POTPOURRI March 2014 by Paradise Promotions

A LIFE OF ABUNDANCE

Living your values, many blessings at a time

St Patrick’s Fashion

Get Your Green in Gear

DJ Ric One

Rocks the Party in France

Butcher’s Grill Fast Food Milestone in Seychelles

A Dancer;

An Athlete of God We meet Ruth Louise

MARCH 2014 | POTPOURRI

POTPOURRI

March

20 Cohabitation Laws and same-sex couples?

53 Earth-friendly cosmetics

6 Disney Cartoons - Bringing Imagination to Life!

41 Keep Wrinkles at Bay

65 Envolons-nous pour la RĂŠunion

The Team 1. Chief Editor: Marie-France Watson | M: + (248) 2512477 | E: marie-france@seychellespublications.com 2. Marketing: Ineke Camille | M: + (248) 2520937 | E: ineke@seychellespublications.com 3. Freelance Writing: Elaine Lafortune | 4. Freelance Writing: Jeannine Gilbert-Finnigan 5. Photography: Suzanne Verlaque | POTPOURRI Photography Studio 6. Graphics & Layout: Olivia Michaud | E: info@angelcreativedesign.com

4 Potpourri Magazine Seychelles

Potpourri Seychelles is published by Paradise Promotions Ltd Box 1539, Room 14, Docklands Building, Victoria, Seychelles Tel: + (248) 4325215 | Fax: + (248) 4325216 | www.potpourrimagazine.com Printed by: ATLAS Printing Press LLC.

From the

EDITOR

Dear Folks,

Photo credit: Marsha Dine

An unknown author wrote a short poem which became a world-wide hit simply because in it, most of us find something we can relate to. “People come into your life for a Reason, Season or a Lifetime” is the poem which I have spent a minute or two thinking about this past month. I tend to do that when I someone in my life leaves. I assess what their presence in my life was about. Allow me to elaborate; Many years ago, in a former job, I met a young man who remained a friend well after I moved on to new pastures. Our paths didn’t cross very often, until 18 months ago when POTPOURRI advertised for an Office Assistant post. He called to tell me about a friend who would be great for the job. Reluctant at first but owing it to our time as colleagues, I thought I’d at least call his friend in for an interview. His friend came and while his CV blew us away I remained skeptical about him simply given that he was so young and I felt lacked experience. Despite this, he did stand out from the rest and along with Ineke, decided to give him a go. It turned out to be one of the best decisions in our venture to date that we made. Cyril Benoiton, despite being very young and at the time lacking the work experience we were looking for, turned out to be a hard working, dedicated and extremely competent individual and team player. His role in our growth so far cannot be overestimated – and for that we thank him. So, back to my assessment about the meaning of people in our lives. I have concluded that Cyril is the reason I met his friend, who one day would give me a call and make a recommendation. I firmly believe this. People come and go in our lives and more often than not, it seems that there is no real significance for their presence there – until we make a connection and realise otherwise. It might take days, weeks, months and even years for that connection to become apparent. Whatever you walk away from, it’s important to do it in a good and decent way. You might think you’re done with your past but your past might not be quite done with you; and not always in a bad way. He leaves us this month to pursue his university studies. While we will miss him dearly, I cannot help but think we are not through yet… For those of you visiting our beautiful islands this month, may you have a memorable holiday and are blown away by the Seychellois hospitality.

Chief Editor

MARCH 2014 | POTPOURRI

Cover Model Model: Amanda Larue Age: 33 Marital Status: Married Children: 14 year old Alexandre Larue (my stepson) and Rocco, 14 months

Profession: Sales & Marketing Manager at Desroches Island Seychelles

About my job… I manage the sales & marketing for Desroches Island based at the Mahe Office. My main aim is to promote and sell Desroches Island on an international level to all markets around the world. In which I attend Travel Trade Fairs / Events / Sales Calls / Road shows / training and general meetings. It is imperative that the trade knows how to sell Desroches Island, as being one of the many beautiful islands in the Seychelles and product, we have some competition. On a less glamorous side I also spend hours on excel sheets doing rates, contracting, reports, forecasting, budgets… I love my job because I love the product and I love the drive and to be part of the Seychelles tourism industry. My colleagues in the Seychelles trade are wonderful and there is so much enthusiasm and determination. To do this job and be successful, you have to love your product as there are a lot of personal sacrifices you have to make and be ready to share the two. You also have to be ready to be away from home almost every month. The balancing act between career and motherhood: The first time I had to leave Rocco he was almost 5 months and it was extremely difficult for me but I had to put my feet on the ground and be determined to do my job. Now that he is 14 months it still doesn’t get better but I am doing this for him and my family. Life is hard and if I want to provide a good life for my children (education, health, lifestyle etc) I have to accept the sacrifices. My aim is to bring up my children exactly the way my parents did and that is to be humble but strong and appreciate that hard work brings achievements. The most important part is that when I am home, I am with my children and with my family. I inhale as much family time as I possibly can take in.

One word that sums me up: Strength In 10 years time… There is a lot I wish to achieve in 10 years’ time… A proper charity for Motor Neuron Disease (ASL) would be my biggest achievement – please do look online for more information. I also intend to somehow help the Veterinary here to have the proper equipment that should be available to treat our animals. We have wonderful veterinarians and they have to make do with what they have, which mostly is limited. Bringing up my children and watching them grow into beautiful, loving, independent, clever individuals that will contribute to our young society.

Photographer: Marsha Dine

Hair: Make-Up: Helen (Martin Hoarau) Sophie Pool

MARCH 2014 | POTPOURRI

Dress & Jewelery: KANKAN

Sunglasses: Beyond the Sea

MARCH 2014 | POTPOURRI

Kempinski Seychelles Resort, Mahe Island

Hilton Seychelles Labriz Resort & Spa, Silhouette Island

Allamanda Beach Resort & Spa, Mahe Island

by Tina Houareau

Photo Credit - Joel Zamzow

Musings of an Island Girl

Envy

mbition and anxiety are two responses that go hand-in-hand. When one increases, so does the other. Never before have aspirations been so high about what human beings can achieve within their lifetime. We can build the vision for our future and live it. What an inspirational sentence. There is just one very big problem with this inspirational sentence. That problem is envy. Envy has become a hugely dominant emotion in modern society. And it is, paradoxically, linked to the concept of equality. But envy needs to be placed in context to make sense. For instance, I do not expect you to be envious of the president of the United States. Obama is much, much richer than you will ever be.

MARCH 2014 | POTPOURRI

“THIS IS ONE OF THE REASONS I DO NOT GO TO SCHOOL REUNIONS. NEXT TO SIBLINGS AND PARENTS, THERE IS NO MORE POWERFUL POINT OF COMPARISON THAN A REFERENCE TO SOMEONE YOU WENT TO SCHOOL WITH.” And he has a massive white house. Trust me, I saw it when I was in Washington. It is ridiculously big. We do not envy President Obama because he a rather smart bird with odd mannerisms. We know so little about his personal life and he hides behind an army of men will the Blackberry. When we cannot relate to somebody, we do not envy them. Conversely, the closer two individuals are in age, background, and in the development of identification, the higher the risk of envy. This is one of the reasons I do not go to school reunions. Next to siblings and parents, there is no more powerful point of comparison than a reference to someone you went to school with. The gap between our hopes and expectations and the reality of our lives continue to diverge agonizingly because the whole world has transformed into one enormous school. There is the Prep, the Jock, the Hippie, the Princess, the Nerd, the Thespian, and the Bando. We all wear jeans; we are all the same. And yet, we are not. Thus there is a spirit of equality blended with deep inequalities. This creates…anxiety. Whatever your idea of success is – career advancement, marriage, academic achievement, material possession, etc. - embrace it. But make sure it is your idea of success. Be the author of your own ambition. Not getting what you want is devastating. But what is worse is fabricating a belief of what it is you want because you envy another individual and finding out at the end of the road, that it is not, in fact, remotely close to what you wanted all along.

Tina Houareau is a Seychellois 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.

FEBRUARY 2014 | POTPOURRI

LIFESTYLE

Disney Cartoons - Bringing Imagination to Life! “If you can dream it you can do it” ~ Walt Disney.

MARCH 2014 | POTPOURRI

By Preethi Nair I love books and have loved them ever since I can remember. From fairy tales to fables, stories of mystery and magic, of myths and legends, tales of tragedy and eternal hope- from the colorful covers, beautiful illustrations and the lyricism of prose, to the comforting smell of its pages within- I truly enjoy reading. In my mind’s eye, every single word plays itself out- sometimes I am the protagonist at other times I am caught up as a spectator in epic battles. The imagination is a wonderful thing! And so it was that when I read Cinderella or Sleeping Beauty, I was filled with hope and certainty that Happily Ever After’s truly did exist. I must have been around 3 years old when a dear uncle promised to make a stick figure dance on a small notepad. It was magical. And that was my first experience to the world of animation. It’s often said “Seeing is Believing” and when you believe - anything is possible. When my parents got their first giant television set, to see my favorite fairy tales come to life - just as I had imagined them dancing singing right before my very eyes - it was amazing. The colors, the characters some of whom I had never read about before, the impossible feats, daring action, the ridiculous comedy, the catchy music, everything was exciting. That is pretty much how I fell in love with animated cartoons. I would never recommend giving up a reading habit in favor of waiting for the movie or the animated release of a good book - but as a child it reinforced my imagination. I truly believed in all innocence, that what I imagined could come true especially in Technicolor. My little son loves wheels like most other boys his age- and it was somehow fitting that the first cartoon he ever watched was Disney Pixars Cars- the one with Lightning

LIFESTYLE

“BUT ARE CARTOONS FAR FLUNG FROM REALITY? SO CARS DON’T TALK IN REAL LIFE - THEY DON’T HAVE EYES - THEY DON’T HAVE EXPRESSIONS -THEY DON’T HAVE FEELINGS - THEY AREN’T “LIVING THINGS”BUT WHEN A CARTOON SUCH AS CARS COMES ALONG - IT’S NOT ABOUT A FAST TALKING CAR - IT’S A STORY OF FRIENDSHIP - THAT WE CAN ALL RELATE TO.”

