POTPOURRI March 2013 by Paradise Promotions

Feng Shui for the Home

Basic Tips to Follow

Take the plunge… Harvest rainwater! The Blind Side A Woman’s Journey to Freedom

Playing Devil’s Advocate Battle of the Sexes with T. Houareau

HOW TO GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR RUGS 1

MARCH 2013 | POTPOURRI

Photo courtesy of Steve Nibourette

From the

EDITOR

When my husband and I planned our family, we thought of two boys close in age running around together and growing up to be best friends. Soon after our son turned one, we started trying for the brother we had planned for him, thinking that within a year or so, we would be welcoming this new baby into our lives. We were wrong about that. A year went by and then year two followed. Half way through year 3, I gave up and gave away everything that I had kept in anticipation of this second son. There was a calm realization that I had been blessed with a child, something so many people wish for and fight for. I finally felt grateful and along with my husband, started planning the future for the 3 of us. Less than a month later I fell pregnant. Five months into my pregnancy, I still have moments when I need to pinch myself to remind myself that I am pregnant. I do not know whether it will be a boy or a girl, but I do know that he or she will add extra happiness and love into my family. I remind myself that not everyone who go through the heartache of trying for a baby has a happy ending and it would seem very unfair for me to say appreciate what you have already. But, the truth is that my wish came true when I did. Until next time, Marie-France Chief Editor

NEW RELEASE The Fortunate Islands, by Bernard Georges

Bernardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s second novel is a collection of short pieces, with titles ranging from Lo Zil to Dandies and Show-Offs which will give readers the chance to form their own perception of these islands. His first novel was A Time to Dance. Available at Antigone

MARCH 2013 | POTPOURRI

In this issue

MARCH 6Consumer Awareness 14Exploring Eden 21Behind the Business 22Featured Artist 32Fashion 34Health When it comes to warranty

Zip Lining

Sharkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Ice Creamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Jourdanne Immer

Marsha Dine

Oversized Bags - Your Next Fashion Accessory

Tune Out...and into the Sound of your Higher Being

Cover Model Name: Jourdanne Immer (To find out more about Jourdanne, go to page 21, Behind the Business).

Dress: Butterfly Ribbons (Providence Industrial Estate) Make-Up: Clara Zarqani Teroomooljee (from La Belle Vie) Photographer: Marsha Dine (http://500px.com/MDPhotos) Venue: Walk Way in Victoria

The Team

Regulars

Chief Editor: Marie-France Watson M: 251 2477 E: paradisepromotion@gmail.com Sales & Marketing: Ineke Camille M: 252 0937 E: ineke.paradisepromotion@gmail.com

Nathalie Hoareau

Jenny Gilbert

Brigette Monchouguy

Graphics & Layout: Olivia Michaud E: info@angelcreativedesign.com

Alexandria Faure

find us on

Tina Houareau

Bernard Georges

Nathalie Hodgson

Ahmed Afif

Georges Grave

Elaine Lafortune

Potpourri Magazine Seychelles

Annalisa Labiche

Potpourri Seychelles is published by Paradise Promotions Ltd, Box 1539, Room 18, Docklands Building, Victoria, Seychelles E-mail: paradisepromotion@gmail.com Tel: + (248) 4325215 / + (248) 4325216 Printed by: Emirates Printing Press (L.L.C.), Dubai

DUTY PAID SHOP

Prices are inclusive of GST and Duty

MARCH 2013 | POTPOURRI Duty Free Gift Shop, New Port, Victoria, Mahe, Seychelles. Tel: +248 4225405

Musings of an Island Girl by Tina Houareau

Playing Devil’s Advocate

Photo Credit - Joel Zamzow

The battle of the sexes is alive and kicking. I have stumbled upon a flock of men who, in no vague terms, have boldly and unashamedly declared that they will never marry. When I ask them why, the answer always amounts to one conclusion:

“We do not know what you want. We do not know who, you women, are anymore.” To say gender relationships have radically changed is an understatement. Ever since the sexual liberation movement (1960-1980s), there has been a significant revamp in the way women and men intermingle. Men have not altered much – they had no revolution that insisted on it – but women have changed radically. In a nutshell, we are angry and defensive (albeit, often inadvertently). That is because we have been hardened on many levels to view men as the ultimate adversary. Armed with this avant-garde attitude, we push men off their pedestal (amusingly enough, we have our own pedestal, but feminists have convinced us otherwise) and rise to take what we were taught to consider as rightfully ours. And what about the so-called fundamentally flawed men? Well, they are cornered – and they are fatigued. They are to blame when love turns sour. They

are to blame when the woman becomes unhappy. In fact, they are to blame for everything since feminists first took to the streets in the 1970s. It is precisely this dynamic - women: angels/men: devil - that I believe has severely cracked the possibility of healthy connection between the sexes. This dilemma is all so regrettable for women, not men. Feminism serves men beautifully! It is the women who lose. By dismissing and misunderstanding the male nature we are forever hunting for that “balanced” life that is romanticized in the media. If men today are freeloaders and if they are retreating from wedlock en masse it is because we say that is all they are capable of. We are the ones playing a distressing part in bringing about this transformation. We fight for freedom of choice yet we do not address the same freedom when, for instance, we decide to have sex after hello. To do that would be shameful. It is much easier to just call the man a douchebag. I think feminism has liberated women from the bonds of being forced to fulfill what is perceived as a “traditional” role. We can now aspire for professional development. We can step outside the gates of the home environment. We can speak up in the face of physical and emotional abuse and we have more legal rights than ever before. That is the upside. The downside is feeling the pressure to have it all and settling for a life of double standards in the process. Do we even know what having it all really means? I think only a handful of us achieve this glamorized balance without a hell of a lot of angst or mutilation to our mental or physical health. Tina Houareau is a Seychelloise living in the USA with her young son. She is an Instructional Designer for Capella University, where she is completing her PHD in the same field.

The world on its first morning.

To begin your experience call: (230) 402 27 72/73 o r v i s i t u s a t w w w. c o n s t a n c e h o t e l s. c o m

MARCH 2013 | POTPOURRI

BLINDS I D E

LIFESTYLE

Domestic Violence is a reality that many women and men face. In Seychelles alone, one preliminary report suggests that an almost equal percentage of women and men were subjected to severe physical violence by a partner. The actual figures may be debatable as many cases go unreported for a multitude of reasons. For any victim of physical, emotional or sexual abuse by an intimate partner- help is at hand- from Family tribunals, to the police to Churches to Civil society organizations- these institutions provide invaluable support by providing legal advice, protection, healing and rehabilitating families. Everyone has a choice. Although this story and the characters are fictional, some elements have been loosely based on the real life experiences of a young mother. “But love is blind and lovers cannot see the pretty follies that themselves commit,” That oft repeated quote from Shakespeare raced through her mind that moment. In that moment the world had stood still and only Maya reeled desperately out of control. It was a moment wherein she realized her picture perfect life that she had been so happy with just a few hours earlier was just a total mirage. In that instant, when he slapped her with his brute force, the biting reality of a broken promise and shattered dreams stung her. And in that moment all that ran through her mind was Shakespeare. She had been a fool. A blind fool…madly in love… Earlier that morning Maya was 30 weeks pregnant to the day and she glowed. She was the happiest she could have ever been. She had peered at herself in the mirror admiring her growing bump in happy anticipation. She thought, “I am the luckiest girl alive.” Married over a year to the love of her life-her sweetheart of 5 years- he had popped the question on their 5th year milestone and she hadn’t hesitated saying Yes! Now they were going to have a baby! Life couldn’t be better or more perfect. She had spent her day browsing through the shops, picking out things for the nursery. She met up with her girlfriends for tea and later her best friend coaxed her into catching an early evening movie; Maya anyway was going to be home alone. He had been busy with work lately and he had called up to say that he would be late yet again. She trusted him and rationalized that if his business needed to succeed he needed to put in the extra long hours. After all his success would be a reflection of her too. On her way to the movies, she had spotted his car by the restaurant. She saw them together… almost intimate, flirtatiously content…which was reminiscent of her time with him. She felt anger at his blatant betrayal. She felt crushed and most of all, she felt vulnerable. Unable to contain the overwhelming swells of emotions that engulfed her; she had excused herself from her friends. She needed to be alone to get her feelings in order and confront him with the truth when he got home. And so, she waited. It was nearly 1 am when he walked through the door. And all she quietly demanded through her tears was, “Why?” Whether he had had too much to drink, whether he was upset at having been found out, or whether he did not know how to deal with her question at that ungodly hour, Maya did not know. He strode towards her hurling expletives, ranting, who the hell did she think she was trying to dictate his life? He yanked her hair with an

aggression she had never noticed before. And as she struggled to get free, he slapped her with all his might. It was that moment; that moment of bitter realization. Humiliated and bruised, she was in the next instant thrown out of the house, their house, the house that they built together, in the darkness and out in the cold. Maya pleaded for him to open the door, to let her get a few things, call her family. She asked him to have a heart- to think of their unborn baby. The door remained shut. Maya stood outside sobbing. She had chosen not to see and she had chosen not to believe. All those years, when they had been dating Maya had happily overlooked or explained away any character flaws in him. But now, every tell tale scene replayed itself-challenging her, mocking her. This was not the first time. All she ever wanted was a simple life- to love and be loved by the man in her life, to have a family and to be happy. She started walking, not knowing where she was going in the dark. How far Maya walked she had no recollection of, but she had passed out from sheer exhaustion. When she came to, she found herself in the hospital. A glimmer of hope- Maybe he came after her. Maybe he found her and rescued her. She was ready to forgive him, after all he was a man, her man…What other choice did she have? He was the father of their unborn child. The doctor was doing her rounds and Maya was relieved to have a woman present. The compassion in the doctor’s eyes was unmistakable, but before the doctor could explain Maya knew… she had lost her baby. Her illusory fantasy of her husband rescuing her was just that- an illusion. She had been brainwashed by his apologies every time he was abusive or violent with her, believing she had been to blame in some way. She had been a fool to believe his lies. Maya’s husband had shut her out. She only got a second lease in life thanks to a Good Samaritan, who had rushed her to the hospital. She grieved for the precious life she had lost. But in facing her loss she made a choice. She chose courage –the courage to stand by her convictions and fight back. Maya’s journey to freedom from the abuse was long and difficult. But she chose not be a victim. She realized she was not alone. Help was at hand and all she needed to do was ask. The support of her family and friends was paramount in her healing. Life had left her scarred and bruised but she had survived. Maya was free. Contributed by Preethi Nair

MARCH 2013 | POTPOURRI

CONSUMER AWARENESS

It is an awful feeling while you are still in a state of euphoria over a purchase, to realize that something with the item is very wrong. Sacrifices are often necessary for luxury purchases, (though luxury items are being loosely defined here since we live in a world where many will tell you an owning an iphone 5 in March 2013 is a necessity) and so to find yourself faced with a faulty item after months of fantasizing about how great it will be is the last thing any consumer wants. This is where a warranty comes in – it is the panadol for purchases that go wrong. In proper terms, it gives the consumer some protection against things they have no control over such as dishonest merchants, faulty factory goods (honest mistakes that can only be identified once a purchase is made), and many other different types of situations. As a consumer, you need to know that if you have purchased an item that turns out to be faulty, you have the right to return the item to the retailer who should be able to repair or replace the item or refund you the cost of the item. These rights are known as your statutory rights. A guarantee or warranty on a product gives additional protection and this protection is extended to anyone who has possession of the goods during the lifetime of the guarantee. A guarantee or warranty is a written statement given by the manufacturer or other company. The guarantee or warranty indicates that the manufacturer or other company will repair or replace an item within a set amount of time after it has been purchased. Guarantees are legally binding. That is, they are enforceable through the courts if necessary. The written guarantee should contain the following information: • What goods the guarantee applies to; • The name and address of the person who will honour the guarantee; • The duration of the guarantee; • The procedure for making a claim under it (which may not be more difficult than ordinary commercial procedure); • What action the guarantor undertakes to do and; • Whether the purchaser must pay any charges for getting the product repaired (such as postage and packaging).

JOUEL “There is no warranty on a diamond – i.e. a loose diamond, because it cannot be damaged and therefore no risk for the buyer or seller on any potential fault/damage. Diamond jewellery on the other hand is very delicate. This is because gold, our primary metal, is in fact very soft and can be scratched, bent out of shape and even broken. There is a misconception that because a diamond is indestructible that so is the jewellery holding the diamondit’s not. We try and educate our clients on this point but it’s an on-going concern. Our policy is that if there is a fault in the manufacture of the jewellery, we will replace it at our own cost. It is quite easy to tell if there is a manufacturer’s fault or not. When looking through a magnifying glass (aka. Loupe) we can see if the jewellery has been worn badly and thus there is no fault but rather the client did not take care of the product - in which case we can still repair the jewellery but at the client’s cost,” explains Rod Thorrington, from JOUEL.

Products such as some household durable goods (pots and pans, furniture etc.), electrical goods, jewelry, motor vehicles typically come with a guarantee. There are also services which may also be guaranteed. For example, house or boat building (or repair) may also be guaranteed for a specific period of time. Guarantees can be used by anyone in possession of goods during the guarantee period. Guarantees can be particularly useful if you receive a gift as you may not need to show proof of purchase to claim the guarantee. Advice on guarantees and warranties

• Read and fully understand the guarantee

• • • •

Make sure the guarantee covers problems that you are likely to have Do not lose the guarantee Remember that you have a guarantee or warranty if the item is faulty Remember that you still have your consumer rights.

MARCH 2013 | POTPOURRI

KIA When you buy a KIA, expect a detailed warranty manual. For up till 36 months (or 100,000KM in service), a variety of maintenance services are offered for different periods of time. KIA warrants that your new KIA Vehicle is free from defects in material or workmanship, subject to certain terms and conditions. An authorized KIA Dealer (such as Excel Motors) will make necessary repairs , using new or remanufactured parts to correct any problem covered by this limited warranty without any charge to the buyer.

