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SILHOUETTE THE IN-FLIGHT MAGAZINE OF AIR SEYCHELLES VOLUME 25 NUMBER 1

its Extended Family

Dear Guest, Welcome on board! I’m delighted to mark a major milestone in our carrier’s development with the attainment of a four-star Skytrax rating. The award signifies the achievement of a recognised standard of high quality performance across a broad range of product and service benchmarks, and is a thrilling endorsement of the success of our turnaround strategy, as well as the synergies derived from working with our equity partner, Etihad Airways. We have come a long way in two years to rank among the very best airlines in the world, capping a remarkable year for Air Seychelles and 35 years in the industry. I wish to thank our 600 staff members, all of whom have had a role in achieving this accolade. I’m proud of their dedication, professionalism and commitment to deliver service with Creole warmth and hospitality that is unique to the Seychelles. We will continue to invest in our people and our product to deliver a high quality Seychelles experience. On the subject of investment, I am pleased to report that we have signed an order to purchase three brand new Twin Otter DHC6-400 aircraft, which will join our fleet in the summer of 2015. It is our largest ever domestic fleet order. The new aircraft will replace our three existing DHC-6 Series 300 Twin Otters and will offer enhanced levels of comfort on your journeys between the islands. We offer more than 30 flights a day between Mahe and Praslin and other islands of the Seychelles, providing a fast, efficient, scenic and comfortable trip. Seeing our beautiful islands by the air is a unique experience, and if you haven’t yet had the pleasure, I suggest you try it. I am also delighted to report the launch of Air Seychelles VIP, Seychelles’ first Fixed Base Operation (FBO) facility, in collaboration with Royal Jet, the award-winning luxury flight services provider. With Air Seychelles VIP, we enter the luxury travel market, providing premium lounge facilities as well as a comprehensive range of support services for the private jet market, putting Seychelles clearly on the map for a new class of clientele. We have also been busy expanding the reach of Air Seychelles through new airline partnerships. I am pleased to welcome Cathay Pacific Airways, one of the world’s premier airlines, as a new codeshare partner. With this agreement, we extend our reach further into Asia and Australasia, enhancing our connections in Hong Kong, one of the world’s great aviation hubs. In subsequent phases of the cooperation, we plan to expand the partnership and offer reciprocal frequent flyer benefits. We have also made South Africa more accessible than ever by extending our codeshare agreement with South African Airways to Durban, Cape Town, East London and Port Elizabeth. And in November, we expanded our codeshare agreement with Etihad Airways to add Ho Chi Minh City to our network. Air Seychelles now seamlessly connects Seychelles to 13 cities in Europe, 26 cities in Asia, 26 cities in Africa, and four cities in Australia. We will continue to expand our network, organically and in cooperation with new and existing partners, bringing more opportunities for global travellers to experience the beauty and culture of our home, the Seychelles, and for our residents to visit the world. Thank you for flying with Air Seychelles. We hope you enjoy your flight today and we look forward to welcoming you on board again soon.

Cher client, Bienvenue à bord! Je suis très ravi du nouveau classement 4-étoiles de notre compagnie par Skytrax, ce qui représente une étape importante dans notre développement. Ce classement signifie que nous avons atteint un niveau de performance de haute qualité reconnue à travers un large éventail de produits et de services de référence. Il reconnait aussi la formidable réussite de notre politique de redressement, ainsi que les synergies qui se dégagent de notre collaboration avec notre partenaire Etihad Airways. Nous avons parcouru un long chemin en deux ans: nous sommes aujourd’hui parmi les meilleures compagnies aériennes dans le monde, et cette performance marque le couronnement d’une année remarquable pour Air Seychelles qui fête ses 35 ans. Je tiens à remercier l’ensemble de nos 600 employés, qui partagent cette récompense. Je suis fier de leur dévouement, de leur professionnalisme et de leur engagement pour offrir un service avec l’accueil et l’hospitalité créole qui sont caractéristiques des Seychelles. Nous allons continuer à investir dans nos employés et nos produits pour offrir à nos clients une expérience seychelloise de haute qualité. En ce qui concerne l’investissement, je suis heureux d’annoncer que nous avons signé une commande pour l’achat de trois nouveau Twin Otter DHC6-400, qui s’ajouteront à notre flotte en été 2015. C’est la plus importante commande jamais faite pour la flotte domestique. Le modèle qui a été récemment amélioré remplacera nos trois séries DHC- 6 Twin Otter 300 existant et offrira un niveau de confort accru sur les trajets inter-îles. Nous offrons plus de 30 vols par jour entre Mahé et Praslin et les autres îles des Seychelles, avec un voyage rapide, efficace, pittoresque et confortable. Une vue aérienne de nos belles îles constitue une expérience unique, et si vous n’avez pas encore eu ce plaisir, je vous suggère de l’essayer. Je suis également ravi d’annoncer le lancement d’Air Seychelles VIP, la première base d’opérations fixe des Seychelles (FBO) en collaboration avec Royal Jet, le fournisseur primé de services de vol de luxe. Avec Air Seychelles VIP, nous entrons dans le marché du voyage de luxe avec un salon haut de gamme ainsi qu’une offre complète de services de soutien pour le marché de jet privé, en mettant Seychelles clairement sur la carte de cette nouvelle classe de clientèle . Nous avons également été très occupés à étendre le réseau d’Air Seychelles à travers de nouveaux partenariats avec d’autres compagnies aériennes. Je suis heureux d’accueillir Cathay Pacific Airways, l’une des meilleures compagnies aériennes dans le monde, comme un nouveau partenaire en partage de code. Avec cet accord, nous étendons notre portée vers l’Asie et l’Australasie tout en améliorant nos connexions à Hong Kong, l’un des grands centres de l’aviation dans le monde. Dans les phases ultérieures de cette coopération, nous prévoyons d’étendre le partenariat avec une réciprocité de nos programmes de fidélisation. Nous avons également rendu l’Afrique du Sud plus que jamais accessible pour vous avec l’extension de notre accord de partage de code avec la South African Airways à Durban, Cape Town, East London et Port Elizabeth. Et en novembre, nous avons étendu notre accord de partage de code avec Etihad Airways pour ajouter Ho Chi Minh Ville à notre réseau. Air Seychelles relie maintenant les Seychelles de façon continue à 13 villes en Europe, 26 villes en Asie, 26 villes en Afrique, et quatre villes en Australie. Nous allons continuer à développer notre réseau, d’une façon organique et en coopération avec nos partenaires actuels et de nouveaux, offrant ainsi davantage de possibilités pour les voyageurs internationaux à découvrir la beauté et la culture de notre pays, les Seychelles, et aussi permettre à nos résidents de visiter le monde. Merci de voyager avec Air Seychelles. Nous espérons que vous apprécierez ce vol aujourd’hui et nous serons très heureux de vous accueillir à bord pour un autre voyage avec nous.

Bon Voyage

Cramer Ball Chief Executive Officer Directeur Général

SILHOUETTE VOLUME 25 NUMBER 1

Photo © Camerapix Ltd

THE IN-FLIGHT MAGAZINE OF AIR SEYCHELLES

its Extended Family

Contents

C over King of Aldabra, Giant Tortoise

Aldabra and its Extended Family Visiting Aldabra is a lifetime’s ambition for some, but it is not everyone’s cup of tea. Astove and Cosmoledo are even more remote, and have been uninhabited for decades, but have tremendous potential to be future Aldabras.

The Business of Formula One A prelude to the 2014 Formula One season from behind the scenes.

Dublin, the Fair City

One of the top city break destinations in Europe, steeped in history and buzzing with youthful energy, the Irish capital is at the very heart of Irish culture.

Founding Publisher: Mohamed Amin Editorial Director: Rukhsana Haq Editor: Roger Barnard Editorial Assistant: Cecilia Wanjiku Creative Designer: Charles Kamau Production Manager: Azra Chaudhry, London Production Assistants: Rachel Musyimi, Rose Judha Editorial Board: Rukhsana Haq Adrian Skerrett

Silhouette is published three times a year for Air Seychelles PO Box 386, Mahé, Seychelles Telephone: (+248) 4391000 Fax: (+248) 4224305 E-mail: pro@airseychelles.com By Camerapix Magazines Limited, PO Box 45048, 00100, GPO Nairobi, Kenya Telephone: +254 (20) 4448923/4/5 Fax: +254 (20) 4448818 E-mail: creative@camerapix.co.ke

Editorial and Advertising Office: Camerapix Magazines (UK) Limited, 32 Friars Walk, Southgate, London N14 5LP Telephone: +44 (20) 8361 2942 Mobile: +44 79411 21458 E-mail: camerapixuk@btinternet.com Correspondence on editorial and advertising matters may be sent to either of the above addresses. Printed in: Dubai

Regulars • 1 • 14 • 72 • 78

CEO Foreword Discover Seychelles Worldwide Offices English - Creole

• • • •

• 8 Map of Mahé • 70 Travel Facts • 76 Crossword • 80

4 Welcome Aboard

News

International Route Map

74 79

Dining Out Silhouette News

The Little Circus with a Big Heart

Now in its 10th year, the Magic Circus of Samoa is unique, making a point of not so much visiting towns and cities but instead performing on remote islands of the South Pacific, bringing its special brand of magic to children of all ages with little opportunity otherwise to enjoy a show.

Stress Busters

Fifteen tips to achieve physical and mental relaxation in two days.

The Forest of Capucin

Explore the Forest of Capucin, one of Seychelles’ most precious secrets, situated on the south coast of Mahe.

Sustainable shark fishing in the Seychelles Over the years, intensive fishing has decimated shark stocks. To combat this, Seychelles has introduced a National Plan of Action for Conservation and Management of Sharks aimed to ensure that the sharks are harvested sustainably.

We l c o m e A b o a r d Air Seychelles is pleased to welcome you aboard this flight and hopes that you will enjoy our services. Your cabin crew will do everything possible to make your journey pleasant. Should you need any assistance or information, please do not hesitate to call the cabin crew by pressing the call button located on the armrest of your seat.

Important For your information, use of the following equipment on board is strictly prohibited under any circumstances: • FM/AM/TV transmitters or receivers • Citizens Band Transceivers • Full size Computer Printers • Portable Telephones, (not part of the approved aircraft installation) • Remote Control Toys • Satellite Receivers • Scanners • Walkie Talkies • Wireless Microphones

UNRULY/DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOUR ONBOARD AIR SEYCHELLES’ OWNED/OPERATED AIRCRAFT In terms of International Civil Aviation legislation and regulations, it is an offence for any person to: • Constitute any action that jeopardises or may jeopardise the safety of an aircraft, passenger and/ or crew • Disobey valid instruction from a crew member (safety officer)* • Interfere with the normal operation of the aircraft

There is growing evidence that the above devices generate interference that could directly affect aircraft navigation and control systems.

Hand Baggage Please note that one piece of hand baggage, in addition to a handbag and small camera, may be taken on board. For your own safety, you must place your hand baggage either in the overhead storage compartment or under the seat in front of you. The Cabin Crew will remove hand baggage from passengers seated in exit row areas and this will be returned after take-off should it be required in-flight. Please ensure that the contents do not include any prohibited goods and also ensure contents do not spill out, to avoid injuries to you and your fellow passengers.

Infants and Children Cabin Crew will assist in preparing baby foods. When possible, baby cots are available for infants.

Special Meals Air Seychelles offers a selection of special meals to suit the dietary and religious needs of passengers provided they are requested prior to the flight, preferably at the time of booking. If you wish to order a special meal for your return flight, please make your request when you re-confirm your flight. Special meals are also available for children, if requested in the same way.

Smoking Smoking is not permitted on all Air Seychelles flights.

Safety Safety is our first priority. Please watch attentively the safety video or safety demonstration given by the flight attendants and read the Safety Instruction Card located in the seat pocket in front of you. Seat belts must be fastened for takeoff and landing and when the seat belt sign is illuminated during the flight.

• Assault or wilfully interfere with any member of the crew of the aircraft in the performance of his/ her duties • Ignore warning signs and/or safety signs within the cabin of the aircraft • Wilfully cause damage to an aircraft which renders it incapable of flight or which is likely to endanger its safety in flight • Communicate any information which he/she knows to be false, thereby endangering the safety of an aircraft in service • Commit any nuisance or any disorderly or indecent act or to be in a state of intoxication or behave in a violent or offensive manner to the annoyance of any other person on the aircraft, or use abusive, indecent or offensive language. In terms of Seychelles legislation it is an offence to smoke on any Seychelles registered aircraft. Smoking in the toilet compartments of an aircraft is deemed a safety risk and is lawfully punishable. Any person committing any of these offences while on board an Air Seychelles flight may be arrested at his/her point of arrival and prosecuted in accordance with the applicable Civil Aviation legislation. Such prosecution may result in the imposition of a fine and/or imprisonment. It is the policy of Air Seychelles, in the interest of the safety of the travelling public and our employees, to lay the necessary criminal charges against unruly passengers and to aggressively pursue the successful prosecution of such persons.

Seating Whilst your seat is adjustable, it has to be in the upright position, with the foot-rest and tray table stowed, for take-off and landing. Each seat has an individual reading light, enabling you to read at night without disturbing your neighbour.

Comfort For your comfort, blankets, pillows, socks and eyeshades are available on all overnight flights.

Personal Belongings Before leaving the aircraft, please ensure that you have all your personal belongings with you, remembering to check the overhead lockers as well as the seating areas.

Laboutik Duty Free Sales: Sales of duty free goods are conducted on all international flights, time permitting. Please consult the Laboutik Duty Free Brochure in the seat pocket in front of you. This brochure details the range available and the currencies and credit cards that are accepted.

Electronic Equipment Passengers are requested not to make use of any electronic equipment that could interfere with the navigational equipment on board the aircraft. Please ask the Cabin Crew for assistance.

Spraying Health regulations at Seychelles International Airport require that the aircraft must be sprayed. The spray used conforms to international regulations and presents no danger to your health. However, we suggest you cover your nose and mouth should you feel you may be inconvenienced by the spray.

In-flight Service Our menus are designed to include the wide range of flavours from the Seychelles. Depending on the duration of your flight, one or two meals are served. We offer free drinks on all our flights.

Please note: In terms of International Civil Aviation legislation, the Commander (Captain) of the aircraft is authorised/ empowered to take any action deemed necessary, including restraint, of any person who jeopardises the safety of the aircraft or of persons or property on board. In terms of this authority the commander may request and/or authorise any member of the crew to render assistance in terms of restraint or action against such offenders. In terms of Air Seychelles’ right of refusal of carriage, Air Seychelles reserves the right to refuse boarding to any person who is intoxicated or who, under reasonable grounds, is believed to pose a potential danger to the safety and/or good order and discipline on board its aircraft. The primary function of a crew member is to act as a safety officer on board an aircraft. All Air Seychelles crew members are trained and licensed as safety officers in terms of International Civil Aviation regulations.

We now invite you to sit back, relax and enjoy the Air Seychelles in-flight service.

Bienvenue á bord Air Seychelles est heureuse de vous accueillir à bord et espère que vous serez satisfaits de nos services. Notre équipage de bord fera son possible pour rendre votre voyage agréable. Pour tout renseignement ou aide, n’hésitez pas à appeler les membres de l’équipage en pressant le bouton situé sur l’accoudoir de votre siège.

Confort

Important PRÉVENTION DES COMPORTEMENT S PERTURBATEURS ET DES INDISCIPLINES À BORD DES AÉRONEFS APPARTENANT À AIR SEYCHELLES OU EXPLOITÉS PAR AIR SEYCHELLES.

Pour votre information, l’usage des équipements suivants est formellement interdit à bord sous aucun prétexte: • Emetteurs ou récepteurs FM/AM/TV • Emetteur-récepteur de la citizen band • Imprimantes • Téléphone mobile • Jouets télécommandés • Récepteurs satellitaires • Scanneurs • Talkies-walkies • Micro sans fil

D’après les règlements de l’Aviation Civile Internationale (OACI), toute personne qui:

Il devient de plus en plus évident que ces appareils créent des interférences qui peuvent atteindre les réseaux de navigation et de contrôle de l’avion.

• Perturbe le déroulement normal du vol

• Entreprend une action qui met ou est susceptible de mettre en danger les passagers, l’équipage et/ ou l’appareil • Refuse de se conformer à une injonction d’un membre de l’équipage (officier de sécurité)

• Agresse un membre d’équipage

Bagage en cabine

• Perturbe sciemment le travail de l’équipage

Un seul bagage à main, en plus d’un sac à main et un petit appareil photo, est autorisé à bord. Pour votre confort et votre sécurité, il doit être placé soit dans le compartiment à bagages soit sous le siège juste en face de vous. Les membres de l’équipage s’occuperont des bagages des passagers assis près des portes de sorties. Ils leur seront restitués après le décollage ou pendant le vol en cas de besoin. Veuillez vous assurer que votre bagage à main ne contient pas de marchandises interdites susceptibles de présenter un danger pour vous ou les autres passagers.

• Ne tient pas compte des consignes de sécurité, des signaux lumineux en cabine ou des instructions verbales de l’équipage

Bébés et enfants en bas âge Une hôtesse vous assiste pour la préparation des repas pour bébé et installe un berceau selon la disponibilité à bord.

Repas Air Seychelles vous propose une sélection de menus convenant à votre régime alimentaire (ex. régime végétarien) à condition que vous en fassiez la demande lors de la réservation de votre billet. Si vous désirez un menu spécial ou un menu enfant, veuillez informer votre compagnie aérienne ou votre agent de voyage lorsque vous confirmez votre voyage.

Interdiction de fumer Tous les vols Air Seychelles sont non-fumeurs.

Mesures de sûreté Votre sûreté est notre priorité. Nous vous conseillons de suivre bien attentivement la vidéo sur nos écrans ainsi la démonstration de sécurité effectuée par notre personnel de bord avant le décollage. Il vous est également conseillé de lire les consignes de sécurité sur la fiche rangée dans la poche du siège situé en face de vous. Votre ceinture de sécurité doit être obligatoirement bouclée lors du décollage et de l’atterrissage ou pendant le vol, lorsque le petit voyant, situé au-dessus de votre siège, est allumé.

• Cause volontairement des dommages à l’appareil qui le rendent inexploitable ou qui mettent à risque la sécurité du vol • Communique sciemment des informations fausses, mettant ainsi en danger un vol, son équipage et ses passagers. • A un comportement gênant, perturbateur, indécent, fait preuve de violence à l’égard d’autres personnes, profère des insultes ou des obscénités. Commet une infraction passible de poursuites. Le règlement de l’Aviation Civile Seychelloise stipule qu’il est interdit de fumer à bord de tout avion immatriculé aux Seychelles. Fumer dans les toilettes constitue un risque pour la sécurité et est puni par la loi. Quiconque commettra l’une ou plusieurs de ces infractions sera arrêté à destination et poursuivi en vertu des règles de l’aviation civile concernée et du règlement du transporteur. Ces poursuites peuvent conduire à une amende ou une peine de prison, voire les deux. La politique d’Air Seychelles, dans l’intérêt de ses passagers et de ses employés est de porter systématiquement devant la justice les cas de passagers perturbateurs et d’obtenir leur condamnation.

Sièges Vous pouvez ajuster la position de votre siège en appuyant sur le bouton situé sur l’accoudoir. Cependant, lors du décollage et de l’atterrissage, votre siège doit être obligatoirement redressé, le repose-pieds et la tablette en face de vous, relevés. Chaque siège est pourvu d’un éclairage individuel qui vous permet de lire la nuit sans déranger votre voisin.

Pour votre confort, une couverture, un oreiller, des chaussettes et un masque sont mis à votre disposition.

Effets personnels Avant de débarquer, assurez-vous que vous êtes bien en possession de tous vos effets personnels en vérifiant notamment le compartiment à bagages et votre siège.

Les boutiques de vente hors taxes : Les marchandises exemptes de droits existent sur tous les vols internationaux, si le temps le permet. Consultez, s’il vous plait, la brochure concernée qui se trouve dans la pochette du siège qui vous fait face. Cette brochure donne des détails sur le choix des produits disponibles, les devises et les cartes de crédit qui sont acceptées.

Utilisation d’appareils électroniques Les passagers sont priés de ne pas utiliser d’appareils électroniques susceptibles d’interférer avec les appareils de navigation aérienne à bord. Pour tout renseignement, veuillez vous adresser au personnel de cabine.

Désinsectisation Le règlement sanitaire de l’Aéroport de Mahé exige que l’appareil soit désinsectisé. Le produit utilisé est conforme aux normes internationales et ne présente aucun danger pour la santé ; cependant, si vous pensez qu’il peut vous incommoder, nous vous prions de bien vouloir vous couvrir la bouche et le nez avec un mouchoir.

A bord Nos menus vous feront découvrir en avant-garde les saveurs uniques des îles Seychelles. Selon la durée de vol, un ou deux repas seront servis à bord. Pendant toute la durée du vol, le service bar vous propose gratuitement des boissons fraîches.

Veuillez également noter que: D’après les règles de l’Aviation Civile Internationale (OACI), le Commandant de Bord est habilité et a le pouvoir de prendre toutes les mesures nécessaires pour assurer la sécurité des personnes et de leurs biens ainsi que celle de l’appareil, y compris la privation de mouvement pour quiconque pourrait menacer cette sécurité. Dans le cadre de ses fonctions, le Commandant de Bord peut demander à un ou plusieurs membres d’équipage de l’assister dans cette tâche, voire la déléguer pour neutraliser ceux qui commettraient des infractions. Air Seychelles s’octroie également le droit, conformément à ses conditions générales de transport de refuser l’embarquement à toute personne qui serait sous l’emprise de la drogue et/ou de l’alcool, ou qui représente un danger pour la sécurité, l’ordre et la discipline à bord. La première fonction des navigants est d’agir comme «officier de sécurité» à bord. Tous les membres d’ équipages d’Air Seychelles sont formés et certifiés «officier de sécurité» au sens des règlements de l’Organisation Internationale e l’Aviation Civile.

Nous vous invitons à vous installer confortablement, Vous détendre et profiter du service à bord d’Air Seychelles.

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News

Air Seychelles to Replace its Domestic Fleet Air Seychelles have agreed the purchase of three Viking Air DHC-6 Twin Otter Series 400 aircraft from Viking Air of Canada which will see the airline renew its domestic fleet by mid-2015. The new aircraft will be used for services between Mahé and Praslin, as well as other islands in the archipelago, including Bird, Denis and Frégate. Once delivered, the new aircraft will replace the three existing DHC-6 Series 300 Twin Otters, forming the backbone of a younger Air Seychelles domestic fleet. The airline currently operates one Viking Air DHC-6 Twin Otter Series 400 and three Series 300 aircraft.

Above: (from left to right) Mr. David C. Curtis, Viking Air President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Joël Morgan the Chairman of Air Seychelles and Seychelles’ Minister for Home Affairs and Transport with Air Seychelles Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Cramer Ball, exchange models of the new Twin Otter at a press conference held at the Seychelles International airport.

Codeshare Deal with Cathay Pacific Air Seychelles Registers Solid Performance Air Seychelles achieved a strong second quarter and half-year financial performance, reflecting continued solid growth and success in its turnaround strategy. In the second quarter, it posted a significant increase of 139% in total revenues. Total revenues for the first half of 2013 were up by 124%. Passenger numbers on the airline’s domestic and international services in the second quarter 2013 grew 56 per cent, rising to 82,893 from 53,066. In the first half of 2013, passenger numbers grew by 44 per cent to 146,980 (2012: 101,977). Air Seychelles’ Chief Executive Officer, Cramer Ball, attributed the results to the airline’s ongoing turnaround strategy, which included significant expansion of international services following the addition of a second Airbus A330-200, and greater revenue contributions from its equity partner Etihad Airways and codeshare partners.

Air Seychelles is significantly expanding its reach into Asia and Australia, thanks to a codeshare agreement with Cathay Pacific Airways, Hong Kong’s flagship carrier, which allows the airlines to introduce a comprehensive range of codeshare and interline air services. With this agreement, Air Seychelles places its ‘HM’ code on five Cathay Pacific flights per week between Hong Kong and Perth, six flights per week each between Hong Kong and Melbourne, Seoul, and three flights per week from Hong Kong to Johannesburg. Cathay Pacific codeshares on six flights per week between Hong Kong and Seychelles, and two flights per week from Seychelles to Abu Dhabi. Subsequent phases of the agreement will explore codesharing to additional points in Asia and the Seychelles archipelago, and will include guest benefits such as airport lounge access and frequent flyer programme reciprocity, including priority check-in, and excess baggage allowances for top tier programme members.

Air Seychelles Expands Codeshare to Vietnam Air Seychelles has expanded its codeshare agreement with Etihad Airways for travel to Vietnam over Abu Dhabi. The expanded agreement sees Air Seychelles place its ‘HM’ code on Etihad Airways’ daily service to Ho Chi Minh City, offering a total of 17 connections between Mahé and Ho Chi Minh City on the combined Air Seychelles and Etihad Airways network between Abu Dhabi and Seychelles.

• Silhouette • Vol 25 No 1 •

Above: Air Seychelles Chief Executive Officer, Cramer Ball and Cathay Pacific General Manager Revenue Management, James Tong, signed the codeshare agreement.

Two new Seychellois captains for Air Seychelles First Officers Archille Young (below) and Shiv Padayachy (below right), two Domestic Pilots, have been promoted to Captain and received their commander’s bar from the airline’s Chief Executive Officer, Cramer Ball. The new Twin Otter Commanders successfully completed the rigorous Company Command Upgrade Programme, which includes refresher training on aircraft technical elements, Crew Resource Management (CRM), leadership, decision-making and emergency procedures.

International Schedule Expands to include Paris Air Seychelles has announced new flights to Paris as part of a significant expansion of its international schedule. The airline will operate two return services per week between Seychelles and Paris-Orly airport via Abu Dhabi from February 2014, using an Airbus A330-200 aircraft, configured with 18 flat-bed Business class seats and 236 Economy seats. The new Paris-Orly services complement the existing double-daily services to Paris-Charles De Gaulle operated by our equity alliance partner Etihad Airways, giving travellers between the French capital and Abu Dhabi a choice of more flights per week and new convenient connections to key destinations on the Etihad Airways network. The new flights will increase the connections to 18 per week to Paris-Charles De Gaulle airport. In addition, the airline has announced plans to develop its regional network to introduce several new routes in 2014. Subject to approvals, this will mean significant expansion of its operations in the Indian Ocean in the fourth quarter 2014, following the delivery of an Airbus A319. Highlights of the plan include the launch of regional services to Antananarivo, Reunion, and Mumbai, an increase in services to Abu Dhabi, offering a double daily service with Etihad Airways, and maximised connectivity through the Seychelles, with two-way connectivity throughout the region with Mumbai and Abu Dhabi and beyond. The new regional schedule will see Air Seychelles operate three return flights per week to Mauritius and Mumbai, two return flights per week to Antananarivo and Reunion, and 11 return flights per week to Abu Dhabi. It will also offer three return flights per week to Hong Kong, three return flights per week to Johannesburg, and two flights per week to Paris-Orly, nearly doubling our international services from 16 to 29 flights per week.

Air Seychelles Partners with the Seychelles Institute of Technology (SIT) Air Seychelles’ Chief Executive Officer, Cramer Ball and Jean Rassool, Director of SIT, have signed a partnership agreement to facilitate the identification, training and recruitment of talented technicians of SIT for employment at the national airline. Under the terms of the partnership, Air Seychelles will provide support and opportunities for SIT students to actively participate in work attachment programmes in various ground services areas of the national airline under the supervision of Air Seychelles engineers and artisans who will identify potential for their further development within the airline.

• Silhouette • Vol 25 No 1 •

‘Air Seychelles VIP’ Launched to Target High-end Tourism

Air Seychelles, in partnership with Royal Jet, an international luxury flight services provider from Abu Dhabi, celebrated the launch of Air Seychelles VIP on 25 October 2013. This marks Seychelles’ first Fixed Base Operation (FBO) in a bid to attract growing numbers of private aviation tourists to Seychelles. Air Seychelles VIP provides a range of aviation services for private flights at the Seychelles International Airport. The services include assistance for landing permits, red carpet at aircraft steps, meet and assist at the aircraft, communication of weather situation/NOTAM, arrival and departure movement messages, coordination with fuel suppliers and arrangements for fuelling and engineering services. Air Seychelles VIP is also the official FBO for welcoming all Heads of State, diplomatic flights and military aircraft. Discreet and secure airside transfers to and from the aircraft and between the VIP facility and the domestic or international terminals, are also provided. For VIP commercial passengers, an exceptional level of service is provided through the VIP lounge. This is located airside, guaranteeing maximum discretion by avoiding the usual paths through the terminal. VIP clients can disembark in total privacy and complete security, guided by one of our highly experienced VIP hostesses, and straight into a waiting limousine. All post and preflight formalities are available in the VIP Lounge, including baggage claims, customs and immigration, check-in for commercial flights and security screening formalities prior to boarding aircraft. Transfer to and from the aircraft from certain parking bays will be provided by dedicated buggies. For more informationor to book your VIP experience, please visit www.airseychelles.com or your nearest agent.