McQueen. It was a moment that I will never ever forget - the way my son’s eyes lit up, the thrill and his squeal of absolute excitement watching Lightning McQueen race through the tracks. It would go on to become one of those cartoons that he saw over and over and over and over again. And I am not ashamed to admit I watched it as many times. And the more I watched the more I admired every little nuance whether it was in the rendering or in the dialogue or in the various characterizations of this animated feature. But are cartoons far flung from reality? So cars don’t talk in real life - they don’t have eyes - they don’t have expressions -they don’t have feelings - they aren’t “living things”- but when a cartoon such as Cars comes along it’s not about a fast talking car - it’s a story of friendship - that we can all relate to. And it has lessons in humility. But the best lesson of all - Life isn’t always about winning but doing the right thing! (Oh yes! I have watched it way too many times.) OK! I’ll admit it - For my then-two year old son it wasn’t those lessons he enjoyed - it was simply the joy in seeing his favorite car go Ffffasssstttt!! But as he grows older I am sure he can appreciate those little life lessons. Since I became a mother I have traded in my television “series and soaps” for cartoons - and I often catch myself switching to Disney Junior when the programming on the television is rubbish. Watching Disney Junior shows like Sophia the First, which really promotes qualities of kindness and tolerance in young children, or Doc McStuffins that enables children to easily identify with common ailments, practicing good hygiene and lessening their anxiety in visiting the doctor is in my book, alright. Every story or rather every Disney epic has something for everyone- it is fun for the whole family as long as you let yourself believe- in the joy of silly innocent things like talking cars, annoying donkeys, flying carpets, toys that come alive, fairies, monsters and pirates so colorful that there’s never anything to be scared of- and amidst all of the animation there a sweet little nuggets of wisdom. As the creator of Mickey Mouse, Walt Disney so aptly put it, “Animation offers a medium of storytelling and visual entertainment which can bring pleasure and information to people of all ages everywhere in the world.” Cartoons have a universal endearing ageless quality whether it is a comic strip or an animated clip of cat and mouse or the strong bonds of friendships between a mouse, a duck and a dog. Although animation tends to defy the laws of science and logic, there is an undeniable quality of “human-ness” in each character where the artists put a little bit of their own soul into making these unique characters come alive. However I reiterate - nothing can replace a good book, or playing sport or make believe in the great outdoors- but every once in a while we need to treat our visual senses and let our imagination come to life! Stephen Hawking the renowned physicist quipped, “I like Physics, but I LOVE cartoons!” I couldn’t agree more!

MARCH 2014 | POTPOURRI

OPEN LETTER

“I FORGIVE MYSELF OLD FRIEND AND I THANK YOU FOR STILL BEING HERE” Dear You, This letter is for the things I never said. I’ve always liked you. You had this simplistic way of looking at life which for me was a breath of fresh air. I was too young then, to understand. Back then, girls were something to be possessed rather than cherished. We had this connection. We could talk, we could laugh, we could argue yet we never got the chance to really experience the world together. We went our separate ways to follow our dreams. The world made us both wiser though, not all stories are fairy tales. We grew closer miles apart simply maybe because we were both there. I fell in love with you. Infatuation maybe. Who knows…? But I did. You were my lighthouse and my coast was pretty dark. It never happened. It didn’t work out like the fairy tales. We had a moment, and then you left. You broke my heart. Few have, but karma has a way of catching up to you when it matters. I was angry and I took it out on you, numerous times. I never really apologized so this is my chance. As I grew older and wiser, I learnt that not everything is black and white. “It’s forgiveness that makes us what we are. Without forgiveness, our species would’ve annihilated itself in endless retributions. Without forgiveness, there would be no history. Without that hope, there would be no art, for every work of art is in some way an act of forgiveness. Without that dream, there would be no love, for every act of love is in some way a promise to forgive. We live on because we can love, and we love because we can forgive.” - Shantaram I learnt this lesson a while back and with each ongoing chapter of life, I find myself coming back to those words. I will never be able to change the past, what I can do is make it up to you by being the best friend that I can be. Sometimes I won’t be close, but it doesn’t mean I won’t be watching your back. I forgive myself old friend and I thank you for still being here. The one constant that reminds me that I am special and my potential for greatness is endless. This is what I never got the chance to say. I am sorry. Rgds Kermit The Frog

Do you have something you need to get off your chest? Something you desperately need to say to someone? WRITE TO US; marie-france@seychellespublications.com All letters will remain anonymous. 8

MARCH 2014 | POTPOURRI

NEW sillouette cruises coming

Carnet de voyage d’une expatriée réunionnaise Escapade à la Digue Installée depuis peu aux Seychelles, j’ai réservé mes premières escapades hors de Mahé à une destination rêvée, La Digue. D’emblée, dès ma descente du Catcoco, j’ai été assaillie par la beauté des paysages : le turquoise de la mer, l’émeraude des arbres, le topaze des plages, la couleur pierre de lune des immenses rochers granitiques. Voilà un écrin merveilleux, l’ancrage idéal pour un décor de cinéma. La Digue éveille un imaginaire enfoui dans nos mémoires : c’est le repaire de pirates par excellence, avec ses criques inaccessibles, ses excursions dans la forêt, ses nuées de chauve-souris, ses tortues de mer et de terre....Il ne manque à ce décor que des eaux infestées de crocodiles, ce qui était le cas encore à la fin du XIXè siècle, comme en témoigne la dénomination d’Anse Caïman, dans le sud-est de l’île. En réalité, La Digue est loin d’être un repaire de pirate : à la fin du XVIIIè siècle, l’île servait de mise en quarantaine aux matelots et aux esclaves que les vaisseaux transportaient. Aujourd’hui, l’île est la destination touristique phare des couples pour leur lune de miel. Il est ainsi commun de voir des jeunes mariés immortaliser leurs plus beaux moments de bonheur en costume sur la plage, ou dans des chars à boeufs, faisant fi de la chaleur écrasante. Pourquoi un tel engouement pour La Digue ? Cette île représente le «Sesel» d’antan, authentique, figé, hors du temps. L’atmosphère y est en effet particulière puisque le voyageur étonné découvre un petit univers luxuriant où tout se fait à vélo : le mode de vie est simple, les vieilles maisons créoles pleines de charme,

La succulente salade de zourite préparée par Jules à Anse Banane

les Diguois sont accueillants et d’une gentillesse rare. La gastronomie y est excellente, que ce soit la salade de zourite de chez Jules ou le bourgeois fumé préparé par Nadège, mon hôte, pour le nouvel an. Les expéditions vers l’île Coco conduites par Nevis pour avoir l’espoir de caresser des tortues de mer sont tout simplement éblouissantes. Pourtant, de nombreux amis seychellois m’avouent, l’air chagrin, que La Digue «ce n’est plus comme avant»...En effet, pour beaucoup, La Digue n’est plus l’île hors du temps qu’elle était autrefois : le poumon économique de l’île, qui est situé entre la Passe et Anse Réunion concentre une belle effervescence de maisons d’hôte, les véhicules abondent, les chars à boeufs restreignent leurs activités, les larcins se multiplient. Il y a trente ans, les habitants s’éclairaient encore à la bougie, désormais ils disposent d’un casino et d’une boîte de nuit. Signe des temps, la nouvelle génération se nourrit de films américains, ainsi que le reflète leur style vestimentaire : « look Nike ou Rasta » pour les hommes, « look Beyoncé-Rihanna » pour les jeunes filles. Progrès, modernité, accélération du temps caractérisent La Digue en ce début de siècle. La Digue se métamorphose sous nos yeux, mais, j’en suis convaincue, elle ne perdra pas pour autant son charme et son identité créole qui lui collent à la peau. Marie Welsch, Chargée du développement culturel à l’Alliance Française des Seychelles

Le paradis terrestre c’est par là…

Photo de la tortue : La tortue repérée par Nevis, notre guide lors de l’expédition sur l’île Coco… fabuleux et inoubliable !

A la découverte de la beauté majestueuse d’Anse Source d’Argent

Evènements culturels culturels

Cours de français

Ateliers créatifs

AllianceFrançaise de Victoria Toutes les informations sur les évènements culturels à l’Alliance sur notre site internet www.allianceseychelles.org

MARCH 2014 | POTPOURRI

W renée martin designs

hen is a good time for a girls’ trip? Any time of course! Jen, Vanessa No. 1 and Vanessa No. 2 needed very little persuasion from yours truly to flit over to Bali for a week of feminine hijinks. We toasted with Bali Traders on the flight but sobered up upon arrival very quickly when we discovered that, unlike the rest of us, Vanessa No. 2 was unable to purchase a visa at Denpasar Airport due to holding a Mauritian passport. Apparently relations between Mauritius and Indonesia are a little frosty at the moment!