A Time to Dance It is the 1950s and we’re in the Seychelles. Alexander, a keen seventeen year-old, is out fishing with his older cousin Leon when their boat drifts too far out and they find themselves lost at sea. Over a month elapses; Leon dies from starvation and Alex is close to following suit but is rescued when he washes up on the mysterious island Annunciation. He recovers and sets back home, but not before falling in love with the young and enigmatic Gabrielle, the beautiful daughter of the island-owners to whom our protagonist loses his virginity. He pledges to go back to her. However, his attempts to return to Annunciation face innumerable obstacles. Why does no one know of the island? Why does it not appear on the map? Was Alex’s love affair on that island one long hallucination?

SAMSUNG If you buy a fridge, a television or a washing machine from SAMSUNG, expect a warranty of one year. Audio devices, vacuum cleaners, mobiles have shorter warranties – that of 6 months. Any faults which are deemed as manufacture default detected during the warranty period is covered by SAMSUNG. The coverage includes fixing the problem at no cost. If the problem cannot be fixed, the good is replaced by a new one. SAMSUNG works with a local business, who is a qualified technician, to handle such situations. On the other hand, if the problem is due to neglect on the part of the customer, such as coins in the washing machine), then the customer has to bear the cost of the repair.

MARCH 2013 | POTPOURRI

Available at Antigone, Victoria and www.amazon.com

“I Can’t”

Cable & Wireless introduces new, lower Data TopUp denominations Data TopUps, launched by Cable & Wireless Seychelles (CWS) in April 2012, allow customers to top up their Prepaid Mobile Internet from any eTopUp retail shop or agent island wide, hassle-free! In addition to the three previous denominations, being SR99 (66Mb), SR199 (220Mb) and SR499 (2300Mb), the company has recently introduced two lower values of SR49 (40Mb) and SR24 (20Mb) making it even more affordable to get online on the move.

by Alexandria Faure 5 letters and 2 words. Put them together and it becomes the most malignant and self-berating statement ever to be said to oneself or used in any moment of self-development. How often do you say, “I can’t”? I’ll be honest here and say that “I can’t” was a very popular word I used until I noticed the consequences and stopped. How often have you said it and achieved or done what you said you couldn’t do. I can vouch for this and say that you really don’t progress very far by using “I can’t” as your statement of valor. Lets face it, saying, “I can’t” automatically erases all the power you had when you first set out to achieve something in the first place. Whenever you say you can’t do something you are reinforcing it in your mind. And we all know it is mind over matter – so there’s really no winning once the mind is reinforced with the idea. Sometimes saying “I can’t” can be a fact, for example saying I can’t swim if you’ve never learnt. It’s a fact that if you haven’t learnt it you won’t be able to do it. But there is a big difference between that and these “I can’t” • I can’t get it right; • I can’t do this; • I can’t finish this; • I can’t lose weight. And the list can go on and on and on. The real dilemma is do you actually think you can’t or are you just saying it because you’ve never tried. There is really absolutely nothing that you can’t do if you put your mind to it. Changing the “I can’t” into the “I can” is hard but then again if everything were easy everyone would do it. It’s very easy to say “I can’t” rather than push yourself, what’s hard is saying “I can” and putting up with the struggle and the focus required to progress forward. I’m not quite there yet but I’m close. I have started changing the “I can’t” to the “I can”. J To change the “I Can’t” to “I Can” here are a few tips: 1. Admit that the only thing holding you back is you. 2. Pay attention to your self-talk. (is it positive or negative) 3. If it’s negative self-talk then keep constantly replacing it with a positive. 4. Learn more about whatever it is you can’t do. So you can learn to do it. 5. Be brave enough to take action and just do it and see what happens. Why not believe deep down that you can do it. There is everything to gain in forging ahead and just taking every action to doing anything. After all we don’t like people telling us we can’t do something therefore why should we tell ourselves we can’t. I can do it. You can do it. We can do it.

CWS have also increased the validity period of the popular SR49 Data TopUp from 2 days to 15 days giving customers more time in which to use their allocated data. The SR24 Data TopUp gives you full 7 days validity whilst the higher values allow for 30 days. If you’re looking for quick and easy data for your portable device, Data TopUp from CWS is your best choice. Simply visit an eTopUp retail shop or agent near you. Cable & Wireless, no one knows Seychelles better.

Why insure against flooding? The year 2013 did not start off well for many Seychellois people. In late January, extreme weather caused floods that inundated roads, businesses and private homes. Many were left struggling to save belongings from the filthy water and viscid mud… mostly to no avail. Soon, we started hearing stories of displaced families who could no longer live in the devastated conditions of their family homes. The event served as a bitter reminder of the destruction caused by the terrible 1862 landslide that was caused by similar weather conditions. That particular disaster claimed lives, buildings and essential infrastructure. Could it possibly happen again? If it does, would you be able to recuperate and keep your family afloat? This is when having insurance can save the day. By insuring your house with SACOS, you can be covered for both the physical structure and contents of your home. Therefore, if you were to imagine a scenario where you and your family were flood victims, you can rest assured that SACOS will be there to help you get back up on your feet. Furthermore, our standard SACOS Home Insurance Policy can help you recover loss or damage resulting not just from floods and storms alone, but from fires, lightings, explosions, burst pipes and burglaries as well. …and that is just the tip of the iceberg. At additional terms and conditions to be agreed, if through some unforeseeable event such as a flood your home becomes temporarily uninhabitable; we can assist you with the cost of an alternative accommodation. On the same note, if you are renting out the house and your tenants cannot live in it due to the water damage sustained; we can cover part of your recorded loss of rent. SACOS Householder’s Policy can even cover your legal liability to the public if you are found to be legally liable of causing injury or damage to a third party as owner/ occupier of the insured building. Burglary is now sadly rampant in our communities. Therefore, if a burglar were to attack your house, we will be there to offer more than just some moral support. Truly, there is so much that SACOS can do for you. You only need to come see us to find out just how you can live your daily life with the comfort and peace of mind from knowing that no matter what, you and your family have more than just a backup plan.

‘Just Do it!’ ~ Nike

Don’t wait for the day that you regret not having any insurance. Just think of it as saving for a rainy day.

Alexandria Faure is a Seychellois studying Drama And Theatre Arts in London, England.

Contact SACOS Insurance Company Ltd on 4295 000, or visit us at the SACOS Tower, Palm Street, Victoria. It will be our pleasure to assist and guide you. Contributed by Ms. Dianne Dalida, Sales Executive, SACOS Insurance Company Ltd.

Brigitte Monchouguy is a Seychelloise legal professional living and working in London. She is happiest when travelling, with interests in music, art, theatre and architecture. She also dabbles in mixology and will be sharing cocktail recipes along with her

monthly escapades. renée martin designs

was in my parents’ home town of Perth, Australia, for a long overdue family visit when my friend, Jenni, extended an invitation too good to refuse. Her firm of architects was holding its annual summer party on board a super yacht hired especially for the occasion and she needed a plus one. I was happy to oblige! Arriving at North Fremantle Harbour in our bikinis, shorts and fedoras to shade our faces from the scorching sun, we were whisked aboard to toast our departure with champagne before the skipper set sail for Rottnest Island. As the yacht glided through the waves underneath the uninterrupted blue sky we spotted a pod of dolphins showing off with flips and tricks alongside us for much of the way. Jenni and I explored the yacht, first heading down to the galley to nibble on some fresh fruit and cheese before working our way up to the top deck where a reggae band was in full swing. I decided that this kind of music was best enjoyed with a cocktail in hand and headed over to the bar to mix us some icy Passion Fruit Caipiríssimas. They proved such a hit that soon everyone was ordering them, even the band!

After anchoring in Fish Hook Bay, we were keen to dive into the sparkling ocean below us, but the first mate insisted on escorting us into the cove via dinghy. We disembarked onto the scorching sand but were soon larking about in the cool, salty water. Swimming back to the yacht worked up our appetites and we were happy to return to platters piled high with oysters, grilled prawns, lobsters, barramundi and salads prepared by the chef. Then it was time to work off our lunch to a limbo accompanied by the reggae band. We sailed back home whilst dancing to the jungle beats of the yacht’s DJ. The waves had picked up, making for some very interesting, if rocky manoeuvres! Make sure to enjoy those gorgeous Seychelles beaches at your disposal and in the meantime - if you can’t be good, be good at it!

Passion Fruit Caipiríssima 50ml Cachaça or other white rum ½ lime, cut into 4 wedges 1 tbsp sugar 1 tbsp passion fruit pulp Handful of ice cubes Soda water (optional) 1 slice of lime, for garnish Place the lime wedges and sugar in a lowball glass and muddle until the sugar is dissolved. Fill the glass with ice. Add the rum and passion fruit pulp. Stir well. Garnish with a slice of lime. You can lengthen this drink by topping up with soda water. Best drunk to the sounds of a reggae band!

International Children’s Friendship Festival Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Friends of Seychelles Seattle initiate the participation in the International Children’s Friendship Festival to be held in Seattle Washington 27th, 28th April 2013 What is International Children’s Friendship Festival? ICFF is an annual cultural event hold in Seattle, Washington since 2010 that originate to honor children and youth all over the world. The festival brought to life by ICFF Committee of Turkish American Cultural Association of Washington. ICFF originates back April 23rd 1920 in Turkey and dedicated this day to all children and youth in the world. Since then April 23rd is celebrated as International Children’s Day in Turkey with the participation of the children of the world. ICFF brings positive energy through fostering cultural exchange and friendship among youth. ICF F is an event that is entirely run by children and features performances by the children, highlighting their ethnic heritages. Various

nationalities are represented through music, ballet and folk dances. The children celebrate their international friendship through experiencing the rich tapestry of the world’s culture. This year through the Consulate of Seychelles in Seattle and Friends of Seychelles Seattle, Seychelles children has been invited as the guest of honor. A committee has been formed and is currently looking for sponsors to help funding the cost of this very good cause. Eleven Seychellois children have been selected through auditioning to represent Seychelles in performing ethnic dances and music. There will be a stall were the children will display various items from Seychelles and information about Seychelles. The children participating are: Stephan Fred (12 Years), Kelly Mathiot (12 Years), Bertrand Payet (10 Years), Marry Chang-Pen Tive (13 Years), Carlos Bamboche (12 Years), Michaella Lenclume (12 Years), Rania Barbe (12 Years), Kelly Mathiot (12 Years), Jose Bibi (8 Years), Alexandra Duckworth (13 Years), Victoria Duthil (12 Years) The committee is looking for your generous support and thank you in anticipation. Please contact any of the following persons for more information. Dr Erna Athanasius

MARCH 2013 | POTPOURRI

• Mrs Lise Church - 2527871

• Mrs Lala Accouche - 2723521

• Mr Benette Accouche - 2728984

MARCH 2013 | POTPOURRI

EXPLORING EDEN

SMAC Zip Lines

Zip Lining

A short buggy drive up the Hillside, a short walk climb up the mountain, with breathtaking views of the Bay at Port Launay, and you arrive at “The Icebreaker” – the first of a series of adrenalin pumping zip line rides through the canopy of the beautiful forest that covers the hillside of Constance Ephelia Resort. SMAC adventures has created the next generation in adrenalin pumping excitement to hit the Seychelles –A series of eight aerial zip lines (between 85 to 120 meters in length) that are suspended both within and above the beautiful forest that covers the hill side on Constance Ephelia Resort, allows the adventurer the opportunity to experience the pristine environment in breathtaking style built to international standards. Checked out and certified by an international firm of structural engineers this activity is perfect for the young and old alike. All are welcome to come and expose yourself to this unique Seychelles experience!

Zip lining Seychelles is adventure sports in the tropics by W.Thome Seychelles has launched itself in Adventure Sports Tourism. This is a perfect addition to what these islands had as natural attractions and the bonus is that the island’s nature and the Adventure Sports Tourism goes well hand in hand. The new Adventure Sports Tourism offer is at the Constance Ephelia Resort on the island of Mahé in the Seychelles. They have now started to formally promote one of their new, and very unique, adventure activities, operated within the resort by South African adventure specialist Johan Cronje’s SMAC, short for Specialized Multi Adventure Company, which in their own words is Where Paradise and Adventure Meet. This is another first for the Seychelles, seeking to establish the destination as one of all seasons, for all tastes and budgets and now for adrenalin addicts too. Abseiling from some of the steep rock faces dominating the centre of the resort’s 120+ hectares of land, rock climbing for kids, beginners and experts and now a system of 8 zip lines, starting from near the Ephelia’s Presidential Villa and ending near the company’s office at the bottom of the mountain are offering a range of active outdoor adventures, which can be done with the family but also of course alone. A thorough briefing ahead of any of the activities will give participants the do’s and don’ts and for zip lining, once the harnesses have been strapped on tight, a short trial run will give novices the assurance that the adventure they are about to embark on is not just safe, but gives the guides also the certainty that their charges have understood what to do before heading for the real thing. And that real thing then gets the adrenaline flowing, when the moment comes to zap across the deep ravines and through the foliage of tropical

trees or racing across the tree canopy, close enough to almost touch, almost being the key word as the steel cables are strung up to allow for a clear ride. The family members I was with shrieked with joy when zapping from the starting point to the other end of each of the 8 lines, where cameras ready and video’s running every ‘incoming’ was greeted by those who had arrived before them. Andrew Molyneaux is the company’s responsible health and safety manager and he went to great length to explain their installations to this correspondent, and the process of the initial inspection and certification of the zip lines set up, by local authorities assisted with technical experts from abroad. “Safety comes first and there cannot be a compromise” he said, and a closer look at the installation gave ample reassurance of regular inspections and maintenance, the same incidentally with the harnesses and equipment like helmets and gloves. Johan Cronje, aka Crunchie Cronje, went along as he does most of the times, assisted by local guide Pascal, who joined SMAC when it started operations at the resort in April 2011. At that time the rock climbing walls were officially launched, reported here at the time as breaking news of course but since then expanded to include a kids wall and an abseiling station, which as witnessed was in regular demand by guests from within the resort but also from outside. And that was actually not surprising as the word by mouth campaign, without a full marketing offensive, seems to have worked and the main DMC’s were all reported to adding the activity in their destination material of things to do and places to go, when on the islands. According to information received, the SMAC experience already ranks as the 10th most popular day trip and activity and both Johan and Andrew were certain to make it into the top five very soon, aiming to capture top spot eventually. With their keen eye for locations and knowledge of other adventure activities, it seems only a matter of time before they will embark on setting up a bungee jump operation or a paragliding base from one of the tall rocks overlooking Mahe’s magical beaches, when similar to what I have witnessed in Rio, daring tourists are strapped on to an experienced parachutist before jumping off from a platform, and then, after a smooth

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ride through the skies, setting down on a beach in precision landings. The skies over the Seychelles seem the limit for those two and their enthusiasm about everything and anything pumping adrenalin will undoubtedly propel their numbers and popularity upwards and make their dream come true, to make the Seychelles as much a centre for adventure activities as it is until now for being a magical island paradise surrounded by crystal clear waters. Such added attractions will portray the islands in a new and even more exciting light to the world, beyond all the superlatives already attached to their marketing juggernaut. Time now for some more zip zapping across and through the Constance Ephelia’s tropical forest. And oh yes, SMAC does provide a 3+ minute video clip for participants on request and are planning to install video/web cams on strategic points at the end and starting points of each line, and perhaps even in between, to capture the daring rides for posterity.

