrations, among others, the venue has far more in store for its clients in future and is also ideally situated and equipped to host private functions on the patio with its choice of attractive entertainment packages, including hosting everything from small cocktails to exclusive dinners.

Gran Kaz plays a very active role in the communities where it operates. Their corporate social responsibility activities stem from a deep seated belief that businesses can only ever thrive if the people in their communities also thrive. At the core of this belief is Corporate Sustainability and Corporate Citizenship. For any business to sustain and grow in the long term it cannot see itself as being isolated from the community. By providing the community with opportunities to grow and develop, they are not just doing a nice thing, we are doing the right thing. Our CSR portfolios have ranged from conservation efforts, to tackling social ills such as drug abuse, supporting animal welfare organisations as well as financing Early Childhood Development frameworks. One such community project that the team are particularly proud of is the “adoption” and renovation of the iconic national monument, the Kenwyn House. A passion for art, and for preserving and promoting their traditions and culture, were the driving force behind the decision to renovate the incredible piece of historical architecture that is the Kenwyn House, and to turn it into a public Art and Culture Gallery.

217

Kenwyn House Gallery also boasts the first ever Coco de Mer Wall in Seychelles - presenting the unofficial emblem of the Seychelles in all its forms, shapes and sizes. The Coco de Mer, which is the largest nut in the world, and endemic to the Seychelles, is a rare plant that gained protected status in 1995.

218

Gran Kaz C

ABSOLUTE

onstructed in 1855, Kenwyn House’s first occupant was chief medical examiner Dr. James Henry Brooks before becoming the home of the engineers of the Eastern Telegraphic Company and, finally, being declared a national monument in 1984. In the years that followed, the house has stood proud in the heart of Victoria, though years of wear and tear and being weather-beaten finally took a toll. In 2018, Gran Kaz acquired the lease on this monument and with the help of Laxmanbhai and Co. The company embarked on the exciting journey of restoring the beautiful building, so exemplary of the French colonial style of the time – which has become synonymous with traditional Creole architecture – to its former glory. Kenwyn House now stands open to visitors as a public art gallery, showcasing some of the most extraordinary works of local Seychellois artists. By giving this building back to the community in the form of a gallery Gran Kaz are not only helping to promote and encourage local artists in the Seychelles, but also further enriching the art scene in the capital. The Kenwyn House Gallery operates as a purely non-profit entity. This means that not only is it free for the artists to display their work, and free entry for visitors, but it also means that they do not sell any of the artworks on site. Rather, they allow the artists full ownership of sales. The gallery rotates artists on a quarterly basis, ensuring that the art exhibited is always fresh and exciting. Many big names on the local art scene have already been featured in the Kenwyn House Gallery, alongside up and coming new faces. Gran Kaz aim to help further cultivate the arts in Seychelles, both in the sense of enticing young people to be more involved in this field, but also to encourage socalled amateur artists to continue to develop their skill and passion. The team hope to achieve this with a new project they have in the pipelines – the Kenwyn House Gallery Arts and Literature Awards. Kenwyn House Gallery also boasts the first ever Coco de Mer Wall in Seychelles - presenting the unofficial emblem of the Seychelles in all its forms, shapes and sizes. The Coco de Mer, which is the largest nut in the world, and endemic to the Seychelles, is a rare plant that gained protected status in 1995.

A perfect place to take a ‘Seychelles selfie’ – a unique keepsake for visitors. Since its opening in October 2018, the Gallery has made quite an impression on all who have visited – artists and art lovers alike.

Set up in collaboration with the Seychelles Island Foundation (SIF), the wall is dedicated to providing information about this most intriguing plant and raising awareness about the work undertaken by the SIF for its protection and propagation. The wish is that the Coco de Mer wall will become a landmark in its own right, a perfect place to take a ‘Seychelles selfie’ – a unique keepsake for visitors. Since its opening in October 2018, the Gallery has made quite an impression on all who have visited – artists and art lovers alike. www.grankaz.sc

219

G A L L E R Y

Seychelles captured images.