• Silhouette • Vol 25 No 1 •

Up coming

Event

Air Seychelles

to Support Carnaval de Victorial 2014 Seychelles is winning plaudits for its annual carnival, writes Glynn Burridge.

The ‘Carnaval International de Victoria’ or, as it is becoming more widely known, ‘Carnival of Carnivals’ is increasingly attracting top-notch representatives from the international carnival community. Performers from Rio, Dusseldorf and Notting Hill, among many others, are coming to Seychelles to participate in a three-day melting pot of cultures from across the globe. Seychelles’ first carnival took place in 1972 to mark the opening of the international airport. The second was in 1976 during the Independence celebrations, so the idea of a carnival is not alien to the Seychellois. On the contrary, it falls very much in line with the islanders’ natural joie de vivre and irrepressible love of a good time. Perhaps this is what has made the previous editions of the carnival a success; that, or the way it has captured the imagination of many people who view it as an encouraging sign of what can be achieved by fostering international goodwill and understanding at a time of international tension and insecurity. Whatever is the driving force behind Seychelles’ very own and increasingly popular carnival, its magic seems to work. It never fails to attract a large cohort of international press into the country to cover three days of live music shows and acts, carnival-style entertainment, international food stalls and the famous carnival parade which takes the capital Victoria by storm and draws massive crowds into the streets of one of the tiniest capitals in the world. The 2014 edition of the Carnaval International de Victoria, of which the national carrier, Air Seychelles, is a major sponsor, is shaping up to be yet another show-stopper with a formula which seems to hit the sweet spot. Its many enthusiastic followers are eagerly awaiting the weekend of 25th-27th April to participate in one of the most exciting and vibrant cultural happenings in the western Indian Ocean.

Discover Seychelles The Islands

Discover Seychelles

ar from any continental land mass, the islands of Seychelles have long been likened to a string of pearls set in the azure waters of the Indian Ocean. No wonder that the slogan of this proud nation, one of the world’s prime holiday destinations, is ‘Not just another place, another world ‘. And it is delivered with an invitation that no normal person can resist, an invitation to ‘Discover the Islands’, which lie just four degrees south of the Equator and are literally 1,000 miles from anywhere. As the world becomes ever smaller, Seychelles is becoming increasingly accessible to holiday-makers from around the globe. With the greatest of ease, Air Seychelles whisks an ever increasing number of visitors from Europe, Africa, the Far East and the Middle East to sample the many and varied delights of the islands. Within these few square kilometres is a land of colourful contrasts; the bleached granite rocks, thrusting up from the sea like the peaks of a sunken mountain range lie in the shadow of lush tropical vegetation clinging to steep mountain sides. In the middle of a beach of white coral sand, a sudden upthrust of granite resembles a scene from the film 2001: A Space Odyssey. The people of the islands reflect these same dramatic contrasts. A description of a typical Seychellois is impossible; their ancestors include British and French seamen, freed African slaves, and Indian and Chinese merchants. Their skin tone can be fair or dark, their hair blonde or black, their eyes blue or brown. But they all share a gentle and cheerful character, combined with a nature as warm and welcoming as their island home.

Discover Seychelles Les Îles

A la Découverte des les

loignées de toute masse continentale, les îles Seychelles ont longtemps été comparées à un chapelet de perles dans les eaux bleues de l’océan indien. Pas étonnant que le slogan de cette fière nation, dont le pays est l’une des destinations de vacances les plus prisées dans le monde, soit ‘Pas juste un autre endroit, un autre monde’. Et celui-ci s’accompagne d’une invitation à laquelle aucune personne normalement constituée ne peut résister, une invitation ‘à la découverte des îles’, situées à seulement quatre degrés de latitude en dessous de l’équateur et littéralement à mille lieues de tout autre endroit. Au fur et à mesure que le monde rétrécit, les Seychelles deviennent de plus en plus accessibles aux agences de voyage et aux tours opérateurs du monde entier. Air Seychelles emmène ainsi chaque année avec la plus grande facilité un nombre croissant de visiteurs d’Europe, d’Afrique, du Proche Orient et de l’extrême Orient pour goûter aux délices nombreux et variés de ces îles. Parmi ces quelques kilomètres carrés de terres se trouve un pays de contrastes colorés: les rochers de granite , surgissant de la mer comme les pics d’une chaîne de montagnes engloutie, gisent dans l’ombre d’une végétation tropicale luxuriante s’accrochant jusqu’aux versants abrupts des montagnes. Au milieu d’une plage de sable corallien blanc, la présence d’un monolithe de granite fait penser à une scène du célèbre film: 2001, Odyssée de l’Espace. Les gens qui peuplent ces îles montrent un contraste tout aussi saisissant. Décrire un Seychellois typique est ainsi impossible, car leurs ancêtres sont des marins français et britanniques, des esclaves africains affranchis, des marchands indiens et chinois. Le teint de peau des Seychellois peut être aussi bien clair que foncé, leurs cheveux blonds ou bruns, leurs yeux bleus ou marrons. Mais ils partagent tous un même caractère doux et gai, ainsi qu’une façon d’être aussi chaleureuse et accueillante que leurs îles natales.

Discover Seychelles The Islands

History of Seychelles

he history of Seychelles could have come straight out of a story book: a tale of intrepid explorers, fearsome pirates and brutal battles for the islands’ bountiful treasures. The first serious exploration took place only in 1742, but early navigators, such as the Indonesians and Arabs, probably arrived before this time in search of fresh water and food. These visitors did not leave physical evidence of their passing, unless it was they who introduced the casuarina tree and coconut palm. It is possible that Arab merchants knew Seychelles as the source of the rare and valuable coco de mer nuts and came here to collect them, keeping the location secret so that they could sell them at inflated prices. Vasco da Gama, the Portuguese explorer, sailed through the Amirantes group in 1503, en route from India, and might also have sighted the granitic islands. In 1506 another Portuguese navigator, Fernao Soares, recorded the islands, which appear regularly on charts after this date as the ‘Seven Sisters’. The British made their first appearance on Seychelles in 1609 when the ships Ascension and Good Hope arrived at Mahé during an expedition for the British East India Company. They made no claim to the islands, which remained uninhabited, although they might have been used as a secret refuge by pirates, who add a touch of drama and mystery to their story. In 1742 the Frenchman, Lazare Picault, landed on Mahé at Anse Boileau (not Baie Lazare, which now bears his name). He named the islands after Mahé de Labourdonnais, the governor of Mauritius, who had sent him. Fourteen years later, Mahé and the inner islands were formally claimed in the name of the King of France. Mahé was named Isle Séchelles, which later became the name of the group. The origin of the name is unclear; it might have been in honour of Moreau de Séchelles, a former controller-general of finance in France, but, as he was disgraced at the time, it seems more likely to have been a tribute to members of his family who were related through marriage to the governor of Mauritius. The Stone of Possession, which was set above the entrance to the port, is now in the National Museum. In 1768, the French also claimed Praslin, named after their marine minister, the Duke of Praslin. La Digue and Curieuse were named after the ships which visited the islands at this time. In 1770 settlers arrived on St Anne from Mauritius. They later abandoned this settlement and moved across to Mahé. In 1772, Pierre Poivre sent spice plants to Seychelles, hoping to establish them there and allow France to compete with the Dutch in the valuable spice trade. Chevalier Quéau de Quincy was appointed administrator of Seychelles

in 1794. During the long revolutionary wars between Britain and France, several British men-of-war called at Seychelles. Having no means of defence, Quincy was forced to capitulate to the British seven times. These capitulations were a form of ‘temporary surrender with honour’, with favourable terms for Seychelles skillfully negotiated by Quincy. At the end of the war Mauritius and Seychelles were ceded to the British under the Treaty of Paris. The British recognised Quincy’s abilities and kept him on as juge de paix of the colony until his death in 1827. He is buried in the grounds of State House. In 1903 Seychelles became a crown colony in its own right, detached from Mauritius. From 1861, slaves liberated from Arab dhows off East Africa were brought to Seychelles to begin new lives, swelling the population by nearly 3,000. Two world wars during the 20th century touched Seychelles only lightly, but times were changing fast. The embryo of the first political party, the Taxpayers’ Association, was formed in 1939. In March 1975, a new constitution was drawn up and a coalition government established ready for independence in June 1976, when James Mancham became President and Albert René Prime Minister. Following a coup d’état in 1977, Seychelles became a one-party state, with Albert René as president and the Seychelles’ People’s Progressive Front as the ruling party. Multi-party elections were restored in 1993, when René was again returned as President, with Mancham (Democratic Party) leader of the opposition. René was re-elected in 1998, and also at the early elections called in 2001, where the opposition, led by Wavel Ramkalawan (Seychelles National Party), obtained a high percentage. René retired in April 2004 and handed over the presidency to his Vice President, James Michel, who was re-elected in July 2006. Seychelles has a population of about 85,000. Its people are descended from the original French settlers, their African slaves, the liberated slaves rescued from slavers in the 19th century, and some British settlers. This melting pot has been enriched by traders from India and China, intermingling to produce an almost unparalleled and multifaceted community, yet one that is completely integrated. The Seychelles’ rich racial blend is reflected in its varied culture and food. Music brought to the islands by the European settlers and played on violins or accordions has blended with the beat of the tomtom, the makalapo (a stringed instrument with a tin for a sound box), the bom (a bowed instrument), and the sez (a monochord sitar). A typical Seychelles dance is the moutias which blends African and Malagasy rhythms in a popular communal dance usually staged at night around a fire. European influences can be seen in the contredanse, which has its roots in the court of Louis XIV of France, the Sun King, and the mazok and kosez, which are reminiscent of the waltz and the quadrille. The main language of the islands is Creole, but most people speak English and some French. Creole is a phonetic language, similar to that found in other territories where there has been French influence, such as Mauritius and New Orleans. French words were given a harder pronunciation and syllables which were not pronounced were dropped altogether. Thus Bonjour (Good morning) becomes Bonzour and s’il vous plait (please) becomes sivouple. The spiritual life of the Seychellois ranges from the centuries-old local magic, called gris-gris, to the far reaching influence of the Roman Catholic Church. Often these beliefs run alongside each other. Many local people still consult their bonnomn dibwa, or medicine man, seeking spells or potions for love, luck or revenge. However, the Seychellois are also avid church-goers and consider church a particularly social occasion. The Seychellois are never in a hurry. There is always time for a chat or a smile. Their lifestyle is characterised by a warm, happy-go-lucky attitude that foreign influences have been unable to dampen or disturb.

Panoramic Perspective by Sunseeker The Sunseeker 28 Metre Yacht

Sunseeker Seychelles Ltd: Eden Island Marina, Victoria, Mahe, Seychelles. Tel. +248 252 34 34 Fax. +248 434 61 66 E-mail: info@sunseeker-seychelles.com Website: www.sunseeker-seychelles.net Sunseeker Africa Ltd – JOHANNESBURG: 126 Sandton Isle, CNR Rivonia & Linden, Sandton - Johannesburg 2196, South Africa. Tel. +27 (0) 11 301 7100 Fax. +27 (0) 11 301 7029 E-mail: info@sunseeker-africa.com Website: www.sunseeker-africa.net Sunseeker Africa Ltd – CAPE TOWN: Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, CNR Dock Road & Breakwater Blvd, Cape Town 8002, South Africa. Tel. +27 (0) 21 425 2016 Fax. +27 (0) 21 425 2008 E-mail: info@sunseeker-africa.com Website: www.sunseeker-africa.net

Discover Seychelles The Islands

L’histoire des Seychelles

’histoire des Seychelles pourrait sortir tout droit d’un livre de contes: un récit d’explorateurs intrépides, de pirates n’ayant peur de rien, et de brutales batailles pour les nombreux trésors de ces îles. La première exploration sérieuse prit place en 1742, mais des navigateurs anciens tels que les Indonésiens ou les Arabes visitèrent probablement les Seychelles bien avant en quête de nourriture et d’eau douce. Ces visiteurs ne laissèrent pas de traces de leur passage, bien qu’on leur attribue l’introduction du Casuarina et du Cocotier. Il est possible que les marchands arabes aient visité régulièrement ces îles pour y récolter les rares et précieux Coco-de-mer, et qu’ils aient tenu leur emplacement secret afin de pouvoir vendre ces noix encore plus cher. Vasco de Gama, l’explorateur portugais qui navigua à travers l’archipel des Amirantes en 1503 sur sa route vers l’Inde, a peut-être lui-aussi pu voir les îles granitiques. En 1506, un autre navigateur portugais, Fernao Soares, nota la présence de ces îles qui, après son passage, figurèrent régulièrement sur les cartes comme ‘Les Sept Sœurs’. Les Britanniques firent leur première apparition aux Seychelles en 1609, lorsque les bateaux Ascension et Good Hope (Bonne Espérance) arrivèrent à Mahé au cours d’une expédition de la British East India Company (Compagnie britannique des Indes orientales). Ils ne revendiquèrent pas la propriété de ces îles, qui restèrent inhabitées, bien qu’elles aient pu être utilisées comme refuge secret par certains pirates, ce qui rajoute une touche de drame et de mystère à leur histoire. En 1742, le Français Lazare Picault débarqua à Mahé à Anse Boileau (et non pas Baie Lazare, qui aujourd’hui porte son nom). Il nomma l’île d’après Mahé de Labourdonnais, gouverneur de l’Ile Maurice, qui l’avait envoyé. Quatorze années plus tard, Mahé et les îles proches furent officiellement revendiquées par le roi de France. Mahé fut nommée Isle Séchelles, nom qui par la suite fut donné à l’archipel en entier. L’origine de ce nom n’est pas claire. Il est possible qu’il ait été donné en honneur de Moreau de Séchelles, un ancien contrôleur général des Finances en France, mais vu que celui-ci était déjà tombé en disgrâce à cette époque, il semble plus probable qu’il s’agisse d’un hommage à des membres de sa famille devenus parents par mariage avec le gouverneur de Maurice. La Pierre de Possession, qui fut érigée à l’entrée du port, est maintenant exposée au Musée d’Histoire. En 1768, les Français revendiquèrent aussi Praslin, nommée d’après le ministre de la marine de l’époque, le Duc de Praslin. La Digue et Curieuse furent nommées d’après des navires de l’époque qui visitèrent les îles. En 1770, les premiers colons en provenance de l’Ile de France (aujourd’hui Maurice) débarquèrent à Sainte Anne. Ils abandonnèrent ensuite ce premier établissement et s’installèrent en face sur Mahé. En 1772, Pierre Poivre envoya des plants d’épices aux Seychelles, avec l’espoir de pouvoir les y faire pousser et faire ainsi la concurrence aux Hollandais dans le commerce lucratif des épices. Le Chevalier Quéau de Quincy fut nommé Administrateur des Seychelles en 1794. Pendant les longues années de guerre de la période révolutionnaire entre la Grande Bretagne et la France, plusieurs hommes de guerre britanniques se présentèrent aux Seychelles. N’ayant aucun moyen de défense, Quincy fut forcé de capituler devant les Anglais plusieurs fois. Ces capitulations étaient une forme de ‘reddition temporaire avec honneur’, et s’accompagnaient de conditions favorables aux Seychelles habilement négociées par Quincy. A la fin de la guerre, les Seychelles et Maurice furent cédées aux Britanniques par le Traité de Paris. Ces derniers reconnurent les capacités de Quincy et le gardèrent comme juge de paix de la colonie,

jusqu’à sa mort en 1827. A partir de 1861, des esclaves libérés des marchands arabes au large des côtes d’Afrique de l’Est furent amenés aux Seychelles pour y commencer de nouvelles vies, grossissant la population d’environ 3,000 personnes. Les deux guerres mondiales du 20ème siècle n’affectèrent que peu les Seychelles, mais les temps changeaient rapidement. Ainsi l’embryon du premier parti politique, l’Association des Contribuables’, fut formé en 1939. En mars 1975, une nouvelle constitution fut établie et un gouvernement de coalition constitué afin de préparer l’indépendance en 1976; James Mancham devint Président de la République et France Albert René le Premier ministre. A la suite d’un coup d’Etat en 1977, les Seychelles adoptèrent un système à parti unique avec Albert René comme Président et le Front Progressiste du Peuple Seychellois comme parti dirigeant. Le multipartisme fut ré-introduit avec les élections de 1993, où René fut élu président et Mancham devint chef de l’opposition. René fut à nouveau réélu en 1998 ainsi qu’aux élections anticipées de 2001, où l’opposition conduite par Wavel Ramkalawan (Parti National Seychellois) obtint un score élevé. René se retira en Avril 2004 et passa le pouvoir à son vice-Président, James Michel, qui fut ensuite réélu en Juillet 2006. Les Seychelles ont une population d’environ 85,000 habitants, qui sont les descendants des premiers colons français, de leurs esclaves africains, des esclaves libérés des trafiquants au cours du 19ème siècle, et de quelques colons britanniques. Ce creuset racial et culturel s’est ensuite enrichi avec les apports de marchands venus d’Inde et de Chine, le tout se mélangeant pour produire une communauté à multiples facettes quasiment inégalée et complètement harmonieuse. Le riche mélange racial des Seychelles est reflété par sa culture et sa cuisine diversifiée. La musique amenée par les colons européens, jouée sur des violons ou des accordéons s’est mêlée aux sons des tam-tams, du ‘makalapo’ (un instrument à cordes utilisant une boite de conserve comme caisse de résonance), le ‘bom’ (un instrument arqué), et le ‘sez’ (une cithare monocorde). La ‘Moutia’ est une danse typique des Seychelles, qui mêle les rythmes africains et malgaches en une danse populaire de groupe normalement pratiquée la nuit autour d’un feu. On ressent les influences européennes dans la contredanse, qui puise ses racines à la cour du roi français Louis XIV, le Roi Soleil, et dans le ‘mazok’ et la ‘kosez’, qui rappellent la valse et le quadrille. Le principal langage parlé dans les îles est le Créole, mais la plupart des gens parlent aussi l’anglais et le français. Le Créole est une langue phonétique, similaire à celle rencontré dans les autres territoires jadis sous influence française, comme Maurice ou la Nouvelle-Orléans. On a donné aux mots français une prononciation plus simplifiée et on a laissé tomber les syllabes qui ne se prononçaient pas. Ainsi Bonjour devient ‘Bonzour’ en Créole, et s’il vous plait ‘sivouple’. La vie spirituelle des Seychellois s’étend de la magie locale séculaire, appelée ‘gris-gris’, à l’influence dominante de l’Eglise Catholique. Souvent ces croyances se côtoient. Beaucoup de personnes consultent encore leur ‘Bonnonm dibwa’, ou sorcier, à la recherche de potions ou de sorts pour l’amour, la chance ou la revanche. Cependant, les Seychellois fréquentent assidûment les églises et considèrent le fait d’y aller comme un évènement social important. Les Seychellois ne sont jamais pressés. Il y a toujours du temps pour parler ou pour un sourire. Leur style de vie est caractérisé par une attitude insouciante et chaleureuse que les influences extérieures ont été incapables d’abattre ou d’altérer.

Takamakarized* *taka - maka - rized vt. hypnotise: (loosely) fascination. Capture interest A: Common occurrence when drinking Takamaka Bay Rum. B: An influence or process producing this. C: Feeling or showing of pleasure & contentment. 3 colloq characterized by happiness evoked by place of pleasure, beauty i.e. the Seychelles

www. t a k a ma k a ba y.co m

Discover Seychelles The Islands

Mahé The main island of Seychelles is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful and impressive in the world. Each of its 70 beaches has a different character; the rock formations behind them are a dramatic contrast and a beautiful backdrop for the architectural elegance of the hotels. Mahé covers roughly 150 square kilometres and is 27 kilometres long and seven kilometres wide. Considering its mountainous interior, covered with lush vegetation, it is small wonder that the island’s original name was Ile d’Abondance. The highest point, Morne Seychellois, is 930 metres above sea level. Even high up in the interior the roads are good. There are plenty of opportunities for walks through winding paths to appreciate the lush flora and fauna at close quarters, especially in the Morne Seychellois National Park. The airport, south of Victoria, is built on reclaimed land. Landing there is an interesting experience – offering stunning views of the verdant island and its coastline. Victoria, the national capital with a population of some 20,000, is spread around a large bay at the foot of Morne Seychellois and the Trois Frères. This small town is the islands’ economic and administrative hub, as well as their only international port. The clock tower in the city centre is a replica of the clock that stands at the junction of Victoria street and Vauxhall Bridge Road in central London. Erected as a memorial to Queen Victoria in 1903, the Seychelles clock tower is today more readily associated with the declaration that year of Seychelles as a Crown colony. A more modern structure, just outside the old town centre, is a huge sculpture by Lorenzo Appiani – the Bicentennial Monument – representing the three continents from which the Seychelles people originate. If you want to arrange a meeting place, however, the locals tend to use the Pirate’s Arms on Independence Avenue, where one can have a drink or a meal. The first hotel in Seychelles was built not far away, at the intersection of Poudrière street and Francis Rachel street. While no one street is best for souvenir shopping, there are clusters of shops and boutiques near the

Hilton Worldwide Opens DoubleTree by Hilton Seychelles – Allamanda Resort & Spa Third Hilton Worldwide Resort in the Seychelles

traffic lights and the taxi rank, and in the arcade on Francis Rachel street. There are also boutiques in the Temooljee building in the same street, near the Pirate’s Arms and at the foot of Independence Avenue. Local crafts can also be purchased at the kiosks on Francis Rachel street and on Market street. The new Sir Selwyn Selwyn Clarke Market, which was opened in 1999, is noted for its noisy and colourful atmosphere, especially on Saturday mornings. Red chillies, flavoured with garlic and ginger (mazavarou) will give a special ‘Creole touch’ to your dishes. There are two national museums in Victoria – the Natural History Museum, ‘guarded’ by a large cement crocodile and a dugong, on Independence Avenue, and the National History Museum, together with the National Library and Archives are located near Le Chantier roundabout while the Botanical Gardens are on the Mont Fleuri Road, next to the Hospital. Departure point for many of the island excursions is the Marine Charter Association wharf, next to the Yacht Club. There are two cathedrals (one Roman Catholic and one Anglican), one Hindu temple and a Mosque in Victoria. Then there are the beaches, the glory of Seychelles. The east coast, on which the airport is situated, has long beaches such as Anse Marie-Louise, but there are also many small beaches, some of which you can call your own at times. Those wishing to avoid crowds will also like Anse Intendance on the south coast, but caution should be observed here and at several other beaches because of strong currents. It is advisable to check on local conditions before swimming or snorkelling. Most beaches, however, are perfectly safe, such as Anse à la Mouche, a large palm-fringed bay with shallow waters, ideal for swimming and snorkelling. There are more interesting beaches, such as Barbarons and Port Glaud, Ile Thérèse, Port Launay Marine National Park or Anse Major (in the National Park near Bel Ombre). Care should be taken with strong currents when snorkelling off nearby Anse Takamaka. Slightly north is Baie Lazare, with its dramatic granite backdrop. To many, the king of beaches is Beau Vallon, in the north of the island – a huge three kilometres (two miles) long curve of white sand with crystalclear water that is especially calm and welcoming. Several hotels on Beau Vallon offer excellent watersports and diving facilities.

From its prime beach-facing location on the South East coast of Mahe, Seychelles largest and best known island, DoubleTree by Hilton Seychelles - Allamanda Resort & Spa is a true paradise escape. Surrounded by 2.5 hectares of picturesque, indigenous landscaped gardens and boasting breathtaking views of the Indian Ocean, the hotel is an enchanting island resort of barefoot indulgence located 20 minutes from the Pointe Larue International airport. Nestled against a spectacular backdrop of mountains and ocean, DoubleTree by Hilton Seychelles – Allamanda Resort & Spa features a tempting array of amenities and facilities. Guests will appreciate the complimentary wifi access from the internet lounge, the newly installed Technogym together with the refined simplicity and quality of the ocean-facing resort restaurant and separate bar. Begin your stay at the DoubleTree by Hilton Seychelles Allamanda Resort & Spa with a warm welcome. We will greet you with our delicious freshly baked cookie upon arrival. The 30 spacious rooms and suites all enjoy superb ocean views and, for total relaxation, guests can luxuriate in the hotel’s signature spa, uniquely perched on a large granite boulder and surrounded by tropical foliage. The more energetic can enjoy snorkelling and scuba diving or work out at the fitness centre while nature lovers can discover Seychelles’ mountain treasure by exploring the many nearby nature walks. The charm and intimacy of DoubleTree by Hilton Seychelles-Allamanda Resort & Spa has also proven the property’s romantic credentials with many couples already seeking the hotel’s exclusive paradise setting as the idyllic wedding destination.

There's a new cookie in town. Mahé has a whole lot to celebrate. DoubleTree by Hilton™ has a new hotel in Anse Forbans that's been fully refurbished and freshly updated. We want you to be one of the first to enjoy everything we have to offer from the well appointed seafacing rooms, beachfront bar and restaurant to our exclusive Duniye Spa, so we're offering a special grand opening rate of only Euro 260 per night on Bed and Breakfast. There's Sweet Dreams™ bedding, our caring service, and a cookie here with your name on it. DoubleTree by Hilton. Where the little things mean everything.™ Visit our mobile website

Anse Forbans, Mahé, Seychelles, E: sezdt.res@hilton.com | T :+248 438 8800 | F :+248 438 8801

Discover Seychelles The Islands

Mahé L’île principale des Seychelles est, sans aucun doute, l’une des plus belles îles du monde avec ses 70 plages au caractère particulier. Les magnifiques formations rocheuses, qui séparent les plages de l’intérieur de l’île, resemblent à un décor de théâtre dans lequel se fond l’élégante architecture des hôtels. Mahé couvre environ 150 kilomètres carrés, mesurant 27 kilomètres de long et 7 kilomètres de large. L’abondante végétation qui recouvre son relief montagneux lui a valu autrefois le nom d’Ile d’Abondance. Le point culminant de cette île s’élève à 930 mètres au-dessus du niveau de la mer. Le réseau routier est carrossable jusque dans les coins les plus reculés de l’intérieur. De nombreux chemins de promenades à pied permettent d’admirer de près la flore et la faune de l’île, en particulier dans le Parc National du Morne Seychellois. Au sud de Victoria, la capitale, se trouve l’aéroport de Mahé. Le seul fait d’y atterrir est une expérience inoubliable à cause de la vue magnifique que l’on a de l’île verdoyante et de sa côte. Victoria, avec sa population d’environ 20,000 habitants, s’étend le long d’une baie au pied du Morne Seychellois et des Trois Frères. Cette ville minuscule est le centre administratif et financier des Seychelles ainsi que le seul port de l’île. La tour de l’horloge est une copie miniature de celle située à l’intersection de Victoria Street et Vauxhall Bridge Road près de la gare Victoria à Londres. Elle fût édifiée en 1903 en hommage à la reine Victoria. Mais aujourd’hui, elle est plutôt considérée comme un symbole de l’élévation des Seychelles au rang de colonie de la Couronne, indépendante de l’Ile Maurice. La monumentale sculpture du bicentenaire de Lorenzo Appiani au centre de la ville, représente les trois continents dont le peuple Seychellois est originaire: l’Europe, l’Afrique et l’Asie. Le Pirates Arms, sur la place de l’Indépendance, est un lieu de rencontre populaire où l’on peut boire et se restaurer. Bien qu’aucune rue en particulier ne soit la meilleure pour l’achat de souvenirs il y a bon nombre de boutiques au voisinage des uniques feux de circulation de l’île, près de la station de taxis, et dans la rue Francis Rachel. Il y a aussi des boutiques intéressantes dans l’édifice Temooljee situé dans la même rue, près du Pirates Arms, et au début de l’avenue de l’Indépendance.