The team at SMAC are extremely professional, friendly and knowledgeable. It is evident they have years of experience with ziplines. There was a huge emphasis on safety and the equipment all looked very well maintained. I felt that I was definitely in good hands! Zip lining through the canopy of the forest was an unforgettable experience - adrenaline fuelled, yet also peaceful, and a different way to appreciate the unique nature of the Seychelles. Thanks to the the excellent instruction, it was also much easier than I expected to get the hang of (sorry, no pun intended). I highly recommend this to anyone looking for a safe and exciting thrill in the Seychelles. In fact, it is a must do! Hattie, London, UK

(http://www.seychelles.travel)

Contact SMAC Adventures :

Trip Advisor Review

office@smacadventures.com

What great fun! And a novel way to take in the breathtaking scenery and stunning surrounds of the Constance Ephelia resort.

Tel: +248 2536029; Offices +248 439 5180

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SEYCHELLOIS LIVING OVERSEAS

Vanessa Barker

(neé Nanty) A tip for anyone planning to move over – grow patience. Within a month I’d made some fantastic contacts and long lasting friendships. Within two months I’d met my husband. Of course there were a few challenges but never mistakes because there are no such things as mistakes. At the end of the day a little hard work, less excuses and a positive attitude can only lead me to where I want to be. just let all of these slip by. But making a decision was hard. I eventually decided that because I had ‘been there and done that’ in London, and had lived on an island all my life, that Dubai would be the way forward. At that time Dubai was the new ‘it place’ to head to for all Seychellois and the fact that I would be merely 4hours flight away from the family was an added bonus. I only knew the management team at the office and one other person outside of work and that was daunting. But a challenge comes your way to be met and putting all my fears aside, that’s exactly what I did. And I have no regrets!

Dubai – the ‘it’ city

Photo Credit - Ben Barker

Vanessa I was born in Victoria and initially lived in La Misère but for some reason kept getting sick, and my parents believing I may have been allergic to something, decided to move to Reef Estate in Anse Aux Pins (now Au Cap) where we settled. The family home is still there today. I am the eldest in our family, although the shortest compared to my younger brother and sister. The family keeps growing and my parents are now proud grandparents to three gorgeous little ones, two of whom are mine and the youngest belonging to my sister.

Leaving Seychelles 2005 was a big year for me. For the previous two years I’d worked with a fantastic team at the Seychelles Tourism Marketing Authority (STMA). Those years had laid the foundation for my career in destination marketing and I will forever be grateful for all the opportunities that were given to me there and for what I learnt. In 2005 a lot of changes were taking place both within my work environment and in my personal life. For the first half of the year I wasn’t quite sure which road I was meant to take but then three opportunities came my way, at the same time, to move and further my career abroad. I could either move back to London, where I had completed my degree, to work in the Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) Representation office or head to Dubai to work in the STB office there or move to the Maldives with my best friend to work in one of the resorts for a year. I couldn’t believe my luck at actually having a choice and knew that I couldn’t

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I had lived the city life for three years in London already so I wasn’t overwhelmed by the move to a fast paced lifestyle again. My biggest concern was that I had no idea about the religious and cultural expectations in the country. I only knew the little I’d heard from family and friends who had been but there’s a huge difference between visiting a country and moving to it. Dubai dazzles and amazes. It inspires and draws in those who seek financial freedom and the ability to live a Hollywood dream. It truly is Disneyland - just a billion times bigger. But it wasn’t this that drew me to it. There is something about the culture and the people that fascinated me. It took around six months to properly settle in and feel like a legal resident. That’s how long it can take just to get all the paperwork done! As they say, ‘Inshallah’, (God willing it will happen) and I learnt very quickly that nothing goes smoothly the first time. A tip for anyone planning to move over – grow patience! When you’re planning to get one thing done that should really take one hour expect to come back to that same place two or even three times more because there’s always an extra piece of paper they will need that you won’t have on hand! I learnt to smile and take things in my stride very early on. I was very lucky when I moved over because the one friend I had outside of work introduced me to the ‘who’s who’ in Dubai and everyday there was someone new and exciting to meet whether it was through work or socially. It still amazes me to this day how in Dubai you could be sitting around a table with people from 10 different nationalities or backgrounds and obviously everyone has a fascinating story to tell. Within a month I’d made some fantastic contacts and long lasting friendships. Within two months I’d met my husband. My husband had grown up in the region so through him I was introduced to a very different Dubai. It was a Dubai without the malls or the glitz and glam but instead an adventurous and exciting destination. Every weekend by 6am we would be out the door and out of the city to explore another part of the UAE. Whether, it was through hiking, off-road driving, a simple road-trip, diving or even in a hot air balloon. It drew out of me the passion I’d never really given a second thought to – a love for an adrenaline-filled world, for being outdoors and exploring. My father described me aptly in his speech on my wedding day - ‘she could not

sit still’ and he was right. I could never really handle the ‘laziness’ and ‘gossipy’ Seychelles lifestyle for too long. I’ve always felt deep down that if we are meant to live life to the fullest, to live in the moment, then sitting around day in and day out drinking and talking about whom so and so was with last night was not the way to do it. I’m not saying I never chill out, on the contrary; a little laziness and hilarious conversations accompanied by an ice cold Seybrew is always good for the mind and body. Call it luck, call it being blessed but I grabbed every opportunity that came my way and somehow I made it work. Of course there were a few challenges but never mistakes because there are no such things as mistakes. I believe that everything and everyone who enters your life leads you to where you really want to be deep down. And by getting on that plane to Dubai, all alone in 2005, I was lead to an amazing career, to beautiful and strong friendships, to the discovery of who I really am and want to be and above all it lead me to my husband and today my little family.

Working Mother From 2005 to 2008 I worked tirelessly (and loved every minute of it) in the Destination Marketing industry. I looked after the promotion of Seychelles throughout the Middle East initially but then had the opportunity to work for other destinations such as Tourism Ireland, Hong Kong Tourism Board, Wilderness Safaris, Costa Del Sol, the Province of Kwazulu Natal in South Africa and a few other smaller clients. Working in the industry meant a lot of travelling within the region so I did get to explore a bit more of the Middle East. I still have a few more countries to tick off my list though. In December of 2008 my daughter was born and although I thought I would be able to handle three months of maternity leave then head back to work with my mother-in-law looking after my daughter, I really couldn’t. Within a month of being back at work I agreed with my boss that I needed to resign but that they would use me on a project by project basis. I’ll never regret taking a break from my career to be a stay-at-home mum. I honestly wish it was something that all mothers could do but I realise that I was amongst the lucky ones. I am now mum to two wonderful children but since soon they’ll both be heading into the world of fulltime schooling I am looking at getting back into world of work.

Seychelles...I do miss thee Family Sundays with far too much food on the table! But also, the colourful and breath-taking sceneries around every corner, especially on those gorgeous sunny days. And everything and anything to do with the sea. The smell of it, sailing on it, eating the seafood from it and strolling along it on powdery soft, white, sandy beaches.

Local Music Scene I’ve tried to follow the local music scene but can’t seem to keep up. There are a few exciting artists coming up and every time I travel to Seychelles I’m impressed by some of the new, catchy tunes I’m hearing. But I keep forgetting to buy the albums so my Seychelles CD collection currently still consists of only my firm favourite – Jean Marc Volcy.

Holidays Being only 4 and a half hours flight away and with so many flights now between the region and Seychelles, we’re able to travel home at least once or twice a year. And the family have been able to come to us too!

Giving something back I will always contribute in my own little way to promote Seychelles as a must-do holiday destination regardless if I’m in the tourism industry or not. But another area that fascinates and interests me is self-improvement and empowerment. I’m not quite sure how I would do it but I would somehow love to get involved in programmes that encourage people of all ages and backgrounds to continuously better themselves be it physically, mentally, financially or health wise. I find that unfortunately many people in Seychelles have very little drive to be more and do more for themselves. They succumb to the routine and general lack of interest and respect for their own beliefs. You see it and feel it wherever you go. We’re known to the world as a beautiful nation, a melting pot of cultures with happy people, yet you can hardly get a smile from most service oriented staff. Does it really matter that

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you may be considered ‘uncool’ or ‘granzar’ if you uncrossed your arms, stepped out of the box and tried to make a difference in your work or your personal life for you to be happy? I used to worry a lot about what people thought or said about me because that’s the mentality we’ve all grown up surrounded by. It took a long time to realise and understand that it really doesn’t matter. The only person living your life is you and the only things that should be important in your life are the things you believe matter the most to you. It may be a dream of ‘grandeur’ but it may also be the smallest and simplest things you seek. Not everyone will get the chance or want to own the most expensive and sought after toys, or to go explore the world in five star luxury or experience living abroad and that is fine. Who says you can’t create a beautiful, adventurous and fulfilling life for yourself right where you are now; a life, where you are working towards your dreams, where you are physically, mentally, financially and spiritually healthy and in balance. We’ve grown up in a society where we honestly believe that the grass is always greener on the other side. There is a reason it’s greener and it’s because (to put it more politely) ‘it’s fertilised with more manure’. Water your own area and it can be better. I still have a long way to go to get to my dream and my balance, but I’m working on it and facing the challenges as they come with a smile. At the end of the day a little hard work, less excuses and a positive attitude can only lead me to where I want to be.

Best description of the islands... Unforgettable, colourful, unique and precious. A real example to the world – that no matter who you are, what you believe in, the colour of your skin or your heritage, that you can live together, respecting the world and life that you’ve been given and surrounded by. I think a lot of countries in this world could do with a little ‘Seychelles touch’.

The place to enventually settle? Seychelles will always be home to my family. But right now we still have a little bit more exploring and adventures to go on. We will definitely settle back in the islands one day. It may be in two years’ time, ten years’ time or even when we retire but we will come home.

BEHIND THE BUSINESS

Cooling sunny days with Fresh Ice Cream by Elaine LaFortune and marketing. Sadly there are no provisions in our current legislation for protecting or favouring local manufacturers, however, our prices are still far more competitive than any imported brands. There is a common perception that imported foodstuff is of better quality than locally manufactured foodstuff. We are trying to break that perception by producing a top quality product which can rival and better any imported brand.

What is a typical day like, at the ice cream Factory? Extremely busy as usual. We have a small efficient production team led by Tina Agathine and supported by Jenny and Chantal. Our distribution is guaranteed by Kevin and Nox. Everyone is busy with preparations for distribution as a first activity followed by production and packaging and sales. Jourdane tells us how they are confident about the future of the business as they have a good Seychellois clientele who loves their product. She also reckons that given that Seychelles is a popular tourist destination, the type of product always features on dessert menus in hotels and restaurants.

What are your clients’ responses to your business?

I scream; you scream; we all scream for ice cream. The reason is simple: Ice cream is an excellent example of the whole tasting better than the sum of its parts. Cold, creamy and locally made, ice cream and sunny days are a predictable pair. Who doesn’t love Ice cream? If you’re not a fan of vanilla, you can go for chocolate or there’s always strawberry. There is a flavor out there, for everyone. Meeting with Jourdane Immer, owner of Shark’s Ice cream factory, we learn a bit more about how this bundle of local flavours fills our homes with so much joy on hot sunny days. Born in the 1960’s and living in the southern side of Mahé in Au Cap, Jourdane tells POTPOURRI how she started in this line of business. Jourdane, who is divorced and living with a common law husband in love and lust, as she puts it, is the mother of two daughters, Lucy and Christine and stepmother to Anthony and Nicolas. She doesn’t neglect to mention her wonderful grandchildren Selena, Sean and Tristan. Before purchasing the business, Jourdane was living in Switzerland where she was working in Hotel trade followed by artisanal production of jams and juices(LaziLiza Home Industries) from 2001 to 2004. After a diploma in small Hotel/Restaurant Management in Switzerland, she worked for 5 years in a 4-star business hotel establishment in Berne. In November 2004, the ice cream business was purchased as a going concern but along the way and throughout the years, Jourdane has been working on upgrading and perfecting the product.

We get very good feedback from most of our clients. All our base products are imported from one of the top 5 suppliers of ice cream base products in Italy. We have visitors who have actually brought ice cream back home to Europe and South Africa packed in polystyrene iceboxes. It indicates the clients’ confidence in our quality. It seems that Shark’s Ice cream is not doing so badly!