Photography Marsha Dine Photography

220

ABSOLUTE

221

222

ABSOLUTE

223

224

ABSOLUTE

225

226

ABSOLUTE

227

228

ABSOLUTE

229

Mahé

K ¦

R R R

Glacis

Praslin

¦ Beau Vallon Beach Ò

Anse Major

Bell Ombre

Sainte Anne Island

Victoria

Baie Ternay

q R

Cerf Island Eden Island

The Tea Factory Grand Anse

Therese R

Indian Ocean

R R

Botanical Gardens

Conception

Mahé

Seychelles International Airport

Anse Boileau Anse A La Mouche Morne Seychellois National Park Ferry Jetty R Dive Site Seychelles International Airport Snorkelling Ò Dive Centre Spa Surfing Restaurant Nightlife

230

Indian Ocean

Craft Village Point Aux Sel

q Le Jardin du Roi

Anse Soleil

¦Anse Gaulette

Anse Royale Baie Lazare

¦Anse Parnel

Anse Takamaka

Anse Forbans

Anse Intendance

R R

Police Bay

La Digue

W R R

Anse Patates Anse Severe

Ò Ò

La Passe

Anse Grosse Roche

Anse Reunion

Anse Fourmis Anse Caima

Veuve Nature Reserve

C'Union Estate Anse Union

L'Union Reserve

Anse Source D'Argent Anse Pierrot Anse Aux Cédres Anse Bonnet Carre

La Digue

Anse Cocos

Petit Anse Grand Anse Anse L'anse

Praslin

Snorkelling Ò Dive Centre Spa Restaurant

Curieuse Island R R

Anse Lazio

Anse Kerlan

INDIAN

Anse Boudin

Anse Possession

M A S O N'S

Cote d'Or

Praslin Museum

Praslin Airport

Grand Anse

M A S O N'S

Anse Volbert Caino des lies Grande Anse Baie Sainte Anne R

Praslin Anse Consolation

Ferry Jetty Dive Site Praslin Airport Snorkelling Ò Dive Centre Spa Restaurant Nightlife Golf course

M A S O N'S

Petie Anse

Anse Takamaka

OCEAN

Anse Petit Cour

Mont Plasier

ABSOLUTE

Jetty

Anse Gaulettes

Aride

Bird Island

Denis Island Curieuse

Sisters Islands Félicité

Cousin Cousine

15 mins

North 60

Marianne

Silhouette Ste. Anne Moyenne Round Long Island

Frégate

Cerf Eden Island

Conception Thérése

ALDABRA GROUP

ALDABRA ATOLL

COSMOLEDO ATOLL ASSUMPTION

STE. ANNE SILHOUETTE NORTH ISLAND FREGATE

KM a 4 30 35 55

KM - DISTANCE FROM MAHÉ

232

PRASLIN COUSIN COUSINE CURIEUSE ARIDE

FARQUHAR GROUP

ST. PIERRE FARQUHAR ATOLL

ASTOVE

KM a 45 10 44 44 15 52 50

LA DIGUE FÉLICITÉ COCO ISLAND BIRD ISLAND DENIS ISLAND

KM 50 55 55 105 95

a 20 20 30 30

aH TIME FROM MAHÉ BY PLANE OR HELICOPTOR

Marianne

BIRD

NORTH

SILHOUETTE

DENIS

PRASLIN STE. ANNE

AMIRANTES GROUP

INNER ISLANDS

AFRICAN BANKS

REMIRE

ST. JOSEPH

35 min

DESROCHES

MARIE LOUISE DESNOEUFS ALPHONSE

ST. FRANCOIS

min

PLATTE

SOUTHERN GROUP COËTIVY

BIJOUTIER

ALPHONSE GROUP

ABSOLUTE

PROVIDENCE

233

•

• • •

• 234

ABSOLUTE

235