And so whilst poor Vanessa No. 2 was escorted by an immigration official back onto the very plane we had disembarked from, the three of us dejectedly made our way to our patient driver, Nyoman, who we found asleep under a tree outside the airport. It was 2 o’clock in the morning and a less than an auspicious start to our holiday! Luckily our spirits were lifted once we drove through a set of imposing gates into the lushest of courtyards and, just beyond, found our Seminyak villa - a 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom Eden with a private pool and waterfall. We awoke the next morning to the smell and sound of banana pancakes sizzling – prepared by our very own butler, Wayan. It was a sweltering day but after a quick dip we were eager to explore. We walked across to Seminyak Square where we visited various boutiques, stopping for coffees and margaritas at Motel Mexicola. After a shower, we glammed up and headed to Mosaic Beach Club, a candlelit restaurant overlooking Kerobokan beach, where we enjoyed a 3 course tasting menu with truffled everything! The next day Nyoman drove us past endless rice paddies to the mountain village

DECEMBER 2013 | POTPOURRI

MARCH 2014 | POTPOURRI

of Ubud, which was filled with markets and art galleries. We bargained to our hearts’ content then stopped at an outdoor spa by a babbling brook for the most unbelievable massages. We ended our day in the Sacred Monkey Forest where we were chased around the temples by the cheeky and hungry monkeys! That night we enjoyed a Balinese feast, including Babi Guling (suckling pig) and Asian Chilli Crab at Lilin restaurant. We moved over to the pool for digestifs and spent the rest of the evening dancing with a couple of Spaniards and an Italian under the stars at Potato Head Beach Club. It was a magical night. Tune it next week for the second part of our Bali adventure, including a cliff top bar which will blow your mind! Until next time, if you can’t be good, be good at it.

Bali Trader You will need... 25ml vodka 25ml Pisang Ambon liqueur 25ml pineapple juice Handful of ice cubes Slice of unpeeled banana, for garnish

What to do...

Shake all ingredients in a cocktail shaker. Strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a slice of unpeeled banana. WARNING! When travelling, only drink if your visa is in order.

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

A Fresh Start - London to Mahé By Daniel Balkwill

“Historically, I’ve not been a brilliant flyer and initially viewed the miniscule Twin Otter plane with suspicion, especially when I discovered that you could easily touch both sides of the interior when you stuck your arms out”.

Dan works for Kreol Wines - a new wine shop located at Eden Plaza on Eden Island, specialising in Argentinian, Australian, French and South African products. Opening hours are 9-6.30 Mon-Fri, 10-6 Sat & 10-4 Sun.

now the2013 vast majority of my time here | POTPOURRI 11Up untilAUGUST

in Seychelles has been spent solely on Mahé. I had only previously visited Cerf Island which was particularly memorable as it was where I proposed to my wife. I’ve also had a brief visit to Silhouette. I recall the ferry crossing vividly as several children had clearly unwisely been drinking milkshakes shortly before departure. I only know this because during a very rough crossing the poor kid in front of us was suddenly violently ill which prompted an unpleasant chain reaction of sickly sweet-scented projectile vomiting amongst the majority of the rest of the junior travellers. To say that we were pleased to disembark is an understatement. The cleaners would have had an unenviable and unforgettable task that day.

Recently I took a trip to Praslin and La Digue for the first time. Historically, I’ve not been a brilliant flyer and initially viewed the miniscule Twin Otter plane with suspicion, especially when I discovered that you could easily touch both sides of the interior when you stuck your arms out. It seemed rather like being inside a giant toy. Before I could work out how even the most waif-like of air hostesses could fit down the aisle with her trolley laden with drinks and snacks we had taken off. I have to say that the best way to experience the true beauty of the Seychelles is to take to the air. During the short, relatively low altitude flight to Praslin we could clearly see our house (the dog appeared to be behaving himself ) and several stunning looking small islands. They all appeared to be idyllic havens of peace, solitude and beauty. We didn’t have enough time to have a proper look at Praslin and do it the justice it clearly merited as we had to hurry to catch a ferry to La Digue but my first impressions were that it boasted similarly attractive scenery as Mahe but that it was noticeably much less densely populated. We studiously avoided drinking a milkshake before the ferry ride and also made sure we sat inside on the top deck to appreciate the sea view whilst avoiding getting drenched by sea spray. Others were less circumspect and consequently less fortunate. Upon arrival at La Digue there was an immediate, almost palpable sensation of calm and relaxation. I appreciated the fact that there were hardly any cars around and I enjoyed strolling around taking in the views with numerous cyclists and the occasional ox and cart passing leisurely by. It’s the perfect place to go for a weekend to de-stress and luxuriate in taking the pace of life a little more sedately for a change. I had high expectations of Anse Source d’Argent having seen the postcards and was suitably impressed. If there’s a more picturesque beach in the world I’d be surprised. I spent so long there marvelling at the views that I got very sunburnt although the experience was easily worth the subsequent pain.

MARCH 2014 | POTPOURRI

“UNCERTAINTY HAS BEEN A FREQUENT HANG OUT PLACE FOR ME RECENTLY AND ONE THING I’VE LEARNT IS THAT THERE IS ALWAYS A WAY FORWARD.” many possibilities. It’s a matter of searching, and yes, the searching can be quite frustrating and tiring, but it’s definitely rewarding.

Uncertainty By Alexandria Faure I’ve written about impermanence and the presence of constant change in our lives. As human beings we tend to attempt to find lasting happiness, lasting security and lasting pleasure- yet we are part of a world in which everything and everyone is in a process of change. How can we live a life of unpredictability and uncertainty and stay at peace and happy? The uncertain future is the ultimate stress maker. Feeling unsettled, uncomfortable because the path forward doesn’t seem to exist and the corridor doesn’t have any doors of opportunities. Uncertainty is definitely not the best place to hang out. It’s always comforting to know what’s happening or what’s going to happen. We want to be certain. We all want to know exactly how everything will fall into place and when that will happen and how it will make us feel. Uncertainty has been a frequent hang out place for me recently and one thing I’ve learnt is that there is always a way forward. It may take time and actually…there are many,

MARCH 2014 | POTPOURRI

When uncertainty strikes remind yourself that there are options, just because you don’t see them doesn’t mean that they aren’t there. I’ve learnt that it is in the situations of uncertainty that personal developments happen – we grow and progress. Embrace the uncertainty? Yes. Search for options? Yes. “Living is a form of not being sure, not knowing what next or how. The moment you know how, you begin to die a little. The artist never entirely knows. We guess. We may be wrong, but we take leap after leap in the dark.” Anges De Mille Alexandria Faure has a degree in Drama and Theatre. She graduated in 2013 and has been working with the Seychelles Tourism Board upon her return to Seychelles.

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS WITH

BE RNA R D GE ORGE S

The cohabitation laws – do they apply to same-sex couples? Seychelles in ambivalent about same-sex relationships; this leads to the answer to this question being ambivalent too. That is a pity but until we, as a society, confront the broader debate about the place of same-sex relationships in Seychelles – which other societies have, or are in the process of confronting – we will remain in the current state of limbo. Heterosexual cohabitation – that between a man and a woman – is the norm in terms of relationships in Seychelles. The law has evolved to accommodate these. Thus, a cohabiting heterosexual couple can purchase property in their joint names, can borrow money in their joint names and can succeed to each other upon death. A cohabitee can even enjoy pension rights over and above a blood relation (or an estranged spouse) upon the death of the pension contributor. These laws were necessary to accommodate the reality on the ground. This process of evolution will no doubt continue in the future. At the same time, the courts have kept up with the legislative evolution and have had to find ways of separating property jointly owned by cohabitees, or owned by only one partner (note this word carefully), but in which the other partner has made a contribution, and of compensating one cohabite for services given to another. The situation is by no means perfect, and the evolution is work-in-progress, but there is a good basis on which on which cohabitees can determine their rights.

“…SOCIETY, BOTH LEGALLY AND OTHERWISE, GENERALLY ADOPTS A LIVE-AND-LET-LIVE APPROACH TO THE PROBLEM. THIS IS BOTH A BOON AND A CURSE. IT IS A BOON BECAUSE SAME-SEX COUPLES CAN COHABIT WITHOUT FEAR OF A KNOCK AT THE DOOR AT 2:00 AM. IT IS A CURSE BECAUSE THEIR RIGHTS ARE UNCERTAIN.” Their relationship will be subject to the same considerations as the mother and son case, or the case of two friends purchasing property jointly. But, unfortunately, not quite the same.

Take this common example. An unmarried cohabiting couple decides to buy land and build a house. The land is put in the name of the man and he makes all the loan repayments. The woman is not employed, but over a period of 20 years she looks after the house, raises the family, cooks and cleans for everyone. Then they fall out and they separate. If they were married, the woman could claim a share in the land and house on account of her indirect contribution. The unmarried woman in our example will not get a share of the land and house (because that law applies only to married couples). But she can’t be allowed to get nothing either. So, the courts have used the law of partnership and of quasi contract to provide a remedy. If it can be established that the couple intended a partnership in the house, then the woman will get a share of the partnership. If not, she will be compensated in money for her work on behalf of the family. This will be assessed on the basis that because she looked after the home and family, the man was able to go out to work and pay the loan from his salary. As a result, the woman was unjustly impoverished, and the man unjustly enriched, so he must compensate her accordingly.

I said at the start that Seychelles was ambivalent about the same-sex issue. Homosexuality is still an offence here, although it is fair to say that it is an offence in name alone and that society, both legally and otherwise, generally adopts a live-and-let-live approach to the problem. This is both a boon and a curse. It is a boon because same-sex couples can cohabit without fear of a knock at the door at 2:00 am. It is a curse because their rights are uncertain. Even if the knock doesn’t come, they have other problems. Here’s why. In order to succeed in respect of any claim under the law, the same-sex couple will have to pretend that they are simply friends, or partners in a venture. If they tell the truth, the court may refuse to entertain a claim by one against the other because it is contrary to public policy to ignore the legal realities, namely that homosexual conduct is not strictly speaking legal. That is the odd situation in which our society finds itself as a result of not addressing the issue head on. Same-sex couples are in a legal limbo – not legally protected, but not legally targeted either. Cohabitation laws apply to them, not because they are specifically samesex, but because they can be in a legal partnership of some sort. And, not all cohabitation laws apply to them. A same-sex partner, for example, will not inherit the pension of his or her partner in the same way that an unmarried heterosexual partner would. It is not a legal solution of which we can be proud. As the revision of the law grapples with other problems, this is one that we will not be able to sweep under the carpet for ever.