So is there any specific flavor that your clients enjoy more? Vanilla is our bestseller followed by coconut and chocolate. Vanilla is the worldwide bestseller. We produce more than 20 flavours: banana, caramel, chocolate, chocy mint (mint+ chocolate), cinnamon, coffee, cream cherry, hazelnut, rum & raisin, strawberry, tiramisu, vanilla, wildberry, yogurt. We have excellent feedback on our locally produced bases such as coconut, tamarind, passion fruit, mango, fresh lime, corosol and bigarade which are prepared from local fruit. Jourdane’s days seem to be rather hefty, with managing such a huge factory, yet she still finds plenty of time to keep abreast with other activities. “My weekends and days off are generally quite busy with the volleyball team (ARSU Ladies) of which I am the manager and a husband who likes outdoor activities – mountain walking, swimming amongst others.”

How do you balance work and home life? I do not make a difference between work and home; I tend to view my life activity holistically as one merges into the other. I enjoy what I do at work as much as I enjoy what I do at home.

continued on P23

So, tell us, why did you choose ice cream as a business? Why not? Ice cream is an ancient business in Asia, Europe and USA and is especially popular during the summer thus well suited for a tropical island. Ice cream is a happy food which brings joy and happiness to young and old alike. It gives us a lot of satisfaction when we see people enjoying our ice cream. Ice cream is always popular in warm climates, so I’m convinced that Seychelles is the perfect place for such a business. With so many people enjoying the satisfaction of indulging in a crispy cone of sweetness, Seychelles has opened its doors to a variety of ice creams, from popular international brands such as London dairy amongst others.

Surely competition is high from other international as well as other local brands, how do you cope? Competition is healthy and pushes one to enhance one’s product quality

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FEATURED ARTIST

Behind The Lenses with MD Photos Written by Elaine LaFortune DO YOU HAVE A PERSONAL STYLE?

Marsha Dine, a freelance photographer, is an artist of genuinely humane sensibilities, as his recent photographic work illustrates. With a background in fine art, Marsha has been focusing on photography for the past few years. At a young age, he already produces work that is a great source of inspiration. His photos show a beautiful perspective of the world and of people. Get to know more about his ideas, inspirations, and passion in this interview. It’s not easy being a teacher and juggling another trade on the side, but Marsha makes it all seem stress-free. A devoted Arts teacher and freelance photographer, he is gaming bravely his love for the arts and photography. Born on the 17th May, 1986, Marsha is the youngest of two boys. A passionate artist since always, he furthered his studies at the College of the arts. His love for the arts drove him to take up the post of Assistant teacher at SALS, in the Arts section. His expedition later continued in China, where he majored in Modern Oil Painting at the China Central Academy of Fine Arts, for 5 years. 5 years in China is such a long time, we remarked and it would be easy to presume that Marsha probably knew how to speak Chinese. “I actually do,” he confesses. “I had no choice but to learn, as it was procedure to learn the language in your first year of study. But after 5 years you just get tired of hearing Chinese,” he admits. “It was hard and honestly I’m glad I don’t get to hear people speaking it often.”

INTEREST IN PHOTOGRAPHY Marsha didn’t really get into photography until he reached China, though he remembers how he was always marveled at his uncle’s work in photography, as a young lad. “My uncle, Desiree was a photojournalist at Nation, and I used to see him with his huge camera all the time. I would often question him for a few tips.” It can’t be easy to take on something you’ve never attempted before, but for Marsha everything started small. As a technology buff, Marsha has always shown an interest in whatever the world has to offer. That is how he upgraded from his first ever camera to what he now owns. “I still remember my first camera; it was one which used films…an Olympus I believe. Then when digital cams were introduced, I bought my first Coolpix camera and from there, a Samsung. When I was in China the first few years, I bought a Sony cyber-shot. But when I decided to really take photography seriously, I bought my first Nikon 40x and now I’ve upgraded to a Full-frame Nikon D700.

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“I do, yes!” Marsha says. “But that’s not what you are going to see posted on my Facebook page, MD Photos. I do a lot of abstract photography where I incorporate my aspects of Fine Arts and blend it into a photo. I have a lot of my art work in digital form and I’m yet to exhibit some of them.” Every photographer has an accessory that they always carry with them when on a photo-shoot, other than their camera. It was to be expected that Marsha also has that photographer’s instinct. “I love strobe lights, which are lights used in photography to replace regular camera flashes and the cords that are used with them. Because they flash quickly, they eliminate movement blurs caused by the subject or camera shake.” “I’m a little obsessed with using lights, to the point that even if I have the perfect light condition in terms of natural light, I’m still compelled to use the strobe lights…even when I don’t think I they’re necessary. It’s like I have this battle raging inside me when it comes to deciding on whether or not I should be using the lights” he says jokingly.

EDITS ARE MUST HAVES While some photographers may prefer a non-edited photo, there are those who reckon that a photo is never perfect unless it’s had a few touch ups here and there. Marsha relies on his gut feeling when editing a photo. Unless he is asked not to edit the photos by a client, he goes the whole nine yards with his editing skills. His favourite editing tools are ‘Photoshop and Lightroom’ he tells Potpourri. It has always been customary to think that photo editing started only recently with the age of technology but Marsha disagrees when he says that “long ago photos were edited in the darkroom where there were several exposures to lighting. It was done manually, but it was still regarded as editing.” He also adds that “photography is not just a matter of recording something through a photo, but it’s about how far you can go with that photo…how you can play around with it.” His time in China, gave him exposure to a number of ways in which he could integrate photography in his art work. “I’m fine art influenced, so of course I’ll want to edit a photo and play around with the lighting or add an extra effect, to incorporate that little piece of me in the photo. Without a doubt, I can do a piece of work without editing but that’ll probably not be my choice.”

SHOOTING WEDDINGS AND PARTIES Many photographers here in the Seychelles, are more into shooting weddings, funerals and parties. “It’s not something I love to do but I’ve done a few weddings. I prefer shooting the ceremony rather than the reception. I’m not so much into shooting parties...I’d much rather be in the party.” Marsha is keen on fashion photography and prefers to have his models in a setting that he has set up, and where he can have the freedom to shoot as many photos as he prefers until he gets it the right way. “Fashion and concept photography is my way of going around photography. I do cover some small events, but this is my preference. It’s an easier way for me to blend my art into it.”

continued from P22

BEST PHOTO Marsha, who admits to being ambitious is far from being satisfied with his work. To him satisfaction is what he yearns for. Though much of his work is appreciated by many, he still reckons that there’s still a lot more he needs to do before he can reach the heights he’s aiming for. “Even when the client is happy, I’m still unsure that the photo was a success. I’m a bit of a perfectionist and I know this hinders me a little from pushing forward but in all honestly, up till now, I haven’t got a piece of work that I could openly categorize as being my best photo.” It seems it would take a lot of effort to make Marsha believe that his works are actually pretty good. He says he’d love to set up an exhibition of his works someday, so hopefully when that day comes, he’ll get past his anxiety of being unsatisfied.

CHALLENGING ASPECTS TO PHOTOGRAPHY It’s not easy to get the photo just right and Marsha says that getting the right lighting is the most challenging bit in his work but he also admits “being satisfied with what I do is really the most challenging part at the moment.”

continued from P21 What has been your biggest accomplishment in your business so far and what keeps you going? Moving factory to a new dedicated factory building at Providence Industrial Estate where we have installed planet friendly features such as rain water harvesting for all our cleaning and bathroom water. We are looking at a hybrid system for electrical power so that we can reduce our operational costs and use a free natural source of power. We have a high happiness quotient at the factory which fuels our enthusiasm for making the best ice cream in Seychelles.

If you could venture into another type of Business, what would it be and why? I would undertake simple, trendy, elegant fashion by having a one stop shop starting from shoes upwards. I believe there is still a niche which has not been filled.

Taking the perfect photo or having the perfect place to shoot is not an easy task. India is one place Marsha says he’d like to visit for a photo spree as he reckons that’s where he’ll get the most dramatic photos.

BRANCHING OUT It’s everyone’s dream to become greater and Marsha says that he wants to be a pioneer in the Art development in Seychelles. Photography wise, he’d want to have his own business mixed with graphics. “That’s my objective! It won’t be easy of course, but hopefully in due time everything will come together.” We’re sure that it will, as he’s a go-getting fellow with plenty of good advice which we are sure he gives to many of his students. “Do not listen to anyone, just follow your heart. People have this concept that there is no life in art but that’s not true. Photography and The Arts are not inferior…it’s worrying that people think that way. If we lose our artists, part of the visual aspect of our country dies” he says. Thoughtful indeed, Marsha. I leave you with a quote he left us with, which has marked him, to encourage young artists. ‘Be crazy with a pen in your pocket, not with a bottle of beer in your hand.’ Sir Mark (Marsha’s art teacher). “There is prospect in photography and art, you just have to see beyond your imagination.”

Vanilla

There is nothing plain about Vanilla. In fact, if you love Vanilla, you are actually a colorful, dramatic risk taker who relies more on intuition than logic. On the romantic front, you tend to rely on secure romantic relationships that fulfill your emotional needs while working toward future objectives. Romantic Compatibility: You are most romantically compatible with those who prefer Coffee.

Coffee

As a coffee lover, you are lively, dramatic and flirtatious – thriving on the passion of the moment Romantic Compatibility: You are most compatible with those who prefer Strawberry.

POTPOURRI is without a doubt certain that there’s more to come with Shark’s ice cream and wishes Jourdane all the best as she continues to sweeten our palate. As we express gratitude to Jourdane for bringing to us a ray of sunshine with her rainbow coloured Ice creams, here are some fun facts about you and your favourite ice cream flavour.

Mint Chocolate Chip

As a Mint Chocolate Chip lover, you tend to be ambitious and confident… yet a little skeptical about life. Nonetheless, your loyalty, honesty and dependability create lasting friendships and close family ties. Romantic Compatibility: You are most compatible with other Mint Chocolate Chip lovers

Strawberry

A love for strawberry reveals a thoughtful, logical person who carefully weighs each option before making decisions. Although you don’t fall headover-heels in love at first sight, once you commit to a relationship, you are loyal and supportive. Romantic Compatibility: You are most compatible with those who prefer Strawberry, Coffee, Mint Chocolate Chip and Vanilla.

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HOMES

The Power of the Rug Sometimes, there is no other way to add excitement to a room, other than a rug. For those of us who move into rented homes and have no say in tiles choices or floor decor, a rug is what we need to cover it up if what we see is not to our liking. While adding a bit of our personality through our rugs, is good enough reason to decorate with a rug, there are also others. The right rug is guaranteed to anchor a room, define it as well as add warmth. For rug connoisseurs, the right rug goes a step further and adds a further layer to a room’s design.

Beyond Rectangular

Don’t assume that a rug has to be a rectangle. Let the way you group your furniture dictate the shape of your rug. Try figuring out what shape would look best, and then go with a square, round or oval shape if that seems like the better option than a rectangular one.

Know the Measurements

Getting the most out of your rug:

When you buy a room size rug, subtract 3 feet from the length and width of the room. Leaving the floor bare at the edges makes it look a little larger. Also, when laying a rug under your dining table, leave at least 24” of rug from the edge of the table out on all sides. This enables the back legs of the chairs to stay on the rug, even when pulled out to let someone sit.

Define a Space

The Rule about Runners

This is especially valid especially in open spaces, a rug can separate where the dining area or seating area is.

Various Sizes

If you use more than one rug in a room, make sure they are not the same size. Same sized rugs can cut your room in half visually.

One Style

When using more than one rug, it’s better when the rugs complement each other in style. If not, you could end up with a jarring or unpleasant effect. Too many “warring” patterns in a room will do away with any sense of harmony.

Chose a favourite rug

Use a favorite rug as the basis of the color scheme in a room. On the other hand, if you add it after you have your furniture in place, you can use the rug to accent or tie in your existing colors.

Add or reduce volume with a rug

Use a rug to visually quieten a room or turn up the volume as needed. If your upholstery or wallpaper have an ornate pattern, choose a rug that is more subtle. When walls and upholstery are fairly subdued, you can try a busier pattern to add more interest to the room.

Make it the focal point

Use a rug as the focal point of your room, as rugs can make a huge impact. To do that you can create contrast by painting your walls a hue that echoes one of your rug’s accent colors.

Wall Décor

Use a rug as a wall hanging for another way to create a focal point.

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Runners should be 4 inches narrower than your hallway and 18 to 24 inches shorter. Make sure they are wide enough to accommodate both feet on the rug when you walk.

From Smart Living, Providence 150 x 220, SR3700 (smaller sizes, 120X170, are also available)

Fern Designs, Global Village, Mont-Fleuri 200 X 140, SR570

Island Living, Petit Paris (180 X 270), SR3500

(120 X 185), SR2500

(170 X 240), SR3500

(120 X 180), SR2200

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HOME IMPROVEMENT

DOING IT RIGHT

With Prime Paints & Berger

At Prime Paints we offer you a range of options to decorate your walls with a variety of products, depending on the surface, the need and your budget. Reinvent your homes and offices with luxurious paint colours, interesting designs, stickers and more. Choose the right colour of paint that will suit your need and reflect your style.

Our Decorative products are perfect for your home decoration requirements. We even have special interior design paint colours for office decoration purposes.

chemicals, therefore making it the ideal paint to sooth the need of food catering businesses, mechanical workshops and even on school floors. Being tough and durable this particular type of paint illustrates the need for the fast and hectic need of getting it done in minimal time. Even for home owners that don’t want to be bothered with re-painting every turn of a new quarter, we have a super glossy paint that can be applied on wood, concrete and metal, suitable for those almost unreachable areas like fascia-boards. These two component paint will have to be thinned properly with the right thinners, also available at Prime Paints at Providence. Next time your start a project that might require painting, come pay us a visit and we sure will advise on the right product for you and your clients.