Le site du premier hôtel qui fut construit aux Seychelles se trouve à l’intersection de la rue de la Poudrière et de la rue Francis Rachel. Le “Marine Charter Association”, proche du cercle nautique, est le point de départ de nombreuses excursions. La rue du Marché est fascinante avec ses étalages de produits locaux et de souvenirs, son ambiance bruyante et colorée, en particulier les samedis matins. Les piments rouges, assaisonnés d’ail et de gingembre (mazavarou), en vente au marché (entièrement rénové en 1999), ne manqueront pas de relever votre cuisine d’une touche créole. On trouve à Victoria deux cathédrales (une catholique et une anglicane), un temple hindou et une mosquée. Le Musée d’Histoire Naturelle, gardé par son crocodile et son Dugong en ciment, se trouve dans l’avenue de l’Indépendance, tandis que le Musée National d’Histoire, où est exposée la Pierre de Possession française, la Bibliothèque et les Archives Nationales se situent dans la rue Francis Rachel, et le Jardin Botanique sur la route de Mont-Fleuri, près de l’Hôpital. Et puis, bien sûr, il y a les plages, la fierté de l’île. Sur la côte est, au Sud de l’aéroport, s’étendent de grandes plages telle que l’Anse Marie Louise ainsi que de plus petites plages souvent désertes. L’Anse Intendance, sur la côte sud, fait parfaitement l’affaire de ceux qui préfèrent se tenir à l’écart des foules, quoique les baignades y soient quelque peu dangereuses de mai à septembre. De même, il faut être prudent lorsque l’on fait de la plongée ou du P.M.T. (Palme-Masque-Tuba) au large de l’Anse Takamaka et plus généralement tout le long de la côte sud et ouest de l’île, en raison des courants qui peuvent y être dangereux. Un peu plus au Nord, se trouve Baie Lazare, avec son arrière-plan de granite tout à fait spectaculaire. En remontant la côte ouest, il est conseillé d’accéder à la plage suivante, la merveilleuse Anse Soleil, par un chemin pédestre, avant de se diriger vers Anse à la Mouche, une grande plage bordée de palmiers dont l’eau peu profonde en fait un lieu idéal pour la baignade ou le P.M.T. Il y a bien d’autres magnifiques plages, dont Barbarons, Port Glaud, et l’Ile Thérèse, Port Launay ou Anse Major (à laquelle on accède via Bel Ombre) qui sont des Parcs nationaux. La reine des plages, pour beaucoup de personnes, c’est celle de Beau Vallon, au Nord de l’île. Celle-ci se présente comme une longue promenade de trois kilomètres de sable blanc, caressée par une eau claire particulièrement accueillante et calme. On trouvera là plusieurs hôtels offrant tout l’équipement nécessaire aux sports nautiques.

resort experience in Seychelles A MAGICAL PLACE TO REVIVE THE SENSES Imagine a natural paradise of lush tropical vegetation, pure white sand beaches, brilliant turquoise seas and space aplenty. Situated on 2 of the most breathtaking beaches on the island of MahĂŠ, and overlooking the marine national park of Port Launay, this beautiful landscape is the stunning backdrop for Constance Ephelia. Begin the U-experience: call (230) 402 2772/73 or visit us at www.constancehotels.com

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Discover Seychelles Les Îles

Cerf

L’île aux Cerfs

This lush island is 15 minutes by boat from Mahé. Its north coast, which lies at the edge of the marine park, has a superb coral reef, ideal for snorkelling or scuba-diving. The interior is home to giant tortoises and flying foxes. Restaurants serve excellent Créole food.

Cette île luxuriante se situe à 15 minutes de Mahé par bateau. Sa côte nord s’étend le long du Parc Marin National de Ste Anne; elle est bordée d’un superbe récif de corail, et est donc un endroit idéal pour la plongée sous-marine. L’intérieur de l’île est le domicile de tortues et de roussettes (chauve-souris) géantes. Les restaurants y servent une excellente cuisine créole.

Moyenne Island National Park At just nine hectares, Moyenne Island may be the world’s smallest National Park. Owned by Moyenne Foundation, a private NGO, it lies within the St Anne Marine National Park and is the only island of the group open to day visitors. Despite its diminutive size, it is an environmental treasure trove. Some 40 endemic plants are represented, more than half of those unique to the granitic islands. Moyenne is the only place on earth other than Vallée de Mai where all six of the palms unique to Seychelles can be seen.

Moyenne Island Parc National Grande de seulement 9 hectares, l’île Moyenne est un des plus petits parcs nationaux. C’est une île privée, dans le parc national de St Anne, mais elle demeure facilement accessible au public. Malgré sa petite taille, c’est un véritable trésor. Plus de la moitie des plantes endémiques et uniques aux îles granitiques y est présente. Moyenne est le seul endroit au monde en dehors de la Vallée de Mai où poussent les six palmes uniques aux Seychelles.

Moyenne also has a population of more than 2,000 birds, 100 giant tortoises and about 20 hawksbill turtles haul themselves ashore at Pirate Cove each year. Perhaps pirates were the earliest human inhabitants and graves of mysterious origin may date from this era. There are also tales of ghosts that bang on windows and doors or trudge from the cemetery around midnight, eloquently told in the book A Grain of Sand.

Moyenne a une population de plus de 100 tortues géantes et environ une vingtaine de tortues marines imbriquées qui viennent pondre sur ses plages. Les premiers habitants de l’île étaient sans doute des pirates, ce qui expliquerait les tombeaux qui s’y trouvent. Et aussi, il y a les fameuses histoires de fantômes qui s’aventurent depuis lecimetière a minuit, frappant aux portes et fenêtres, comme si bien raconté dans le livre ‘Un Grain de Sable’!

Eden Island

Eden Island is a private residential marina development situated just off the coast of Mahé. Featuring a range of 580 freehold title luxury apartments, spacious maisons and private villas, each with its own mooring, it also offers owners the opportunity to qualify for residency of the Seychelles.

Eden Island est une marina résidentielle située proche de Mahé. Elle propose, en pleine propriété, 580 appartements luxueux, maisons spacieuses et villas de rêve indépendantes.

The over 56 hectares of land and private waterways will host a myriad of upmarket facilities. These include an international marina capable of handling super-yachts up to 100 metres in size, a commercial precinct as well as a clubhouse hosting a gym and a tennis court. The overall style of the island is distinctly rooted in the Seychelles vernacular, drawing inspiration from the islands’ French, Victorian and Indian ancestry. For more information, contact Christopher Nel on +248 43 46 000, visit the island yourself or visit www.edenisland.sc

Chaque unité dispose de son propre point de mouillage et les propriétaires. Eden Island développe 56 hectares de terrain et de voies navigables. Elle abrite une marina internationale capable d’accueillir les Yachts jusqu’à 100 mètres et bientôt un centre commercial ainsi qu’un club house avec salle de fitness et cours de tennis. L’architecture et le design de l’île s’inspirent des influences historiques françaises, anglaises et indiennes dans le plus pur style seychellois. Pour plus d’informations, contactez aux Seychelles Sandra Colas au +248 43 46 000 et en France la société Ter Cognita Jean-Philippe Aubert au +33 (0)1 48 25 93 33 ou visitez notre site internet www.edenisland.sc

Discover Seychelles The Islands

Cousin

Cousin Island, has been a nature reserve since 1968, when it was bought by the Royal Society for Nature Conservation and held in trust for the International Council for Bird Preservation as a haven for all types of birds including endangered species. It is a place of pilgrimage for dedicated ornithologists: there they can find the Seychelles warbler, Seychelles magpie-robin and Seychelles fody, which are found elsewhere only on a handful of rat-free islands. Madagascar turtle doves (possibly including the endemic form with the red head) and Seychelles sunbirds are also present. Seabirds abound on Cousin, with more than 250,000 birds coming to nest every year. These are brown noddies, lesser noddies, wedgetailed shearwaters, Audubon’s shearwaters, bridled terns, as well as fairy terns, one of the symbols of Seychelles, seen on the livery of Air Seychelles. There are also interesting geckos, giant tortoises introduced from Aldabra, and hawksbill turtles which lay their eggs above the tideline of the beach. The reserve is open on certain days. Check with your hotel or tour operator. The Seychelles government declared Cousin a Special Reserve in 1975. It is managed by Nature Seychelles. Visitors may not have picnics or collect shells. Even smoking is forbidden. A popular day trip leaves Praslin around 0900 hours from Maison des Palmes, taking in Curieuse as well, with time for a barbecue there, and later some snorkelling at St Pierre, arriving back at Praslin at around 1600 hours.

Cousin est une réserve naturelle depuis 1968, date à laquelle cette île fut achetée par la Royal Society for Nature Conservation pour le compte du et le Conseil International pour la Protection des Oiseaux qui en fît un refuge pour oiseaux de toutes espèces mais particulièrement pour les espèces menacées d’extinction. Ces dernières étant particulièrement rares, Cousin est devenu un lieu de pèlerinage pour ornithologues. Ils trouvent là la Rousserole des Seychelles, le Fody (Tok-Tok en Créole) des Seychelles et la Pie chanteuse des Seychelles, espèces survivant seulement sur quelques îles sans rats. Des Tourterelles de Madagascar (dont la forme endémique des Seychelles à tête rouge) et des Souimangas des Seychelles s’y trouvent également. Les oiseaux marins y sont quant-à-eux très nombreux, avec plus de 250,000 d’entre eux qui viennent y nicher chaque année. Il y a là des Noddis bruns, des Noddis à bec grêle, des Puffins du Pacifique et des Puffins d’Audubon, des Sternes bridées, ainsi que des Sternes Blanches, un des symboles des Seychelles qui fut incorporé dans le logotype d’Air Seychelles. On y trouve également beaucoup de reptiles intéressants, tels que des geckos, des tortues géantes qui furent importées de l’île d’Aldabra, et des tortues marines qui viennent pondre sur les plages, au-dessus de la ligne de marée haute. La réserve n’est pas ouverte au public tous les jours; il est donc prudent de s’informer auprès de votre hôtel ou tour opérateur avant d’y projeter une visite. En 1975, le gouvernement Seychellois classa Cousin «Réserve Spéciale». L’île éstt aujourd’hui gérée par Nature Seychelles, représentant local de BirdLife International. Le ramassage des coquillages et les pique-niques sont interdits à Cousin et les visiteurs ne sont pas non plus autorisés à fumer. Une excursion intéressante part le matin de Praslin vers 09h00, visite ensuite Curieuse, où est organisé un barbecue sur la plage, avant de reprendre la mer pour St Pierre pour un P.M.T. et de rentrer ensuite à Praslin vers 16h00.

Ste Anne and its Marine National Park

Sainte Anne et le Parc Marin National

The smaller islands that are most accessible from Mahé for half-day or fullday trips are Cerf, Moyenne, Round and Ste Anne. The best way to appreciate the wonders of the ocean is to make the trip by glass-bottomed boat, through which you can see shoals of colourful fish. Unfortunately large sections of coral have suffered from a rise in sea temperatures (attributed to climate change), although some are showing signs of recovery. Constituted in 1973, the Ste Anne Marine National Park was one of the first Marine National Parks in the Indian Ocean. It now protects over 150 types of fish. Naturally, fishing is forbidden, as is collecting shells and coral. As the notice says, “Take away nothing but photographs and memories.” With the new five-star hotel, Sainte Anne Resort, (managed by the International Company Beachcomber) the island is now a holiday paradise for visitors.

Des excursions d’une journée ou d’une demi-journée peuvent être facilement organisées sur les îles Cerf, Moyenne, Ronde, et Sainte Anne, au large de Mahé. Le meilleur moyen d’apprécier les merveilles de l’océan est de s’offrir une traversée en bateau à fond de verre vers l’une de ces îles. Car cela permet d’admirer les innombrables bancs de poissons. Malheureusement, les formations coralliennes ont souffert du réchauffement de l’eau, phénomène attribué au changement du climat, mais montrent des signes de récupération. Le Parc Marin National de Ste Anne, qui fut constitué en 1973, est l’un des premiers de l’océan indien. Il abrite aujourd’hui plus de 150 espèces de poissons. La pêche et le ramassage du corail y sont strictement interdits. Comme le dit si bien la brochure touristique: “N’emportez rien sauf des photos, ne laissez rien sauf des traces de pas.” Avec le nouveau complexe hôtelier cinq étoiles de Sainte-Anne, (géré par la compagnie internationale Beachcomber) l’île est maintenant devenue une destination touristique paradisiaque.

Round Island Praslin

Ronde de Praslin

Round Island Praslin lies just a short distance off Baie Ste Anne, Praslin. There is one beautiful sandy cove facing towards the main island with a beach bar and restaurant. The smallest resort in the Indian Ocean merges with the forest and the hillside, comprising just one large main house and three villas. A board walk skirts the edge of the hill and climbs to the summit where there is a spectacular view of the islands.

Ronde de Praslin est une île située non loin de Baie Sainte Anne. On y trouve une belle anse sableuse faisant face à Praslin avec un bar de plage et un restaurant. Avec une grande maison principale et trois villas, bien intégrées avec la forêt et la colline, c’est probablement le plus petit établissement hôtelier de l’Oocéan indien,. Un sentier longe le bord de la colline et grimpe vers le sommet qui offre une vue spectaculaire sur ldes autres îles.

Discover Seychelles The Islands

Praslin

The second-largest granite island of Seychelles is Praslin, about 40 kilometres from Mahé. It is 15 minutes by Air Seychelles service, which offers many scheduled flights a day. By boat, it takes about one hour with the powerful catamarans that make 3 to 4 round trips rotations per day. The island has a population of about 7,000. There are several excellent hotels, including the Lemuria Resort and Château de Feuilles. Praslin is not as mountainous as Mahé – the highest point being 330 metres – but it has similarly great granite outcrops surrounded by beautiful beaches, and a coral reef enclosing the crystal-clear waters which are so typical of Seychelles. The majestic bays and beaches alternate with smaller ones on which, even in the busy season, you could believe you were the only person on the island. Anse Volbert, or Côte d’Or, to the east of the island, is particularly beautiful, with its pure white sand. Hotels such as Berjaya Praslin Beach offer a wide variety of watersports facilities. Fantastic granite masses form striking backgrounds to the beaches of Anse Bois de Rose, Anse Boudin and Anse Kerlan, where the five-star Lemuria Resort has an 18-hole championship golf course. At the northernmost tip of the island, Anse Lazio is excellent for both swimming and snorkelling. Grand Anse, on the west coast, has an equally beautiful beach for lazing about, but the waters are sometimes heavy with seaweed and, because it is very shallow over the coral, swimming is difficult at low tide. Baie Pasquière and Anse Volbert to the north and Baie St. Anne to the south have natural harbours which are best appreciated if you opt to make your trip from Mahé to Praslin by boat; the view as you sail in is striking. In Baie St. Anne, you will see Baie St Anne village, where there is a bank, shops and a church, same as at Grande Anse village on the opposite side of the island. One of the eternal symbols of Seychelles, the huge coco de mer nut, grows in the Vallée de Mai forest of Praslin, also home to one of the world’s rarest birds, the black parrot. The Vallée, a World Heritage Site, is open from 0830 to 1630 hours and the entrance can be found on the road from Grand Anse to Baie St Anne. This area is heavily protected and is being allowed to return to its natural state following ill-founded attempts to introduce non-native plants there in the 1930s and 1940s. Paths are well-maintained and clearly marked, and a nature trail leads you to all the interesting botanical species. You can find leaflets and information at the entrance of the reserve, managed by the Seychelles Islands Foundation. To walk through the Vallée is to step back in time into a primeval forest, canopied by thick palm fronds that block out the sun. The silence is broken only by the call of the black parrot and the clatter of huge sturdy leaves as the wind blows through the trees. In streams, freshwater crayfish and crabs can be seen, and the plants around you include the coco de mer, bois rouge, ferns, lataniers, coco marron, screwpines and orchids, all growing around the granite mass. Fruit bats, blue pigeons, bulbuls, lizards, geckos, chameleons, snails and insects can also be observed in the Vallée de Mai. Praslin is perfect to explore on foot and is covered by a network of walkways. There is no danger of getting lost as the island is so small that one needs only an hour or less to cross it width wise. There is only a limited number of cars for hire, so if you wish to drive it is wise to book ahead, particularly during the busy seasons from December to January and July to August. Petrol stations can be found at Grand Anse and Baie St Anne. There are taxi ranks at the airport. Taxis can be called by telephone from most hotels and the airport (tel: 4284666). Fares increase slightly at night. A bus service runs between 0530 and 1900 hours, with a special Sunday service. You can also take a bus that passes the Vallée de Mai entrance. For souvenir shopping, there are boutiques in all the main hotels. Barclays Bank is at Baie St Anne (tel: 4232218), with a branch at Grande Anse open Mondays to Fridays from 0830 to1230 hours. There are regular boat excursions to smaller islands such as St. Pierre, a tiny rock island that is popular for its rich coral reef. The area is particularly favourable for underwater photography. You can organise a boat from Praslin to take you out in the morning and pick you up again in the evening. Coco is also another attractive destination for tourists; it is a deserted tiny island of rocks and boulders with a few palm trees and an exceptional marine life. There are good restaurants on Praslin if you wish to have a meal away from your hotel.

Située à 40 kilomètres à l’Est de Mahé, Praslin est la deuxième plus grande île des Seychelles. Elle a une population d’environ 7,000 habitants. Les deux îles sont reliées par un service régulier d’Air Seychelles qui assure beaucoup de une quinzaine devols journaliers d’une durée de 15 minutes chacun. Le trajet par bateau (trois ou quatre aller-retours par jour) dure environ une heure . Plusieurs hôtels de grande qualité sont installés à Praslin, parmi lesquels le Lémuria et le Château de Feuilles. Le relief de Praslin, dont le sommet le plus haut n’atteint que 330 mètres, n’est pas aussi accidenté que celui de Mahé mais il comporte des formations granitiques semblables, entourées de plages merveilleuses et d’une barrière de corail aux eaux cristallines qui font la gloire des Seychelles. Baies et plages majestueuses alternent avec de plus petites baies dans lesquelles, même en pleine saison touristique, on a l’impression d’être seul. L’Anse Volbert, ou Côte d’or, sur la côte est, est particulièrement belle avec ses plages d’une blancheur éclatante. Les hôtels, tels que le Berjaya Praslin Beach offrent une grande variété de sports nautiques. Des masses granitiques spectaculaires forment un arrière-plan qui contraste avec les plages de l’Anse Bois de Rose, l’Anse Boudin et l’Anse Kerlan où se trouve le nouvel Hôtel cinq étoiles Lémuria. Un golf de 18 trous y a également été construit. Au point le plus septentrional de l’île se trouve Anse Lazio, une magnifique plage excellente pour la baignade et le P.M.T. Sur la côte ouest, la plage de Grand Anse est parfaite pour les bains de soleil matinaux; cependant, la baignade y est difficile à marée basse en raison d’une eau peu profonde au-dessus des bancs de corail, parfois recouverts d’algues jusqu’au bord du rivage. La Baie Pasquière et l’Anse Volbert au Nord, et la Baie Ste Anne au sud sont des ports naturels qui offrent un spectacle pittoresque à ceux qui ont opté pour la traversée en bateau depuis Mahé. On peut apercevoir de cette baie le village principal avec son monument au coco de mer, la banque, les kiosques et l’église. Banques, boutiques et église sont aussi présentes à Grand Anse Village, de l’autre coté de l’île. Le coco de mer (vulgairement appelé Coco-fesses) est le symbole éternel des Seychelles. Il croît dans les forêts de la Vallée de Mai, à Praslin, où niche l’un des oiseaux les plus rares au monde: le Perroquet noir des Seychelles. Cette vallée, qui fait partie du Patrimoine Mondialde l’humanité, est ouverte de 8h30 à 16h30 aux visiteurs qui peuvent la traverser en voiture sur la seule route goudronnée de l’île. C’est un site protégé que l’on espère voir retourner à son état primitif, malheureusement bouleversé dans les années trente et quarante par des tentatives mal fondées d’y introduire des plantes exotiques. Les sentiers, qui serpentent à travers une nature bien fournie en espèces botaniques intéressantes, sont régulièrement entretenus et clairement indiqués. Une brochure est mise à la disposition du public à l’entrée de la réserve, gérée par la Fondation des Iles Seychelles. Se promener dans cette vallée équivaut à remonter le temps dans un décor de forêt vierge au toit formé d’épaisses feuilles de palmier qui empêchent le soleil de pénétrer. Le silence est y impressionnant, interrompu seulement par les cris du Perroquet noir et le bruissement des palmes agitées par le vent. Ecrevisses et crabes d’eau douce vivent paisiblement dans tous les ruisseaux, et parmi les plantes environnantes figurent Cocos-de-mer, fougères, lataniers, Bois rouge, vacoas, Cocos marrons et orchidées, qui poussent entre les masses de granit. Roussettes, Pigeons bleus, bulbuls, lézards, geckos, caméléons, escargots et insectes divers peuvent aussi être observés dans la Vallée de Mai. L’île de Praslin se prête parfaitement à l’exploration pédestre avec un réseau de sentiers et de chemins agréables. Pas de crainte de se perdre car l’île est si petite qu’il faut moins d’une heure pour la traverser dans sa largeur. Mais si vous préférez vous déplacer en voiture, il vaut mieux faire des réservations à l’avance car le nombre de véhicules de location est limité, surtout pendant les hautes saisons de décembre-janvier et de juillet-août. Les deux stations-service se trouvent à Grand Anse et à Baie Ste Anne. Il existe une station de taxis en face de l’aéroport. Ceux-ci peuvent être appelés par téléphone depuis l’aéroport (tel: 4284666) ou depuis les différents hôtels de l’île. Le prix des courses est légèrement majoré la nuit. Il existe aussi un service de bus entre 5h30 et 19h00 sur les quatre routes principales avec service spécial le dimanche. On peut ainsi se rendre à la Vallée de mai en bus. Vous trouverez des souvenirs dans toutes les boutiques d’hôtels. La banque Barclays est à Baie Ste Anne (tel: 4232218) avec une succursale à Grand Anse, ouverte du lundi au vendredi, de 8h30 à 12h30. Des excursions partent régulièrement par bateau de Praslin à destination des petites îles avoisinantes, telles que St Pierre, un îlot rocheux très connu pour sa barrière de corail fourmillant d’une vie marine multicolore. Il est possible de s’arranger pour qu’une embarcation vous dépose le matin avec un panier piquenique, et vienne vous rechercher le soir. L’Ile Coco est une autre destination très prisée des touristes; il s’agit d’une petite île déserte et rocheuse sur laquelle poussent quelques palmiers, et où la vie sous-marine est exceptionnelle. Les amateurs de photos sous-marines y trouveront un cadre idéal. Plusieurs restaurants permettent de déjeuner ou de dîner hors de l’hôtel.

Discover Seychelles The Islands

Curieuse

Lying about two kilometres (one mile) to the north-east of Praslin, this island of about three kilometres (two miles) long was first given the name Ile Rouge on account of its red earth. As part of the Marine Park the island is strictly protected and only a few families live there. Like Praslin, Curieuse is home to the Cocode-mer palm. The island has a wild population of about 250 giant tortoises, brought over from Aldabra in the 1980s and a breeding scheme has been in place there for several years. Curieuse was once a leper colony, and the ruins of the houses can still be seen. There is also a large, restored colonial villa, known as the Doctor’s House, where the island doctor lived in the 1870s. Nature trails wind their way across the island, notably through the extensive swamps, home to eight different species of mangrove. Excursions to Curieuse normally include a barbecue and often a visit to Cousin island as well.

Située à un kilomètre au Nord-Est de Praslin, cette île de moins de trois kilomètres de long présente des coteaux dénudés couverts de la terre rouge qui avait donné à l’île son nom d’origine, Ile Rouge. Partie intégrale du Parc marin de Curieuse, l’île est strictement protégée. Comme Praslin, Curieuse abrite des boisements de Coco-demer. Peuplée seulement de quelques familles, cette île est le domaine de près de 250 tortues géantes importées d’Aldabra dans les années 1980. Non loin des ruines d’une ancienne léproserie s’élève une vieille villa coloniale, la maison du Docteur qui servait de résidence au médecin lors de ses visites aux malades. Un sentier à travers bois permet au visiteur d’admirer les huit différentes sortes de palétuviers qui poussent sur l’île. Les excursions à Curieuse incluent souvent une halte sur la plage pour permettre aux visiteurs de déguster une grillade.

Cousine Island

Cousine is no ordinary resort. Guests arrive by helicopter and are accommodated in just four villas to minimise the human impact on the island. There are very few islands anywhere in the world that have survived intact as Cousine has done, with such a profusion of wildlife and almost none where it is possible to stay overnight and soak up the atmosphere. There may be a small resort here but unquestionably, the island still belongs to nature. A systematic rehabilitation programme to restore the island includes the planting of thousands of native trees, the protection of the huge seabird colonies and the reintroduction of endemic birds.

Cousine n’est pas un établissement hôtelier ordinaire. Les visiteurs y parviennent par hélicoptère et sont hébergés dans seulement quatre villas afin de minimiser l’impact de l’homme sur l’île. Il y a peu d’îles dans le monde qui sont demeurées aussi intactes que Cousine, avec une telle profusion de vie sauvage, et presque aucune où il est possible de passer la nuit et de s’imprégner de la sorte de l’atmosphère ambiante. Même s’il y a un petit établissement hôtelier, il est indéniable que l’île appartient à la nature. Un programme visant à restaurer l’île comprend la plantation de milliers d’arbres indigènes, la protection des importantes colonies d’oiseaux marins et la réintroduction d’espèces d’oiseaux endémiques.

Bird Island

A 30 minutes flight from Mahé by light aircraft gives the first stunning impressions of this 70 hectares (170 acres) coral cay. Bird Island is the most northerly island of the Seychelles Archipelago and is a nature lover’s paradise. Bird Island has just one hotel which offers guests a choice of 24 comfortable and spacious bungalows. A true haven from today’s busy world, there are no telephones or televisions and the emphasis is very much on relaxation and being at one with the nature around you. The east and south sides of the island are surrounded by a protective barrier reef which is home to many varieties of colourful fish and the rest is an open beach which offers superb safe swimming. Situated on the northern edge of the Seychelles Plateau, where the sea floor drops 2,000 metres, the island offers some of the best game fishing in the country. During the North West monsoon (October to April), dolphins are regularly observed in the surrounding waters. This is also the best time to witness the magical sight of Hawksbill turtles nesting, and from December onwards the tiny hatchlings can be seen emerging and embarking on their journey down to the sea. The South East Monsoon (May to September) also offers an amazing avian spectacle. With over 750,000 pairs of Sooty Terns coming to the northern end of the island to breed, and a resident population of Noddy and Fairy Terns, the island is an ornithologists dream. Bird Island is also home to Guinness World Record holder Esmeralda, said to be the largest free ranging tortoise in the world and estimated to be over 230 years old.

Depuis Mahé, un vol de 30 minutes vous donnera les premières impressions de cet atoll corallien de 70 hectares. Bird Island est l’île la plus septentrionalede l’Archipel des Seychelles et un paradis pour les amoureux de la nature. L’unique hôtel offre à ses hôtes le choix de 24 bungalows confortables et spacieux, une authentique retraite dans le monde actuel si bousculé – ni TV, ni telephone – ou l’accent est mis sur la relaxation et la communion avec la nature environnante. Les côtes Est et Sud de l’île sont protégés par une barrière de corail, refuge de nombreuses variétés de poissons multicolores. Le reste est une plage immense où la baignade est superbe et sûre. Proche de l’extrémité Nord du plateau sous-marin des Seychelles, là où les fonds atteignent 2000m, l’île présente une situation exceptionnelle pour les amateurs de pêche. D’octobre à avril, les dauphins s’y observent régulièrement – c’est aussi la meilleure période pour voir pondre les tortues marines et dès décembre assister a l’éclosion des oeufs et la ruée des petits vers la mer. De mai à septembre; vous pouvez admirer un étonnant ballet aérien – plus de 750,000 couples de Sternes Fuligineuses colonisent la partie Nord de l’île pour s’y reproduire. Avec la population sédentaire de Noddies et de Sternes Blanches, c’est le rêve pour tout ami des oiseaux. C’est aussi à Bird Island que vit Esmeralda, inscrite au Guiness Book pour être, à 230 ans, la plus grosse tortue terrestre en liberté.