This neat solution also applies to other partnerships, not necessarily sexual in nature. Thus if a son and mother decide to purchase a house for them to live in and it is put in the name of one only, but the other contributes in cash or in kind, a partnership, or the doctrine of unjust enrichment will apply as it has been described above to that mother and son couple if they fall out. This is the legal place where same-sex couples will also fall.

Educated at Seychelles College and Cambridge University, Bernard Georges has two Masters Degrees – in the 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. Over the past ten years, he has also been a member of the National Assembly. He is currently a part-time lecturer in law at the University of Seychelles, where he teaches Constitutional Law. And, he is a budding writer. He has written and published two novels to date and he promises many more books on history, law and Seychelles.

MARCH 2014 | POTPOURRI

INSERT NEW CASH PLUS still coming

MARCH 2014 | POTPOURRI

CONSUMER AWARENESS

Un Thé Theodor HANAMI IMPERIAL

Cable & Wireless Foundation: Beyond Corporate Social Responsibility Since the launch of the Cable & Wireless Foundation in 2005, the aim of supporting local communities and being responsive to their needs has been taken to a whole new level. The CWS Foundation has become the vehicle for proactive assistance to those who seek aid. Our individual role as a responsible corporate citizen has been strengthened, and under the slogan “A helping hand for a stronger community”, our employees have been empowered to actively contribute in various proactive initiatives under the Foundation umbrella. Our Disabled Friends: We have gladly provided contribution in cash and/or in kind to Special Olympics, Union of the blind, the disabled of Praslin and La Digue and the Miss Deaf Pageant.

C’est une cérémonie Japonaise, ou douceur, calme, volupté, prennent place dans une boite ou dorment tranquillement de très belles feuilles de thé vert du Japon aux couleurs fortes de printemps. Cette préparation est immédiatement séduisante, sensuelle, enivrante. La boite, dés l’ouverture, dégage une odeur florale et poudrée, un parfum de sucre doux vient clôturer les premières notes olfactives C’est « comme un parfum » nous invitant à venir le déguster en cette fin d’hiver.

Our Environment: We have actively participated in beach cleaning activities and ‘Clean up the World’ campaigns. Our Children: We have given donations to the construction as well as improvement of the children’s playground at Anse Royale, CARE, NCC, ADDER and the Paediatric Centre at Seychelles Hospital. Our Neighbours: We donated clothes and cash to the victims of the cyclone in Madagascar in 2008. Others: We have adopted the Hospice and Detox Centre and the Aride Island Marine Conservation. Through the CWS Foundation we continue to positively impact peoples’ lives and make a difference in society in ways which go far and beyond corporate social responsibility.

La dominante de fleur de cerisier, (Sakura) est parfaitement équilibrée, donnant au breuvage, après infusion, la même perception d’aromes de départ, ce que nous avons pour habitude de retrouver dans chaque cuvée chez THEODOR c’est cette constante qualitative, du rapport nez/bouche (la retroolfaction), qui fait office de fragrance gustative. En bouche, c’est la fleur qui domine, cette « Sakura » se balladant sur tous les fronts. Une infusion rapide sans rappels dont les 2 minutes seront nécessaires et suffisantes. Le nez reste très expressif, comme un rendez vous ou le temps s’est arrêté, ou le décor s’est figé sur des tons pales aux allures de poupées japonaises dont le visage serait entièrement poudré d’un blanc légèrement rosé… Hanami c’est Subtil, élégant, distingué, Imperial quelque part, une sensation de grandeur, de voyage, un thé d’occasion unique. Le « panier » diffusera lentement les odeurs florales le temps de la dégustation. Vous pourrez constater l’ouverture des feuilles de thé qui libèreront les aromes de thé vert. Et s’il vous semble apercevoir un bout de printemps, un frisson de fraicheur, rien de plus normal… Fermez les yeux… Mathieu Hellec

SACOS INSURANCE AGAINST FLOODING The year 2014 did not start off well for many Seychellois people with extreme weather causing floods that inundated roads, businesses and private homes. This is when having insurance with SACOS can save the day. By insuring your house with SACOS, you can be covered for both the physical structure and contents of your home. Furthermore, the 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; SACOS 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; SACOS 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 break into your house, SACOS will be there to offer more than just some moral support. Truly, there is so much that SACOS can do for you. You need only to find out with SACOS, 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. Don’t wait for the day that you regret not having any insurance. Just think of it as saving for a rainy day. Contact SACOS Insurance Company Ltd on 4295 000, or visit us at the SACOS Tower, Palm Street, Victoria. Rest assured and be Insured with SACOS Contributed by SACOS Insurance Company Ltd.

MARCH 2014 | POTPOURRI

with Elton Moustache (Director of Unified Technologies) sales@unifiedtechnologies.info

IMPRESS WITH THE TINY PICO PROJECTOR! As the Mobile world progresses, our choice of gadgets shifts towards smaller – easy to carry devices. In this month’s issue we are reviewing the Aaxa P4-X Pico projector. At less than 5.6” long, 2.7” wide, and 1.2” tall this unit weighs less than 500grams and fits in the palm of your hand for ultimate portability. This projector offers a high resolution mini-HDMI connection for direct connection to your HDMI sources such as your Blu-Ray or DVD Player, laptop, smartphone, tablet, gaming console or digital camera for audio and video up to 720p. It outputs 80 lumens of brightness and produces images measuring up to 100 inches which is quite impressive for a unit of this size. It’s nice that you don’t necessarily need a notebook to use the P4-X and that it can be used without a power source. Its inbuilt Li-Ion rechargeable battery lasts up to 90 minutes which is long

enough for a power point presentation or a short movie. Despite having no on-board storage - this little device boasts great features such as: an integrated MicroSD/ TF card slot, USB on-the-go, VGA input, and a 1 watt onboard stereo speaker. If you want to hook up your surround system- no problem as it supports 3.5mm audio jack. It can decode MP4, MP3, AVI,JPG, WMA, GIF and TXT files amongst others. It comes with a small infrared remote control as well as a tripod. Should you be playing a video you get another set of controls, which includes fast forward/rewind, next/previous, repeat and mute. Adding this ultra-compact P4-X Pico projector to your gadget collection means that you can bring your presentations anywhere and everywhere, you can watch movies, videos and photos with friends and family. Moreover, if you enjoy gaming or even watching football – you do not need to have a large TV to impress!

Know Your Wine by Kreol Wines Xxxxxx

MARCH 2014 | POTPOURRI

CONSUMER AWARENESS

The Gadget World

CONSUMER AWARENESS

Intelvision expands its services all over Praslin By Elaine LaFortune What better ways to spend your day than by watching your favourite movie or your favorite football team play live on air? Why not keep up to date with your latest series and tune in to the latest tracks on the MTV channel. “Intelvision brings you a TV service provider which offers a better satisfaction in one exclusive package”, says a spokesperson from Intelvision. As their motto goes, Intelvision prides at offering its clientele an insight into the rest of the world at the tip of their fingers.

THE PRICE RATES REMAIN COMPARABLE TO THE OUTLET ON MAHÉ FOR ALL INTELVISION SUBSCRIBERS ON PRASLIN.

Intelvision being the leading cable TV provider in the Seychelles continues to expand its marketing services on Praslin, now en route for to Baie Ste. Anne. Talking to a spokesperson, we are told that their recent introduction in Grand Anse, late November in 2013, has proved effective and that it has always been the vision of Intelvision to offer coverage entirely over Praslin. Intelvision already provides service to residents of the Grand Anse Praslin region and are now expanding to the rest of the island as of yet. The price rates remain comparable to the outlet on Mahé for all Intelvision subscribers on Praslin.

Enjoy a Fast, Reliable Network

What’s On Offer?

Intelvision is offering the Praslin clienteles the choice of subscribing to their Cable TV facilities as well as their Internet facilities.

Why Opt for Intel?

Telecommunication service providers worldwide are transferring towards IP based converged solutions to deliver more improved and feature rich services to their customers. We are told that Intelvision is proudly one of the first providers in the region to set up IP based converged triple play solutions by providing voice, video and data. We are also reminded by Intelvision’s spokesperson that Praslin is receiving connection through GPON Based FTTH (Fiber To The Home). The customer can receive his/her TV Channels along with internet and a Fiber connection which means that power cuts will result in least disruption of services.

Intelvision’s proxy reminds POTPOURRI and its Praslin subscribers that they do not only bring advantages to people’s homes but that they also cater for local businesses, by offering products that are designed to suit all business requirements through attractive internet packages. “As a client you get to enjoy a fast and reliable Internet service that is suitable to your business on the Business Fiber Network. You cannot get a better deal on high speed Internet with affordable rates than with Intelvision”, we are advised by Intelvision’s representative.

Living on a budget?

Then look no further! Intelvision assures its clients that it is a service provider which caters for everyone. It offers Cable TV bundles and services to suit any budget. “Its reliable and flexible services, allow you to connect at your viewing requirements”, Intelvision’s proxy tells POTPOURRI. So, no matter what your taste in entertainment is, Intelvision is offering you a wide range of channels suited to your viewing pleasure. All you have to do is subscribe to your desired package, starting at only SR 145.

Choose Wisely, Choose Intelvision

Intelvision wishes all its esteemed customers of the Praslin branch, a pleasurable ride with its new, advanced and fast internet services and calls on new subscribers to enjoy their services which have been made accessible at a most affordable price to all its residence and corporates. For more information, you can visit support@intelvision.net and www. intelvision.net or visit your local Praslin Branch at the courtesy of Mrs. Solina Kowlessur, the Branch Manager of Intelvision on Praslin.