The Right Stuff…

Be Advised

When it comes to industrial coating products or other industrial painting requirements, our goods are a match for none. Even painting your garage floor, saving on tiles for these busy kitchens, factories, or high rise structures etc… we have it!

Whenever working with a two pack product, always make sure you protect yourselves. Use face mask, gloves and goggles.

For every paint job you may require to get done, we have the right products. It is not enough to mention that a product data guide is made available to each and every product that comes from our shop, but our know-how and advice always follows.

Always take 5 to 10 minutes breaks when working with these types of paint. Make sure you drink plenty of water during the time.

Berger products are renowned all over the world for their quality and variety. With a wide range of Decorative and Industrial products, we guarantee that you will be arming yourself with the right options for any kind of painting purposes.

Special epoxy paint for the floors should be easy to clean and have a good shine and must have the ability to withstand reaction to most

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Tip of the Month Don’t forget to pay us a visit and keep in touch with the paintdoctor@primepaint.sc Providence Industrial Estate | T:4374400 | 4374344 E: paintdoctor@primepaints.sc

HOMES IN PARADISE For more information, contact Jean Paul Maurel Office: +248 4374585 | Fax: +2484224730 | Mobile: + 2482717797 E: sales@seychelles-properties.com | www.seychelles-properties.com

Newly renovated home in Pointe Au Sel, on the East Coast of Mahé: • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

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3 bedrooms and two and a half bathrooms Tranquil and peaceful location on 2000 square metres of land Surrounded by fruit trees and flowers in the garden New 1000 litre water tank raised above roof level that gives high pressure water - no water pump needed Overhead rain shower with strong water pressure 3 car covered garage, car park for 10 more cars Fully furnished with new ceiling using local wood Fenced compound 5 minutes to Anse Royale beach, 10 Minutes to Seychelles International Airport, 2 minutes to La Plaine St. Andre and a stone’s throw to a great little supermarket Partial sea view Always breezy and cool Hot and cold water throughout the house with solar and electric heater New French veranda doors Surrounded by lush greenery

BEAUTY

Make-Up Removal

Do I Need Toner? Beauty regimes in magazines harp on about toners. Many women use toner because they feel it removes all traces of dirt, oil and makeup, however, you’ll be shocked to learn that most beauty experts agree that toners are unnecessary. Most cleansers these days do a great job of removing all the muck from even the heaviest of your makeup days. While toner will strip your skin of any makeup, it also removes natural oils, which can be drying. Unless you have super oily skin or just happen to love a product, skip the toner.

Can I Use Baby Wipes to Remove Makeup? That would be a no, no, no. Women think baby wipes are formulated to be gentle on baby’s skin, so therefore it will be gentle on facial skin – but ask yourself, “how much makeup is there on a baby’s butt?”

What’s the Best Way to Remove Waterproof Mascara?

We all know we shouldn’t and yet most of us do. After a night out, with sleep in our eyes and exhaustion in our system, we tell ourselves that only one night with sleeping with make-up on is OK. Well, one night might be OK, but most of us do it rather often. While the effects might not be seen in our late teens or twenties, at some point, such a reckless beauty regiment will catch up with you. To properly remove makeup, all you need is a proper facial cleanserand eye makeup remover. The goal is not to rub your face raw and don’t forget to wash into the hairline and jawline, especially if you use foundation. Here are some answers to your biggest burning questions

Must I Wash My Face Before I Go to Bed? Yes! Especially if you have makeup on your face. If you want to wake up with glowing skin, then you must remove your makeup and sunscreen

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A great and cheap way to do it is to use Vaseline – but the best way to remove all mascaras is to use eye makeup remover. Apply remover to a square cotton pad, then press down on eyelids and lashes to let it soak in. Gently wipe the pad across eyes to pick up mascara. Go over the eye area with a clean pad until it’s makeup-free (this also keeps makeup away from your towel).

Should I Wash My Face Again in the Morning? As long as your pillowcase is clean, your face should not be dirty in the mornings. Actually, we have all heard that too much cleansing can dry out the skin – believe it. If you wake up with an oily sheen, however, splash a bit of warm water on your face to dissolve the oils. You can also press a warm washcloth to face.

BEAUTY

Lynette FACEBOOK Beauties Botha During the course of the past month, some FACEBOOK photos have caught our attention. As of this issue, we will be showing you our favourites!

Name: Hanifa Françoise Age: 21yrs

Lynette Botha, Beauty Editor, ELLE Magazine (South Africa)

Residence: Mont Buxton, Mahé.

Q: How do I get the perfect red lips? A: Red lips make a bold statement and require perfect application and some confidence to pull off. Slough off any dead or dry skin cells from lips with a gentle exfoliator or warm wash cloth. Follow with a moisturising lip balm and tissue off. Fill lips in with a nude lip pencil – this gives the lipstick a good surface to adhere to, making it last longer – then apply lipstick to the whole mouth, blot and apply a second coat. For flawless application, use a lip brush to apply the lipstick instead of directly from the tube.

Name: Nathalie Maillet Age: 24yrs Residence: Mahé.

Name: Pricilla Angelita Age: 35yrs Residence: Montreal, Canada.

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MAKE-OVER

Liza Rene-Cosgrow

BEAUTY

Martin Hoareau

BEFORE

Hairdressing

Liza Rene-Cosgrow is a mother of two who only recently welcomed her second child. Going back to work and juggling this new era of mother-hood, leaves precious limited time for make-up and hair. That is, until Martin and Virginie worked their magic on her!

Hair (with Martin) Liza’s thick hair was cut bellow the shoulders and layered, to give a lighter feel. The hair was then given a change in tone with a dark ash blond colour before a final run with the scissors where there was a final trim and a long fringe was cut.

Make up (with Virginie)

As a mother of 2 we needed Liza feeling beautiful. Foundation is used to even out her skin tone before blush is added to add colour to the cheeks. Eyeliner on the top lid opens up the eye and finally the lips are coated in pretty pink. Another winner! For booking, call Virginie Quatre on 2733020

For booking, call Martin Hoareau Hairdressing on 4325186

AFTER

Liza Rene-Cosgrow says, “Although I was a tad worried at first, but the results are fabulous. My head feels lighter and I love what it does to my face’s shape and the colour softens my complexion. With kids I can still tie it back, which is a bonus. I think it might be a keeper.”

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Photo Credit - Steve Nibourette

Kempinski Seychelles Resort, Mahe Island T: (+248) 438 6688 E: drift@hibiscus.sc Hilton Labriz Resort & Spa, Silhouette Island T: (+248) 429 3949 E: labriz@hibiscus.sc

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FASHION

The

s i r z e e v d O

f you look at celebrity photos often, there is one common trend that’s been around for a while with the ladies. Oversized totes. It often seems that the smaller they are the bigger the bags – think of the Olsen twins! Many will say they are impractical, but others would tell you that they cannot live without them. The oversized bag lovers claim there are countless benefits and that if you do not have one, you really need to head to the stores now… Whose life is not busy these days? Even if you own a car, it is sometimes

Bag

impossible to get from work to picking the kids up to getting home and to heading out for a drink (Bravo on Friday nights). An oversized handbag is ideal for this scenario being able to handle your wallet, iPad and cell phone, whilst having enough space to accommodate a pair of shoes and makeup bag – and let’s not forget a treat for the kids. One tip for oversized handbags – empty them out at least once a week. They can easily become a trash site for bubble gum wraps, empty envelopes, used tissues (yuck!), and coins. Photo Credit: Steve Nibourette

SR375 La Palme d’Or, Eden Plaza

SR365 Petites Folies, Eden Plaza

SR1800 FERN Designs, Global Village

SR1095 Billabong, Eden Plaza

SR430 Vintage, Docklands SR295 Pretty Fit, Orion Mall

SR285 Pretty Fit, Orion Mall

Louis Vitton imitation Rodyanne’s Boutique

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SR800 Caprice des Iles, Codevar

BEST BUYS Have a bit of fun with hair colour over the weekends! Available in pink, yellow, blue, black, purple, grey, white, green and red at only R97. Dira’s Cosmetics, Docklands

L’Oreal Youth Code Moisturisers - a super great product for light skin people as it fades dark spots and has the ever-important SPF30. SR395, SCENTZ, Providence

Fashion MUST-HAVE

This clutch will accessorise almost any look you are going for. It adds glam and fun all in one. At SR460 only, make sure you get one from Petites Folies at Eden Island Plaza. (Also available in several other colours).

STREET Style Solana Athanase

Virginie Quatre 19 year old Virginie is currently on attachment with La Belle Vie Spa. She wears: Dress: Vintage Top: Spendless Boutique Bag: OJ Mall Necklace: Gift from Mum Her take on Fashion: “You just have to create your own style”

Solana is a Revenue Officer from Seychelles Revenue Commission She wears: Dress: Designed created herself but sewed by a local seamstress Shoes and belt: Buys from Deeva’s Arcade, Victoria Earrings: Mauritius Her take on fashion: “Fashion is never constant, it changes day by day.”

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HEALTH

VIEW FROM THE STATION by Jenny Gilbert with Dr Apurva Tamhane

Part 3 of 12 – A lighter, more conscious you in 2013

“sound healing is going through a major revival”

TUNE OUT.......

and INTO the sound of your higher being! Sound can be a friend or a foe. We can be negatively affected by noisy building works, loud discordant music or even the sound of a menacing voice - and equally moved to calm or happiness by a great piece of music, soft soaking rain or the calling of birds. Since acoustic researchers discovered the medicinal properties of ultrasound in the 1930’s, research has burgeoned and today the ancient art of sound healing is going through a major revival, rapidly gaining respect for its gentle efficiency. But where did it start? Most ancient cultures used the seemingly magical power of sound to heal. The Aboriginal people were healing broken bones, muscle tears and illnesses of every kind with the healing sounds from the didgeridoo at least 40,000 years ago. In the Greco-Roman period healing temples were used for ‘incubation,’ a process in which patients underwent ‘dream sleep,’ and music was used therapeutically during their stay. Pythagoras considered that music contributed greatly to health, if used in the right way and his disciples employed music as medicine, with certain melodies composed to great effect. Egyptian priestesses used a musical rattle instrument called a sistra to create a pleasant jangling sound that generated copious amounts of ultrasound. In this issue Dr Apurva Tamhane and I briefly discuss the application and benefits of sound healing as a wonderful tool to include in your backpack as you journey towards a lighter, more conscious state of being in 2013. JG: Welcome back Apurva. I’m excited about sound therapy as an adjunct to homeopathy. I know you feel the same way. AT: Absolutely Jenny Ma’am – and thank you for giving me the opportunity to again share my passion for energy healing. Sound healing has become a serious component of complementary health but it is also used in various ways in modern medicinal practices. An example of this is Ultrasound Sonography used to see inside the human body or to crush kidney stones. Such is the effect of sound to the wellbeing of an individual that even surgeons believe that “Any surgeon not using music as sound therapy in the operating room is simply being negligent”. JG: Please explain how it is practiced by Sound Therapists. AT: Also known as vibrational medicine, the practice of sound therapy employs the vibrations of the human voice as well as objects that resonate - tuning forks, gongs, Tibetan singing bowls. In this therapy sound or music is used intentionally to create a state beyond deep relaxation, shifting the individual’s frequency to a level to best support purification and restoration of harmony within the physical, emotional, psychological, and spiritual dimensions. JG: So sound is an truly helpful tool one can employ to eliminate disease and to maintain good health?

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AT: Yes, and there are many highly skilled sound therapists all over the world who practice this healing art. Of course it would be wonderful if we had the opportunity to call upon sound therapists to occasionally ‘tune’ our energy system to ensure that we are vibrating at a ‘healing’ frequency - much the same as we do with homeopathy. JG: Indeed. However, I believe we can practice healing with sound ourselves. The first step is to become conscious of the sounds that hurt us – and to tune into sounds that support our wellbeing. If we do nothing else in the process of becoming more conscious, we could start by simply eliminating sounds that create negative vibrations. Jenny Gilbert is the founder and owner of Everglow Ltd, the island’s premier natural health manufactures and service providers. She is also Director of Wellness at Resonate Wellness at The Station. Homoeopathy is a well recognised system of ‘natural’ medical treatments for most diseases and conditions. and: Please visit resonatewell.wordpress.com or email reson8.well@gmail.com.

Tips for good vibrations • Introduce chimes into your environment – start with a simple hanging chime with a good tone. • Learn a healing chant and practice it daily. A useful guide is the Six Sounds Technique found at http:/baharna.com/chant/six_healing.htm • For 15 minutes a day, consciously turn off the TV radio. Every week, increase the time in increments of 15 minutes. The media is mainly full of negative information which is disturbing to the vital healing force. • Know that idle chatter can be deeply wounding to the psyche so avoid constant talking. If you must talk, always endeavour to be positive with your words. • At least once a week head for the forest or the beach and allow yourself to tune into healing nature.

ANNE185x136day_Layout 1 7/1/13 12:13 PM Page 1

www.sainteanne-resort.com

Discover the island of dreams and sensual pleasures DAY DISCOVERY From 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. INCLUDED IN YOUR PACKAGE - Shuttle service - Bar service - Lunch (Buffet or “à la carte”) - Water & land activities (as per our daily program - equipment supplied) - All items followed by the ISLAND INCLUSIvE logo on our bar & restaurant menus RATES (price includes tax) - Adults SCR 1,350 - Children 12 to 17: SCR 630, 5 to 11: SCR 450, Under 5: Free

RESERVATION For reservation and further details please e-mail us on sainteanne@bchot.com

dream is a serious thing www.beachcomber-hotels.com

MARCH 2013 | POTPOURRI

AGONY AUNT

Dear Annalisa Annalisa Labiche is a practicing Clinical Psychologist with over 5 years experience. She completed her Bachelor of Art (Psychology) degree and Master in Psychology in Australia. She is exposed to a multitude of complaints such as relationship, parenting, family issues, psychological disorders, substance misuse amongst many others.