Discover Seychelles The Islands

La Digue This is the third largest granite island in Seychelles in terms of population, housing about 2,500 people. It is a half-hour trip from Praslin, or three hours by schooner from Mahé. However, visitors with a tight schedule may prefer to take the 20-minute flight with Helicopter Seychelles (tel: 4385858). The pace of life is slow, about the same speed as its traditional way of transport – the ox cart. Very few cars are allowed on the island and bicycles are popular. They can be hired from various bicycle rentals at Anse Réunion or La Passe harbour on arrival. At l’Union a fine old traditional planter’s house has been carefully restored. It used to be the centre of a vanilla plantation of which the treatment factory can still be seen. Further inland, Château Saint Cloud, built under Napoleon’s regime, is another impressive restored plantation house. On the agricultural estate, you can see furnace-dried coconuts, or copra, being turned into oil. Also of historical interest, at Pointe Cap Barbi, there are graves of early colonists from Bourbon Island (today’s Réunion). The old cemetery at l’Union is also an attraction. La Digue is noted for its superb beaches, and snorkelling (particularly in front of La Digue Island Lodge).

La Digue La Digue, avec une population de 2,500 habitants, est la quatrième île des Seychelles par sa taille. La traversée depuis Praslin se fait en une demi-heure, et celle depuis Mahé en trois heures. Les visiteurs ayant un emploi du temps serré préfèreront s’y rendre par le vol de 20 minutes d’Helicopter Seychelles (tel: 4385858). Le rythme de vie ici est aussi lent que le moyen de transport traditionnel: le char à bœufs. Très peu de voitures sont autorisées sur l’île, par conséquent les vélos ont beaucoup de succès, et peuvent se louer à Anse Réunion ou au débarcadère du port de La Passe. Une belle maison traditionnelle de planteurs a été restaurée à l’Union, celle-çi a servi au tournage du film ‘Emmanuelle aux Seychelles’. Elle est située au centre d’une plantation de vanille dont on peut visiter l’usine de traitement. L’usine d’huile de copra (noix de coco séchées) peut être aussi visitée sur ce domaine. Plus à l’intérieur, se trouve l’impressionnant Château St. Cloud, une autre maison de planteur qui fût construite au temps des conquêtes napoléoniennes. Les tombes des premiers colons venus de l’Ile Bourbon (aujourd’hui l’Ile de la Réunion) s’élèvent au nord de l’île, à la Pointe Cap Barbi, ainsi qu’au vieux cimetière à l’Union. La Digue est renommée pour ses plages superbes et ses sites spectaculaires pour le P.M.T (snorkelling) et la plongée sous-marine (en particulier en face de La Digue Island Lodge). On peut y admirer les formations granitiques sculptées par le vent et la mer au cours de millions d’années.

There are more spectacular granite formations which have been shaped by wind and sea over millions of years. Eagle’s Nest Mountain rises dramatically to 300 metres, taking up most of the island. Beaches at Pointe Cap Barbi have, like so many other beaches, a dramatic granite backdrop. The remote beaches at Grande Anse, Petite Anse and Anse Cocos with pink-tinged sand are beautiful, but beware of dangerous undercurrents.

La montagne dite Nid d’Aigle s’élève à 300 mètres au-dessus du niveau de la mer et occupe une grande partie de l’île. A Pointe Cap Barbi les plages sont, comme dans beaucoup d’autres endroits, entourées d’un merveilleux décor de granit. Les plages les plus isolées de Grande Anse, Petite Anse et d‘Anse Coco sont d’une très grande beauté avec leur sable aux reflets rosés. Mais gare aux dangereux courants!

Most parts of the island can be reached in under an hour. Among the birds you will encounter is the unique Seychelles paradise Flycatcher, one of the rarest birds in the world (less than 300 birds), the symbol of this island. In the distance, Praslin can be seen, completing a pattern of islands.

Il est possible d’atteindre n’importe quel point de l’île en moins d’une heure. Parmi les oiseaux que vous rencontrerez figure le Gobemouche de paradis, appelé localement ‘La Veuve’, une des espèces les plus rares de la planète (moins de 300 oiseaux) qui n’existe qu’à La Digue, et dont elle est le symbole.

Denis Discovered in 1773, this croissant shaped coral hideaway of 152 hectares (375 acres) is a small green jewel perched on the north easterly edge of the Seychelles bank, idyllic white beaches surround the island; its sheltered lagoon provides unrivalled swimming opportunities and the crystal-clear waters harbour turtles and exotic marine life, the house reef is perfect for snorkelling. The deep waters outside the reef allow for excellent diving, game, bottom and fly fishing. Denis is undertaking unprecedented conservation and sustainable development projects. Over 50 hectares of woodland have been rehabilitated and the dense forested interior is a haven for the recently introduced endemic endangered avian species such as the Seychelles Fody, the brush warbler, the Seychelles magpie robin and most recently the Paradise Fly-Catcher previously only found on La Digue. Other endemic species such as Seychelles blue pigeon abound. The island’s vegetable and livestock farm and surrounding seas supply the hotel’s kitchen’s requirements. The island is accessible by a 30-minute flight. Twenty-five tasteful, elegant and secluded cottages each with its own private beachfront provide comfort and laid-back luxury.

Contact details : Earnie Jones Mobile: +2776 331 4509 Marie- France St Jorre Mobile: +2784 990 5861 Marise Jones Mobile: +2772 692 9925 Website: www.blackparrot.co.za Email: blackparrot@vodamail.co.za

Alphonse & St Francois Atoll Alphonse is the most remote island with a hotel, 400 kilometres southwest of Mahé. Its attractions include some of the best diving in the Indian Ocean, with forests of Gorgonian fan corals, huge schools of pelagic fish and many colourful reef fish. Once a productive coconut plantation, little remains as a reminder of these days save for a few old buildings and the island’s cemetery near to Pointe Huto. Conservation is a high priority and a team of full time scientists and rangers from the Island Conservation Society are employed on rehabilitation and monitoring programmes A short stretch of ocean, ominously named as Canal de Mort, separates Alphonse from picture perfect Bijoutier and the lagoon of St. Francois, world famous for its fly-fishing, opportunities. A feature of St. Francois is the number of shipwrecks, standing as grim reminders of the perils of the sea.

Registered in South Africa and located in Ballito KZN

Ile Denis 3°48’ Sud – 55°40’ Est, une perle corallienne au nord de Mahé. Bercée par le flot des vagues, Denis Island trône sereinement au bord des grandes profondeurs de l’Océan Indien. Havre de paix et de sérénité, « l’Ile des gens heureux » découverte par Denis de Trobiant en 1773 à bord de son bateau l’Etoile, semble n’avoir jamais cédé à l’empreinte de l’homme. Protégées par une longue barrière de corail, l’île de 152 hectares et sa plage de sable blanc bordent un extraordinaire lagon bleu turquoise où se côtoient d’infinies variétés de poissons, coquillages, coraux, tortues… Sur terre, la nature préservée et exubérante laisse échapper une symphonie douce et mélodieuse d’oiseaux marins, que seul peut interrompre le mouvement saccadé des crabes ou celui plus langoureux des tortues géantes. Depuis plusieurs années, un important programme de conservation mobilise les énergies. Sur 50 hectares de forêt, des scientifiques travaillent à la réhabilitation de l’habitat originel afin d’introduire des espèces menacées d’oiseaux endémiques à l’archipel. Un pari sur le futur qui renforce chaque jour le caractère unique de l’Ile. Enfin, au fil des sentiers, Denis Island dévoile progressivement ses richesses, un vieux cimetière marin, son phare, sa chapelle œcuménique, sa ferme, ses projets de développement de tourisme durable.… Familiale, romantique et amicale, Denis Island est avant tout une expérience unique, une symphonie harmonieuse entre luxe, calme et volupté. L’hôtel s’étend sur la pointe nord-ouest de l’île, les 25 villas et cottages sont dispersés le long de la plage.

Les atolls d’Alphonse et de St François Située à 400 km au sud-ouest de Mahé, Alphonse est l’île la plus éloignée avec un hôtel. On y trouve quelques-uns uns des meilleurs sites de plongée de l’océan indien, avec des forêts de Gorgones éventail géantes, d’immenses bancs de poissons pélagiques et beaucoup de poissons de récifs colorés. Jadis une plantation de cocotiers productive, peu de choses sont restées de ce temps révolu à l’exception de quelques vieux bâtiments et le cimetière de l’île près de la Pointe Huto. La conservation de la nature est une priorité et plusieurs scientifiques et gardes de la Fondation pour la Conservation des Iles (Island Conservation Society) y sont employés à plein temps sur des programmes de suivi et de réhabilitation de l’écosystème. Un bras de mer étroit, dont le nom (de mauvaise augure) est ‘Canal de Mort’ sépare Alphonse de l’îlot de carte postale Bijoutier, et du lagon de St François mondialement célèbre pour la pêche à la mouche. Une caractéristique de St François est le nombre d’épaves de bateaux naufragés, dressés comme des sinistres rappels des périls de la mer.

Discover Seychelles The Islands

Silhouette Silhouette lies 20 km northwest of Mahé. It is the third largest granitic island, yet the human impact is minimal. Mount Dauban rises to 740 metres and is the second highest summit in Seychelles. Though superficially similar to neighbouring islands, much of Silhouette is made up of younger rock called syenite and dated from 63 million years ago. Between Point Ramasse Tout and Point Zeng Zeng lies the only surface volcanic ash in Seychelles. Silhouette was named for Etienne de Silhouette (1709-1767) who was the Controller General of Finances in France in the reign of Louis XV. His watchword was austerity and wags of the day commented that his financial strictures had reduced them to mere ‘silhouettes’ of themselves. In 1987 a Marine National Park was declared around the island and in 2010, Silhouette National Park was created protecting 93 per cent of the landmass. About 2,000 species of plants and animals have been recorded on Silhouette, including the Critically Endangered sheath-tailed bat, possibly the rarest mammal on earth. Most of the 75 or so endemic plants of the granitic islands are found on Silhouette. The Island Conservation Society runs a centre on the island, protecting the flora and fauna and conducting nature tours. The crew of an English East India Company vessel, the Ascension were the first to step ashore on Silhouette in 1609. Graves discovered at Anse Lascars were thought to be those from an earlier Arab settlement but date to around 1800, possibly those of slaves who escaped the plantations of their owners on Mahé and created a new life for themselves on Silhouette, becoming the island’s first permanent inhabitants. The first landowner about whom we have any background was JeanFrancois Hodoul, a French corsair in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. He is rumoured to have buried his fortune somewhere in the dark mountain forest. The Daubans bought the island in 1860 and owned it for a hundred years. They were plantation owners of French extraction and made real efforts towards profitable farming, clearing forest on the flat land in order to plant coconut palms and fruit trees, and building the necessary supporting infrastructure. The Dauban era came to an end when Henri Dauban sold the island to a French group, and it was acquired by the government in 1983, when management of the island passed to the Island Development Company. Nowadays Silhouette Island is home to 5 star resort Hilton Seychelles Labriz Resort & Spa, the only hotel on the island.

Desroches Desroches is the largest island of the Amirantes, 45 minutes by air from Mahé. Swimming is excellent, unlike most atolls where waters over the surrounding reef are very shallow. The beaches are also excellent. There is a hotel, where guests enjoy sailing, cycling, canoeing, windsurfing, snorkelling deep-sea fishing and diving. Desroches is famous for the Desroches Drop with its fantastic caves, which may be explored under the supervision of a PADI dive-master. There is also a small settlement, with its copra drier, oil press and lock up, a reminder of the old plantation days. Since 2009, a full time team of scientists and rangers from the Island Conservation Society is employed to monitor and protect the terrestrial and marine life.

Silhouette Silhouette se trouve à 20 km au nord-ouest de Mahé. Il s’agit de la troisième plus grande île granitique, mais l’impact de l’activité humaine est minime. Le Mont Dauban se dresse à 740 mètres, soit le deuxième plus haut sommet des Seychelles. Bien que superficiellement semblable aux îles voisines, Silhouette est essentiellement composée d’un jeune rocher appelé syénite et daté de 63 millions d’années. Entre la Pointe Ramasse Tout et la Pointe Zeng Zeng se trouvent les seuls cendres volcaniques de surface aux Seychelles. Silhouette doit son appellation à Étienne de Silhouette (17091767) qui était contrôleur général des finances en France sous le règne de Louis XV. Son maitre mot était l’austérité et les commentateurs de cette époque disaient que ses mesures financières contraignantes les avaient réduits à de simples «silhouettes» d’eux-mêmes. En 1987, un parc national marin a été déclaré autour de l’île et, en 2010, le parc national de Silhouette a été créé, protégeant 93% de la masse terrestre. Environ 2.000 espèces de plantes et d’animaux ont été enregistrées à Silhouette, y compris la chauve-souris à queue en fourreau gravement menacée d’extinction, probablement le mammifère le plus rare sur terre. La plupart des quelques 75 espèces de plantes endémiques des îles granitiques se trouvent à Silhouette. La Société pour la conservation des iles gère un centre sur l’île en vue de la protection de la flore et de la faune, et l’organisation des excursions dans la nature. Les membres d’équipage d’un navire de la British East India Company, Ascension, ont été les premiers à débarquer à Silhouette en 1609. On pensait que les tombes découvertes à Anse Lascars étaient celles des habitants arabes qui occupaient l’ île avant, mais elles datent de 1800 environ, et pourraient être celles des esclaves qui s’étaient échappés des plantations de leurs propriétaires à Mahé pour commencer une nouvelle vie à Silhouette, devenant ainsi les premiers habitants permanents de l’île. Le premier propriétaire foncier pour qui nous disposons des informations est JeanFrançois Hodoul, un corsaire français de la fin du XVIIIème et début du XIXème siècle. Il semblerait qu’il aurait enterré sa fortune quelque part dans la forêt de montagne sombre. Les Dauban ont acheté l’île en 1860 et l’ont détenue pendant une centaine d’années. D’origine française, ils étaient propriétaires de plantations et se sont réellement efforcés à entreprendre une agriculture rentable en défrichant la forêt sur les terres plates pour planter des cocotiers et des arbres fruitiers, et construire les infrastructures nécessaires d’appui. L’ère Dauban prit fin lorsqu’Henri Dauban vendit l’île à un groupe français. Elle fut reprise par le gouvernement en 1983, sa direction passant à la Islands Development Company. Aujourd’hui, l’ile Silhouette abrite l’hôtel à 5 étoiles Hilton Seychelles Labriz Resort & Spa, le seul établissement hôtelier sur l’île.

Desroches Desroches est la plus grande île des Amirantes, à 45 minutes d’avion de Mahé.La baignade y est excellente, contrairement à la plupart des atolls où les eaux sont très peu profondes au-dessus des récifs ou du platier. Les plages sont également excellentes. Il y a un hôtel où les visiteurs peuvent profiter de la voile, du vélo, du canöé, de la planche à voile, du Palmes-Masque-Tuba, de la pêche en eau profonde, et de la plongée sous-marine. Desroches est célèbre pour son fameux ‘Mur tombant’ avec ses grottes fantastiques, qui peuvent être explorées sous la supervision d’un instructeur de plongée PADI. Il y a aussi un petit village, avec son four à copra, sa presse à huile, et son cachot, un souvenir de l’ancien temps lors de la plantation. Depuis 2009, une équipe de scientifiques et de gardes de la Fondation pour la Conservation des Iles (Island Conservation Society) y est employée à plein temps pour assurer le suivi et la protection des espèces et des écosystèmes terrestres et marins.

Discover Seychelles The Islands

Aride

This is the most northerly island of the granitic Seychelles. It was bought by the Royal Society for Nature Conservation in 1973 and today is owned and managed by the Island Conservation Society. It is second only to Aldabra in importance as a nature reserve in Seychelles. On Aride there are more breeding species of sea birds than on any other island in the region, together with the only breeding sites in the granitic islands for red-tailed tropicbirds, roseate terns and the world’s only sooty tern colony in tall woodland. The island’s warden will guide you to the breathtaking clifftops, where hundreds of huge frigatebirds soar above the turquoise sea. If you are lucky, you will glimpse hawksbill turtles and dolphins in the waters below. Seychelles warblers, 29 of which were introduced from Cousin in September 1988, have multiplied to more than 2,000. Aride is also a botanical treasure house, being the world’s only site for the beautiful Wright’s Gardenia, or bwa sitron, and a species of ‘peponium’ that might also be endemic to the island. Visits can be arranged from most Praslin hotels, but landings can sometimes be difficult during the south-east monsoon. The world’s largest colony of lesser noddies and tropical shearwaters further enhance Aride’s reputation as the seabird citadel of the Indian Ocean. Aride is also home to five endemic land birds including the Seychelles magpie-robin, Seychelles warbler and Seychelles fody, each found only on a few other islands.

Aride, la plus septentrionale des îles granitiques seychelloises, fut achetée en 1973 par la Royal Society for Nature Conservation et appartient aujourd’hui à la Fondation pour la Conservation de Iles (Island Conservation Society) qui la gère. Elle constitue la deuxième réserve naturelle la plus importante du pays après Aldabra. Il y a plus d’espèces d’oiseaux marins qui se reproduisent sur Aride que sur n’importe quelle autre île de la région. Outre toutes les espèces qu’on trouve sur Cousin, Aride héberge les seuls sites de reproduction des îles granitiques du Paille-en-queue à brins rouges et de la Sterne de Dougall, ainsi que la seule colonie au monde de sternes fuligineuses sous une forêt. Là, un gardien-guide vous emmènera au bord des falaises époustouflantes d’où l’on peut voir des centaines d’immenses frégates planant au-dessus d’une mer bleu turquoise. Avec un peu de chance, il est possible d’apercevoir les tortues marines et les dauphins qui vivent dans les eaux environnantes. Les 29 Rousserolles des Seychelles qui furent importées de Cousin en septembre 1988 se sont reproduites et leur nombre a déjà dépassé deux milliers. La réputation de citadelle des oiseaux marins de l’océan indien que possède Aride est attestée par la présence de la plus grande colonie au monde de Noddis marianne, et peut-être de Puffins d’Audubon. Aride est aussi un trésor sur le plan botanique, et le seul endroit au monde où poussent les magnifiques Gardénias de Wright, ou ‘Bois citron’, ainsi qu’une espèce de concombre sauvage qui pourrait être elle aussi endémique de cette île. Aride abrite les plus grandes colonies du monde de Noddis Marianne et de Puffins de Baillon, ce qui renforce sa renommée de bastion des oiseaux marins de l’océan indien. Aride accueille aussi cinq espèces d’oiseaux terrestres endémiques dont la pie chanteuse ou dyal, la Rousserolle et le Foudi des Seychelles, qui n’existent que sur une poignée d’îles.

Frégate

This, the most isolated of the granite islands, is only 12 minutes from Mahé by Air Seychelles. Of all the islands, it has the most romantic associations with the world of pirates and hidden treasure. Some relics on the island suggest that it was a refuge for pirates in the 17th and 18th centuries. Ian Fleming, who created James Bond, was persuaded from ancient maps he discovered here, that a treasure was hidden somewhere on the island. More obvious treasures are the abundant flora and fauna. Frégate is the stronghold of the critically endangered Seychelles magpie-robin (less than 200 birds in the world), saved from extinction by the intervention of BirdLife International. Recently the Ministry of Environment established successfully on Frégate another highly threatened endemic bird, the Seychelles white-eye (500 individuals in the world). The island boasts the world’s only population of giant tenebrionid beetle, as well as numerous giant tortoises. Despite the abundance of exotic vegetation and planted coconut palms, tens of thousands of native trees have been propagated and replanted since 1995, totaling several dozens of hectares restored. There are superb beaches, such as Anse Victorin, which some say is the prettiest in Seychelles. It is also a walker’s paradise, with wooded paths leading through plantations and groves. With the five-star Frégate Island Private Resort, the island is a holiday preserve for guests.

Frégate, la plus isolée des îles granitiques est à 12 minutes de Mahé par un vol Air Seychelles. De toutes les îles, c’est celle qui est le plus souvent associée au monde des pirates et des trésors cachés au cours des dix-septième et dix-huitième siècles. Ian Fleming, le créateur de James Bond, était convaincu, au vu d’anciennes cartes qu’il avait découvertes ici, que l’île cachait un trésor quelque part. Mais les trésors visibles à l’œil nu sont la flore et la faune de l’île. Frégate est le bastion du Dyal ou Pie chanteuse des Seychelles (environ 200 individus dans le monde), qui après avoir frôlé l’extinction se multiplie grâce aux efforts de BirdLife International. Récemment, le ministère de l’Environnement y a implanté avec succès une autre espèce gravement menacée, l’Oiseau-lunettes des Seychelles (environ 500 individus dans le monde). Frégate abrite également toute la population mondiale d’un scarabée ténébrionide endémique, et possède de nombreuses Tortues géantes à l’état sauvage. Malgré une abondante végétation exotique et la persistance d’une vaste cocoteraie, des dizaines de milliers d’arbres natives y ont été multipliés et replantés depuis 1995, totalisant plusieurs dizaines d’hectares restaurés. Il y a de superbes plages, comme Anse Victorin, considérée par certains comme la plus belle du pays. C’est aussi le paradis du promeneur, avec un réseau de sentiers traversant forêts, cultures et vergers. L’île est réservée depuis 1999 aux clients de Frégate Island Private, un luxueux hôtel 5 étoiles.

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Nature

its Extended Family Adrian Skerrett visits the remote Aldabra group of islands. There is only one Aldabra – well, at least for now there is only one, but to the east of Aldabra there are two atolls of similar structure. Astove and Cosmoledo are even more remote, even less visited than Aldabra. They have been uninhabited for decades and have tremendous potential to be future ‘Aldabras’. In November 2013, I joined an excursion to all three of these atolls, organised by Islands Development Company (IDC) who administer those far-flung corners of Seychelles on behalf of the Government of Seychelles.

Visiting Aldabra is a lifetime’s ambition for some, but it is not everyone’s cup of tea. Captain Wharton, who visited in August 1878, was not a fan. He wrote to Dr. Albert Günther, Assistant Keeper of the zoological department of the British Museum: “...the surface of the island, which is an up-heaved atoll, is coral rock, jagged and rough to a degree that makes it most laborious to get about even were it not for a most stubborn and tangled brushwood which covers it and tears one’s clothes and person to pieces”.

Photos © Adrian Skerrett

Mushroom islets of raised coral within the vast lagoon of Aldabra.

• Silhouette • Vol 25 No 1 •

Feature

Nature

Now imagine we have a time machine and bring the good captain forward to our time. Wharton sits at his laptop in his air-conditioned office at Aldabra Research Station. He idly chinks ice cubes against the sides of his glass of cold water and presses the ‘Send’ button. Instantly, his email bounces off a satellite and travels halfway around the world to arrive in Dr. Günther’s inbox complete with attachments showing large numbers of tortoises, rails galore and much more. Günther reads the email with interest and cannot help but envy Wharton, who signs off: “Having barbequed tuna tonight, washed down with a nice cool Seybrew. Aldabra is great. Think I might apply for the manager’s job when it comes up next”.

Time machines being sadly unavailable at present, this is an unlikely scenario and Captain Wharton can never know how other advances in technology, equally unimaginable to him, have made life on Aldabra not just possible but rather pleasant. He knew nothing of refrigerators, satellite communications and solar panels. He just knew he was glad to see the back of Aldabra. “A more un-inviting place I never saw”, he declared as he sailed over the horizon, vowing never to return. We can’t really blame Captain Wharton for his negative view of Aldabra. It is a harsh landscape: a jagged desert of fossilised coral intolerant of human frailties, a dry punishing wilderness devoid of fresh water or fertile soil. Yet it is also one of the most wonderful places on earth – to some an inspiration, a tantalising mystery. Pearson Phillips called it “a place reminiscent of those stories in schoolboy annuals about miraculous territories beyond inaccessible mountain ranges peopled by dinosaurs.” Sir David Attenborough reflected, “if you wanted to find the loneliest island in the world... you might well choose Aldabra”. Loneliness is part of the allure of Aldabra, but its remoteness makes management of this vitally

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Photo © Camerapix Ltd

Poor old Wharton had been sent to the atoll to find giant tortoises and he was not having much luck. The animals were a source of meat and had been hugely reduced in number. Wharton was unhappy and frustrated as he thrashed about on Aldabra ruining his footwear. “Beyond a land rail there is nothing except mosquitoes” he grumbles. “I am sure I am safe in saying that Aldabra will never be inhabited regularly...” He was obviously confident that nobody in their right mind would ever settle on Aldabra.

Feature

Nature

important UNESCO World Heritage Site a huge logistical challenge. For example, using diesel generators for electricity resulted in high fuel and transport costs, and was environmentally unsustainable. In 2008, Seychelles Islands Foundation, the custodians of Aldabra, investigated ways to increase energy efficiency, develop a renewable energy system and reduce costs. Renewable energy options were assessed, alongside energy efficient measures. Findings were subsequently implemented, and a hybrid photovoltaic-diesel energy system was set up. Energy efficient measures reduced electricity demand by 57 per cent. In the first year, solar electricity provided 94 per cent of the Research Station’s demand. This avoids almost 100 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year. Since implementation of the photovoltaic system, diesel demand has decreased by 97 per cent and operational savings of up to €68,000 have been achieved. Under the guidance of Seychelles Islands Foundation (SIF), Aldabra has gone from strength to strength on all fronts. 2012 was the 30th anniversary of Aldabra’s being made a World Heritage Site and in the same year the last feral goat was eradicated from the atoll, rendering it free of this alien competitor to giant tortoises for the first time in more than a century. Meanwhile, following a series of sporadic sightings, the presence of a healthy population of up to 25 dugong has been confirmed by aerial surveys. The Aldabra Rail – the last surviving flightless bird of the Indian Ocean – has been translocated to Picard Island where there are now more than 2,000 birds and the atoll-wide population is estimated at around 10,000 breeding pairs. With protection, numbers of frigatebirds and boobies in the spectacular seabird colonies of Aldabra have also increased. The Board of SIF have also focused on an Aldabra House project. Announced by the chairman, Maurice Loustau-Lalanne, during the 30th anniversary celebrations, the project is designed to bring part of the Aldabra experience to Mahe. The SIF headquarters will serve as a visitor attraction featuring outdoor and indoor exhibits, displays and activities designed to recreate the magic of Aldabra on Mahé.

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Right: A monument at La Gigi commemorate the inscription of Aldabra as a World Heritage Site.

Below inset: Aldabra Rails now thriving at Aldabra may be reintroduced to Cosmoledo and Astove one day.

Aldabra has an excellent team on the ground, comprising young Seychellois, expatriate scientists and volunteers with a variety of skills working under the cool, calm authority of manager Joel Souyave. I took a bird walk with Senior Ranger Catherina Onezia, described on the Seychelles Bird Records Committee website as the number one contributor of bird sightings in the country. “People think I’m crazy,” says Catherina, “spending hours looking for birds but when I find a new vagrant I am so excited.” Her enthusiasm is infectious. Opposite page inset: Brown Boobies have disappeared from all Seychelles islands except Cosmoledo.

Bottom left: Aldabra Research Station on the atoll’s main island of Picard. Bottom middle: Solar energy now supplies practically all the needs of Aldabra. Bottom right: The harsh terrain of all the islands in the group can make walking difficult.