The Intelvision Praslin Team

Mrs. Solina Kowlessur, the Branch Manager

MARCH 2014 | POTPOURRI

Vive la vie !!

(par Georges Gravé)

ne fois n’est pas coutume, mais ce mois ci, je vais faire un peu de pub pour un « grand » livre. Il s’agit du dernier né de Monsieur Philippe Bloch : Ne me dites plus jamais bon courage ! Un lexique anti-déprime a l’usage immédiat des français (et des autres). Un véritable rayon de soleil, une grande bouffée d’énergie, un regard sur soi parfois ironique et surtout une forte envie de résister, de vivre et d’être libre. Rien que la 4eme de couverture nous donne la pêche !

« Vous en avez marre d’être rabat joie, de penser triste, vivre triste, vous habiller triste ? Alors, arrêter de parler triste, la vie est belle mais elle est courte. Chaque instant mérite d’être vécu intensément et apprécié à sa juste valeur. C’est possible et il était temps de le rappeler. Découvrez dans ce petit lexique les douze expressions qui vous pourrissent la vie au quotidien sans même vous en rendre compte et apprenez à vous en débarrasser au plus vite. Cela fera du bien à tout le monde, et permettra à la sécurité sociale d’économiser des milliards d’euros en antidépresseurs. Mais surtout cela libérera votre énergie et vous redonnera envie de l’avenir, infiniment plus excitant que vous ne le penser. De refaire des projets, de rêver grand, de ne plus vous accrocher a un passé révolu. Avoir peur de tout ne sert a rien, ni a personne. Alors, mettez a jour votre logiciel personnel et rejoignez le camp des optimistes et des enthousiastes ! Vous le verrez, le bonheur est contagieux et il est a portée de mots…” Au fur et a mesure des chapitres, nous découvrons avec surprises toutes ces expressions qui nous tirent vers le bas et qui nous transforment en moutons de panurge aigris ! …Le problème, c’est que, Ce sera tout ?Vivement la retraite ou vivement le week-end, Dans ce pays, C’était mieux avant ou encore on a toujours fait comme ca !... et bien d’autres pièges du langage a découvrir… Mon chapitre préféré est celui qui parle de la gentillesse. Je pense que la gentillesse devrait être enseignée dans les Ecole de commerce. Cela nous éviterais de rencontrer tous ces « petits » merdeux qui parés de leurs « petits » diplômes croient tout savoir et qui du haut de leur ego démesuré emmerdent tellement de gens. Pour moi, je me suis toujours revendiqué de quelqu’un de gentil car la gentillesse est la lumière de l’âme et je revendique comme l’auteur du livre que la gentillesse est la plus belle façon de vivre son existence avec les autres. « Et je me moque éperdument de ce que pense les gens. Car avouons le, pour la plupart d’entres nous, êtres gentils, c’est tout simplement être un peu nunuche, limite couillon, du genre a se faire avoir dans un monde de brutes qui ne respecte que le rapport de force et l’affirmation de sa puissance, de sa virilité ou de son autorité. Je me suis souvent demandé pourquoi la gentillesse faisait si rarement partie des critères de recrutement des entreprises. Pourquoi, elle était toujours synonyme de faiblesse, et pourquoi l’une des plus belles qualités humaines était le plus souvent rabaissée en France au rang de caricature. » Toute ma vie, j’ai essayé d’être gentil, avec moi-même et avec les autres et franchement la vie vous le rend au centuple !!!! …alors inscrivons le mot gentillesse sur le fronton de nos mairies, faisons plaisir aux autres plutôt que de les jalouser ou de les critiquer… Non seulement nous retrouverions alors notre fierté perdue, mais la situation pourrait s’améliorer sur tous les fronts de façon spectaculaire. Car rien ne résiste à la bienveillance. Un autre chapitre me tient particulièrement à cœur, celui sur l’étranger « Attention danger ! Voila une habitude qu’il va être difficile de faire évoluer rapidement tant elle est ancrée en nous depuis notre plus tendre enfance. L’Etranger !! Huit lettre pour désigner celui ou celle qui est d’une communauté géographique différente de la notre. S’il nous

MARCH 2014 | POTPOURRI

arrive souvent d’avoir à décrire ou a nommer celui qui ne nous ressemble pas, ne parle pas notre langue, ne se nourrit pas, ne pense pas, ne prie pas, ne vit pas, n’aime pas comme nous. Il est regrettable que nous n’ayons jamais trouvé d’expression plus positive que celle-ci. Car d’étranger a étrange, il n’ya qu’un pas que beaucoup franchissent allégrement lorsqu’il s’agit de faire de lui le bouc émissaire de tous nos maux. La xénophobie et le racisme ne sont jamais loin……. Ouvrons-nous aux autres. Apprenons d’eux. Mutualisons nos bonnes pratiques. Observons nos différences et copions ce qu’ils font mieux que nous. Prenons l’air du large et partons sans a priori ni œillères a la découverte de tout ce qui ne nous ressemble pas. » J’ai eu la chance de beaucoup voyager et de vivre souvent a l’étranger. J’ai souvent été étranger à mon tour, et en ce moment je vis ici aux Seychelles et je suis comme ils disent un Expat. Ce n’est pas simple tout les jours, et il faut faire souvent profil bas, et il y a des sujets de conversation à éviter… Mais quel plaisir de pouvoir partager nos cultures, de pouvoir aller vers l’autre, de mettre en pratique tous les jours tolérance et bienveillance a l’autre. Je pense du plus profond de mon cœur que le racisme est la plus grande bêtise (et je suis poli) dont l’homme soit capable. Le racisme est vraiment un signe d’aveuglement et de peur. Puissions chaque jour le combattre… Merci a toi très cher Philippe pour ces 141 pages d’énergie positive et J’espère vivement recroiser ta route un jour et pour conclure, permet moi de citer la dernière phase de ton livre : « Tout ira mieux à la minute où chacun d’entre nous se remettra à rêver grand, à faire des projet et a croire a son destin. »

Georges Gravé is the Personal Development & Training Manager at the Maia Luxury Resort and Spa

MARCH 2014 | POTPOURRI

EXPLORING EDEN

Do not miss this Ma rc

h...

Ne manquez pas en m ars… la Semaine de la Franco phonie à l’Alliance française de Victoria.

A l’occasion de la sem aine de la francophon ie du 20 au 22 mars, l’Al Française de Victoria org liance anise une exposition de poèmes, de dessins et de bandes dessinées réalisés par les élèves de l’Alliance Française de Mont Fleuri, de Riv , ière Anglaise, d’Anse Bo ileau et d’Anse Royale. thème de l’exposition Le est : « Dis-moi….dix mo ts à la folie ». Les dix mo de cette année sont : ts ambiancer, à tire-larigo t, charivari, s’enlivrer, far hurluberlu, ouf, timbré ibole, , tohu-bohu, zigzag). Le 20 mars, une série d’activités sera organi sée dans les locaux de l’Alliance française po ur les enfants : ciné-club , contes, jeu de piste autour des dix mots de la francophonie. La rad io Pure FM organise po cette semaine des mic ur ros-trottoirs sur la thé matique : « Osons par le français ». Par ailleur ler s, l’Alliance française enc ourage les 15-25 ans à participer au concou rs international de po ésie « Poésie en Libert avant le 6 avril 2014 po é » ur que la francophonie reste vive au-delà de cet semaine qui lui est déd te iée. Renseignements au sujet de ce concours aup de Marie Welsch, 428 rès 24 22 ou culture@allianc eseychelles.org

Arbre à poémes

Beach Spotlight By Cyril Benoiton

ANSE SOLEIL

ches? away from the crowded bea place to relax, and let loose, il Sole e Ans the e, Mah Are you in search of a tranquil lles, Seyche rn coast of the main island of , and those in search ilies fam Situated on the south-weste , ples cou for l idea peaceful little beach, beach is a picturesque, and , surrounded by shady trees, d. A stunningly beautiful bay san of n tch stre grid the off for an from the busy, crowded tow ing sessions, relaxation away powder-soft sand, for daily tann . ly areas, or absolutely nothing primeval forest, past the new n a narrow stretch of road, the dow way r you e fauna of the and As you mak flora the of e som g ttin Seasons Resorts, spo opened Kempinski and Four ks, nonetheless worth the at a journey off the beaten trac ewh som is e ther ing gett d, islan another wondrous natural just ers, oth e, plac n e it as a forbidde to visit this beach is during extra effort. Some will describ time t bes e never to be forgotten.Th ler weather, and livelier paradise to be discovered, and coo r, ber, as these months bring drie the months of May and Septem s. vitie sun, sand and sea acti in search of seas for some much needed surfing types, or you’re merely rous parasailing, jet skiing, or tion called entu tina adv se des tho cold of the one to k not bac ’re If you the tropical sun, before heading in ing waters, tine soak le pris r whi clea off e in dos life a cozy area to t snorkeling of your right place! Experience the bes Anse Soleil bay the of ers wat ding oun surr home, then you’ve found the g, as the lly sure to bring your gears alon ls to the most delicious loca bursting with marine life - be , from the most colorful cora cies spe ine mar ical trop the is home to many of rs! cious waters of kaleidoscope colo session, one can enjoy a deli cooked fishes. Snorkeling in r a nice swim, or snorkeling afte gry ch - for hun bea feel the you of uld kirt sho outs Not to worry, situated right on the and, at the Anse Soleil Cafe, restaurant The ch. bea the h reac to nt creole lunch, with toes-in-the-s restaura will have to pass through the tantalizing seafood dishes, sure you won’t miss it, as you s, offering a range of creole and day t mos on rs hou 0 200 sure to stock up on to operates from noon not in your budget, then be to try the Bat Curry. If this is sure be road, as the Anse n on mai ecti the perf by to ps ked sho coo of your choice in the local ents shm refre or rs, bee brew a few local Sey izon, a touch these activities. disappearing sun on the hor Soleil beach is isolated from why not make the most of the ch, of the bea uty the bea at the day ture long a Cap r d. Alas, afte es against the san the sky as the cool water laps ing on your face. blow d win calm of pink and purple covering the with le tiny silver stars litter the sky setting sun on the beach, whi