Jealous Ways Q:

My boyfriend is amazing except when there is another male presence within 10 meters of me. At first, I found his jealous reactions to be cute, but overtime, it just got embarrassing and also inappropriate. When we are together, everything is perfect, but the minute we step out of our flat I am on edge and even scared. How do I get him to stop acting this way? Julia, 22

Dear Julia,

There is really no way to get someone to act in one way or another or to stop a person from acting in one way or another. From the Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) school of thought, it is believed that the way someone behaves has to do with what he/she is thinking. The thinking then generates a feeling which then determines the behaviour(s). To put it plainly, your boyfriend acts in an “inappropriate” way, because of how he is feeling at the time, and that feeling is based on what he is thinking at the time. The same goes for when he is being the “amazing” person when you are together. There, he is thinking in a different way and ultimately feels differently and acts differently. Our thoughts influence the way that we feel and the way that we behave. You might say, it is about the event- a male in your presence that triggers the jealous ways. So let’s take you, at first you found his “jealous reactions to be cute” – thought; how did you feel? - feeling; and how did you behave? – behaviours. Now you think that the same jealous ways, are “inappropriate”, you feel “scared” and embarrassed, so I am sure your behaviour is different. As you can see here, the event has not changed, but rather your thoughts about his jealous ways have. So ultimately events do not affect our feelings, but our thoughts about the event does. Thoughts are transient and often conscious, we have hundreds of them each day, and we can often (but not always) identify what we are thinking about if we stop and try. So although you cannot stop him from acting this way, you could find out what thoughts he has when there is another male in

MARCH 2013 | POTPOURRI

your presence. You may explore what the thoughts are, evaluate if they have any merit, look at modifying the thoughts which will ultimately modify the feeling and the behaviour. However, thoughts are not always so apparent and the exercise might not prove so easy. Therefore if your boyfriend is having difficulty with this task or to control his behaviours in certain situation, he could seek professional help to assist him in exploring and identifying the thought(s) as it relates to his feeling(s) and his behaviour(s).

Time for Discipline Q:

My husband and I are not on the same discipline page with our two girls. He has a more demanding job and spends less quality time with them – time, which he does not want to waste installing discipline. While I understand his position, it’s also very difficult for me since I feel I regress each time he allows them to break the rules I try so hard to place. Do I give up? Mollie, 33

Dear Mollie,

Today many parents lead stressful and busy lives. Often they are too tired or sometimes they overcompensate for the time spent away from children by allowing children to get away with inappropriate behaviours. The problem with that, as you are experiencing, is that children quickly learn what they need to do in order to get their own way. In your case, it might be “let’s just wait till daddy comes home”. Consistency in managing your children’s behaviour is one of the keys to effective parenting. Therefore both parents should use the same approach to discipline the children. If children are hearing different messages from each parent, any problem behaviour will be more resistant to change. Discipline itself can be a topic of argument between parents and disagreement about discipline in front of the children lead to even more inconsistent discipline than when the parents’ disagreements are kept private. The ideal situation would be to have your husband come on board where installing disciplines is concerned. If this is not possible, look at your other options, if you are to give up, what would be the possible outcomes? Is that a realistic option? Can you and your husband reach a consensus on the behaviours that are totally unacceptable and will require discipline and allow less trivial ones to go unnoticed? As you know, people react and tolerate behaviours differently, so a discussion between parents to measure appropriate and inappropriate behaviours could be helpful. In this instance you may achieve more commitment towards your agreements. If all else fails, could you still inform the girls what you expect from them and how you expect them to behave towards you and follow through with your discipline as discussed when the girls are with you? Ultimately you can only work with things that are within your control. Courage.

PARENTING Feng Shui for the Family Home in 2013 by Nathalie Hodgson

es I had heard of Feng Shui, at dinner parties and the odd expression here and there but did I really know what it was? No. Until a consultant came to my house and conducted a full consultation earlier this year, which changed my outlook completely on the ancient art, based on science. Although I am not about to take down walls or build a lake in my backyard, my eyes were opened to some simple house touches that aligned the energies for a healthier environment for me and my family. Feng Shui is a proven ancient science and art from the East, that works by harnessing the energy of the universe to help you achieve your goals. Well in simple terms, and this is my personal definition; do you remember a time where you felt so excited in a room and could feel the energy and mood of everyone, vibrating off the walls, but there was no real activity going on? Well Feng Shui is based upon taking any surrounding energy from every object that possesses a vibration and that is in direct relation with you and using it to create the most positive environment possible. Make sense? Since we spend so much time at and it is a real reflection of ourselves, placing some order in your home and learning how to create some solid energy as a foundation will bring all the joy and peace you want to experience in 2013. Here are some easy tips I received that I wanted to share with you: In Touch With Nature – Natural light and natural air is essential for circulation of good energies throughout the home. Each morning open a window and throughout the day as often as possible, to circulate the air and remove stagnant energy. Lighten the Load – Clear out anything that you do not LOVE in your house. The boxes of DVDs you never watch, the winter clothes that you have not touched in a few years and only use when you travel. I always use the theory of ‘if you have not worn it in the last 6 months you probably won’t again’ it’s time to say goodbye. A clutter free space allows the energies to pass through the house more easily and clears the mind as your items are more easily found. Shoe-free Zone – Establishing a “no shoe” policy in your home is good for your health. Removing your shoes and storing them away in

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a cupboard or drawer (not lying around corners of the house), will decrease your exposure to toxins, bacteria and keep the negative energy from circulating around the home. Also walking barefoot strengthens the musculature in your feet, ankles and calves which, in turn, help prevent injury and shoe-related degenerative disease. Essence of fire – Candle light is deeply purifying and can clear and raise the vibrations of any space in a short amount of time. Get into the habit of regularly using candles and you will quickly see the results of a more calmer and relaxed environment. You can also choose from different scents and colours to create the exact mood desired. Less Technology – The bedroom is a place of rejuvenation. By removing all electrical equipment you’ll achieve a deeper sleep. The television is a stimulator (even when it’s off ), if you cannot remove it then cover it with a cloth after use. Try not to sleep near electrical clocks, lights, bed heaters etc, especially mobiles. The position of your bed is also important; try to have a solid wall behind you for a deeper sleep. Repairs – Repairs like leaky taps symbolises your wealth being washed away. Flaky paint on the wall and any other major repairs should be done as quickly as possible. Having a functional home reflects in our daily outlook as there is less worries left behind as you walk into your day. Go Green– The more plants, the more oxygen. All plants have life energy that is imparted in the space they are placed. Although Seychelles far from lacks plants in area, surrounding your indoor areas with plants will keep the place energized. Always keep plants pruned, healthy and free of dead growth. Better Health– To minimize the risks of children coming down with sickness; try hanging a six rod metal wind chime in their bedroom. The metal element breaks the earth energies in that room and if there are no improvements than chime it manually every now and then. There is so much more to Feng Shui and if you ever get the chance please do get a consultant to come take a look at your home, it is a great experience. Some of the advice is just common sense and some is well a little spooky as the consultant identifies the areas of your home

that have ‘dead energy’ and they are exactly the places where my plants just would not grow! Take pride in your home and feel good living in it, even if it’s a rented home, add some personal touches and some of these simple positive improvements to draw in the right energies and a reflection of your life. Only as high as I reach can I grow Only as far as I seek can I go Only as deep as I look can I see Only as much as I dream can I be - Anonymous

Nathalie Hodgson, is a writer, mother, PR & Marketing consultant and yoga instructor, juggling this whilst raising two kids and enjoying the most of life.

Must-Buy March Boys’ Suits on sale! SR 675.00 for a complete suit. Ties are SR70 and shirts are SR165. Different sizes and colours are available. Available at Baby’s Paradise, OJ Mall, Market Street.

Call Judy Dingwall on 2564922

Jean Yves Turns Name: Jean-Yves Ernesta Birthday: 3rd March From: Mary-Anne Ernesta (Jean-Yves’ mum) Mary-Anne says, “Jean Yves loves dancing and is passionate about reading. Everyone who is blessed to know Jean Yves knows that he is definitely one of a kind.” (In collaboration with Chanterelle Bookshop)

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS WITH

BE RNARD GE ORGE S

Q: After my ex-wife and I divorced 5 years ago, she kept her married surname. As we have now both publicly moved on with our lives, I would prefer if she goes back to her maiden name. Do I have any legal grounds to make this request?

A: No. Sorry, but no. The law is completely silent about this matter which makes the whole thing about taking and returning the surname of a husband an extra-legal matter. It is a matter which is not governed by the law at all. In fact, this is a clear example of what other societies will call customary law – a legal provision which is not legislated, but which is no less binding because it is customary, and customary use has elevated it to the status of law. This question is a jurisprudential dream – legal academics can write whole books about it. The reason? The questions, ‘Should custom be elevated to the status of law or not?’ ‘Should law be limited to what the parliament of a country passes (and secondary legislation made under parliamentary laws)?’ ‘And if so, should courts have the power to order wives to take their husband’s surnames – and return these after divorce – when wives are unwilling to do so?’ can only be answered definitely with difficulty. So, the matter will remain in the province of custom and outside the statute books for the present. For every take their feels that

person who feels that wives should husband’s surnames there is one who differently. Those in favour will argue taking the husband’s name is easier for everyone concerned – easier when the couple travel; easier on the children to have the same surnames as both their parents, it is neater. Those who disagree will argue in favour of the freedom of choice. Every person is free to choose what to be called and taking somebody else’s surname should be optional. A wife may prefer her maiden name to her husband’s surname; she may prefer to keep her maiden surname for professional reasons, she may already have an identity which she does not want to change. Because of these – among many other arguments which can be raised – the law has preferred to stay out of the fray and leave it up to the couple to decide. Thus, there is no

obligation on the wife taking her husband’s name after marriage. She may. She may decide not to. Or she may decide to add her husband’s surname to hers and have a hyphenated surname. The choice is hers, and hers alone. And the same thing happens in reverse. When parties divorce, the wife retains her freedom of choice. She may decide to give up her husband’s name in order to have a clean break from a marriage which may have unhappy memories. Or she may prefer to retain her married name because society now identifies her with that name and she doesn’t want to go through the hassle of changing identities again. There is nothing the husband can do either way. And there is no reason why he should. Think about it. Anybody can decide to change their surname at any time. All that is required is that the person pays a fee, publishes his or her intention in the Gazette and newspapers and, unless there are really good reasons – such as an offensive name – the person can change his or her name. Just like that. So, if I wanted tomorrow to change my name to Bernard Pool, for instance, not one of the existing Bernard Pools – the artist, or the accountant ,or others – could prevent me. Marriage, like birth, are the only two other ways of obtaining or changing a name, because they allow one entry into the register and, once in, the page is blank for a name to be given or taken. So, if a mother can decide on the surname of her child – by letting the father give his name, or preventing him from doing so – and a person can change a surname for any reason at any time – why should a wife not do so on the way into a marriage and decide to reverse or not to reverse the process on the way out? So, to answer the question put less abruptly: No, you don’t. You can ask her nicely, but you cannot force her. Think of it as a gift you gave her when you married. Like the ring. Just as it wouldn’t be nice to ask her for the ring back – even if she doesn’t deserve it any longer – so it wouldn’t be fair to ask her to give up your name. Perhaps you should be proud that your name is so good that, even if you are divorced, she still wants to keep it… [Note: This article only covers the Hebraic-Christian tradition which covers the majority of the marriages in this country. Other religious traditions may differ.] Educated at Seychelles College and Cambridge University, Bernard has two Masters Degrees – in law of divorce and in canon law, the law of the church. He is best known as a lawyer, having been in private practice for over 30 years.

KidsAnimals

PET CORNER

contributed by Nathalie Hoareau (Seychelles Pet Sanctuary) Teaching kids to have compassion and empathy for their furry, feathered, and finned friends is vital for preventing cruelty to animals as well as in raising them to respect and treat those who are different from them with kindness. Children trained to extend justice, kindness, and mercy to animals become more just, kind, and considerate in their relations to each other. This further results in men and women of broader sympathies; more humane, more lawabiding, in every respect more valuable citizens. Live by and teach the Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Since young children naturally identify with animals, and because animals are living beings like us, we can use our interactions with animals to teach children how to behave toward other people. Teaching our kids to respect and protect even the smallest and most despised among us is one of the most important life lessons that we can pass along to them. It helps them learn to value one another—and it prevents violence.

Teach Kindness by Example Incorporating simple concepts of kindness and respect into kids’ daily lives is simple and fun! The

Pet of the

easiest and most important way to teach your little ones empathy is to lead by example. • • • • • • •

Listen to yourself with new ears—don’t yell “shut up,” “stupid dog,” or other hurtful things. Never hit animals. Show that you value animals’ lives by being patient with them, spaying or neutering them to prevent unwanted litters, giving them plenty of clean water, regular food and providing regular veterinary care. Include your animals in your life. Allow your dog with the family, and spend time with your animal companions daily, brushing them, playing with them, and walking them. Sometimes tiny harmless creatures wander into our homes—help them find their way out non-violently. Avoid statements that demean animals—even those made in jest—such as “I hate cats” or “Chickens are stupid.” Remember that toys influence children. Don’t buy toys that even hint at animal exploitation, such as video games that allow children to kill animals or model zoos or circus trains.

Month

Name: Molton Age: 4 Breed: Pug Gender: Male Owners’ name: Monique, Nigel & Olivier HOUAREAU Monique says, “My husband was always going to have a Pug called Molton one day. So when we decided to get our first dog, it had to be a pug and it had to be called Molton. He used to sleep in our room but we have had to move him out as he got older - he snores, louder than anyone I’ve ever met!!”