The next morning, I accompanied Scientific Coordinator Heather Richards and new recruit Sheril de Commarmond on a routine patrol to check for fresh turtle tracks in the sand. Returning to the Research Station Heather spotted a newly hatched tortoise and Sheril’s sharp eyes quickly located the nest where another baby tortoise slowly emerges, the newest resident of an ancient landscape, the world stronghold of this ancient race. Soon it is time to sail for new horizons. Cosmoledo, an overnight sail from Aldabra, is undoubtedly the most important unprotected site in Seychelles. It has spectacular seabird colonies: the largest Red-footed Booby colony in the western Indian Ocean and the only breeding population of Brown Booby in Seychelles. There is also a race of white-eye so rare it is entirely confined

Feature

Nature

Under the guidance of Seychelles Islands Foundation (SIF), Aldabra has gone from strength to strength on all fronts.

to Menai, the largest of the 19 islands of this roughly circular atoll. On the second largest island, Grand Ile, we find seven active nests of Masked Booby, some with eggs, some with chicks. This is the first known breeding record since 1968, subsequent to which they had disappeared, probably due to the presence of rats. In 2007, the Island Conservation Society (ICS) eradicated rats from Grande Ile. This was a major logistical exercise funded under a Fonds Français pour l’Environnement Mondial project with support from IDC. Getting a helicopter, all the materials and personnel to Cosmoledo took many months of planning and so this latest news is extremely rewarding: the crowning glory for an ambitious and ultimately successful project. During this visit, time and tide permitted only a limited search over a small area of the island and it is probable the actual population is much higher. On Grand Polyte, where rats were also eradicated by ICS, Masked Boobies were found to be doing well with 50-100 pairs present. No Masked Boobies were found on Grand Polyte during thorough searches in 1996 and 2002, but the species was breeding when the eradication process began, despite the presence of rats. Even so, it is beyond question that rats have a serious impact on the species. The world’s largest colony of Masked Booby breeds at Clipperton Island in the Pacific Ocean, where 112,000 pairs were counted in 2003; in 1958, before rats were eradicated, there were just 150 pairs. Sadly, not all the news from Cosmoledo is good. Sea cucumbers were once very common in the waters of the lagoon but today they are rare. Sharks, too, appear to be uncommon. Clearly poachers have been busy, despite the threat from pirates operating in the area. Due to the absence of a regular human presence on the atoll, we can only speculate on the scale of poaching and the origin of the poachers, though there is certainly evidence of incursion from Madagascar. Hopefully in the not too distant future, Cosmoledo will receive the attention it merits and there will be full-time conservation staff based here, as on Aldabra. There are several unique races of land bird which were wiped out from Cosmoledo but still survive on Aldabra. Hopefully one day they will be reintroduced to their former home. We travelled on to Astove, which was abandoned in the 1980s and is uncompromisingly remote. This is a most peculiar raised coral atoll. It consists of a single ring of land which almost entirely encloses a very shallow

lagoon, interrupted by just one narrow, winding passage in the southwest corner; the Gueule Bras Channel. The coral wall at the reef edge is said to be one of the finest in the world. At the deserted settlement the calls of sunbirds and white-eyes broke the eerie silence, though even they seemed subdued as they flitted through the bushes between the ruins where once a small community struggled to survive on this remote outpost. The survival of the buildings testifies to the seriousness of their endeavour; a church and a remarkable house, with archways and cloisters surrounding a courtyard, reminiscent of a Spanish hacienda, still stand. A short distance north of the settlement there is cemetery. Most of the graves are unmarked, but that of Otto Olsen has an inscription which is still legible. Olsen was a Norwegian mariner who drowned at Astove in 1929 and it is noted that he was “sadly missed” by his companions. His ship was not the first to meet an untimely end on reefs of Astove. In 1760, the Portuguese ship Le Dom Royal, bound from the coast of Africa for America with 300 slaves on board, was wrecked on Astove. The crew and slaves got ashore in safety but the European crew sailed off in the long-boat in search of help. According to some accounts they were never heard of again; others say they were picked up by an English vessel. Whatever the truth, word reached Ile de France (now Mauritius) and Bourbon (Reunion) that a rich cargo of slaves was there on Astove for the taking. The Jardinier sailed to try to bring them away but having succeeded in taking a great many of the slaves on board they drifted onto the reef in the night and the ship was wrecked: everyone perished. In due course another ship was fitted out to go in search of the Jardinier and met a similar fate. On her arrival at Astove she drifted onto the reef and was wrecked. Some 20 years later another small vessel touched at Astove and to their surprise the crew found it inhabited by free slaves who, on their approach to the shore, set up wild shouts of defiance and placed themselves in an attitude of defence. Intimidated, the crew gave up on the enterprise, sailing away empty-handed. Arriving at Bourbon they reported what they had seen and yet another vessel was sent to try and capture the slaves. History repeated itself: upon her arrival at Astove she ran onto the reef and was lost. In the meantime the former slaves were creating what might arguably be the first black republic, but sadly they

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Feature

Nature

were not left in peace. In 1796, a Mr. Savy sailed from Seychelles to try and bring the slaves off. He sent a black man called Paul ashore in the hope he could to reassure the slaves, but meanwhile the ship was swept away by currents, leaving Paul stranded. Before Mr. Savy could get back to Astove, two more ships had arrived; one from Mauritius and one from Mahé. They did, finally, succeed in recapturing the slaves, but only by the use of extreme force and there was considerable loss of life on both sides. Paul was killed by the slaves who believed that he was in league with the Europeans and had betrayed them. In 1799, a vessel sailing from Mauritius to Mozambique reported that they had found Astove uninhabited. It was assumed the remaining inhabitants had been taken away by a Portuguese ship leaving Astove, once again, desolate and silent. The silence did not last for long. “On 3rd May 1836,” wrote Major William Stirling, “the beautiful new Ship, Tiger, of 375 tonnes, carrying, including the Captain, in all 21 souls, sailed from Liverpool, for Bombay”. They never made it. The Tiger was wrecked at Astove three months later. Major Stirling, found the island “… strewn with pieces of vessels, of different countries and materials and a cannon and two anchors of ancient manufacture… on the reefs… There were the remains of about a dozen huts and benches, and many marks of the saw and axe on the trees. Several hundreds of turtle shells were piled and arranged in regular order, at small distances from the encampment; which, with the path cut in the neighbourhood through the jungle, looked as if the people who had been there were in good discipline, or much at their ease”. The major kept a diary which gives us a wonderful insight into what the island was like at this time.

Above: The abandoned settlement on Astove may soon see new life. Below: Graves of islanders and seafarers on Cosmoledo.

He found “…many tropic birds under the bushes; they are of a satiny white, with one long red feather in the tail, some of the other feathers being also slightly tinged with red, sometimes with black”, clearly these were Red-tailed Tropicbirds now long gone. Stirling gives an excellent description of a flightless rail and mentions pigeons and doves, also now extinct, though they survive on Aldabra. Ominously he mentions rats on the shore of the island, possibly recent arrivals and no doubt responsible for much of the devastation of Astove which was to follow. Today, Astove no longer has great seabird colonies. The rich guano has been mostly removed and a hollow shell was left behind. Most of the land birds have vanished too. But all is not lost. The lesson of Aldabra is that with the right vision and management and given room to breathe, nature will respond. To that end, Seychelles Islands Foundation and Island Conservation Society and Islands Development Company are working closely together and also collaborating for example to remove two invasive bird species from Assumption, the islands through which all three atolls are accessed. Frauke Dogley (CEO of SIF), Glenny Savy (CEO of IDC) and myself as Chairman of ICS – all participants in this recent voyage, – are in agreement that with joint efforts the Aldabra success story can one day in not too distant future be a universal one extended to the boundaries of the whole Aldabra Group. Perhaps one day the success that Aldabra has enjoyed will be repeated on Cosmoledo and Astove. Alien predators might be removed, endemic birds might be transferred, tortoises and turtles may multiply and the island will be restored to something Major Stirling would recognise: if only we had that time machine…

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proudly

F lying the Creole Spirit

On the occasion of our 35th anniversary we wish to thank the people of Seychelles and all our esteemed guests for their loyalty and continued support.

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Destination

Abu Dhabi

The Business of Tony Smart looks behind the scenes as a prelude to the 2014 Formula One season

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Photo © www.formula1.com/races

Destination

Abu Dhabi

Destination

Abu Dhabi

Thus you have a situation whereby the only financial return for the owners and sponsors of any GP is from the sale of tickets for the race and the two preceding practice days. Money from merchandise, F&B and any other on-site sales goes straight back to Ecclestone and his companies.

Ultra-loud revving engines, the high-pitched whine of supercars racing around specially built circuits at speeds of up to 220 miles per hour, the odd, possibly fatal mega crash, glamorous girls everywhere in exotic locations like Monaco, and billions of dollars spent. It can only be Formula 1 motor racing gearing up the 2014 season which starts with the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on 16th March. Formula One motor racing consists of men driving the fastest cars in the world around purpose built circuits (in most cases) or street circuits in Monaco, Singapore or Australia. Races are called Grand Prix (GP), usually cover a distance of approximately 190 miles and last for just under two hours. The 190 miles is achieved by laps of the circuit, from just 44 laps at Spa-Francorchamps for the Belgian GP to 78 laps at Monaco. Drivers don’t win any prize money, just points for themselves in the Drivers World Championship and for their teams in the Constructors World Championship. The first World Championship race was held at Silverstone in the UK in 1950 and since then the Formula One (F1) season has expanded to 22 races this year.

Photo courtesy of http://www.yasmarinacircuit.com

F1 is big, big business and the business of F1 is dominated by one man: Bernie Ecclestone. This 83-yearold UK billionaire, usually described in the tabloids as “F1 Supremo”, has a stranglehold on the sport. Starting out as a drivers’ manager, Ecclestone then bought the Brabham F1 team in 1972. This made him a member of the Formula One Constructors Association and, by pioneering the sale of TV rights in the late 1970s, he was able to gain financial control of the sport and his companies now also control the administration, organisation and logistics of every F1 GP.

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Those who watched the 2013 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in November would have enjoyed a thrilling race where Sebastian Vettel won his seventh successive GP and his 11th of the season under the Yas Marina floodlights.

Of course it isn’t quite as simple as that, otherwise why would Abu Dhabi (the newest F1 circuit) spend US$250 million (all figures in this feature provided by Christian Sylt of www.formulamoney.com except where stated) to build a stadium just to hold one GP a year and then a further US$30 million just for the right to host that GP, the Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, each year. For one thing, with an estimated 527 million people watching F1 each year, that makes around 24 million people around the globe watching each GP and with each GP receiving 10-15 hours of global TV (including practice days, recorded highlights and news broadcasts) that’s a lot of free publicity for Abu Dhabi and every other GP host city/country. It’s also a lot of publicity for advertisers and title sponsors, like Etihad Airways in Abu Dhabi and Yas Island, Abu Dhabi’s new purpose built holiday island where the GP is held, though this is not free. Advertisers pay Ecclestone US$2-3 million for a package of several trackside hoardings. Title sponsors pay US$5 million per race. And, of course, building a US$250 million circuit creates a lot of jobs as does staffing the circuit for the GP and for the other events held there throughout the year. The Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi holds year-round V8 supercar, go-kart, and drag races, as well as hosting numerous corporate events and motorsport schools. And it keeps all the revenue from these events. As it does everywhere it goes, the F1 magic has provided a significant economic stimulus to the Middle East.

Finally, as far as the host circuit goes in Abu Dhabi, there is the revenue from GP ticket sales which, with an average 90,000 fans attending each GP and approximately 200,000 people attending all three days of the event, can total well in excess of US$100 million. Prices for a Saturday and Sunday ticket (second practice day and race day) in Abu Dhabi cost around US$108 to US$600. A weekend pass to the Al Jood or Al Dhiyafa grandstands which included excellent views, reserved grandstand seats, free all day hot and cold snacks and non-alcoholic drinks, access to private air-conditioned suites, and VIP access to the Pit area (where the drivers and cars are fixed, tuned and maintained before and during the race) on practice days would have cost you just over US$1,200. Those who watched the 2013 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in November would have enjoyed a thrilling race where Sebastian Vettel won his seventh successive GP and his 11th of the season under the Yas Marina floodlights. Having already won his fourth consecutive drivers’ championship the week before in India, Vettel now managed to equal Michael Schumacher’s 2004 record for most consecutive GPs won in one year in Abu Dhabi. Summing up his victory after the race Vettel said “I think today was incredible, the pace we had was scary at some points.” That takes care of the circuit side of the business which is only part of the multi-billion dollar F1 industry. There’s still the teams, cars and drivers which generate billions of dollars of business themselves. In March 2007 (the last year for which figures are available), F1 Racing magazine published its estimates of spending by Formula One teams. The total spending of all eleven teams in 2006 was estimated at US$2.9 billion.

With an estimated 527 million people watching F1 each year, that makes around 24 million people around the globe watching each GP and with each GP receiving 10-15 hours of global TV (including practice days, recorded highlights and news broadcasts) that’s a lot of free publicity for Abu Dhabi and every other GP host city/country.

Photos © Adeel Haq/Books R Us Ltd

This was broken down as follows; Toyota US$418.5 million, Ferrari US$406.5 million, McLaren US$402 million, Honda US$380.5 million, BMW Sauber US$355 million, Renault US$324 million, Red Bull US$252 million, Williams US$195.5 million, Midland F1/SpykerMF1 US$120 million, Toro Rosso $75 million, and Super Aguri US$57 million. Much of the team spending goes on developing the best engine possible with Honda, Toyota, McLaren-Mercedes, and Ferrari estimated to have spent approximately $200 million on engines in 2006 whilst Renault spent approximately US$125 million. But, as one F1 journalist told me “everything in F1 is done behind the scenes. The vast majority of financial details are not made available to the public.” And so it has proved impossible to find exact figures on what the teams are spending and what they’re spending it on. However we do know that some teams spend a lot on drivers, with top racers like Fernando Alonso receiving a reputed US$40 million a year to drive for Ferrari. At the other end of the scale, such is the allure of the sport, that “Narain Karthekeyan reportedly brought a sponsorship package with him to race with HRT in 2011, while Pastor Maldonado reportedly brought

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Destination

Abu Dhabi

Photos courtesy of www.yasmarinacircuit.com

The teams get much of their money from sponsorship by international companies like Red Bull or Virgin. In January 2011 Marlboro amazingly signed a reputed US$100 million a year contract to continue to sponsor Ferrari until the end of 2014 even though, due to the ban on cigarette advertising, they receive no apparent benefit from this deal. Teams also get a share of the TV rights money and of the prize money according to how well they do in the Constructors and Drivers Championships each year. Bernie Ecclestone is not forthcoming when it comes to financial details though, to be fair, he is widely credited with transforming F1 into the multi-billion dollar business it is today. And he has also moved the sport from a European based one into the truly global World Championship that it is now, with GPs in the Middle East, China, Japan, Malaysia, India, Korea, Australia, Canada and Brazil. And there are no shortage of venues queueing up to be added to the circuit with the United States GP having returned in 2012 and a Russian GP scheduled to start in October 2014. There are also proposals for races to be held in Vietnam and the Ukraine.

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“I think today was incredible, the pace we had was scary at some points.”

It seems as though everyone wants to be in the business of F1, and media tycoon Rupert Murdoch is said to be keen to own the rights, but the F1 teams themselves are also keen to own their sport. However my money’s on Ecclestone to stay in control. He made the sport what it is today and he’s unlikely to relinquish control without a serious fight. Still, whoever’s in control, F1 is now very big business and a very popular sport.

Photo courtesy of http://www.formula1.com

10 million Euros with him in sponsorship in replacing Nico Hulkenberg at Williams at the end of 2010” said a F1 journalist who wished to remain anonymous. In other words unknown drivers need to bring big money with them to get a drive for a F1 team.

Camerapix Magazines

celebrates

of Silhouette

This year Camerapix Magazines Limited celebrates a quarter century of promoting Seychelles through Silhouette, the in-ﬂight magazine of Air Seychelles. As publishers of Silhouette, Camerapix Magazines Limited is proud to have been associated with Air Seychelles for the past 25 years. We would like to thank the airline for putting their trust in us, and our readers, writers and particularly all those who have supported us over the years.

The editorial policy for Silhouette has always included a variety of timely feature articles and high-quality illustrations of our beautiful islands, backed up by good design standards. The aim has been to produce a magazine that is attractive, informative and interesting to readers of all ages and backgrounds. We hope we have been successful in that aim and will continue to maintain the highest possible standards in the future. Thank you all!

Camerapix Magazines Limited, PO Box 45048, 00100, GPO Nairobi, Kenya Tel: +254 (20) 4448923/4/5 • Fax: +254 (20) 4448818 • E-mail: creative@camerapix.co.ke Editorial and Advertising Ofﬁce: Camerapix Magazines (UK) Limited, 32 Friars Walk, Southgate, London N14 5LP Tel: +44 (20) 8361 2942 • Mobile: +44 79411 21458 • E-mail: camerapixuk@btinternet.com

Destination

Dublin

The Fair City

The Celtic Tiger, the economic engine that roared throughout Ireland in the 1990s, continues to purr today as Dublin basks in a new found prosperity. The city’s compact centre, at the mouth of the River Liffey, has become a magnet for tourists throughout the world, imbuing the Irish capital with a modern and international veneer, says Rosemary Holthusen. Above: An iconic landmark in the centre of the city, the Ha’penny Bridge is Dublin’s oldest pedestrian crossing over the River Liffey. It was erected in 1816 as the Wellington Bridge and acquired its better known nickname from the halfpenny toll levied on all users of the bridge up to 1919.

Now that Air Seychelles has expanded its codeshare agreement with Etihad Airways’ to include Ireland, this is one of Europe’s oldest and greatest cities, one that retains its historical and cultural charms. But it is also a wonderful cosmopolitan city that offers an abundance of trendy bars, elegant restaurants and stylish shops and hotels. One of the top city break destinations in Europe, steeped in history and buzzing with youthful energy, the Irish capital is at the very heart of Irish culture.

Photos © Peter Holthusen

Dublin embodies two very distinctly different features – its rich and varied history and cultural life which coexists happily with the ever changing, vibrant beat of contemporary life. Whether you are travelling in a group, with family, individually or on business you will find that there is something for everyone in Dublin. The city has an irresistible vibe and is bursting with colours, music, sights and scenes which provide the perfect backdrop for exploring the magic that is Dublin City and its beautiful surrounding County.

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It’s official: Dublin is also home to the friendliest people in the world. Add to this live music, packed pubs, hip clubs, great shopping and plenty of culture plus a real passion for sport and you have everything you need for a memorable time in this vibrant city. Dublin is known throughout the world for its music, from The Dubliners and The Chieftains to U2. Be sure to check out the comprehensive events listings on the Visit Dublin website before you travel to find out what’s on when you’re in town. The National Concert Hall has an all-inclusive and diverse programme of events that caters for children as well as the classically informed. Free lunchtime concerts are a wonderful way to pass your lunch hour. On the traditional front several pubs, such as The Cobblestone and O’Donoghue’s, hold free sessions where you’ll be mesmerised by the sheer talent of fiddle, bodhrán and mandolin virtuosos.

Destination

Dublin

It’s no secret that Dubliners love to party. Dublin’s unique spirit of fun and entertainment is evident in the host of festivals and events organised throughout the year. Whether you’re a film buff or a culture vulture, Dublin has a festival to match. The Temple Bar TradFest always jigs a post-Christmas lift in a celebration of traditional Irish music and culture. The Dublin Writers Festival never fails to attract heavyweights from the world of literature. Small wonder in 2010, the Irish capital was named a UNESCO City of Literature – there are only four others in the world. The Bloomsday Festival and Dublin Shakespeare Festival celebrate two other literary heavyweights. Three unique theatre festivals, the Dublin Fringe Festival, Dublin Theatre Festival and the International Dublin Gay Theatre Festival all tread the boards in their various guises. Culture Night is a one-night-only cultural immersion when the city’s museums, galleries and historic houses open their doors until late. Cobbled alleys, Viking remains, Georgian squares, Gothic spires – Dublin’s history goes back over a thousand years. Monuments in literature and stone mark the history, writers, poets, scientists and people of Dublin. Medieval, Georgian and Modern architecture provide a backdrop to a city on a bay where fine museums and world-class attractions chronicle Dublin’s long and colourful past. Visitors can follow Dublin’s fascinating history by a sightseeing bus tour, a guided walking tour and a DIY tour of Dublin with a free iWalk podcast from Visit Dublin or a tour of one of the city’s many excellent museums and art galleries. The easiest way to explore the region is to purchase a ‘Dublin Pass’. Available in 1,2,3 and 6 Day formats, the Dublin Pass is the official sightseeing card for Dublin and provides great value for money starting at €35 for a 1 Day Adult Dublin Pass. The only problem is fitting it all in of course! For ancient treasures, visit the National Museum of Ireland on Kildare Street. Home to over two million artefacts including the priceless Ardagh Chalice, the Tara Brooch and the Derrynaflan hoard, the National Museum takes you all the way back in time to 7,000BC.

Above: To visit Ireland’s capital city is to visit a place rich in history and culture and one which prides itself with a long tradition in music, theatre, dance and literature.

Fast forward to the Middle Ages with a visit to Dublinia and the Viking World, a positively unique interactive exhibition tracing the history of Dublin from the capture of the city by the infamous Strongbow (Richard de Clare) and his knights in 1170 up to the dramatic closure of the monasteries under Henry VIII in the 16th century.

The Little Museum of Dublin is the people’s museum and tells the story of the modern city. Significantly, the exhibits have all been donated by Dubliners themselves. The lectern US President John F. Kennedy used to address the Oireachtas (National Parliament of Ireland) in 1963, among other intriguing artefacts, is displayed in the museum. Visit one of Dublin’s magnificent cathedrals. Christ Church Cathedral, one of Dublin’s oldest and most recognized landmarks, was founded circa 1030 by Sitriuc Silkenbeard, King of the Dublin Norsemen. The world-famous ‘Treasures of Christ Church’ collection reflects nearly 1,000 years of history at the cathedral. Delve into Dublin’s republican history with a visit to Kilmainham Gaol. Dating from 1796, the gaol was

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Destination

Dublin

collection of European works from the Renaissance to the 20th century and the Dublin City Gallery, The Hugh Lane houses the foremost collection of Irish and International modern and contemporary art in Ireland. The Irish Museum of Modern Art is housed in The Royal Hospital, Kilmainham, one of the finest 17th century buildings in Ireland and home to the National collection of modern and contemporary art.

Above: Trinity College is the oldest university in Ireland and on its 40-acre site retains some of its ancient seclusion of cobbled squares, perfectly manicured gardens and parks.

Opposite page: Ireland’s capital city is home to some 1,000 pubs and no visit to Dublin would be complete without sampling a local brew and great ‘craic’ in a real Dublin pub!

To visit Dublin is an experience to behold. The welcome is always warm, but then this is Ireland, after all!

famous (or perhaps infamous!) as “a machine for grinding rogues honest”. The building stands empty today, but its thick walls, grim graffiti and foreboding atmosphere still evoke a shiver. Watch out for the striking Victorian wing, where scenes from ‘Michael Collins’ and ‘The Name of the Father’ were filmed; an audio-visual presentation and guided tour further tease out the gaol’s place in Irish political and penal history. Robert Emmet, Charles Stuart Parnell and Eamonn de Valera were all imprisoned at Kilmainham, and the leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising were executed by firing squad in the stone-breaker’s yard. Dublin truly is Europe’s city of living culture and as a UNESCO City of Literature, visitors can step back in time in this city full of literary landmarks: from the James Joyce Tower by the sea in Sandycove to Trinity College, alma mater of many of Ireland’s greatest writers and home of the Book of Kells. The Irish literary tradition is one of the most illustrious in the world and Dublin’s native sons include: Shaw, Yeats, Wilde, Joyce and Beckett. Visit the Dublin Writers Museum on Parnell Square, one of Dublin’s finest Georgian squares. The Dublin Writers Museum houses a history and celebration of literary Dublin and features the lives and works of the city’s many literary celebrities. Look out for the lunchtime readings. Dublin loves drama and Dublin’s playwrights are known throughout the world; a night out at the theatre is very popular among locals and visitors alike. Many of the city’s restaurants and gastropubs offer great pre-theatre menus so it needn’t cost you the world. If art is your thing, be warned: you will have a very hard time getting around to all of Dublin’s art galleries! The National Gallery of Ireland houses a prestigious

You’ve marvelled at the museums and shopped ‘til you drop’. It’s time for a drink. Where better to go when in the home of Guinness than to the Guinness Storehouse. Located alongside the world famous St. James’ Gate Brewery, the Guinness Storehouse is a bastion to the ‘Black Stuff’. Learn how the famous stout is made, discover the history of the man behind the Guinness brand, Arthur Guinness and sample a pint for yourself while admiring the view at the Gravity Bar. Dublin’s pubs are slices of its living culture. They are the famous haunts of its literary set, politicians, rock stars and of course, Dubliners! Ireland’s capital city is home to some 1,000 pubs and no visit to Dublin would be complete without sampling a local brew and great ‘craic’ in a real Dublin pub! If Irish whiskey is your tipple, visit the Old Jameson Distillery in Smithfield and relive the story of John Jameson & Son through the history, the atmosphere and above all the taste. Dublin is ideally situated on the east coast of Ireland and just a 20 minute journey on the DART, the coastline train, will bring you from the bustling city centre to the charming coastal towns and villages of the County which dot the sometimes rugged, sometimes sandy coastline and which provide boundless opportunities for artisanal shopping, golf, water sports, mouthwatering seafood, fine dining and picturesque walks against the spectacular backdrop of Dublin Bay. Highlights along Dublin’s north coast include Howth, a peninsula populated with fantastic seafood restaurants for all price ranges, cosy Irish pubs, great walks and the pretty seaside town of Malahide. On Dublin’s south coast, visitors can explore Ireland’s medieval heritage at Dalkey Castle and dine on superb fresh fish and shellfish in the many great restaurants along the coast. The brave can take a dip in the infamous ‘Forty Foot’ bathing area in Sandycove. Further inland the Dublin Mountains provide ample opportunities for walkers. To visit Dublin is an experience to behold. The welcome is always warm, but then this is Ireland, after all!

Photo © Fáilte Ireland via Peter Holthusen

Dublin: Ireland Visit Dublin: Fåilte Ireland: Dublin Pass:

www.visitdublin.com www.failteireland.ie www.dublinpass.ie

Location:

Dublin is the capital and most populous city of Ireland. It is situated in the Province of Leinster on the east coast, at the mouth of the River Liffey and the centre of Dublin County.

Land Area:

With a total land area of 114.99 square kilometres (44.40 square miles), Dublin is the largest city in Ireland.

Population:

1.5 million (2013)

Language:

The language spoken in Dublin is English. Street signs and official buildings are signposted in both English and Gaelic, the indigenous Irish language.

Time:

UTC/GMT

Official Currency:

The official currency is the Euro. Cash machines (ATMs) are widely available throughout the city.

Entry Requirements:

Passports for all visitors must be valid for at least 6 months. Certain nationals outside of Europe require a valid Irish entry visa, which can be obtained either on arrival or prior to departure.

Religion:

The overwhelming majority of the Irish population follow Roman Catholicism, although many other religions are practised in this multicultural society.

When To Go:

May/June and September are usually the best months to travel on either end of the peak July/August holiday season. The city will be less crowded, slightly cheaper and you should get reasonable weather most days.

Not To Be Missed:

Ireland celebrates its patron saint St. Patrick on the 17th March each year, and Dublin stages the biggest and most extravagantSt. Patrick’s Day Parade outside New York.

Best Meal:

Dublin Lawyer, a luxurious dish for two, is reputedly named after the city’s wealthy lawyers and their liking for copious amounts of whiskey. The dish is usually made with crab or lobster, which are plentiful in Ireland. Air Seychelles flies seven times a week to Etihad Airways’ Abu Dhabi hub, with onward connections to Ireland on most days. In total the two carriers offer 10 return flights per week to the Island archipelago. The combined schedules allow extensive onward connectivity to destinations across Europe and the rest of the world.

Feature

The Little

Circus

with a BIG Heart

Photos © Derek Baccus

by Glynn Burridge

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Feature

An orange sun sets, its rays caressing the taut fabric of a dark blue tent set at one end of Freedom Square in central Victoria where a phalanx of cars has formed, passengers slowly snaking into a line heading for the vestibule. In the soft twilight of the interior, young men and women with dark, exotic features are ushering the crowd past candy floss, toffee apple and soft drink stalls into the giant tent’s inner sanctum, inviting them to sit in tidy lines before a central stage while a film plays on a screen in the background. The crowd is swelling now and with each new arrival, so is the atmosphere: all eyes on the mouth of a tunnel leading to the stage where dark shapes flit busily to and fro. A sudden rustle from within the tunnel draws a gasp from the crowd, heightening the level of expectation now swirling about the tent in an almost tangible cloud. I do not know the little boy who is sitting next to me, whose age I guess to be around eight. His eyeballs have already swelled to a point where they dwarf the other features of his young face, his spear-like gaze scanning the name above the tunnel: The Magic Circus of Samoa. As the crowd settles down with popcorn, soft drinks and coloured light sabres, the music changes tempo and, suddenly, the circus bursts to life with the grand entrance of Bruno Loyale, the circus’ founder, striding into the ring with the practiced, springy gait of a professional wrestler, his massive frame pounding the floor. The expression on the face of the little boy to my right tells me we’re on! Now in its 10th year, the Magic Circus of Samoa is unique, making a point of not so much visiting towns and cities but instead performing on remote islands of the South Pacific, bringing its special brand of magic to children of all ages with little opportunity otherwise to enjoy a show.