MARCH 2014 | POTPOURRI

www.paronamio.com

EXPLORING EDEN

Nature Trail s with Wildli fe Club of Seyc helles The Carnivoro us Plant

Morne Seyche llois National Park is home to insects it attra the amazing pl cts, capture, ki ant that gets its lls and assimila called a Pitche tes. This carniv food from r plant or Nepe orous plant is nthes pervillei endemic insect an endemic lia an d eating plant. It with the Creo na le name “Lalya is found in the Silhouette whe nn potao” is an glacis areas an re there are ‘n d on high ridge utrient – poor The leaves of ’ soils. s on Mahé and the plants (the pitchers) prov as flies, ants an ide the plants d bees, which with additiona fall into them pitcher plant is l nutrients such and are “eaten often called th ” by the plant. e carnivorous and can make For this reason plant, but of co its own food fro the ur se the plant ha m photosynth Many of us be s chlorophyll esis as well. lief that the lid closes upon ca several functio tching its prey ns and while it ; this is NOT th can’t move, it rain water. The e case! The lid closes to prev smooth inner has ent the pitche surfaces of the and fall into th r from filling up pitcher have a e liquid in the with poor grip and lower pitcher, the human stom many insects where they dr ach break dow slips own. Enzymes n the animal tis The decompo similar to thos sues and the pi sition of insect e in tcher plant ab s in the pitche to the action of sorbed nutrien r is not only a organisms that result of enzym ts. live unharmed organisms are es but also du inside the pitc found nowhe e re else but insid her. In fact som Seychelles mos e of these e pitcher plan quito breed in ts. Scientists ha side these stru their eggs in th ve found a un ctures – and ha e pitchers. ique ve pr oven this bree Although this d will only lay species of pitc her plant, Nepe Seychelles, pitc nthes pervelli her plants of th in Latin is foun e genus Nepe of the 75 spec d only in nthes occur in ies of Nepenthe various parts of s in the world of the world, on the world. Ou , most are foun e species is fo t d in South East und in India, an species in the Asia other in Sri La Seychelles. Th nka, two in Mad . In our part ere are none in agascar and on Africa. e

Medicines in your Gard By La Plaine St. André nth: Aloe Vera

Medicinal plant of the mo

ly from Africa, this plant can ld wor be cultivated all over the

Where is it found? Original

now

thing agent for sun burn and

Commonly used for: A soo acne.

How do I use it for acne?

apply the the plant, slice it open, and Remove a lower leaf from which B ctin aloe s tain plant con gel on the affected area. The y. bod our in em syst stimulates the immune

Important: Please consult

wing the a professional before follo

above guidelines.

Acknowledgments: Pascal

Brutus, Rachel Spiro, Chanta

Poonoosamy

MARCH 2014 | POTPOURRI

SEYCHELLOIS OVERSEAS

Richard Gertrude AKA DJ Ric One From Plaisance

Richard Gertrude was born and raised in Seychelles until he was 12 years old. A Plaisance resident, he also attended the primary school years at the Plaisance Primary School. Together with his older brother Andy, Richard moved to France to live with his mother who had already settled there.

Ici on parle le francais !

Richard explains that adapting to the french language was initially one of the hardest part of the move. French, as is the case for most Seychellois children, is learned in a classroom and is seldom used in daily routines. Any 12 year old boy would have also established certain friendships and Richard tells us it was hard to leave his friends behind. Despite missing them, over time, new friends were made. One more thing he notes is the family structure which exists here in Seychelles which he missed in France. In the early days, he only had his mother and older brother and at times he felt lonely.

Before Deejaying

Richard and Andy developed a love for music before Richard discovered Deejaaying. Together, they nurtured their interest in the field by attending guitar and piano classes; to name a few. Learning the instruments went hand in hand with Ric’s passion for singing as well. They also had a weekly RnB and New Soul lesson at a music conservatory. This was crucial in their musical progress since the conservatory helped them identify places to perform. They took their act to several concerts and stages.

Rock the Party!!!

For Richard, moving on to Deejaying was a natural progression from singing. “I fell into it almost,” is how he describes it. “I would call myself a DJ/Remixer,” he explains. When he started, the in music at the time was Hip Hop and Dance Hall which he loved. But, after playing in several clubs he soon woke up to the fact that he had to broaden his music repertoire – and so he included dubstep, trap music, electro to name a few into his mix. “From then on, I just evolved. A true deejay should be able to play any kind of music and that is what I try and accomplish,” he explains. Richard also explains that he prefers to perform in different clubs – as opposed to just staying in one club overtime. So far, he has performed in over 40 clubs.

Let’s dance to…French music?

No. Richard is not a great fan of french music. Not when it comes to club music anyway. He prefers american, african, jamaican, west Indian music

A return to the islands

Many people say that there’s something in the air here in Seychelles. The people who leave somehow find their way back. “The last time I came was in 2000. It’s been 13 years,” Richard reveals. “I can’t talk too much about it but I am making plans to return permanently in August. Nothing is finalized yet though,” he further tells us. Editor’s note: It is to be noted that we caught up with Richard while he was on holiday here in December 2013. “I want to come back as an artist. It’s simply a question of working with the nightclubs here as well as other deejays. While was here, I performed at Tequilla Boom and Katiolo. It wasn’t easy to make contacts while I was here. To be honest with you, I had no plans to go down the music avenue this holiday. I was not prepared. It just happened. I basically need to establish contact with club managers and get a feel for the interest and then make a decision,” Richard explains.

MARCH 2014 | POTPOURRI

His take on deejays in Seychelles

“The style is very different from France. In France, the deejay sets the vibe in the nightclub. Clubbers pick their clubs because of the deejays. I find that in Seychelles some deejays tend to play what they like as opposed to what the crowd wants. A deejay also needs to expose his crowd to new music – a few times I’ve been out I have heard songs that I played over 4 years ago. Songs that I no longer play. I feel that we are a few years behind – but I will admit that the ambiance is there. Seychellois love to party,” Richard says. “There’s a lot of work to be done. I don’t mean to boast about it. But I feel that with my 9 years of experience, I will have something to share with the local deejays. I have seen a lot of potential while I’ve been here. The problem I feel is that everyone sounds the same, they’re doing the same thing. A deejay needs to differentiate himself from the next guy and bring his personality out in his mix,” Richard explains.

Taking Seychelles music beyond our shores

Taking the music of Seychellois artists beyond the Seychelles’ borders is something that Richard seems passionate about. When asked if our artists have the talent to make it internationally, he says, “definitely,” without a second’s hesitation. The names that escapes his mouth soon after are Champion and T tray. “If they are serious and committed to make it overseas, they can,” he puts simply. “Reggaeton is something that Richard brings up, explaining that he confused as to why it’s so common here. “Reggaeton was never part of our culture, it’s Puerto Rican. Our music needs to stand out from the rest.”

Final Thoughts

“Seychelles is always in my heart. It’s where I come from. I never forget,” Richard concludes. Any artists who are keen to get in touch with Richard, you can find him on Facebook; Deejay Ric One aka CrossKilla

“THERE’S A LOT OF WORK TO BE DONE. I DON’T MEAN TO BOAST ABOUT IT. BUT I FEEL THAT WITH MY 9 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE, I WILL HAVE SOMETHING TO SHARE WITH THE LOCAL DEEJAYS. I HAVE SEEN A LOT OF POTENTIAL WHILE I’VE BEEN HERE.”

SEYCHELLOIS OVERSEAS

MARCH 2014 | POTPOURRI

BEHIND THE BUSINESS

Butcher’s Grill’s Achille Corgat for restaurants. They referred me to a company based in Britain which when I contacted them I was pleasantly surprised to find out they were Seychellois! The Barrat family from Cascade. So I sent them the layout and a list of everything I wanted including the colour scheme which I selected myself. We worked well together and everything happened smoothly. The equipment for a fast food set up is by no means loose change, my chips fryer alone cost me GBP25,000.

By Elaine LaFortune IT STARTED WITH FRESH CUTS

18 years ago, a small butcher opened at Foret Noire that would change the way Seychellois shopped for their meat. It did not take long for Fresh Cuts to become a household name. The partners behind the venture shared a special bond; they were after-all, father and son. Guilmert (father) and Achille (son) Corgat have been a duo to reckon with when it comes to the meat business. They left nothing to chance, and with their expansion to the Roche Caiman outlet, Achille’s idea to have a local fast-food chain in Seychelles was spearheaded. This is his story.

AN IDEA IS BORN

“The idea started when we opened Fresh Cuts Roche Caiman. A month after the opening, I purchased all the kitchen equipment for Butcher’s Grill. But, it stayed there (referring to next door to Fresh Cuts) in the small would be take-out for nearly two years. At this point I thought to myself, “I need to do this.” The Butcher’s Grill at Roche Caiman was not a fast food place, it was a take-out like any other but the difference is I wanted a different set up. I wanted to entice my customers visually; for them to see what the cooks and other staff members were doing. None of this close-door business,” Achille explains. Given their existing business, Fresh Cuts, it’s logical that Butcher’s Grill would become its primary customer. We all know that it’s best to use what we grow in our own backyards. The Real Estate issue Anyone who has ever searched for a place to rent in Victoria knows that it doesn’t happen overnight and being successful can be close to impossible. Butcher’s Grill fast food was never going to materialize without the right space to set up shop. “One day I got a call from Pension Fund informing me of a unit that was available in the new Unity House building. A few people had apparently withdrawn their interest due to the rent which was SR80,000. I was told that I had to give an answer by the end of that same day since the next day they were going to start diving the unit into two. So I went there and despite the place being under construction, I saw the potential it had immediately. I did not hesitate. I took it,” Achille tells us.