Caring Activities Show your kids that it’s cool to care by regularly engaging them in these and other fun empathybuilding activities: • Go to your local animal shelter and volunteer with your child to help care for homeless animals. • Plant flowers and shrubbery for butterflies, bees, and other wildlife in your back yard. • During a walk at the beach, in the woods, or by a stream, pick up plastic rings, bottles, and other trash that can kill birds, turtles, dolphins, and other animals. • Watch animal-friendly movies, such as Chicken Run, Bambi, Lady and the Tramp, Shiloh, Free Willy, Babe, My Dog Skip, Finding Nemo, and Shark Tale. • Read your children books that show animals as feeling individuals, such as Lassie Come Home, Black Beauty, Charlotte’s Web, Frederick, Blueberries for Sal, The Forgotten Door, and Make Way for Ducklings.

Website: http://www.peta.org

Pet Products

Fashion is for everyone, even our dogs! What better way to pamper our fury friends than by treating them to ‘head turnings’ collars and and leashes. Leashes and collars allow us to take our pets on walks with us. And with proper instruction, your dog will soon learn the proper way to walk on a leash and look forward to the times you go on walks together. There are about as many leashes and collars in as many colors, materials, sizes and lengths, as there are dogs in the world. Connections Trading at Providence provide a wide range of collars and leashes for you to choose from. Connections Trading, Providence (next to Stone Mill Bakery). Call 2522130 for more details.

MARCH 2013 | POTPOURRI

CONSERVATION Conservation with Sustainability for Seychelles

Take the plunge… harvest rainwater World Water Day is on the 22nd of March, and what better way to celebrate the day than by enjoying a nice cold glass of water and reflecting on how we get and use our water? Think about this fascinating fact: we get over 2 meters of rainwater per year falling on the granitic islands! That is a lot of water, and begs the question of how on earth we experience droughts here in Seychelles. The answer is complex: 1)

A lot of the rain falls in quick and heavy downpours (we can expect more of this with climate change) and runs off the land into the sea. Most of this rain falls during the rainy season and we can sometimes go for weeks without a good rainfall during the dry south-east monsoon (again – expect more of this with climate change) Our national water storage capacity is limited because we don’t have much land to make large dams or reservoirs (or money to build them) People have come to rely on PUC for their treated water supply rather than taking care of themselves or organising a water supply with neighbours like we used to in the old days.

2013 has been declared by the United Nations to be the Year of International

MARCH 2013 | POTPOURRI

Water Cooperation and the theme for World Water Day this year is the same. What is water cooperation all about? The UN wants to raise awareness globally of how countries need to cooperate to face the challenges of increasing demand for water. According to the UN, 1.6 billion people live in countries with water scarcity. We don’t have year round scarcity in Seychelles, but we do have problems, and on a local level, all of us need to cooperate and play our part to make sure our water is used wisely. One of the simplest things we can all do is to practice rainwater harvesting. Not only does this take the pressure off PUC (no pun intended!) and help increase our national storage capacity, but it also saves money. A simple tank connected to a downpipe can be used for the garden and washing outside. With a little extra thought and plumbing, you can connect your raintank to the washing machine and toilets. If you’re thinking about building a house, make sure you plan for a large tank in the foundation of your house to store rainwater to use for outside taps, toilets and the washing machine (even bathing, cooking and drinking if you include a good filtration system). A 10,000 litre cement tank in the foundation plus plumbing will only cost you an extra SR10,000 – and you’ll save a lot of cash and hassles in the long term. For more information about what you can do to save water and about World Water Day check out: http://www.unwater.org/watercooperation2013/

Contributed by Michele Martin for Sustainability for Seychelles, a local NGO whose mission is to promote sustainable living in Seychelles. Contact us on info@s4seychelles. com or tel. 251-9135. Find us on the web at www.s4seychelles.com or on Facebook.

MUST BUYS! From the Shelf

BOOK REVIEW

POTPOURRI & CHANTERELLE BOOK CLUB

Before I fall by Lauren Oliver Price SR185

The Forgotten Waltz by Anne Enright The Forgotten Waltz is a memory of desire: a recollection of the bewildering speed of attraction, the irreparable slip into longing, that reads with breathtaking immediacy.

Island of Wings by Karin Altenberg Island of Wings is more than just an account of a marriage in peril -- it is also a richly imagined novel about two people struggling to keep their love, and their family, alive in a place of terrible hardship and tumultuous beauty.

In this moving story, Samantha Kingston tells of how she lived and died, then lived again. She is typical of how popular High school girls are portrayed; parties, equally popular boyfriends and an attitude that leaves to be desired. She is so convinced that she has the perfect life that it takes a fatal car accident to change all that. However, instead of dying she is forced to relive that faithful day over and over again. In a tumultuous seven days her life changes completely. She gets to reassess the true meaning of friendship and love and learns an important lesson, that the decisions we make affect everyone. In the end Samantha discovers that the only way to move on is to sacrifice the life she loves so much, so that another can appreciate it. This is a fabulous story that will stay with you long after you’ve turned that last page.

3. The Grief of Others by Leah Hager Cohen Is keeping a secret from a spouse always an act of infidelity? And what cost does such a secret exact on a family?

All books are available from Chanterelle Bookshop, Quincy Street. Email: chanterelle@seychelles.net

Review by Lisa Bastienne [A’ Level Student]

Bonjour mon corps !! (par Georges Gravé) Ce mois ci, j’aimerais partager avec vous un texte magnifique de Jacques Salomé. Il parle de la vie qui passe et surtout du respect que nous avons de notre corps. Ce corps que l’on aime, que l’on déteste parfois, mais qui nous accompagne durant ce long voyage sur cette terre. Il est notre ambassadeur tout au long de notre vie, jour après jour. Respecter et aimer son corps, c’est aussi dorloter son âme. Certes entre la théorie et la pratique, comme d’habitude beaucoup de travail à faire….. mais il est illusoire de commencer un travail sur soi, sans avoir fait la paix avec lui.

Bonjour mon corps de Jacques Salomé. C’est à toi que je veux dire aujourd’hui, combien je te remercie de m’avoir accompagné depuis si longtemps sur les multiples chemins de ma vie. Je ne t’ai pas toujours accordé l’intérêt, l’affection ou simplement le respect que tu mérites. Souvent je t’ai même ignoré, maltraité, matraqué de regards indifférents, de silences pleins de doutes, de reproches violents. Tu es le compagnon dont j’ai le plus abusé, que j’ai le plus trahi. Et aujourd’hui, au mitan de ma vie, je te découvre un peu ému avec tes cicatrices secrètes, avec ta lassitude, avec tes émerveillements et avec tes possibles. Je me surprends à t’aimer avec des envies de te câliner, de te choyer, de te donner du bon. J’ai envie de te faire des cadeaux uniques de dessiner des fleurs sur ta peau, par exemple, de t’offrir du Mozart, de te donner les rires du soleil ou de t’introduire aux rêves des étoiles. Mon corps, aujourd’hui, je veux te dire que je te suis fidèle. Non malgré moi, mais dans l’acceptation profonde de ton amour. Oui, j’ai découvert que tu m’aimais, mon corps, que tu prenais soin de moi, que tu étais vigilant et étonnamment présent dans tous les actes de ma vie. Combien d’accidents as-tu traversés pour me sauver la vie ? Combien d’abandons as-tu acceptés pour me laisser entrer dans le plaisir ? Bien sûr il m’arrive parfois de te partager et même de te laisser aimer par d’autres, par une que je connais et qui t’enlèverait bien si je la laissais faire… Mon corps, maintenant que je t’ai rencontré, je ne te lâcherai plus…Nous irons jusqu’au bout de notre vie commune et quoiqu’il arrive nous vieillirons ensemble. Georges Gravé is the Personal Development & Training Manager at the Maia Luxury Resort & Spa

MARCH 2013 | POTPOURRI

ECONOMIC PERSPECTIVE

Paying for Environmental Calamities We must, by the way, be thankful that there have been no reported injuries or deaths during our “code red” period and pay tribute to all those who mobilised to assist people in distress.

Photo Credit - Sven Melhorn The recent heavy rains of January 2013 have highlighted the need for Seychelles to seriously look at how it should prepare itself in the wake of increased urbanization and economic development which have given rise to construction or other major works with its inevitable impact on the natural landscape and its topography. The rains caused pockets of flooding in a handful of low-lying districts in addition to some landslides and other related damage including those to property and crop. Several questions are brought to the fore: • Was this rainfall different from what we have seen throughout the years in terms of intensity and amount of water it brought in? • Does this indicate any significant climate change phenomenon? • How come only pockets of the inner islands such as Pointe Larue, Anse Aux Pins, Au Cap and La Digue that were mainly affected? • Was there a systemic failure of drainage systems in these areas? • What actions do we need to take in the immediate future to limit similar disasters? • What do we need to change long term to limit the indirect causal factors that led to this calamity of late? As was announced by the Met Office last month, January 2013 saw record rainfall compared to the usual rains that fell in the same month of previous years. However, globally the total annual rainfall in Seychelles is decreasing slightly over time – see the purple trend line in the chart done below using data obtained from national statistics. Readers will recall that “… the lack of rain due to climate change …” was one of the main reasons cited for the Government to pay over $12m in mid-2011 to purchase 7 desalination units from Abu Dhabi. Whether we need to desalinate water at all long term given that we get over 20 times our national water requirement from normal rainfall (even in the worst of droughts) that we can’t store enough of and it thus runs off into the sea to be then desalinated, makes for an interesting debate. I hope to cover this in another article. However, let’s focus back for now on whether or not “climate change” was responsible for our flooding. How can it be justifiable to argue that we had a shortage of rain on the one hand –due to climate change only a year and a half ago - requiring costly investments in desalination plants - and now argue that we have excessive rainfall too, causing flooding and costly disasters – and this is also due to climate change? Last month’s rainfall was not untypical of a period of heavy rainfall which we have experienced every now and again throughout the past decades in Seychelles especially during the rainy season. In Jan 2002, for example, 735mm of rainfall was recorded, a mere 20% less than last month. Interestingly, in 1997 which was a very wet year, we received more than double the rain that fell last year which was exceptionally dry; 3,559mm in 1997 and 1,739mm in 2012! So yes, we have seen worse rains before but not the level of flooding of late. The question therefore arises: why more flooding with less rain over time? And why was flooding localized? Is it partly due to rain distribution throughout the year not being the same, i.e. it all pours down in a shorter period than before although there’s less rain overall? Could the other reason be that our own actions, especially in some fast-developing areas, are interfering with the drainage system such that water cannot now make it fast enough to the sea? In fact, the natural environment through rivers, marsh outlets and streams is designed to cater for this. However, if man interferes in a manner that puts obstacles along the way of water discharge, there is only one outcome – a lesser discharge rate and depending on the flow, the occurrence of flooding. If there is a sudden downpour of several factors of the normal precipitation, e.g. the Jan 2013 rains which saw almost twice the normal rainfall for that period, the situation is further compounded. Based on the facts and images that have been relayed on public media, it was quite clear that the inability to direct water to the sea in good time due to poor drainage systems was largely responsible for the calamities of January 2013. And whilst it is true that the January rains affected Mauritius, Reunion and Madagascar, these are quite normal climatically for these countries in the cyclone belt at this time of the year. I’m sure the storm names Anais, Boldwin, Bondo, Dumile, Claudia etc are not unfamiliar in this part of the world either.

MARCH 2013 | POTPOURRI

How can one avoid this situation in future? The immediate answer that comes to mind is to remove obstructions in the way of the water flowing to the sea and here one can think of many possibilities: • • •

De-silt the rivers and streams appropriately to remove gravel and other debris including many consumer-related waste products; it must be noted that before aggregate was industrially produced, the industry used gravel and other materials collected from clearing rivers. This ensured these rivers retained their flow capacity. Encourage all homes and all property owners to install good drainage systems. Let us not forget that roof tops represent a huge collection point for water whenever it rains. The use of roof gutters to direct run off to public drains must be maximized. The public drains must be well-designed to start with. We must choose the most optimal drainage systems.

For example, it’s pointless to have an underground drain pipe which is inaccessible for maintenance and blocks easily due to the lack of a filter at its mouth. Therefore, those in public works with the right know-how need to look at the most appropriate systems that are the most economical in terms of installation and maintenance and the most practical and reliable from a performance and flow viewpoint. Open cross-drains built solidly with filters at the entrance seem to work well provided the filters are cleaned regularly. Should these not be on the drawing board for new systems being planned? • As you move to the more low lying areas where water will finally make its way to the sea, we need the maximum number of drains needed to clear water run-off and build up in the quickest possible time. If a road is built in a coastal area - and here La Digue comes to mind, it is imperative that it in no way obstructs the passage of water from the mountain side to the sea. So here, the answer in my view is to install sufficient cross drains or gutters that then cut across especially where large flows naturally merge. • If there is any construction – be it by a Government agency or by a private party – that blocks a natural water passage, it is the role of the State to ensure that the water makes its way to the sea quickly. This should come by way of regulation and enforcement with active monitoring. • We should push the slogan “store rain water or channel it safely and quickly to the sea” in all planning work we do henceforth; this principle must resonate through all public and private civil works including retaining wall construction, backfilling jobs, slope trimming works etc. None of the above points require rocket science to understand. Simple logic must always prevail and I am certain there are many other like-minded individuals who can see the facts as they are. And yet, year in and year out, flooding rears its ugly head and, like a plague, strikes disastrously at parts of the population whilst new committees and funds are created. Is there lethargy to address the real issues? Are there other factors that tie the hands of our regulatory guys who try to ensure across-the-board adherence to basic planning rules? Do we really require tens of millions of SR to design and build a few, simple drains and de-silt those rivers and marshes affected? These hard questions must be answered truthfully if we are serious about preventing damage in future. For the time being, each of the affected districts specifically require technical planning done immediately to de-silt and clear all the water drainage systems and build new drains where necessary. These must be done now; we do not need more committees or volumes of research for the shelves. It is also not the time for finger pointing at institutions or individuals or blaming some element of the climate which will always change somehow whether we like it or not. We need to address the core issue which is our drainage systems which are failing and which must be fixed now and regularly maintained from now on. And yes - we also need to bring the lives of those affected back to normal. More than ever before, we need to face reality in a world plagued by its own problems. Whilst we should be grateful for any help that we receive to repair damage today, our focus must rest on a consistent, responsible, fair and practical approach to the way we plan ahead to sustain on-going development and progress achieved so far. There is no free lunch in this world and we must expect to reap what we sow at some point in time. Therefore, if we wish to see fruit or flowers in our garden tomorrow, we need to plant their seeds at the right place and the right time and nurture them until they are deeply rooted. By Ahmed Afif - “Ahmed Afif presently runs a small business consultancy under the name of Twin A Business and Financial Advisory Services. He had earlier served in numerous key positions within the in the civil service over the last 25 years. His last position was that of Principal Secretary of Finance and Trade where he was instrumental in helping Government design and implement a major macro-economic reform involving major fiscal and monetary reforms. He resigned from public service in Mar 2012. He is married and has a 16-year old son.”