Founded by a Samoan, Bruno Loyale, the Magic Circus has travelled to almost all of the South Pacific Islands including the most isolated ones like Tonga, New Caledonia and the Marshalls & Solomons as well as the better known destinations of Tahiti and Fiji. Today, it is spreading its wings further afield to include, Seychelles, Mauritius, La Reunion and Mayotte, with plans to travel to the Caribbean before long. After an eloquent introduction by Bruno, a spectacle in himself, his mighty torso etched in tattoos, a spotlight from somewhere in the roof of the tent captures the svelte forms of two tightrope walkers as they tip-toe impossibly up and down the wire, vaulting in turn each other’s quivering frames. Glistening from the effort, their bodies shine in the bright light, each face a mask of concentration as they defy gravity on the thin wire. The young boy beside me claps energetically. The next act involves a hapless young man from the audience who is handcuffed to a long wooden board before a pretty knife thrower armed with a cluster of wicked-looking knives. Solemnly, he is presented as her target but, through clever sleight of hand, he is blindfolded just before each throw as each knife is planted noisily into the board behind him by the hand of a stage assistant. For the life of me, I can’t work out who looks more perplexed, the victim from the audience, or my young neighbour. Either way, they both seem mighty impressed. Humour is injected into proceedings via the clown – a magnificent midget who ‘talks’ by blowing a whistle but whose wide range of

facial expressions makes him one of the most articulate members of the troupe. Throughout the show, he appears in a variety of disguises, ranging from a mischevious boxer pitted against a much taller opponent and determined to level the odds; a miniature Elvis Presley; the energetic conductor of a cow-bell orchestra and a matchmaker between members of the audience whom he coaxes with his whistle into a number of intimate embraces. He is clearly a favourite with the kids who later queue up to have their pictures taken with him in his trademark ‘thumbs up’ pose. Each new act carries all before it, transporting the audience to a place where laughter, oohs and aahs resonate, boys and girls scream with pleasure and adults guffaw. Bruno weaves a magic thread between acts with his powerful performance as master of ceremonies – every inch the flamboyant circus maestro of yesteryear and most definitely in command. He says just enough as he introduces each new performer, retreating instantly into the shadows as the show begins and some new display of circus magic is born somewhere in the tunnel. This time, it’s a pretty ‘Princess’ from India who nimbly climbs a rope to the very roof of the tent and then performs a series of elegant passes, suspended upside-down from a length of white tissue, body arced over itself, toes lightly touching her forehead, arms spread wide. Soon it’s the turn of an unlikely bunch of gymnasts dressed as a baby, a buxom nurse, a construction worker and a transvestite who proceed to trip over each other and a ‘blind’ spectator in a series of cleverly choreographed moves which leave the audience in stitches.

Created to enable South Pacific islanders to share in the delights of an old-fashioned circus, the Magic Circus’ real home is in Pago Pago, American Samoa, and while it may lack the spectacle and big-ring glamour of a large circus like Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey, it most certainly succeeds in presenting a thrilling variety of quality circus acts, albeit on a more modest stage.

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Feature

They are left breathless at the spectacle of the ‘rubber man’ from Ethiopia as he contorts his body in a way that defies the possible, threading it through the string-less head of a tennis racket, locking his shoulder blades and pushing his joints inside out to achieve one amazing feat after another. The boy next to me drops his candy floss onto the floor and, spellbound, does not seem to mind in the least that his pink feast is now melting at his feet. As the interval comes around, it’s anyone’s guess who is most in need of the break; the performers after their constant supply of miracles or the bleary-eyed spectators from watching them. As the circus gathers momentum for the second half of the show, a steady stream of onlookers climbs onto the stage to have their picture taken with the clown and then receive a memento of the occasion mounted onto a key ring for posterity. We’ve barely caught our breath when the Samoan show is off again at a gallop: the human fountain from India first consumes vast quantities of water and then turns into a one-woman waterspout before swallowing no less than four live gold fish which she then regurgitates, alive and kicking, into a bowl; a young man with a body that would do a Michael Angelo model proud ascends a wobbly tower of stacked chairs almost to the roof of the tent before dismantling it again as he struggles to keep his balance. Bruno makes an entrance and invites an onlooker to defy the sharp blade of a guillotine, silencing the crowd as he holds the blade by a string before letting it fall onto, and right through, the young man’s neck, who walks away unscathed. In an ecstasy of excitement my young friend has just trampled the candy floss into the grass beneath his feet.

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One young lady dancer catches two torches burning at both ends and proceeds to wield them in a fire dance, twirling them around her as she leaps wildly about the stage while a contortionist from Nepal holds burning candles with both arms and feet (and even on her forehead) as she rolls from one incredible posture into another. Hello, Bruno’s back! This time with some cunning feats of magic, pulling lighted cigars from a young boy’s ear before the show makes way for the one-wheeled cycle riders, including one act on a crazy, zig-zag bike and another on the world’s tallest monocycle as the crowd bellows its approval. Almost mercifully, the tempo slows with some traditional Samoan dances, but that just proves to be the calm before the storm which takes the form of some insane motorcycle riding inside ‘the dome’ where two riders hurtle past, beneath and over the top of one another at close to full throttle. By now, my young friend has grabbed my hand and is squeezing it like a lemon, his jaw somewhere down near his fallen candy floss. Bruno springs to the stage to bring the show to an end and to invite all the performers to take a final bow. As the cheers finally subside and we wend our way outside, we are all left with the indelible memories of a magnificent performance by a team of true professionals and, although night has by now fallen, many I’m sure will have joined me in hoping that it will be a very long time indeed before the sun sets on the remarkable feats of the Magic Circus of Samoa.

As the cheers finally subside and we wend our way outside, we are all left with the indelible memories of a magnificent performance by a team of true professional.

A small hotel with a big heart

The Coco D’or Hotel, is built on 3 hectares of lush tropical land, on the north west coast of Mahé. The hotel is a mere four minutes walk from Beau Vallon, one of the island’s most beautiful beaches. The Coco D’or sets itself apart from other hotels in Seychelles by virtue of its location, amenities and unparalled service philosophy. 27 appointed rooms and suites, each with a private bath, balcony, terrace and/or living room are divided into two categories:Standard room Deluxe suites

24 rooms with a verandah and tropical garden, 6 rooms with a terrace and 2 with a lounge. 3 rooms with a private patio terrace and mountain and garden view, two bathrooms, a kitchenette and a separate living room.

Coco D’or Hotel & Restaurant • T/A Nalini R. Properties (Pty) Ltd Beau Vallon, Mahé, Seychelles • P.O. Box 526 Victoria, Mahé, Seychelles Phone: +248 4247331 • Fax: +248 4247454 • E-mail: cocodor@seychelles.sc

Health

ress t S Busters Had a super-stressful week and need to chill out? Brian Johnston has some 15 top tips for weekend relaxation.

e all know those mid-week blues, when we’re ready to punch the boss or scream at our kids. Yet when the weekend arrives, it never seems long enough to properly unwind, leaving us starting another Monday almost as tense as we were on Friday afternoon. But follow these eight steps and you’ll find two days is quite enough to achieve physical and mental relaxation and have you prepared for another round of mid-week madness.

1. Take a hike Think lounging on the sofa is the best way to relax? Wrong. Exercise is the best tension buster, and nothing is easier than walking. “Going for a walk after a long week to clear your head is a great way to de-stress and stay mentally healthy,” says Simone Comtesse, a mental health expert from Curtin University in Australia. “Engaging in physical activity, either on your own or with a friend, is also a great way to sort through problems.”

2. Eat up But only the right food. The body’s stocks of zinc and vitamin B get used up when stressed, so recharge by eating wholegrain breads and cereals, red meat and shellfish. A glass of milk is calming. “An amino acid called tryptophan is used by the body to make serotonin, a calming neurotransmitter, and melatonin, a sleep-inducing hormone,” explains dietician Clare Evangelista. “Foods high in tryptophan include milk and other dairy foods, oats, dates, chickpeas and chicken.”

3. Buzz off Getting away for the weekend can recharge your internal batteries. Scientists at Rutgers University in the USA have proved that a change really is as good as a holiday. They report that a change of scenery and novel experiences boost dopamine in the brain, which activates the brain’s pleasure centres. So getaway to somewhere new at the weekend or, at the very least, venture into a new neighbourhood or restaurant and give your •dopamine Silhouette • Vol 25 No 1• a well-needed boost.

4. Hit something As long as it isn’t a person or a wall, punching something is a fine way to get rid of stress or anger. Use a punching bag but, if you don’t have one, an old pillow will do. Thinking about the things that stress you and ‘transferring’ them into the punching bag can be an effective stress reliever. As an added bonus, punching bags can improve confidence and mental focus, as well as provide a good workout that burns up the calories.

5. Have a massage A good massage can make a big health difference, which is why it is increasingly offered in workplaces and hospitals. Studies show massages reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol and increase the feel-good hormones dopamine and serotonin. If you can’t afford a spa treatment, massage your own ears by rubbing the earlobes between index finger and thumb and squeezing the edges of your ears from top to bottom, as done in Chinese acupuncture and Ayurvedic treatments for centuries.

6. Have a bath A warm bath calms the nervous system yet stimulates the circulation and promotes sleep. Often, it simply provides tranquil downtime away from children, phones and chores. And don’t forget the bath oils. Something as simple as a few drops of your favourite oil in a warm bath can be wonderfully relaxing. Low lighting and low music can create a stress-free ambiance similar to a spa – but without the hefty price tag.

Health

Research proves that 10 to 20 minutes of laughter, whether fake or real, has a profound benefit on the body.

7. Sleep

11. Join a club

‘Nature’s soft nurse’, as Shakespeare put it, is crucial to our emotional and physical wellbeing, yet most of us just don’t get enough of it. The solution, however, is not to lie in at weekends, as that disrupts regular sleeping cycles. Instead, maintain a consistent sleeping pattern by going to bed and getting up at the same time very day of the week. Sleep in a cool, dark room and avoid bright lights, television, heavy or spicy meals, alcohol and smoking before bedtime.

Mentally healthy people tend to surround themselves with other people and are involved in lots of different activities, even on the weekends. Being socially active and having good friends and people to talk to are the fundamental factors for good mental wellbeing. Go along to a community event, take an art class or join a book club: it can be the perfect weekend de-stressor.

8. Have a cuppa Those Brits know a thing or two: researchers at King’s College in London have found tea a more efficient hydrator than water. The caffeine content of coffee or the sugar in soft drinks won’t help your stress, but a nice cup of tea might. Ensure that you’re adequately hydrated. Plenty of evidence suggests dehydration impacts mental and physical performance and can lead to stress.

12. Banish clutter Living surrounded by clutter is a reminder of all the things we think we ought to be doing: your subconscious is always aware of that pile of laundry or paperwork. You’ll feel much better if you get organised and store belongings in a tidy manner or out of sight, since tidy spaces are more calming. “Remove your physical clutter and you’ll eradicate your mental clutter, plus you’ll feel energised,” says Dr. Bruce McEwen, author of The End of Stress as we Know it.

13. Imagine it John Lennon sang about it and psychologists recommend it. Replacing stressful thoughts with relaxing ones might not be easy, but can do a world of good. Leading Australian children’s charity Novita suggests sitting in a quiet place and picturing something relaxing in your mind. ‘This may be something like walking on the beach or laying in a field on a warm, sunny day. With practice, you should find it easier to stick with this thought and you will end up feeling much more relaxed.’

9. Have some scents Aromatherapy has a physical effect on our wellbeing and can actively change our mood. Burn a candle or fragrant oil, or use herbs to perfume your pillow. The sense of smell is poorly understood, but we do know that it is linked to the oldest, most primitive part of our brain and seems to have a direct link to our emotions. Lavender is the most soothing aroma, but chamomile, ylangylang, bergamot and sandalwood also have relaxing properties.

10. Play golf A study of 300,000 regular Swedish golfers shows they have a 40 per cent lower mortality rate than similar non-golfers. Of course, that is likely because of the exercise regular golfers get, so don’t despair if you’re no good with the nine-iron. Just keep active on the weekends. Take a walk, ride a bike, dance a little, dig the garden and it will do you the world of good.

14. Repeat yourself Ancient practices such as tai chi, prayer and meditation know the value of repetitive movements or repeated words in preventing the mind from wandering to stressful thoughts. Similarly, many writers swear by seemingly mindless, repetitive activities in focusing their mental processes. It might be knitting, solitaire, Tetris, puzzle-making or bouncing a ball. “Repetition can change the physical and emotional responses to stress and decrease heart rate, blood pressure, breathing and muscle tension,” says Dr. Herbert Benson, author of The Relaxation Response.

15. Have a laugh Laughter is a quick and easy way to relax, and humour can relieve stress. We all know the power of laughter, so take time to indulge in a funny movie or a few You Tube clips. Not in the mood? Fake it. “Research proves that 10 to 20 minutes of laughter, whether fake or real, has a profound benefit on the body,” says Dr. Madan Kataria, founder of Laughter Yoga International. “It energizes and recharges the metabolism, making us feel fresh again.”

• Silhouette • Vol 25 No 1 •

Feature

History

C apu c in The Forest of

In an isolated corner on the south of Mahé lie the remnants of a settlement that was created during the last decade of the 18th century. Tony Mathiot goes on a romantic exploration…

Photos © Tony Mathiot

Capucin is one of the Seychelles’ most precious secrets. Not many inhabitants of Mahé have ever been there and few foreign visitors have been lucky enough to discover it. Situated on the southwest coast of Mahé, the forest of Capucin covers 160 acres that extend from Anse Marie Louise in the north, to Petit Boileau in the south and Intendance in the west. Spreading from the beach plateau up to the highlands of Beau Séjour, the forest of Capucin does not contain the hard wood timber trees, northea Seychellana, after which the place is named. In fact, you can hardly see a single specimen of this endemic botanical beauty which was named after an English lady painter, Marianne North who visited the Seychelles in 1883. That’s because capucin wood was largely

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used in the construction of houses and even, yes even, for the making of charcoal. The forest of Capucin is actually the only remnant of a coconut and cinnamon plantation left on Mahé – among the many that were established in the late 1790s when French settlers from Reunion arrived in the Seychelles to avail themselves of allocations of land that had been stipulated by commandant Jean-Baptiste Philogène de Malavois in 1787. François Philogène Mondon was among the early settlers who came to take advantage of that scheme – and how blessedly lucky he must have been to have chosen this part of Mahé to make his settlement, because, he got a magnificent beach, an awesome granite coastline and an enchanting forest that conceals the remnants and the ruins of a bygone era.

Feature

History

Here, nearly all coconut palms have sprouted from the nuts of the first generation of palms that were planted by the descendants of François Mondon in the 1870s and which provided millions of nuts for the copra industry during the first few decades of the 20th century. Cinnamon trees that were once harvested for their bark and whose leaves were distilled for oil have now attained an unprecedented height and a thickness of girth that they were not allowed before. Some have their branches entwined with tendrils of wild vanilla vine. Others have sprouted on the surface of granite boulders where they have developed into mighty trees as their intersecting roots crawled across the boulders forming a mesh, in search of nutrients from the soil.

Capucin is one of the Seychelles’ most

precious secrets.

Here and there, as you wander through the woods, you occasionally come across little circular enclosures of stones. These were built around the base of some coconut palms that grew on steep slopes or on the edge of banks of earth besides the footpath. Higher, as you proceed upwards above the plateau, there is a large towering badamier tree, a cashew tree and a tamarind tree. Breadfruit trees are not scarce here. They were planted especially as a source of food. Breadfruit cooked whole over an open fire or boiled in coconut milk was part of the labourers’ meal. There are dozens of breadfruit trees in the forest of Capucin whose fruits, when ripe, are devoured by bats, splattering the squashy pulp on the carpet of dead leaves. Clumps of bamboo are also common features. They have served their important uses for almost a century. The inhabitants of Capucin used bamboo strips to make traditional fish traps, known as kazye. Bamboo cylinders were used by toddy tappers as containers and by plantation workers to make rat traps known as lasomwar. Somewhere, behind the clumps of bamboo, a chuckling stream flows out from among the rocks, winding its way across the forest before disappearing underground. This was a precious source of water for not less than four generations of the Mondon family here at Capucin. One can assume that this charming rivulet must have

been the reason why François Mondon created the first settlement here. It certainly must have been a major factor in his decision. As you penetrate deeper into the forest, you will come up against a massive overhanging face of granite with tufts of ferns growing in its furrows. A beautiful sight indeed but one that might fill you with dread if you were lost in these woods at dusk and were trying to find your way out… There is a sinister beauty to this forest that tugs at the heart. The late afternoon sunshine that filters prismatically through the treetops creates a mournful kind of muted gloom that can easily lure you into a reverie of eerie happiness, or worse, into melancholy contemplation. It’s that kind of place: poignantly evocative. It makes you nostalgic about… what might have been. Once upon a time, labourers toiled from dawn to dusk here. With their machetes in their hands and burlap sacks thrown over their shoulders they roved the woods collecting coconuts that had fallen the previous night and piled them up in heaps for husking. Thousands of coconuts have been harvested and transformed into copra here. Indeed, so many tonnes of copra and cinnamon from the forest of Capucin ended up in the pharmaceuticals and confectioneries of Europe during the early 19th century. There are the ruins of the house which the owner of the estate and his family occupied for many decades. The masonry plinths and the quadrilateral shape of the foundation work attest to the somewhat modest size of the Mondon residence. Shrubs of vari-coloured foliage grow near the flight of steps at the entrance. Half a century ago these plants would have been lovingly watered by a housewife with water from the dalo, and children would have played in these woods. Nearby is a huge rock, underneath which empty bottles and broken chinaware were discarded. Among the broken glass one can find little inkwells. These were quite common during those days, when

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Feature

History

a pen had to be dipped in ink nearly as often as the writer’s respiration. Here, one sweeping gaze one can take in the ruins and rubble of the establishment once known as Mondonville. Besides the main family house, there were various outbuildings and infrastructure that constituted the homestead of that epoch. Surely, the vestiges of other structures must have been obliterated by the ravages of time and water during the heavy rainy seasons when rivulets coursed down the mountain slopes. There are a few places in this forest where you have to traverse the woods over outcrops of rock, for granite abounds here. There are rocks of various sizes and shapes. Indeed, François Philogène Mondon could have built a small castle of granite in this forest. In 1931, the colonial government decided to place a lighthouse on a rock at Petit Boileau. Consequently, an Agreement was signed between the governor, Gordon James Lethem, and the Mondon family on the 2nd August 1935 which gave a right of way to the lighthouse keeper over the Mondon property “for the purpose of going to and from the lighthouse” As a matter of fact, one of the heirs, Etienne Mondon, was appointed lighthouse keeper. The copra kiln is a few yards away from the beach and it is one of the very few that remains in the Indian Ocean. With its chimney and chamber still intact, it is a valuable specimen of the hundred or so kilns that burned and smoked during the 1930s. A kiln was an indispensable component of the coconut industry and an essential aspect of the coconut estate. It was the factory that generated revenue for the coconut estate and determined the fortune of its owner. The Capucin kiln now stands where it was erected like a monument to the settlement that existed here a century ago. A relic. A souvenir. An enigma. The coast of Capucin is incontrovertibly one that epitomizes tropical resplendence in its most awesome incarnation. The curving coastline of granite boulders forms a bulwark against the crashing waves that hurl themselves over the rocks, leaving behind overflowing pools of seawater in the depressions. Crusts of salt have formed in little basins on the surface of many boulders. Above, casuarinas trees grow along the sloping ground with coconut palms filling the rest of the space, stretching upwards towards the top of the ridge.

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Such a fascinating spectacle can be almost petrifying. The explosion of water happens in the blink of an eye. The sound of thunder seems to reverberate inside the core of the granite itself as the mighty spray forms into a curling cloud overhead, and then collapses into a shower of water. As the sea retreats back into a mass of swirling waters, further out the bluish green surface begins to bulge, and a curving swell is formed, gradually looming, inexorably approaching, for the next savage onslaught. The rocky coast leads to another secret of Capucin: a veritable marvel. Situated between a cliff and a tumble of boulders, the beach is strewn with granite rocks of various sizes like gemstones that have been purposefully scattered for mermaids to come and rest upon. This is tropical enchantment in its most mesmerizing state. During these last hundred years, thousands of turtles have chosen this place to lay their eggs. It’s a burning beach where the scorching sunshine and the sweltering heat never seems to subside. And here the sea has an intimidating attraction. It is as if the waters of the Indian Ocean have found the perfect place to vent their wrath. The waves crash upon the shore and the foaming surf maps out and then recedes, swirling and seething – water flowing down the rocks like miniature waterfalls: a spectacle that lasts just the span of a breath. And that sound can be heard all the way up, deep in the forest of Capucin.

Photos ÂŠ Josie Michaud

Green Corner

Sustainable Shark fishing

in the

Seychelles

In a landmark decision to save sharks from extinction, countries from around the world voted at the 16th meeting of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) to regulate international trade in the Oceanic whitetip, Hammerhead and several other shark species. While this decision helps regulate imports to consuming market countries, sustainable use will not be achieved unless shark exporting countries improve their regulatory controls. Sharks play a critical role in maintaining a balanced food chain in marine ecosystems, yet this role is being undermined as sharks have become one of the most exploited species on the planet. It is estimated that 100 million sharks are killed every year to supply growing demand for shark fins, meat and gills, resulting in a 97 per cent drop in shark populations over the last two centuries. In the Seychelles, the waters once teemed with Great White, Hammerhead and Tiger sharks. Yet, over the years, intensive fishing has decimated shark stocks. To combat this, Seychelles has introduced a National Plan of Action for Conservation and Management of Sharks aimed to ensure that the sharks are harvested sustainably by both commercial and artisanal fishers. MFF (Magroves for the Future) supported the National Action Plan by working with artisanal shark fishers in the Seychelles to ensure that sound fisheries methods are practiced, the rights of the fishers are protected and their livelihoods are improved. To ensure formal representation in the national process an Artisanal Shark Fishersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Association was registered. To help monitor the sharks they catch, a creole language shark identification key, data collection equipment, and standardized collection forms were distributed to fishers. The information they collect is then compiled by the Seychelles fisheries authorities and used for shark stock management. These are small but significant steps to ensure the conservation, management and long term sustainable use of sharks in the Seychelles. This model can be applied in artisanal shark fishing communities around the world.

Tips for Visitors to Seychelles

• Silhouette • Vol 25 No 1 •

65 Green Corner We wish you a happy and ‘green’ vacation, one that will give you great pleasure and memories and ensure that the Seychelles environment is protected for future generations to enjoy. Seychelles is renowned for its natural beauty and unique geology and biodiversity. This tiny island paradise has set aside almost 50 per cent of its 455 square kilometres as national parks and nature reserves, more than any other country on earth. Islands like Seychelles make great holiday destinations, but behind the scenes small island states have an uphill struggle in their journey towards environmental sustainability as they try to grapple with issues like energy security, waste and pollution, habitat loss, poaching, water shortages, food security and climate change. For instance, although Seychelles now boasts a small wind farm, the islands are still 95 per cent reliant on imported fossil fuels to generate electricity. Solar energy seems like the obvious solution but the technology is still prohibitively expensive for a small island and most of its inhabitants. Water is another critical issue. The main islands of Seychelles receive more than two metres of rainfall each year but the country’s storage capacity is so limited that most of it runs off into the sea! There is no land to spare for the construction of large dams and reservoirs. During the months when rainfall is scarce, water is produced through the energy-intensive desalination process and water rationing is the norm for residents and businesses alike. In terms of waste, Seychelles has very limited space for landfills, but with increased development and tourism, the mountains of waste produced are increasing. Some items like scrap metal, PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) plastic and aluminium cans are now exported for recycling but this is not feasible for many other waste forms due to the economies of scale and Seychelles’ distance from potential recycling markets. Food security is another key issue for the islands. Land in Seychelles is always at a premium and the flat coastal strip around the main islands is juggled between the demands of housing, farming, industrial and tourism sectors. Over the last 20 years much of Seychelles’ agricultural land has been converted to tourism establishments and housing estates, making it tough for the country to produce all of the food needed by the local population and tourism sector. Relying on imported foods makes the islands vulnerable to fluctuations in prices and foreign exchange rates, and the quality of imported items is not as fresh as local produce. Climate change is a major challenge for all small island developing states (SIDS). Seychelles has a small population and its carbon footprint is relatively tiny compared to larger industrialised countries. Furthermore, the vegetation on land and in the sea throughout the 1.14 million square kilometres exclusive economic zone, acts as a significant sink or absorber of carbon dioxide. However, like other SIDS, Seychelles is extremely vulnerable to the impacts of climate change which, for islands, include issues such as sea level rise, coastal erosion, coral bleaching, changing migration patterns of tuna and other pelagic fish stocks, heavy rains and flooding contrasted by periods of drought. Given all these challenges, it is remarkable that Seychelles is still as beautiful as it is! This is not an accident but a result of a longstanding government commitment to environmental protection coupled with the active engagement of many environmental NGOs and, increasingly, the private sector.

Even tourists can lend a hand! While on holiday, there are a number of things our guests can do to help island states like Seychelles become more sustainable. Take note of the eco-tips below and see how many of them you can put into action during your stay … 1. Be energy wise – Try to conserve energy when possible – turning off lights and air conditioners when you leave your hotel room is a great way of making a difference. 2. Be water wise – Use water carefully – take short showers and turn the taps off when not in use. Use your towel for a few days to cut down on laundry use. 3. Watch your waste – Recycle your plastic bottles and drink cans. Buy a reusable bag to cut down on plastic bags. Take your batteries home with you. Ask your hotel if they are participating in local recycling programmes. 4. Eat local – Instead of eating what you can eat at home, try some of the local cuisine, cooked with fresh local fish, meat, vegetables and fruits, available in restaurants and at take-aways. For a snack, try out some of the delicious local crisps made from organic breadfruit, cassava or plantain bananas. 5. Participate in conservation activities – Ask your hotel what they are doing for the environment – what are they doing to save water, save energy, reduce waste, reduce their climate footprint and help local communities? Pressure from tourists will help encourage our tourism industry to go greener! 6. Discover Seychelles – Get out and explore all that Seychelles has to offer – marine parks, nature reserves, gardens, mountain trails, beaches, museums. Try exploring by bus (it is more eco-friendly than renting your own car and can be an interesting cultural experience!). 7. Support the local economy – Buy locally made crafts, music CDs and other souvenirs. Avoid buying shells, corals, shark jaws or other souvenirs that degrade natural ecosystems.

Seychelles, as you will soon discover, is a fantastic place to have a holiday. We wish you a happy and ‘green’ vacation, one that will give you great pleasure and memories and ensure that the Seychelles environment is protected for future generations to enjoy. Contributed by Sustainability for Seychelles (S4S), a local NGO whose mission is to promote sustainable living in Seychelles. For more info about our work. Contact us on: Email: info@s4seychelles.com Tel. 422-4072 / 251-9135. Address: Suite A9 Arpent Vert, Mont Fleuri. Website: www.s4seychelles.com or find us on Facebook.

• Silhouette • Vol 25 No 1 •

Seychelles Plus Joins Etihad Guests Loyalty Programme We are pleased to announce improved benefits, services and flexibility for our valued and loyal travellers. Since 16 June 2012, the Air Seychelles Plus Programme has been fully integrated into Etihad Guests, the award winning loyalty programme of Etihad Airways. All members of the Air Seychelles Plus Programme have automatically become new Etihad Guest members, earning eight Etihad Guest Miles for every Seychelles Plus point in their account as at 15 June 2012. Their current Seychelles Plus tier level has been carried over to their new Etihad Guest membership. For example, Air Seychelles Plus Gold Members have automatically been enrolled as Etihad Guest Gold members. On becoming an Etihad Guest member, they now enjoy more benefits and rewards, including: • Immediate rewards - with the 1 MileRedemption feature, fly once and enjoy instant rewards. • No blackout periods - GuestSeats are available on all flights, and if a seat is available, the guests can book it. • Anytime availability - all seats on a flight, including the very last seat, are available at any time. Redeem open seats at a mileage cost equivalent to the commercial price of the seat on any Etihad flights. • The widest choice - redeem for flights, products or services using the exclusive Etihad Guest Reward Shop.