THE DESIGN OF BUTCHER’S GRILL

After I got the call from Pension Fund, I attended a food fair in Dubai. There, I met some companies from the US who supply equipment

MARCH 2014 | POTPOURRI

For the guy with only SR25 in his pocket “But let’s be realistic for a minute. How many of our young people know how to cook? 10%? Then, factor in the cost of living. After that, consider the work and school hours and the time that people get home each night. The

need that these conditions create is for already cooked, cheap and quick meals. I factored in all of these things when we were working at the business model. We are the place where the guy with only SR25 in his pocket can get a decent meal,” Achille tells us who is targeted clientele is.

FAST FOOD CONTROVERSY

Well-being and health are topics that dominate our existence as humans. In this light, fast food chains all over the world have been at the brunt of many controversial issues with regards to the food they sell and their effect on health (from obesity to heart problems). Achille admits, “We all know that too much fast food is not good for our health. At the same time we also know that our diet is only

MARCH 2014 | POTPOURRI

BEHIND THE BUSINESS

a part of our lifestyle. There are other factors; exercise and stress control. If you control how much fast food you eat and have a balanced lifestyle, I don’t see how it can become a health issue. For the more health conscious people we also offer take away options of rice and regular dishes. The set up is right there near the entrance in our outlet and we have also done it in a visually attractive way to entice customers to opt for it. At the end of the day though it’s all about the client’s choice.” *At the time of the interview, Achille informed POTPOURRI that a couple of weeks from then, Butcher’s Grill would be adding a few new items on its menu, namely Quesadilla (one with chicken and cheese and the other with cheese only). “We have someone who used to work in top management at MacDonald’s in the US for over 12 years helping us at the moment. She’s managing Butcher’s Grill. We’re working on our menus and figuring out how we can incorporate more vegetables in them,” Achille informs us.

THE OTHER FAST FOOD CONTROVERSY

Throw in the animal activists factor and you enter one of the most controversial industries of our time. The issue of hormones in animals which are bred for fast food consumption has gained monumental attention in the international media arena. At the end of the day it seems that the business rationale is simple; they have a demand and they need shortcuts to satisfy it.

“I DON’T KNOW WHEN I’M GOING TO STOP. EACH TIME I’M ABOUT TO COMPLETE A PROJECT, I TELL MYSELF IT’S THE LAST ONE. BUT THEN I FIND SOMETHING ELSE. AS LONG AS GOD PERMITS ME TO LIVE AND I AM CAPABLE TO DO MY THINGS MYSELF, I WANT TO WORK AND PROVIDE MY CHILDREN WITH A BETTER LIFE”. IS THIS SOMETHING ACHILLE WOULD EVER CONSIDER? “No. Maybe it’s because I only have two outlets and I can supply what’s needed from our farm and from imported meat supply. But as long as I am running the show, I doubt I will give my seal of approval for this one. I must say though that my plan is to increase the number of outlets and if I face constraints, it might be something I will have to consider. But hopefully by then, supply of good meat would have increased.

SERVICE WITH A SMILE

Anyone who has been served in a McDonald’s would have an opinion about the service. Either they’re irritated by the fake smile or impressed with the efficiency of the production line. The rule of thumb for fast food service though is simply fast and efficient (with the biggest smile you can muster).

MARCH 2014 | POTPOURRI

Butcher’s Grill has almost 38 staff and Achille reveals that staff turn-over has been a problem. “The staff I want especially for the front counter, I can’t get. I feel that my hands have become tied with this issue. I get sick leave thrown my way every single day and it has become a huge problem. I am now contemplating bringing in foreign workers – despite knowing that language barrier could be a problem initially. Prior to opening the Unity House outlet, I spent nearly SR200,000 brining in trainers from the UK. Out of the 25 staff members who attended the training, there’s 3 of them left on my payroll,” he explains.

SO, WHAT IS THE PROBLEM?

In his opinion, it is attitude, “I think as a nation we have been given so much that we find it hard to appreciate what we get. Somehow we think that things will always work out and someone will pay our bills. I also have a problem with shift work. No one wants to work the late shift. I don’t understand it. I pay well, I encourage overtime, I give salary increments and I always respect days off and holidays. I just don’t understand,” he admits. Following this topic, Achille expresses his concern over the course of the future with such ethics. “There will be a big gap between rich and poor and an in-flux of foreign workers. How can we blame the foreigners? They want to work and we need them,” he says.

WHAT’S NEXT?

“Hopefully, before the end of 2014, I will open a Butcher’s Grill Café just outside our Unity House outlet, on the river. We will serve soft drink, ice cream, milkshakes, beer drafts and healthy snacks. Instead of frying we are considering grilling from a special oven,” Achille begins. “I will also be renovating next door (the Roche Caiman’s Butcher’s Grill) and bringing in equipment to have the exact same set up as the outlet in Unity House,” he continues. “I also plan to open up a new outlet, bigger than the Unity House one, also in Victoria. This will be in about two years time. The idea is to also have a children’s entertainment corner so that when families come for a meal the children can play and have fun,” he adds. “All in all, I want 7 outlets in Seychelles, a mini chain. I want to create this,” he admits. “And then there’s Fresh Cuts, I’m not done with that either!” he concludes.

WHEN WILL HE STOP? “I don’t know when I’m going to stop. Each time I’m about to complete a project, I tell myself it’s the last one. But then I find something else. As long as God permits me to live and I am capable to do my things myself, I want to work and provide my children with a better life. My one luxurious wish will be to have a nice boat so that I can go fishing.”

QUICK FACTS

Age: 40 Favourites on the menu: Fried chicken and the Big Butch burger Children: 5 (4 boys and 1 girl) Butcher’s Grill logo: The man is his father, Guilmer He knows how to: Build fish traps (kazye), extract ‘kalou’ from coconut trees and even assist animals during birth!

“MAYBE A SECOND QUOTE HERE TO FILL THIS GAP?”. OR A FOOD PIC WOULD BE GOOD :)

JANUARY 2014 | POTPOURRI

FEATURED ARTIST

Life as a professional dancer A DANCER’S LIFESTYLE IS COMPLETELY DIFFERENT FROM WHAT MOST PERCEIVE. THAT’S THE THING, IT’S NOT JUST A PROFESSION OR A HOBBY, IT’S A WAY OF LIFE, AN ART THAT NEEDS TO BE EXPRESSED IN EVERYTHING THAT YOU DO.

MARCH 2014 | POTPOURRI

“Dancers are the athletes of God” ~ Albert Einstein

From 1445, I have my first class for the day: a mix of ballet and modern. From 1730 onwards, I have a contemporary dance class till 1900. Contemporary dance is a mixture of neo-classical moves, together with a bit of tai-chi and acrobats. It is basically the other world of ballet. On my side, I’m trying to introduce some Creole moves into the mixture as well.

What do you like most about what you do? When dance has become such a part of oneself, it doesn’t just become a part of who one is, it IS who one is. It doesn’t just become part of your day; it IS your day, not just part of your life, because yes, it IS your life. I’m definitely one of those who believes that life without music is just plain boring. Music is the language of the soul-a language that anyone who listens, will understand. However, while most of us remember to listen to the music, we unfortunately forget to dance to it as well. It is with your ears that you hear, and with your feet that you move, but it is with your heart that you listen. And if you listen with all your heart, the rest of you will dance. If I am ever to meet someone I’d have trouble expressing this to one day, I’d ask them to let me take them to this charming little dance studio that is the “School of dance” at Mont Fleuri. That way, I wouldn’t have to explain anything at all. Seeing is after all, believing. If I could wish anything at all for you this month of March, it would be to feel a little bit of the magic I felt on a recent Saturday morning in the presence of this accomplished Seychellois dancer. Meet Ruth Louise. At 29 years old, she has achieved what most with the same passion have only dared dream about. As we sit in her cosy little office at the school, so it begins: her love story.

Randoms

“I’m Ruth Louise of Mont Fleuri, 29 years, soon to be 30. I’m a dancer and have been so for...” Laugh out loud moment for Ruth-she silently starts counting on her fingers for a few seconds. If I hadn’t realised to what point dance is actually her life, it’s definitely clear at this point. “...twenty six years! I studied dance for three years at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts and have a Bachelor of Arts which I obtained from Edith Cowan University In Australia. I also spent one year In Canada where I underwent professional training at the Creole School of Performing Arts Professional Training Programme. I’ve been told I look quite the serious type, but stripped down, at the end of the day, I like to think of myself as the opposite-those close to me will say that I’m easy-going, laidback kind of girl. I enjoy fine dining, as I have a love for good food and good wine, especially in the good company of my closest friends and family.

“Three things: First, it’s being on stage. Second, seeing my work through my students. And third, it’s seeing my students reap great results. The most rewarding part is the applause from thr audience after a great show. It is an amazing feeling to know all the hard work pays off. I appreciate feedback, whether positive or negative, as it shows me that people have been paying attention. ”

And what is the most challenging about what you do?

“Wow. It has to be getting the choreography right, especially if I’m teaching while also performing in the group at the same time. Behind every choreography, there is a story. Obviously, as a dancer, you want to be able to see and feel the whole story, but that is hard to do while you are performing at the same time, as you have to focus on getting the choreography right.”

What is the most common misconception people have about what you do?