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Ocean Style

BLUE OCEAN

Worldwide Marine News Feadship’s largest ever superyacht is launched…..

Hot tub boats – You are reading right… This American company is producing a blend of classic wooden boat design and modern technology in a hot tub. Hot Tub Boats offer a luxurious and magical experience. Our boats provide comfort, relaxation and magnificent revolving scenery. The Hot Tub Boat experience is one you will never forget…….

Don’t really know how to comment on this…. But check out www.hottuboats.com for further info, designs and options of renting!!! This 99-metre project “Dream” is the largest ever to be built in Holland – at the Feadship yard. She is a steel and aluminium yacht which has taken 4 years to build. This truly unique and bespoke yacht is capable of 24 knots!!! She will accommodate 12 guests but a crew of 33. She has one feature which is the first of its kind which is a fully enclosed helicopter hanger. Dubai Boat Show is this year from the 5th – 9th of March. This year’s show will have a great selection of yachts and also supercars available for having a good look over to… Some of things you might be able see include –

Be safe and happy sailing…… Vicky Farrow Vicky Farrow is the Sales Director for TG International Yacht Agency based on Eden Island. She has been in the marine industry for over 15 years in sales, service and charter based in Europe and the Middle East. TG International Yacht Agency is the exclusive dealer for The Ferretti Group and Chris Craft in the Indian Ocean. The company works very closely with Eden Island developments to help provide a luxury yacht that mirrors the luxury property available on Eden Island to buy. One of the main advantages of being based on Eden Island is that every property comes with a berth and there is also a superb marina for those of you wishing to purchase Off Eden Island on Mahé. (Vicky@radekmasin.com)

DID YOU KNOW? If you would like to attend the show or have any questions about it then please do get in touch with us here on Eden Island and we will help point you in the right direction for who to speak to....

Living fossils: The hammerhead shark With Easter just around the corner now, we here at Exclusive Yacht Services have some great rates and deals available for all residents of the Seychelles. Get in touch for further info at – info@radekmasin.com

Seychelles Marine News With the Seychelles carnival over and the feathers settling we are all getting ready for the forth coming busy time at Easter. With some great floats in the show including this one from the SCAA -

It was a great day and the party went on late to the evening too...!!

MARCH 2013 | POTPOURRI

• Sharks have functioned successfully in diverse ecosystems for over 400 million years!! • In native Hawaiian culture, sharks are known to be Gods of the sea. • Hammerheads usually swim in schools in the day and are solitary hunters at night. • There are 9 known species of hammerheads worldwide (3 in Seychelles; the Great, Scalloped and Smooth hammerhead) • The Great hammerhead is the largest species growing up to 6 m long and weighing up to 450Kg. • The strange heads increase their visual range to help find prey and the increases the area for more sensory organs again increasing the ability for it to find food buried under the sand such as stingrays. • They use their wide heads to attack stingrays to pin them on the sea floor. • They live for 20 to 30 years. • They do not lay eggs. They give birth to live young. • The bigger hammerheads are known to be cannibalistic, eating other sharks and even their own young!!

MARCH 2013 | POTPOURRI

BLUE OCEAN

Boat & Crew

Boat – Mon Mimi II Make: Century 3200 Center Console Arrived into Seychelles: 2012 (from Austin, Texas) Engines: 2xFour Stroke Yamaha 250hp Cruising Speed: 20-25 knots Passengers: 12+2 crew for leisure trips, 4-6 for fishing trips Fishing Equipment – Shimano Tiagra 30/50/80 The Mimi II is available on charter from The Wharf for fishing and leisure excursions around the islands. Contact adam@seychelles.net for more information or visit www.pnnboatcharters.com.

Crew – Nicholas Adam When he’s not scoring a national best 7 A*s out of 11 subjects on his IGCSE’s, you’ll likely find Nicholas Adam aboard the Mimi II, the 32-foot Century operated by PNN Boat Charters on which he serves as fishing guide and deckhand. Though still only 17 years of age, Adam has been an avid fisherman since about as soon as he could walk. He reeled in his first sailfish at the tender age of 12, and over the past year he has presided over several top prizes in a variety of national fishing tournaments, despite being among the youngest participants. We fired off a few quick questions to the young prodigy for this month’s Boat & Crew:

What’s been your best-ever catch? ‘It was that first sailfish. I’ve had better and longer fights than that one, but the first one I’ll never forget.’

What’s your favourite thing about fishing? ‘It’s a challenge and you never know what you’re going to catch. Plus being out on the boat allows you to forget about everything back on land - it’s a nice escape.’

Any fishing secrets you’d like to share? For trolling I like to come up with my own techniques, lures and teasers, and finding out what works is part of the fun. I’ve also been deep-sea fishing most of my life and I enjoy catching snapper and grouper - for this a good knowledge of the area is most important.’

You’ve had great results in academics in addition to fishing – what are your future plans?

‘I’m now studying for my A levels and I want to work toward a degree in marine engineering, but no matter what I am doing I will always find time for fishing.’

MARCH 2013 | POTPOURRI

BLUE OCEAN

LET THE BIG ONE GO Hooked On Conservation Bio: Henry is one of a few anglers that has caught IGFA’s coveted ‘Billfish Royal Slam’ (all 9 billfish species). A passionate angler and conservationist, he is also The Billfish Foundation (TBF)’s ambassador in the Seychelles. Together with his wife, Allison, Henry coowns FINS Tackle, a big-game fishing and pro-tackle store opening in early 2013.

Millions of people will participate in some form of an Easter celebration this month. Still others will celebrate the coming of spring into their lives. March will be replete with symbols of life, renewal, and resurrection (and chocolate eggs and bunnies). All of the above got me thinking about how the spirit of Easter and spring could be applied to sport fishing. Naturally, I remembered reading about BOFFFF’s, and thought I should share this thought-provoking theory. The protection of a BOFFFF or a Big Old Fat Fecund Female Fish is one of the best ways to insure the renewal of any fish species. This is why as conservation-minded anglers we must almost always ‘let the big one go’. BOFFFF are the larger, older females which, according to recent scientific findings, generally produce a lot more offspring, more times per year, than younger females do. Additionally, the offspring of larger females are often healthier and more likely to survive. For many species, one of the best ways to ensure long term successful reproduction and replenishment of the fish stocks is to protect the larger, healthy female breeders. The contribution of one healthy BOFFFF can exceed the contribution of many more smaller female fish.

For many years conventional wisdom has told us that the best thing to do to conserve fish stocks for the future is to throw the little ones back and only keep the big ones. This theory has shaped modern recreational fisheries management and led to minimum size limits being imposed. Scientists are now beginning to question whether minimum size limits alone can be effective because of BOFFFF’s. The theory behind minimum size limits is still valid – let as many fish as possible reach maturity before capture. However, the BOFFFF effect and the need to let the big breeders go has inspired scientists and fisheries managers to introduce ‘slot limits’ as the new best practice. Slot limits are limits on both the minimum and the maximum size of fish allowed to be kept for the table, and are a great fisheries management tool that should be put in place in Seychelles if we want to protect fish species for the future. Critical to the effectiveness of slot limits is the survival rate of released fish. There is no point in releasing fish if they are not going to survive. Therefore, proper fish handling is critically important and we need to educate anglers, beginning with the youngsters, on proper release techniques. Additionally, the use of the appropriate tools, such as circle hooks, can greatly increase survival rates. BOFFFF are vital to the next generation. Return the big breeding fish to breed another day. Encourage your family, friends and fishing club members to do the same. March, in the spirit of renewal and rebirth, is a great time to release your first BOFFFF next time you go fishing. As a bonus, the smaller fish usually make better eating.

MARCH 2013 | POTPOURRI

BON APPETIT

ith a new month comes a new recipe from La Plaine St. André’s kitchen. Enjoy

this parrot fish dish accompanied by Archipelago Wine & Spirit’s recommendation of D’Arenberg’s The Lucky Lizard Chardonnay of Mc Laren Valley, Australia. For those outside the kitchen, waiting for Chef to work his magic, why not kick back and sip on Takamaka Bay’s Ginger Fizz?

Beetroot Cake Ingredients 100g Beetroot 160g Potato 50g Onion 1 Egg 2 Garlic Cloves

Parrot Fish Fillet with Spring Onion and Dijon Mustard, served on a Beetroot Cake Ingredients 2 Parrot Fish Fillets ½ tsp Dijon Mustard 5g Chopped Oregano Salt Ground Black Pepper 25g Spring Onions ½ tsp group Coriander Seeds Method Pre-heat oven to 200˚C Remove the skin from the fillets Rub mustard onto the flesh side of the fillets, followed by oregano, salt and pepper Oil an oven tray and place the fillets skin-side down Thinly slice the onion and sprinkle it over the fillets, along with the coriander seeds and spring onion Place one fillet on top of the other, skin-side up Drip olive oil over the fish and bake for 12 mins on the top oven tray Drizzle olive oil and lemon juice over the fish when plated

Method Grate Beetroot, Potato & Onion and mix everything in a bowl with egg & garlic. Season with salt and pepper Mould the mixture with your hands to achieve a burger-like shape of approximately 1 inch thick. Fry for about 3 mins on each side. To serve, place the beetroot cake in the middle of a large plate and the fish fillets on top. Garnish with baby corn, half a small lemon and a sprig of dill.

Kakatwa a la Dijonnaise Served on Beetroot Cake

MARCH 2013 | POTPOURRI

BON APPETIT

D’Arenberg The Lucky Lizard Chardonnay, Mc Laren Valley, Australia This wine is named after the native Bearded Dragon Lizards which, during the summer months, sun themselves on the vineyard posts and watch for prey. Another great wine from the team at d’Arenberg who really put a lot of passion into their winemaking. This Chardonnay is a must try! Buttery and exotic on the nose, smooth and creamy texture with a touch of oak, all very well integrated. With the Kakatwa a la Dijonnaise you will doubly enjoy this combination of flavours.

MARCH 2013 | POTPOURRI

Takamaka Bay Ginger Fizz Takamaka Bay dark rum with tropical pineapple & mango juices, lime wedges & ginger ale

You will need...... A highball glass and a cocktail shaker Cubed ice Two shots of Takamaka Bay Dark rum One lime cut into wedges One shot each of pineapple & mango juice Ginger ale

What to do...... Carefully measure the rum and juices into the cocktail shaker Add cubed ice to the shaker and give it a shake to mix the flavours Fill your glass with ice and pour your cocktail Top with ginger ale and squeeze a few lime wedges into the top of the drink Garnish with a lime wedge If you need to sweeten your drink further add a splash of sugar syrup (two parts sugar to one part boiling water) Takamaka Bay T: +248 437 2050 E: info@takamaka.sc W: www.takamakabay.com La Plaine St. André T: +248 437 2010 E : reservations@laplaine.sc W : www.laplaine.sc Archipelago Wines & Spirits T : +248 4 37 48 76 / 77 E : cheers@archipelago.sc

OCCASIONS

Bright, vibrant colours and extravagant costumes are quintessential in the Seychelles Carnaval (Memento Media)

Vadrine Boulle and Alessia Lavigne in the carnaval spirit, dressed in designs by Vadrine

Carnaval de Victoria 2013 Rain did not dampen the Carnaval spirit on the occasion of the 3rd edition of the Seychelles International Carnival of Victoria which was held between 8th and 10th February 2013. Local and international floats paraded the streets of Victoria starting from and ending on the 5th June avenue.

Below are a few snaps from the day…

My beautiful god daughter Kelsey Finesse (Christy Louange)

Little mermaid’s friend Jade looking on the parade (Jessica Arrisol)

The importance of capturing the high-energy and flamboyant nature of the Seychelles Carnaval was not lost on this 13 year old member of the Cape Minstrels; the youngest in his troupe (Memento Media)

MARCH 2013 | POTPOURRI

Opening Troop (Ehad Bhaukaurally)

MARCH 2013 | POTPOURRI

OCCASIONS

W E D D I N G I N PA R A D I S E Bice and Luigi from Italy exchanged their vows at Constance Ephelia Resort on 31st January 2013. Special moments on their day were captured by Cameraline Productions.

All photos by Cameraline Productions | camline@seychelles.net | www.weddinginseychelles.com

MARCH 2013 | POTPOURRI

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SACOS TOWER BLDG. • PALM STREET • VICTORIA - MAHÉ - REPUBLIC OF SEYCHELLES TEL: (+248) 4295 000 • E-MAIL: sacl@seychelles.net • WEBSITE: www.sacos.sc 53

MARCH 2013 | POTPOURRI

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To find out more, visit our website or one of our Customer Services Centres or call 100 (free). Standard terms & conditions of service apply.

No one knows Seychelles better Cable & Wireless (Seychelles) Ltd. Francis Rachel Street, Victoria, MahĂŠ.

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Tel: (+248) 428 4000 Fax: (+248) 432 2777 www.cwseychelles.com