•

Expanded network - redeem and earn points on over 3000 routes worldwide, with Etihad Airways and its partner airlines, including Air Berlin, Virgin Australia and American Airlines. Also, as Etihad Guest members, our Guests can automatically earn and redeem Etihad Guest Miles with the entire Etihad Guest Partner network worldwide, which includes international hotel chains, car hire companies and retailers as well as 1 5 airline partners.

Guest Programme This level enables the member to enjoy permanent membership to the programme after earning 500 miles. Guest Enjoys • Earn Etihad Guest Tier Miles for journey • Redeem Etihad Guest Miles for journey/Upgrades/ kilos • Seat selection upon availability • Redeem open seats at a mileage cost equivalent to the commercial price of the seat on any Etihad flights. Silver Tier Guest Enjoys • Waitlist priority • Lounge access • 10 kg excess baggage

• • • •

Earn Etihad Guest Tier Miles for journey Redeem Etihad Guest Miles for journey/Upgrades/kilos Seat selection upon availability 25% Tier Bonus Miles

Gold Tier Guest Enjoys • 15 kg excess baggage • Priority Check-in • Lounge Access • Priority Boarding • Fast track immigration/baggage • 50% Tier Bonus • Earn Etihad Guest Tier Miles for journey • Redeem Etihad Guest Miles for journey/Upgrades/kilos • Seat selection upon availability Gold Elite Tier Guest Enjoys • 20 kg excess baggage • Priority Check-in • Lounge Access • Priority Boarding • Fast track immigration/baggage • 75% Tier Bonus • Earn Etihad Guest Tier Miles for journey • Redeem Etihad Guest Miles for journey/Upgrades • Seat selection upon availability

For more information call us on +248 4391069 / 4381016 / 4391366 / www.airseychelles.com/guest

John David Turner

1167 2695 6467

Valid Thru 05/2014

Air Seychelles Plus rejoint le programme de fidélisation Etihad Guest Nous sommes heureux d’annoncer une amélioration de prestations, de nos services et de la flexibilité pour notre fidèle clientèle. Depuis le 16 Juin 2012, le programme Air Seychelles Plus a été entièrement intégré dans celui d’Etihad Guest, le programme de fidélisation primé d’Etihad Airways. Tous les membres du programme d’Air Seychelles Plus deviennent automatiquement des nouveaux membres d Etihad Guest, obtenant huit miles d’Etihad Guest pour chaque point sur leur compte au 15 Juin 2012. Les membres d’Air Seychelles Plus conserveront le même statut dans le nouveau programme d’Etihad Guest. Par exemple, les membres Gold d’Air Seychelles ont été automatiquement inscrits comme membres d’Etihad Guest Gold. En devenant membre d’Etihad Guest, ils vont maintenant bénéficier de plus d’avantages et de récompenses, y compris: • Des récompenses immédiates – avec la formule 1MileRedemption, voyagez une fois et de profitez des récompenses immédiatement. • Aucune période d’interdiction – les GuestSeats sont disponibles sur tous les vols, et si un siège est disponible, les clients pourront le réserver. • Disponibilité à tout instant - tous les sièges sur un vol, y compris le dernier, sont disponibles à tout moment. Échangez vos miles pour les open seats à un coût equivalent au prix commercial du siege par kilométrique sur n’importe quels vols Etihad Airways.

• Le plus grand choix – échangez vos miles contre des billets d’avion, des produits ou services en utilisant la boutique exclusive Etihad Guest Reward Shop. • Un réseau étendu - échangez et accumulez des points sur plus de 3000 destinations à travers le monde, avec Etihad Airways et ses partenaires, dont Air Berlin, Virgin Australia et American Airlines. • Par ailleurs, en tant que membres d’Etihad Guest, nos clients peuvent obtenir automatiquement et échanger leurs milles avec l’ensemble de ses partenaires à travers son réseau mondial qui comprend des chaînes hôtelières internationales, les compagnies de location de voitures et les boutiques, ainsi que 15 compagnies aériennes. Guest Programme Ce statut permet de devenir membre permanent du programme après avoir obtenu 500 miles. Avantages • Optenez des miles pour chaque voyage • Echanges de miles contre des billets d’avion/ surclassement /kilos • Échangez vos miles pour les open seats à un coût equivalent au prix commercial du siege par kilométrique sur n’importe quels vols Etihad Airways.

Silver Avantages • Liste d’attente prioritaire • Accés au salon • 10 kg d’excédent de bagages • La sélection de sièges selon disponibilité • 25% de bonus sur les miles • Gagnez des miles pour chaque voyage • Echanges de miles contre des billets d’avion/ surclassement /kilos Gold Tier Avantages • 15 kg d’excédent de bagages • Priorité au Check-In • Accès au Salon • Embarquement prioritaire • Trace rapide immigration/bagage • 50% de bonus sur les miles • Gagnez des miles pour chaque voyage • Echanges de miles contre des billets d’avion/ surclassement /kilos • Sélection de siège selon la disponibilité Gold Elite Tier Avantages • 20 kg d’excédent de bagages • Priorité au Check-In • Accès au Salon • Embarquement prioritaire • Trace rapide immigration/bagage • 75% de bonus sur les miles • Gagnez des miles pour chaque voyage • Echanges de miles contre des billets d’avion/surclassement /kilos • Sélection de siège selon la disponibilité

Pour plus d’informations appelez-nous au +248 4391069/4381016/4391366 / www.airseychelles.com/guest

H e a l t h y Tr a v e l l i n g

These gentle exercises, which you can carry out easily during your flight, will help blood circulation and reduce any tiredness or stiffness that may result from sitting in one place for several hours. Check with your doctor first if you have any health conditions which might be adversely affected by exercise. Foot pumps: Start with both heels on the floor and point feet upward as high as you can. Then put both feet flat on the floor. Then lift heels high, keeping the balls of your feet on the floor. Continue cycle in 30-second intervals.

Knee lifts: Lift leg with knees bent while contracting your thigh muscles. Alternate legs. Repeat 20 to 30 times for each leg.

Forward flex: With both feet on the floor and stomach held in, slowly bend forward and walk your hands down the front of your legs towards your ankles. Hold the stretch for 15 seconds and slowly sit back up.

Shoulder roll: Hunch shoulders forward, then upward, then backward, then downward, using a gentle, circular motion.

Overhead stretch: Raise both hands straight up over your head. With one hand, grasp the wrist of the opposite hand and gently pull to one side. Hold stretch for 15 seconds. Repeat on the other side.

Shoulder stretch: Reach right hand over left shoulder. Place left hand behind right elbow and gently press elbow toward shoulder. Hold stretch for 15 seconds. Repeat on the other side.

Arm curl: Start with arms held at a 90-degree angle: elbows down, hands out in front. Raise hands up to chest and back down, alternating hands. Do this exercise in 30-second intervals.

• For your own comfort try and travel light. • Wear loose clothing and elasticated stockings made of natural fibre.

Knee to chest: Bend forward slightly. Clasp hands around the left knee and hug it to your chest. Hold stretch for 15 seconds. Keeping hands around knee, slowly let it down. Alternate legs. Repeat 10 times.

OTHER TIPS FOR A COMFORTABLE FLIGHT

Ankle circles: Lift feet off the floor, draw a circle with the toes, simultaneously moving one foot clockwise and the other foot counterclockwise. Reverse circles. Do each direction for 15 seconds. Repeat if desired.

Neck roll: With shoulders relaxed, drop ear to shoulder and gently roll neck forward and to the other side, holding each position about five seconds. Repeat five times.

• Increase your normal intake of water and only if need be, drink alcohol but in moderation. • Use moisturising cream to keep your skin from drying out. • Take off shoes in the plane to prevent your feet from swelling up or wear shoes that will cope with expanding ankles. • Avoid heavy meals during the flight. • Short walks once every two hours are excellent for circulation. • Try to touch your toes when waiting in the aisle to stretch your hamstrings. • On arrival at your destination, have a hot shower or a relaxing bath. • On arrival a quick jog, brisk walk, or a vigorous scrub will help stimulate your circulation.

Air Seychelles disclaim any responsibility in the unlikely event that you may suffer an injury as a direct result of these gently exercises.

International Route Map NOTE: Graphics representation only. Not

Bird Island

Denis Island

Praslin Island

Mahé Island

Fregate Island

Air Seychelles

D´Arros Island

Domestic Route Network Desroches Island Alphonse Island

MAP KEY

December 2013

Air Seychelles Destinations Air Seychelles & Etihad Airways Codeshare Destinations Air Seychelles & Air Berlin Codeshare Destinations Air Seychelles & South African Airways Codeshare Destinations

Air Seychelles & Cathay Pacific Codeshare Destinations

Fleet Airbus A320

Wet-leased from Etihad Airways Business Class seats: 16 Economy seats: 120 Mauritius route only

Airbus A330-200 (Vallée de Mai, Aldabra) Aircrafts: 2 Cruise speed: 870 k/hr Business Class seats: 18 Economy seats: 236 Wing span: 197 ft 10 inches Length: 191ft 5.5 inches Maximum range: 4200 nm at maximum payload

Maximum Takeoff weight: 233,000 kgs Maximum Landing Weight: 182,000 kgs Fuel Capacity: 139,000 lts Engine thrust: 71,100 lbf Two aisle passenger cabin Pearl class: 2-2-2 six abreast Economy: 2-4-2 eight abreast

Stockholm Copenhagen

Manchester Dublin London Brussels Paris Geneva

Düsseldorf Berlin Frankfurt Munich Milan

Seoul Kuwait Bahrain

ABU DHABI

Hong Kong Muscat Bangkok Colombo

SEYCHELLES Mauritius Johannesburg

Perth Sydney Melbourne

SHORTS 360-300 Aircraft: 1 • Seat Capacity: Total 36 Max. Gross Weight: Take Off, 12,292 kgs Range: 630 nautical miles (1,165.5 km) Engines: Pratt and Witney PT 6A-67R Sea Level Thrust: SHP 1281

DHC-6 (TWIN OTTER) Aircraft: 4 • Seat Capacity: Total 19 Max. Gross Weight: Take Off, 5,669 kgs; Range: 490 nautical miles ( 907.5 km) Engines: Pratt and Witney PT 6A-27 Sea Level Thrust: SHP 680

Online Offices

South Africa

Capital: Pretoria Languages: English, Afrikaans Currency: Rand Area: 1,221,037 km2 Population: 45,919,000 Air Seychelles destination: Johannesburg

Mauritius

Capital: Port Louis Languages: French, English, Creole Currency: Rupees Area: 2,040 km2 Population: 1,243,000 Air Seychelles destination: Plaisance Airport

United Arab Emirates Capital: Abu Dhabi Languages: Arabic, English Currency: Emirati Dirham (AED) Area: 83,600 km2 Population: 8, 264,070 Air Seychelles destination: Abu Dhabi

HongKong

Lu Dowell Representations Greenstone Hill Office Park Emerald Boulevard, Building 1, Unit F4. Modderfontein, Edenvale South Africa Tel: (0027-11)-452-0244 Fax: 0866578741 or (0027-11) 781-2144 Email: airseychelles@ludowell.co.za Rogers & Company Ltd Rogers House 5 President John Kennedy Street PO Box 60, Port Louis Tel: (00230) 202 6671 Fax: (00230) 208 3540 Email: info-mu@airseychelles.com

Omeir Travel Agency, Shk. Khalifa Street PO Box 267, Abu Dhabi Tel: (00971 2) 612 3470 Fax: (00971 2) 622 6799 Email: Info-Abu@Airseychelles.Com

Capital: Hongkong

Walshe Group

Languages: Cantonese, English Currency: Hong Kong Dollar (HKD) Area: 1,104 km2 Population: 7,173,900 Incola Air Services Ltd. Air Seychelles destination: Hongkong

Suite 906, Orient Tower 33 Lockhart Road Wan chai, Hong Kong Tel: 00852 3979 3488 or 00852 3979 3489 Email: airseychelleshkg@walshegroup.com

Wo r l d w i d e O f f i c e s Seychelles Air Seychelles Ltd PO Box 386 Victoria, Mahé Seychelles Tel: +248-439 10 00 Fax: +248-439 1005 Email: info@airseychelles.com Web: www.airseychelles.com

Bahrain Yusuf Bin Ahmed Kanoo Wll Al khalifa road Building #302, block 304 PO Box 45 Manama Tel: +973-17 220 800 Fax: +973-17 213 458 Email : info-bh@airseychelles.com

Abu Dhabi Omeir Travel Agency LLC Airlines Tower, Sh. Khalifa street PO Box 267 Abu Dhabi Tel: +971-2 6118640 Fax: +971-2 6225653 Email airseychelles@omeir.ae Email: marketing@omeir.ae

Comores Ario Ltd Route magoudjou Bp 1285 Moroni Tel: +269-733 144 Tel: +269-733 820- airport Tel: +269-732 388- reservations Fax: +269-730 719 Email: info-km@airseychelles.com Email: ario.comores@snpt.km

Austria Aviareps Airline Management Service Gmbh Argentinierstrasse 2/4 A-1040 vienna Tel: +43-1-581 89 22 80 Fax: +43-1 585 36 30 88 Email: info-at@airseychelles.com Email: airseychellesaustria@aviareps.com

Czech Republic Aviareps Airline Management Na Rybnicku 5/1329 120 00 Praha 2, Czech Republic Tel: +420 296 368 273 Fax: +420 224 233 412 Email: info@airseychelles.cz

Dubai Asian Air Travel and Tourism PO Box 65006 Dubai Tel: +971-4 286 8008 Fax: +971-4 283 2115 Mobile: +971-50 2244713 Email: info-ae@airseychelles.com Email: airsey@emirates.net.ae Email: asttrvl@eim.ae France Air Seychelles Ltd 11 rue du Colisée 75008 Paris Tel: +33-1 42 89 86 83 Fax: +33-1 45 63 85 12 Sita: PARTOHM Email: info-fr@airseychelles.com Email: parisoffice@airseychelles.com Web: www.airseychelles.fr Hungary AVIAREPS Magyarország Kft. (AVIAREPS Hungary Ltd.) Erkel utca 13, Budapest 1092, Hungary Tel: +36 1 210 0067 Email: reservationsBUD@aviareps.com Website: www.aviareps.com

Wo r l d w i d e O f f i c e s India Global Aviation Services Pvt Ltd 733, Anna Salai Chennai 600006 India Tel: +91 44 4295 9600, 4203 6220 Tel: +91 44 4295 9696 extn: 632 Fax: +91 44 42959656

Maldives Universal Travel Department 39 Orchid Magu Male 20-02 Republic of Maldives Tel: +960- 3334 004/3314910 Fax: +960- 3316156 Email: info-mv@airseychelles.com

Indonesia Allianz Tower 27th Floor Unit C Jl. HR Rasuna Said Super Blok 2 Kawasan Kuningan Persada Jakarta 12980 Tel: +6221 2907 9798-99 Fax: +6221 2907 9699

Mauritius Rogers Aviation Ltd Rogers House 5, President John Kennedy St. PO Box 60 Port Louis Mauritius Tel: +230- 202 6671 Fax: +230- 212 96 63 Sita: MRURRHM Email: hm@rogers-aviation.com

Ireland Aviareps plc Commercial Office Ireland 11 The Anchorage Charlotte Quay Dublin 4 Ireland Tel: +353 1 6319604 Fax: +353 1 6674228 Website: www.aereps.ie Email: hmsupport@aereps.ie Web: www.airseychelles.co.uk Israel Open Sky Limited 23 Ben Yehuda Street Tel Aviv 63805 Tel: +972-3 795 1333 Fax: +972-3 795 1330 Email: info-il@airseychelles.com Italy Rome, Air Seychelles Ltd Via Pindaro 28 n int. 21 00125 Rome Sita : ROMSZHM Tel: +39-06 509 8413 Fax: +39-06 509 159 17 Email: info-it@airseychelles.com Web: www.airseychelles.it Milan Air Seychelles Ltd c/o Via Pindaro 28 n int. 21 00125 Rome Tel: +39 02 92870427 Fax: +39 02 92870413 Email: info-mi@airseychelles.com Korea Pacific Air Agency Group 12th Floor Donghwa Building 58-7 Seosomun Dong Choong-Ku Seoul 100-110 Korea Kuwait Pan Arab Travels Co PO Box 2842 Safat pc 13029 Tel: +965- 241 5554/241 5556 Fax: +965- 241 0873 Email: info-kw@airseychelles.com Email: patravel@qualitynet.net Malaysia Aviation Services co. Ltd Cp12, suite 1302, 13th floor, Central Plaza, 34 jalan sultan ismail, 50250 Kuala Lumpur Tel: 603-2143 3755 Fax: 603-2148 8499

Mayotte Ario Mayotte 21 place Mariage 97600 Mamoudzou Mayotte Tel: +269- 623 100 Fax: +269- 623 118 Email: info-may@airseychelles.com Oman United Travel Llc PO Box 599 Muttrah postal code 114 Sultanate of oman Tel: +968-24780057/24780061 Fax: +968-24780094 Email: info-om@airseychelles.com Pakistan Seypak Aviation (Pvt) Ltd 4, j.c.h.s. Main Sharea Faisal Karachi 75350 Tel: +92-21 454 5912, 453 6348/454 3044 Fax: +92-21 454 5905, 454 8809 Email: info-pak@airseychelles.com Email: seypak@khi.compol.com Poland Aviareps Airline Management Group Ul. Sienna 72, Apt. 3 00-833 Warszawa Poland Tel: +48-22 632 3205 Fax: +48-22 632 4046 Email: info-pl@airseychelles.com Qatar Qatar Tours PO Box 1683 Doha Tel: +974-4411414/ 4436002/ 4419753 Fax: +974-4433 197/ 4351926 Email: info-qa@airseychelles.com Email: qatartours@dtco-qatar.com Reunion Air France 7 Avenue de la Victoire Bp 845 F-97477 Saint Denis Cedex Tel: +262- 262 40 38 38 Fax: +262- 262 40 38 40 Sita: RUNRVAF Email: info-run@airseychelles.com

Romania AVIAREPS Magyarorszรกg Kft. (AVIAREPS Hungary Ltd.) Erkel utca 13, Budapest 1092, Hungary Tel: +36 1 210 0067 Email: reservationsBUD@aviareps.com Website: www.aviareps.com Saudi Arabia Yusuf Bin Ahmed Kanoo PO Box 37 Dammam 31411 Eastern province Airline Centre PO Box 1878 Al khobar 31952 Tel: +9663-8355832 Fax: +9663-835573 Email: info-sa-e@airseychelles.com Western province Kanoo Centre Kilo 7 Madinah road PO Box 812 Jeddah 21421 Saudi arabia Tel: +9662-263 2959 ext.121/108 Fax: +9662-263 2948 Email: info-sa-w@airseychelles.com Central province Kanoo Building One block off king Abdul Aiz road PO Box 753 Riyadh 11421 Tel: +966-11-4772228 ext. 288 Fax: +966-11-4789231 Email: info-sa-c@airseychelles.com Email: othergsa@ruh.kanoosa.com South Africa t/a GSA Border Air 280 OAK AVENUE RANDBURG JOHANNESBURG 2125 Tel: 011 326 4440/011 326 4443 or 011 326 4388 Fax: 011 781 2215 Email: airseychelles@border-air.co.za Sri Lanka North South Lines Pvt Ltd 400 Deans Road Colombo 10 Sri Lanka Tel: +94 11 4740760 Fax: +94 11 4740765 info-lk2@airseychelles.com Taiwan Aviation Travel Services Co Ltd 8fl.-1 no. 146 Sung Chiang Road Taipei Taiwan r.o.c. Tel: +886- 2 2567 8956 Fax: +886- 2 2563 7596 General email: info-ta@airseychelles.com Ukraine AVIAREPS AG 9/2, Chervonoarmijska str. of. 4 01004 Kiev Ukraine Tel: +38 044 490 65 02 (ext. 1) Web: http://www.aviareps.com United States of America and Canada Aviareps AG 1 Penn Plaza Suite 1416 New York, NY 10119 United States Tel: +1-877 359 7392 Email: info-us@airseychelles.com

Tr a v e l Fa c t s

Currency

Language

The Seychelles Rupee (SCR1 = 100 cents). Notes SCR 10, 25, 50, 100 and 500. Coins SCR 1, 5 and Cents 1, 5, 10, 25. Most credit cards and travellers’ cheques are accepted. There is no restriction on the import and export of domestic and foreign currency in the country. Banks and Bureaux de Change are authorised dealers in foreign currency. For rates of exchange contact authorised dealers for which information can be otained on Central Bank’s website at www.cbs.sc

Creole, English and French are the official languages of the Seychelles. Restaurant bills normally include a service charge. Although not widely expected, tips are warmly received for personal service.

Clothes

Credit Cards American Express, Mastercard, Diners Club and Visa cards are widely accepted.

Time Seychelles is four hours ahead of GMT and three hours ahead of Central European Time.

Public Holidays New Year Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Easter Monday Labour Day Liberation Day National Day Corpus Christi Independence Day Assumption Day, (festival on La Digue) All Saints Day Immaculate Conception Christmas

Tipping

January 1 April 18, 20 & 21 May 1 June 5 June 18 June 19 June 29 August 15 November 1 December 8 December 25

Climate 26°-29° C all year round. Annual rainfall totals approximately 90 inches, with heavy showers between November and February. As the Islands lie beyond the cyclone belt, high winds and thunderstorms are rare.

Electricity

Very casual. For men, shorts and T-shirts during the day, and slacks for evening. Jackets and ties are rarely worn. For women, cotton wrap-arounds or shorts for daytime, cool dresses for evening wear.

Transport: An efficient bus service operates on Mahé, Praslin and La Digue between 0530-1900. Taxis are available and cars can also be hired on Mahé and Praslin and bicycles on La Digue. A valid international license is required for self-driving. Air Seychelles operates flights between Mahé and Praslin throughout the day. Charter flights are also operated to other islands. An inter-island ferry service operates daily between the islands of Mahé, Praslin and La Digue. L’Air Dezil operates a shuttle service between Mahé, Praslin and La Digue and other islands.

Customs Duty Free items are permitted for up to: - 200 millilitres of Perfume and Eau de Toilette. - 2 litres of beverages with less than 16% alcohol i.e beer, wine. - 2 litres of beverages with more than 16% alcohol i.e whisky, gin, rum etc. - 250 grammes of tobacco or 200 cigarettes. - Personal goods worth SCR 5000 for adults and SCR 3000 for under 18 years. For more information visit www.src.gov.sc

Accommodation

Tourist Information

Seychelles offers a variety of accommodation, from international resorts and medium-sized hotels with all facilities to guest houses, lodges and chalets on the smaller islands. Camping is not allowed.

The Seychelles Tourist Office is located in Independence House, Victoria, Mahé.

Sports and Watersports

240 volts AC 50 Hz. Adaptors are provided by hotels.

Emergency Services The Emergency number for fire, police or ambulance is 999. Victoria Hospital: 4388000.

Medical Services Victoria has a large and efficient hospital and most islands have health clinics. Some hotels provide duty nurses. Private doctors are available on call at all hotels – contact reception.

Many hotels have excellent facilities for watersports centres offering a wide range of activities. Some also have dive centres and tennis courts. There is an 18-hole golf course at Lemuria Resort on Praslin and Seychelles Golf Course, a 9-hole golf course at Anse aux Pins, Mahé.

Museums and Libraries

The central office in Victoria is open from 0800-1600 Monday-Friday and 0800-1200 Saturday.

The History Museum is situated on Francis Rachel Street, Victoria in the National Library Building. The Natural History Museum is situated on Independence Avenue, Victoria near to the Post Office. Kenwyn House directly opposite the main entrance to the National Library on Francis Rachel Street is one of the best preserved 19th century buildings of Victoria, renovated in 2005.

Telecommunications

Shopping

Post Office

Cable & Wireless Seychelles (CWS), the islands leading communications provider, is the operator of choice across mobile (3G+), broadband and fixed services. As a subsidiary of Cable & Wireless Communications PLC (listed on the LSE), the company delivers first rate business and consumer solutions including turnkey solutions for major international investors. CWS’ mission is “To provide world class communication services and solutions wherever and whenever people work, play and have fun”. No one knows Seychelles better. Telecom (Sey) Ltd, AIRTEL. Provider of Mobile GSM Telecom Services with 3G & Edge Network, Mobile broadband Data Services for High Speed Internet Access. Roaming with over 200 operators worldwide. Prepaid starter kits & recharge options available at Airtel Centres in Victoria, Providence, Praslin & selected retail outlets on main islands. Coverage on Mahè, Praslin, La Digue, Inner Islands, Fregate & Coetivy.

Local handicrafts include basketware, table-mats, hats, jewellery and paintings. Shops are open from 0800-1700 hours Monday-Friday and 0800-1200 hours Saturday. Some open Sunday morning.

Restaurants A range of cuisine is also available, from traditional Creole and French cuisine to Chinese. In addition to hotels and restaurants, several take-away outlets can be found in Victoria.

Nightlife Most hotels offer programmes for evening entertainment ranging from barbecues and dinner dances to folk singing. There are two cinemas in Victoria. Theatrical productions are sometimes staged in Creole, English and French.

Informations Utiles

Devise

Une roupie seychelloise = 100 sous. Il existe des billets de 10, 25, 50 , 100 et 500. Il existe de la monnaie à 1 et 5 roupies, 1, 5, 10 et 25 sous. La majorité des cartes de crédit et des chèques de voyage sont acceptés. Il n’y a pas de restriction sur l’importation et l’exportation de devises étrangères et locales dans le pays. Les banques et les bureaux de change sont autorisés pour toutes les transactions en devises étrangères. En ce qui concerne les taux d’échange, prenez contact avec les courtiers autorisés qui obtiennent leurs informations de la Banque Centrale ; site web : www.cbs.sc

Cartes de crédit Les cartes American Express, Mastercard, Diners Club et Visa sont généralement acceptées.

Décalage horaire Les Seychelles ont trois heures d’avance sur Paris.

Jours fériés

Nouvel An 1 janvier Vendredi saint, Dimanche de Pâques 18, 20 & 21 avril Fête du travail 1 mai Jour de la Libération 5 juin Fête Nationale 18 juin Fête Dieu 19 juin Fête de l’Indépendance 29 juin Fête de l’Assomption (La Digue) 15 août Toussaint 1 novembre Immaculée Conception 8 décembre Noël 25 décembre

Climat Entre 26 et 29 degrés Celcius, tout au long de l’année. Saison des pluies entre novembre et février (env. 200mm de précipitation). Les Seychelles étant hors de la zone des cyclones, les tempêtes sont rares.

Electricité Courant alternatif 240 volts. Les hôtels mettent des adaptateurs à disposition.

Information Touristique

Langues Le créole, l’anglais et le français sont les langues officielles des Seychelles.

Pourboires Le service est compris dans la plupart des restaurants. Bien qu’ils ne soient pas obligatoires, les pourboires sont toujours reçus avec un grand sourire.

Tenue vestimentaire Décontractée. Pour les hommes le port du short et du T-shirt la journée et du pantalon le soir. Pour les dames le port du short ou d’une jupe en coton la journée et robe légère le soir.

Transport : Un service de bus efficace fonctionne sur Mahé, Praslin et La Digue entre 5h.30 et 19 heures. Des taxis et des voitures en location sont aussi disponibles sur Mahé et sur Praslin et des bicyclettes peuvent être louées sur La Digue.Un permis valable de conduite international est exigé en cas de location de voiture sans chauffeur. Air Seychelles fournit des vols entre Mahé et Praslin durant la journée. Des vols charter sont aussi organisés vers les autres îles. Un service de ferry interîles fonctionne aussi entre les îles de Mahé, Praslin et La Digue. L’ »Air Dezil » propose aussi une navette entre Mahé, Praslin, La Digue et d’autres îles.

Les produits hors-taxe sont limités à : - 200 ml de parfum et eau de toilette - 2 litres de boisson contenant moins de 16% d’alcool, par ex. la bière, le vin. - 2 litres de boisson contenant plus de 16% d’alcool, par ex. le whisky, le gin, le rhum etc. - 250 grammes de tabac ou 200 cigarettes. - des biens personnels pour une valeur de 5.000 Rs par adulte et de 3.000 Rs pour les jeunes de moins de 18 ans. Pour plus d’informations, visitez notre site: www.src.gov.sc

Hébergement Les Seychelles disposent d’une grande diversité d’hébergement – allant des hôtels de grande, moyenne et petite capacité aux “lodges”, chalets et bungalows sur les plus petites îles.

Sports et sports nautiques

Urgences

Beaucoup d’hôtels ont d’excellents centres de sports nautiques offrant une large gamme d’activités. Certains ont également des clubs de plongée et des courts de tennis. Il y a un golf de18 trous à l’hôtel Lémuria à Praslin, et le Seychelles Golf Course, un neuf trous à Anse aux Pins, à Mahé.

Pour toutes urgences (ambulance, police, pompiers), il faut composer le 999. Victoria Hôpital: 4388000.

Museums et librairies

L’office du tourisme est situé à L’Independence House à Mahé.

Services médicaux Victoria est dotée d’un hôpital tandis que la plupart des îles possèdent une clinique. Certains grands hôtels ont un service d’infirmerie.

Bureau de poste Les heures d’ouverture du bureau de poste à Victoria sont: de 8:00h à 16:00h, du lundi au vendredi et de 8:00h à 12:00h le samedi.

Télécommunications

Cable & Wireless Seychelles (CWS), le principal opérateur de télécommunications de l’archipel, propose des services de téléphonie fixe, mobile (3G+) et internet (ADSL). En tant que filiale du Groupe Cable & Wireless Communications PLC (coté à la bourse de Londres), la société offre des prestations innovantes pour les entreprises et les particuliers, ainsi que des solutions intégrées pour les grands comptes internationaux. Notre mission est “de fournir des solutions et services parmi les meilleurs au monde, partout et pour chaque instant de la vie”. Personne ne connaît mieux les Seychelles que nous. Telecom (Sey) Ltd, Airtel propose des Réseaux GSM, 3G, et Edge avec couverture intérieure/extérieur dans les îles de Mahè, Praslin, La Digue, Frégate et Coetivy. Des cartes de téléphone cellulaires sont disponibles dans les bureaux d’Airtel et des locaux spécifiques. L’accès au réseau ‘roaming‘ avec plus de 200 opérateurs internationales.

Le Musée d’Histoire est situé dans la rue Francis Rachel, à Victoria, dans le bâtiment de la Bibliothèque Nationale. Le Museum d’Histoire Naturelle est situé dans la rue de l’indépendance, à Victoria, près du bureau de Poste. Kenwyn House, en face de l’entrée principale de la Bibliothèque Nationale dans la rue Francis Rachel, est l’un des bâtiments du 19ème siècle les mieux préservés à Victoria. Il fut rénové en 2005.

Shopping L’artisanat local offre des travaux en fibre (chapeaux, paniers etc.) en coquillages, en nacre ou encore en or (bijoux et objets décoratifs) ainsi que des œuvres d’artistes locaux. Les heures d’ouverture des magasins sont de 8:00h à 17:00h du lundi au vendredi et de 8:00h à 12:00h le samedi. Certains commerces restent ouverts le dimanche matin.

Restaurants Les Seychelles offrent une cuisine variée: créole et internationale. En dehors des établissements hôteliers et des restaurants, des services traiteurs sont à votre disposition à Mahé (Victoria) ainsi qu’à Praslin.

Vie nocturne La plupart des hôtels organisent des spectacles nocturnes: danses traditionnelles, dîners dansant ou barbecues sur la plage. Il y a deux cinémas à Victoria. Régulièrement, des pièces de théâtre en français, en anglais et en créole sont à l’affiche. Il existe aussi des boîtes de nuit à Victoria et Beau Vallon ainsi qu’à Praslin.

Dining Out

A LA CARTE Al Mare Restaurant Beau Vallon Tel: +248 462 02 40 / 251 21 17 / 251 21 13 Email: almare@email.sc

INDIAN Mahék Indian Restaurant Coral Strand Hotel Tel: +248 462 10 00 Email: info@coralstrand.sc

CREOLE Anse Soleil Cafe Anse Soleil, Mahé Tel: +248 436 17 00

Berjaya Beau Vallou Tel: +248 428 72 87

Boat House Beau Vallon Mahé Tel: +248 424 78 98 Mobile: +248 251 0898 Email: richardmancienne@live.com Cap Lazare Tel: +248 428 01 00 / 252 46 42 Email: info@creoletravelservices.com Chez Batista Restaurant Takamaka, Mahé Tel: +248 436 63 00 Email: batistas@seychelles.net Domaine Du Soleil Restaurant Tel: +248 428 55 55 Email: sun@seychelles.net Katiolo Anse Faure Tel: +248 4375 453 Fishtail Restaurant Tel: 4322214 Email: fishtail@seychelles.net Le Marinier Restaurant Inter Island Quay Victoria, Mahé Tel: +248 422 49 37 Le Reduit Restaurant Tel: +248 436 61 16 / 436 62 25 Email: lereduit@seychelles.net Marie Antoinette Restaurant Serret Road St Louis Tel: +248 426 62 22 News Cafe 1st floor, Trinity House Victoria, Mahé Tel: +248 432 29 99 CHINESE Le Canton Chinese Restaurant Berjaya Beau Vallon Tel: +248 428 72 87 Email: bhrseysm@berjayaseychelles.com The Wok Chinese Restaurant Coco D’or Hotel Tel: +248 424 73 31 Email: reservations@cocodor.sc GOURMET Cyann “Signature Cousine” Constance Ephilia Resort Tel: +248 4395 001 Maia Restaurant Luxury Resort Spa Tel: +248 4390 000 Email: reservations@southernsun.sc Chilli Bar & Steakhouse La Louise Tel: +248 4344 155 Zez Restaurant Four Seasons Resort Tel: +248 4393 000 ext. 1902 Email: Restaurants-Reservation.SEY@fourseasons.com

Maharajas Restaurant Tel: +248 434 68 69 Email: rm@themaharajasseychelles.com SOUTH ASIAN Kannel Four Seasons Resort Tel: +248 4393 000 ext. 1902 Email: Restaurants-Reservation.SEY@fourseasons.com

JAPANESE Teppanyaki Berjaya Beau Vallon Bay Beach Resort & Casino Tel: +248 428 72 87 Email: bhrseysm@berjayaseychelles.com INTERNATIONAL/CREOLE Anchor Cafe Anse a la Mouche, Mahé Tel: +248 437 12 89 Email: keith@seychelles.net Au Jardin D’Epices Banyan Tree Seychelles Tel: +248 438 35 00 Email: reservations@banyantree.com Aubergine Restaurant The Wharf Hotel & Marina Providence, Mahé Tel: +248 467 07 00 Email: thewharf@seychelles.net Le Jardin des palmes Tel: 248 438 91 00 Email: jardindespalmes@email.sc Baobab Pizzeria Restaurant Beau Vallon, Mahé Tel: +248 424 71 67 / 258 38 68 Beach Side Bistro Coral Strand Hotel Tel: +248 429 10 00 Email: mail@coralstrand.sc Bel Air Restaurant Tel: +248 422 44 16 /46 16 Email: belair@seychelles.net Bravo Eden Island Tel: +248 4346 020 Email: bravo@seychelles.net BoardWalk Bar & Grill Eden island Marina Tel: 248 251 57 86 Email: boardwalk@email.sc Carefree Guesthouse & Restaurant Anse Aux Pins Mahé Tel: +248 437 52 37 Email: honey@seychelles.net Chez Plume Resturant Tel: +248 435 50 50 Email: plume@seychelles.net Docklands Pizzeria New Port -Victoria Tel: +248 4610 888

Doubleclick Seychelles Maison La-Rosiere Palm Street Tel: +248 461 05 90 Email: bureau@seychelles.net

La Voliere Mahé Beach Resort Tel: +248 438 53 85 Email: bmbsm@seychelles.net

Helios Restaurant Constance Ephelia Resort Tel: +248 4395 140 Email: info@epheliaresort.com

Lazare Picault Restaurant Lazare Picault Hotel Tel: +248 436 11 11 Email: lazarpco@seychelles.net

Kaz Zanana Revolution Avenue Tel: +248 4324150

Le Bourgeois Restaurant Le Meridien Fisherman’s Cove Tel: +248 467 70 00 Email: reservations.fishcove@lemeridien.sc

Konoba Restaurant Bar Launge Angel Fish Bayside Marina Tel: +248 4345 400, Email: contact@konoba.sc La Scala Restaurant Tel: +248 424 75 35 Email: silscala@seychelles.net The Sea Shell Port Launay Tel: +248 4324026/2523968 Uncle Will’s Pizzeria Coco D’or Hotel Tel: +248 424 73 31 E-mail: reservations@cocodor.sc Lounge 8 Vista bay Glacis, Mahe Mobile: +248 2746808 Green Valley Anse aux Pins Tel: +248 437 1670 The Hilltop Restaurant Hilton Seychelles Tel: +248 429 90 00 Email: reservations@ thenortholmehotel.com Jolie Rose 2 Restaurant Selwyn Selwyn Clarke Market Tel: +248 422 54 51 Kaz Kreol Restaurant Anse Royale Mahé Tel: +248 436 16 80 Email: chefinparadise@hotmail.com La Belle epoque Eden Plaza Tel: +248 434 67 65 Email: labelleepoque.seychelles@gmail.com La Cocoteraie Restaurant Le Meridien Barbarons Hotel Tel: +248 467 30 00 Email: reservation.barbarons@ lemeridien.sc

Le Cardinal Restaurant Le Meridien Fisherman’s Cove Tel: +248 467 70 00 Email: reservations.fishcove@lemeridien.sc Le Jardin du Roi Domaine de L’enfoncement Anse Royale Tel: +248 437 13 13 Email: brymich@seychelles.net Le Mangrovia Restaurant Le Meridien Barbarons Tel: +248 467 30 00 Email: reservation.barbarons@lemeridien.com Le Rendez Vous Restaurant Tel: +248 432 35 56 Email: lerendezvous.seychelles@gmail.com Le Surmer Restaurant Le Surmer Hotel Pointe Conan, Mahé Tel: +248 424 18 11 Email: prgpalms@seychelles.net Les Cocotiers Restaurant Tel: +248 429 90 00 Email: reservations.seychelles@hilton.com Maia Luxury Resort & Spa Tel: +248 4390 000 Email: reservations@southernsun.sc Manresa Restaurant Manresa Small Hotel Tel: +248 424 13 88 Montezuma Restaurant Mahé Beach Resort Tel: +248 438 53 85 Email: bmbsm@seychelles.net The Parrot Berjaya Beau Vallon Tel: +248 428 72 87 Email: bhrseysm@berjayaseychelles.com The Board Walk Lounge & Bar Eden Island Tel: +248 443 63 03

La Palma Restaurant Coco D’or Hotel Tel: +248 424 73 31 Email: reservations@cocodor.sc

The Havana Eden Plaza Tel: +248 441 13 18 Email: havana.edenisland@gmail.com

La Plaine St Andre Tel: +248 4372010 Email: reservations@laplaine.sc

Pirates Arms Tel: +248 422 50 01 Email: pirates@email.sc

La Plage Restaurant Beau Vallon Beach Tel: +248 4620240 Email: info@laplage.sc

Pizzeria Berjaya Beau Vallon Bay Berjaya Beau Vallon Bay Resort & Casino Tel: +248 428 72 87 Email: sales@berjayaseychelles.com

La Perle Noire Restaurant Beau Vallon Tel: +248 462 02 20 Email: laperlenoire@seychelles.net

Porto Cervo Eden Plaza Tel: +248 261 20 25 Email: vesta7525@mail.ru

Diner a l Extérieur Saffron Banyan Tree Seychelles Tel: +248 438 35 00 Email: reservations@banyantree.com Sam’s Pizzeria Tel: +248 432 24 99 / 32 34 95 Email: samad@samspizzeria.sc Seselwa Bar Constance Ephilia Resort Tel: +248 4395182 Email: info@epheliaresort.com Sea View Restaurant Coral Strand Tel: 248 421000 Email: Mail@coralstrand.sc Sey si bon Eden Plaza Tel: +248 434 6833 / +248 251 5591 Email: sesibon@gmail.com www.sesibon.com Silhouette Restaurant Sunset Beach Resort Tel: +248 426 11 11 Email: sunset@seychelles.net Skychef Ltd Seychelles International Airport Tel: +248 438 17 63 Email: skychef@seychelles.net Sundown Restaurant Port Glaud, Mahé Tel: +248 437 83 52/ 25 88 999 Surfers beach restaurant Anse Parnell Tel: +248 278 3703/ 437 11 00 Email: surfersbeach@seychelles.net Takamaka Restaurant Tel: +248 437 20 10 Email: infobox@seychelleshotel.com The Sea Shell Port Launay Tel: +248 4324026/ 2523968 Tyfoo Restaurant La Plaine St. Andre Au cap, Mahé Tel: +248 437 14 85 Vye Marmit Domaine de Val de Pres Au Cap, Mahé Tel: +248 437 61 55 / 437 61 00 Zez Lounge Four Seasons Resort Tel: +248 4393222 Email: Restaurants-Reservation.SEY@fourseasons.com

RESTAURANTS – PRASLIN CREOLE Capricorn Restaurant Islanders Guesthouse Anse Kerlan, Praslin Tel: +248 423 32 24 Email: islander@seychelles.net Coco Rouge Baie Ste Anne, Praslin Tel: +248 423 22 28 Le Chevalier Bay Restaurant Anse Lazio, Praslin Tel: +248 423 23 22 Email: lechevalierbay@seychelles.net

Les Lauriers Restaurant Les Lauriers Petit Hotel Cote D’or, Praslin Tel: +248 423 22 41 Email: laurier@seychelles.net INTERNATIONAL/CREOLE Acajou Hotel Restaurant Cote D’or, Praslin Tel: +248 423 24 00 Email: acajou@seychelles.net Beach Bar and Grill Lemuria Resort Anse Kerlan, Praslin Tel: +248 428 10 91 Email: fnb@lemuriaresort.com Beach Bar Restaurant Acajou Hotel Cote D’or, Praslin Tel: +248 423 24 00 Email: acajou@seychelles.net Black Parrot Restaurant Black Parrot Suites Tel: +248 429 05 55 Email: cocodeme@seychelles.net Bonbon Plume Anse Lazio, Praslin Tel: +248 423 21 36 Bonm Ange Hotel L’Archipel Anse Tel: +248 428 47 00 Email: archipel@seychelles.net Britannia Restaurant Britannia Hotel Grand Anse, Praslin Tel: +248 423 32 15 / 423 39 15 Email: britania@seychelles.net Chateau de Feuilles Pointe Cabris, Praslin Tel: +248 429 00 00 Email: info@chateaudefeuilles.com Feuille d’Or Hotel L’Archipel Anse Gouvernement, Praslin Tel: +248 428 47 00 Email: archipel@seychelles.net The Fregate Berjaya Praslin Beach Tel: +248 428 62 86 Email: praslin.rsvn@berjayahotel.com The Britannia Grand Anse Tel: +248 423 32 15 Email: britania@seychelles.net Hibiscus Restaurant Coco de Mer Hotel Tel: +248 429 05 55 Email: cocodeme@seychelles.net Indian Ocean Lodge Grand Anse, Praslin Tel: +248 423 33 24 / 23 34 57 Email: iol@seychelles.net The Jetty Restaurant La Reserve Hotel Anse Petite Cour, Praslin Tel: +248 429 80 00 Email: resa@lareserve.sc Kannel restaurant Four Seasons Resort Seychelles Tel: +248 4393222 Email: Restaurants-Reservation.SEY@fourseasons.com

Le Beach Restaurant Paradise Sun Hotel Anse Volbert, Praslin Tel: +248 429 32 93 Email: paradise@seychelles.net Le Dauphin Hotel Le Duc de Praslin Tel: +248 429 48 00 Email: leduc@seychelles.net Le Kato Noir Palm Beach Hotel Grande Anse, Praslin Tel: +248 429 02 90/429 02 92 Email: palmbeach@seychelles.sc Legend Restaurant Lemuria Resort Anse Tel: +248 428 10 88 Email: fnb@lemuriaresort.com Octopus Diving Center Berjaya Praslin Beach Hotel Anse Volbert, Praslin Tel: +248 423 22 22 Mobile: +248 271 54 41 Email: bpbfc@seychelles.net Pool Deck Restaurant Lemuria Resort Anse Tel: +248 428 10 88 Email: fnb@lemuriaresort.com Pool Grill Restaurant La Reserve Anse Petit Cour, Praslin Tel: +248 429 80 00 Email: resa@lareserve.sc Port Side Cafe Baie Ste. Anne Jetty, Praslin Tel: +248 277 35 18 Sea Horse Restaurant & Bar Lemuria Resort Anse Kerlan, Praslin Tel: +248 428 12 81 Email: resa@lemuriaresort.com Tante Mimi Restaurant Cote D’or, Praslin Tel: +248 423 25 00 Email: desisles@seychelles.net Touchdown Restaurant Amitie Airport Praslin Tel: +248 423 36 55 Village de Pecheur Praslin Tel: +248 423 20 00 RESTAURANTS LA DIGUE CREOLE Bernique Anse Reunion Tel: +248 423 42 29 Patatran Restaurant Patatran Village Anse Patates, La Digue Tel: +248 429 43 00 Email: patatran@seychelles.net Tournesol Tournesol Guesthouse La Passe, La Digue Tel: +248 423 41 55 Email: tournesol@seychelles.sc

Zerof Restaurant Anse Reunion, La Digue Tel: +248 423 44 39 INTERNATIONAL/CREOLE Cafe Le Monde Grand Anse Tel: +248 278 11 21/ 252 03 11 Cafe Le Monde Baie St Anne Tel: +248 423 21 11 Chateau St Cloud La Passe, La Digue Tel: +248 423 43 46 Email: stcloud@seychelles.net La Vanille Anse La Blague Tel: +248 423 21 78 La Digue Island Lodge Anse Reunion Tel: +248 429 25 25 L’Ocean Anse Patates Tel: +248 423 43 33 Pool Side Restaurant La Digue Island Lodge Tel: +248 429 25 25 Email: reservation@ladigue.sc Pecheur Restaurant La Digue Island Lodge Tel: +248 429 25 25 Email: reservation@ladigue.sc Restaurant Le Dauphin C/o Le de Praslin Hotel Tel: +248 429 48 00 Restaurant Patatran Hotel L’Ocean Anse Patates, La Digue Tel: +248 429 43 00 Email: patatran@seychelles.net Tarosa Restaurant La Passe, La Digue Tel: +248 423 44 07 Email: patatran@seychelles.net PIZZERIA/CAFE-BAR Gregoire’s comples Tel: +248 429 25 25 SEA FOOD Cafe Des Arts Cote D’or Tel: +248 429 48 00 Email: café@seychelles.net RESTAURANTS OTHER ISLANDS CREOLE Jolly Roger’s Moyenne Island Tel: +248 429 70 00 Email: info@creoletravelservices.sc INTERNATIONAL/CREOLE L’habitation Restaurant Tel: +248 432 31 11 Email: habicerf@seychelles.net

Villa Authentique Restaurant & Bar Villa Authentique La Passe, La Digue Tel: +248 423 44 13 Villa Mon Reve Anse Reunion, La Digue Tel: +248 423 42 18 Email: vmonreve@hotmail.com

Please send updated information to creative@camerapix.co.ke

English- Creole

Hello How are you? I am well Thank you Very much Goodbye Hotel Room Bed Food Coffee Beer Cold Hot Tea Meat Fish Bread Butter Sugar Salt Bad Today Tomorrow Now Quickly Slowly Hospital Police Mr. Mrs. Miss. I

Bonzour Konman Sava? Byen Mersi Mersi Mersi bokou orevwar Lotel Lasanm Lili Manze Kafe Labyer Fre So Dite Lavyan Pwason Dipen Diber Disik Disel Pa bon Ozordi Demen Konmela Vitman Dousman Lopital Gard Msye Madanm Manmzel Mon

You’re welcome Where do you come from I come from....... What is your name? My name is.... Can you speak Kreol? Only a little I would like to learn more How do you find Seychelles? I like it here The weather is hot, isn’t it? Where are you going? I am going to... Please stop here How much? Wait a minute I have to get change Excuse me Where is the toilet? In the back Where may I get a drink?

You He, She We They What? Who? Where? When? How? Why? Which? Yes No To eat To drink To sleep To bathe To come To go To stop To buy To sell Street/road Airport Shop Money Cent One Two Three Four Five Six

Pa dekwa Kote ou sorti? Mon sorti...... Ki mannyer ou apele? Mon apel..... Ou kabab koz Kreol? Zis en pe Mon oule apran ankor Ki mannyer ou war Sesel? Mon kontan isi Sesel Letan i so, wi? Kote ou pe ale? Mon pe al...... Aret isi silvouple Konbyen? Esper mwan en pti moman Fodre mon ganny larzan sanze Ekskize Kote kabinen i ete sivouple? Deryer lakour Kote mon kapab ganny en keksoz pou bwar?

Ou Li Nou Zot Kwa? /Ki? Ki? /Lekel? Kote? Kan? Ki mannyer? Akoz? Lekel? Wi Non Manze Bwar Dormir Bennyen/Naze Vini Ale Arete Aste Vann Lari/Semen Erport Laboutik Larzan Sou Enn De Trwa Kat Senk Sis

Seven Eight Nine Ten Eleven Twelve Thirteen Fourteen Fifteen Sixteen Seventeen Eighteen Nineteen Twenty Twenty-one Twenty-two Twenty-three Twenty-four Twenty-five Thirty Forty Fifty Sixty Seventy Eighty Ninety One hundred Where is the hotel? Good morning Good afternoon Good evening Please come in Please sit down

How much does this cost? That’s quite expensive Help! No, thanks Please You’re welcome No problem Ok That’s right! A little bit Is everything ok? Not now Attention/watch out! We are looking for... I’m very thirsty I am hungry Where are we? How old are you? What do you need? What do they call that in Creole? How do they say... in creole?

Set Wit Nef Dis Onz Douz Trez Katorz Kenz Sez Diset Dizwit Diznef Ven Venteen Vennde Venntwa Vennkat Vennsenk Trant Karant Senkant Swasant Swasanndis Katreven Katrevendis San Kote lotel i ete silvouple? Bonzour Bonnapremidi Bonswar Antre silvouple Asize silvouple

Konbyen i vann? I ase ser Ed mwan! / O Sekour! Non, mersi Silvouple Pa-de-kwa Napa problenm oke Wi i bien! Piti piti Tou keksoz i oke? Pa kounye-a Atansyon! Nou pe rod Mon swaf Mon lafen Kote nou ete? Ki laz ou anan? Ki ou bezwen? Koman zot dir sa an Kreol? Koman zot dir an Kreol ?

Crossword & Sudoku

Take time and relax ... have some fun testing your wit!

7 9

Clues across 1. Call off (6) 7. Everything’s ok (4,4) 8. Operatic lady (4) 10. Rubbed out (6) 11. Scratch (6) 14. ‘Game xxx and match’ (3) 16. Was unwell (5) 17. Requests (4) 19. UK unit of currency (5) 21. Grizzly, or polar, for instance (5) 22. Long for (5) 23. Market (4) 26. Taxes (5) 28. Buddy (3) 29. Representatives (6) 30. Dairy spread (6) 31. This German goes both ways! (4) 32. Person marooned on a desert island (8) 33. Dash (6)

10 15

14 17

16 20

21 22 26

28 30

31 32 33

Clues down Answers down 1. Camera 2. Crises 3. Laid 4. Ash-cans 5. Pedal 6. Bleed 8. Mask 9. Met 12. Rid 13. Peter 15. Board 18. Scrag 19. Pea 20. Urn 21. Best man 22. Yen 23. Matter 24. Alto 25. Turbot 26. Ranch 27. Terse 28. Put 30. Boys Answers across 1. Cancel 7. All’s well 8. Mimi 10. Erased 11. Scrape 14. Set 16. Ailed 17. Asks 19. Pound 21. Bears 22. Yearn 23. Mart 26. Rates 28. Pal 29. Agents 30. Butter 31. Otto 32. Castaway 33. Sprint

1. Photographic apparatus (6) 2. Major problems (6) 3. Eggs are produced this way (4) 4. Dustbins (old name) (3-4) 5. Push this with your foot (5) 6. Cut yourself and you will do this (5) 8. Facial disguise (4) 9. Encountered (3) 12. Did away with (3) 13. An important Saint (5) 15. Directors sit on this (5) 18. Lean end of neck of mutton (5) 19. Green vegetable (3) 20. Vase (3) 21. Important person at a wedding (4,3) 22. Japanese unit of currency (3) 23. Substance (6) 24. Singing voice (4) 25. European fish (6) 26. Cowboys are here (5) 27. Abrupt (5) 28. Place (3) 30. Young males (4)

Sudoku Place a number from 1 to 9 in every empty cell so that each row, each column and each 3x3 box contains all the numbers from 1 to 9. No number can appear twice in a row, column or 3x3 box. Do not guess – you can work it out by a process of elimination. Good luck!

6 7

1 3 2

6 1

7 8 2 5

3 9 4

4 4 9 6

WE WANT YOUR VIEWS!

We aim to keep Silhouette as interesting and informative as possible to a wide cross-section of readers. Please let us have your views on the contents of this magazine. What do you like about it? Is there anything that you do not like? Are there any topics that you would like to see more of? With your feedback we can make the magazine even better in future.

Please drop a line to the publishers: Camerapix Magazines Ltd. Email: rukhsana@camerapix.co.ke or camerapixuk@btinternet.com Thank you. Rukhsana Haq, Editorial Director

Silhouette

News

Cable & Wireless 120 Years in the Lead

Prior

between

(first introduced by the company in 1995) and

Seychelles and the outside world was solely via

1893,

communication

broadband internet. The latter, along with fibre

ships. However, in that same year, an undersea

optic technology, is opening avenues for more

telegraph cable was laid by the founding

services to be introduced for customers’ convenience

company of Cable and Wireless (The Eastern

and improved experience.

Telegraph Company) connecting Seychelles to Zanzibar and, ultimately, the rest of the world. A telegraph from the submarine cable financier,

‘From businesses to residents, we have revolutionised CWS employee, Mr. Patrick Gopal gives generously to Cancer Concern

technologies to improve customer experience and offer better services,’ says Chief Executive Officer,

Sir John Pender, on 12th November 1893 stated,

Charles Hammond. ‘We remain devoted to providing

‘let us hope that this may be instrumental

world-class services and solutions where people

in developing and promoting the interests of

work, play and have fun. With each innovation,

Seychelles...’ Indeed, business with the outside

especially the most recent ones: mobile phones,

world picked up pace and development in tourism,

3G internet and fibre optic technology, customers’

fisheries and trade, among others, increased.

experience is kept at the heart of all that we do.’ Jaden is rewarded for his interest and talent in golf

For 120 years Cable and Wireless has led the

The celebration of the milestone remained true

telecommunication evolution in Seychelles. The

to this statement with various activities held

first submarine cable, which was laid on 11th

for customers on Mahé, Praslin and La Digue.

November 1893, telegraphed up to only 15 words

Among them was a corporate cocktail at Eden Plaza

per minute through Zanzibar. Another cable was

held in gratitude of the top 100 customers, where

laid from Aden to Colombo via Seychelles which

Mr. Hammond commended the company’s ‘valued

provided an important link from East Africa to Singapore and the Far East.

Mr. Omath receives his car keys from Charles Hammond

customers’ in his speech: ‘You are the reason why we are here and we thank you for your loyalty’.

Later there followed High Frequency radio links

To retrace CWS’ history and emphasise the

with the outside world in the 1960s through

company’s achievements and values, various

Nairobi and subsequently through Bahrain.

activities were held, including sports events to

Geo-stationery satellites were installed about

support the development of the same, fundraising

a decade after and they brought a tremendous

for charities, music events (Cable Gigs) promoting

improvement in the quality and efficiency of

NGOs and Charities

and supporting local artists, daily radio quizzes on

the international telecommunications services

the history of CWS, and a customer lottery with a

in mainly telephone and telex. Since 2012, we

Hyundai Eon as the star prize.

have been back on cable, yet this time at faster speeds, after the laying of Seychelles’ first fibre

‘We keep moving in the right direction, along a path

optic cable.

where we bring more development in Seychelles through

CWS has spearheaded Telecoms in the country, subsequently moving from telegraph, to telefax and telephone and now to mobile phones

• Silhouette • Vol 25 No 1 •

telecommunications,

keep

improving

customer experience to meet their expectations, and work closer with the community to bring Regatta Beach Volley Ball Tournament

assistance where it matters,’ stated Mr. Hammond.

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