“Oh you get a lot of people with the opinion that there is no future in dance-that you cannot build a career on it, that it should be more of a hobby than a profession. There is so much that they don’t know. A dancer’s lifestyle is completely different from what most perceive. That’s the thing, it’s not just a profession or a hobby, it’s a way of life, an art that needs to be expressed in everything that you do. We see things, and we see the beauty in such things in a way that others may not. “

What kind of chemistry do you need once on stage?

“Passion is a must. Without passion, you can never really convince the audience of what you are trying to express. You need to be able to show the audience that you are in the moment, so that you can also take them there”

Who or what motivates you?

“I have quite a few idols, like Martha Graham and Merce Cunningham. At the end of the day though, I’d have to say my biggest motivation, my greatest strength, has been myself. My grandmother, who was also a dancer, although not professionally, always taught me to let myself be my biggest fascination, to not dance to impress others and to always be true to who I am. So this is what I live by.”

What advice would you give to a bright-eyed young dancer who wants to be “just like Miss Ruth”?

I love to travel and see the word from different perspectives. Above all, I’m very big on family-mine I owe a lot of who I am to them.”

“Believe in yourself, even when nobody else does. You have a dream, and you have a goal-you and only you can reach it. Work hard, find strength and motivation in everything that you do. Dance like no-one is watching, and tell a story with every step. Do not let negative feedback be a setback. On the contrary, use the stones others throw at you as material to build the bridge ahead of you. Life as a dancer is not easy, but if you’re passionate about it, don’t give up on it”

How did you get started as a dancer?

Finish this sentence for me: Dance is.....

“I must have been about four years old. It was Miss Vivienne Clement and Miss Daniella Rose who took charge of opening a dance school, which was a little studio at Mont Fleuri. There were hardly four or five of us enthusiastic little girls with very excited feet. It was mostly relatives to start out with really. Thereon started an amazing journey that became my life, I grew into it and here I am today! I’m extremely happy with what I do, and have no regrets. That’s not to say I never felt like giving up, but I could never really see myself doing anything else but dance. From the age of twelve, while I was competing against older students, I started to realise that I was not only good at it, but it was also what I wanted. It’s my calling-my reason for getting up everyday”

“MY LIFE!!” Et voila. My final words for you March readers are: Life is the dance-you are the dancer. You have your own story; you are your own choreographer. Just because others do not hear the music, does not make you mad. So dance your story away. Martine Gontier

So what is a typical day at work for you?

MARCH 2014 | POTPOURRI

FEATURED ARTIST

“My work day will usually start at around 10 am. We get a lot of research work done, and work on new projects for the future. We work up theory classes for our students, which include anatomy, bone structure and anything that will help them to grow as a dancer.

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• • • • • • • • • • •

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For more information, contact Jean Paul Maurel Office: +248 4374585 | Fax: +2484224730 | Mobile: + 2482717797 E: sales@seychelles-properties.com | www.seychelles-properties.com 32

MARCH 2014 | POTPOURRI

SHERA Wood Build Better, Live Better Courtest of Elaine LaFortune Building your house? Wanting to add an extension to your home without needless hassles? You now have the option to either build your house structure out of wood or our C75 galvanized steel stud. The Mahaphant group has effectively introduced the fibre-cement products into the market under the brand SHERA. Because Mahaphant is a leader in wood substitution manufacturer, its products have been deemed of highest quality. The Mahaphant group is today the forefront company in terms of production facilities using the latest in technology, production capability and distribution networks. As a constant reminder, Mr. Payette states that the group has operated under “Green Policy” for years. It is evident therefore that its production of building material is done through an eco-friendly manufacturing process in the fibre cement composites industry. Woodworks Unlimited is engaged in providing a wide range of Wood Substitute & Boards to its clients. The products manufactured are unique both in terms of originality and aesthetic qualities. “Our range of products is widely used in various applications for construction & furnishing of the building”, Denis reiterates. SHERA fibre-cement products are marketed almost worldwide and its services are appreciated by its worldwide client base.

steel frames. The board must be supported at the edge at intermediate positions with centers not exceeding 600 mm. SHERA plank is the ideal fiber cement siding from Mahaphant. It’s a unique combination of natural fibers bonded tightly in a structure. This autoclaved wood-grain fiber cement siding is a tough, yet flexible and stable building material. SHERA splendid plank is an innovative style of wood which has been carefully designed in order to match various architectural styles including colonial and modern formats. Different edge outlines of SHERA splendid plank siding give you a variety of overlapping and grooved appearances on your interior/exterior walls suiting a variety of designs. SHERA eaves lining can be used as fascia board for roof-end finishing, enhancing the beauty roof and building while preventing wind, reverse rain, bird or other animals to enter the underside of the roof. Numerous carving styles of board’s edge and size are available, offering a unique character to your roof-end design. SHERA decor wood has various designs including choice of dimension and colours. It can also provide full function benefits of material for building decoration. All SHERA fibre-cement products are certified for fire resistance

What is the difference between real wood and SHERA products? Although SHERA looks like real wood there are in fact many differences. SHERA products are made from fibre cement and do not require destruction of forests but instead use natural / farmed raw materials. SHERA wood can be used as a substitute for building. There are different collections on availability: • Flooring Collection namely Floor planks and Stairs • Siding Collection which involves Plank, Splendid Plank, Skirt and Laminated Skirt • Roofing Component Collection in terms of Eaves, Shake, Strip, and Eaves Filler Unit • Decorative Collection which comprises of Vent Board, Eaves Drop, Eaves Lace, Décor Wood, Neo Series, Fence and Baluster. A Better View of SHERA wood The innovative, autoclaved, non-asbestos SHERA fibre-cement can be used in a complete range of cladding solutions including ceiling, walling and flooring. It provides an excellent alternative to plywood, and other kinds of flat sheets. SHERA fibre-cement is the perfect choice for building board applications such as wall cladding, wall partitioning and decorative walling. These are especially useful where speedy construction, cleanliness and hygiene is of high importance. SHERA Board can be fixed to either timber or

MARCH 2014 | POTPOURRI

Fastening your SHERA wood Fasteners can be both nails and screws. It can be nailed directly to timber supports or metal screws can be used. The size and length of the screw will depend on the thickness of the board and the measurement of framing. The Galvanized steel frame is recommended to be used as stud for internal separator using SHERA Board. While the boards need to be screwed on both the interior and exterior, Mr. Payette assures his clients that all you need is an angle grinder with a disc, so that the board can be cut and a drill with a speed control. Why is SHERA wood the better alternative? SHERA wood is simple to handle and easy to install and is therefore suitable for the Do-It-Yourself (DIY) part. It requires very little maintenance and care. Therefore, it is perfect for any house that needs a simple, yet durable material. Compared to the price of Wood, SHERA products are considerably cheaper. It comes in several sizes and textures to match your housing needs, making it easy to select your desired interior/exterior cladding materials. It is also a perfect solution for all wood-cladding houses that face a constant threat from termites and water damage. For more information on SHERA Fibre-Cement products, visit the SHERA website www.SHERAsolution.com

MARCH 2014 | POTPOURRI

FASHION

e r e G n r I n u o G Y ea t e The month of March is here and everyone is getting the groove on to celebrate our famous holiday, St. Patricks day. St. Patrick’s day is celebrated in honour of the Patron Saint of Ireland who brought Christianity to the Emerald Isles, as Ireland is known. It is truly a day of celebrating Irish history, ancestry, traditions and customs. St. Patrick used a shamrock; a low- growing clover-like plant with three-lobed leaves, as a metaphor for the Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), showing how three individual units could be part of the same body. His parishioners began wearing shamrocks to his church services. Today,’ the wearing of green’ on St. Patrick’s Day represents spring, shamrocks, and Ireland. Traditions aside, this day has become a world known celebration where people wear green, gather to drink beer and have a fiesta! Most bars and pubs love St. Patrick’s Day as it’s one of the few holidays known for a marked increase in alcohol consumption. So get out there and buy something green to fit the scene! A simple green clutch, a glamorous green dress, with some elegant green pumps on your feet and you’re ready to go. Preferably wear all green but if not, accessorise with some funky green jewellery.

0559 | Allure House of Fashion, SR295

Fashion, 0600 | Allure House of

0569 PORTOFINO SR690

0633 Dira’s Cosmetics

SR250

utique, SR

615

0576 | Fashion Corner, SR200

0610 | Cecile’s Fashion, SR35 & Dira’s Cosmetics, SR

0551 | Les Folies de Mahé, SR1300

es Jolie Bo 0590 | Tr

0613 Dira’s Cosmetics

0578 | CMB Boutique, SR100

0598 Cecile’s Fashion SR295 0614 Dira’s Cosmetics

0604 | Quatre Epices, SR375

0605 | PORTOFINO, SR1398

MARCH 2014 | POTPOURRI

0623 | Jade’s Fashion, SR125

MARCH 2014 | POTPOURRI

FASHION

Aruna Latulipe, age?, occupation?

My number one fashion rule...

Always wear something that you are comfortable in

Celebrities who tops my ‘best dressed’ list... It has to be Cameron Diaz

Favourite item in my wardrobe... My Caftans!

My favourite place to shop...

Here in Seychelles I love ‘’Quatre Epices’’ and overseas I like ‘’Zara’’ and ‘’HnM’’.

Preference for high heels/flats or sneakers girl...

I love them all! It depends on my mood, I mostly wear high heels to go out at night and flats during the day. Sneakers I like to wear when travelling.

The best designer brand is... Dolce And Gabbana

My perfect outfit for a night out clubbing with friends is... A shirt tucked into a pair of jeans and some high heels!

MARCH 2014 | POTPOURRI

FASHION

Get Her Look Hilary Duff

Hilary Duff grew up on our screens. We watched her transformation to womanhood from Lizzie McGuire to Olivia Burke in Gossip Girl. She is certainly one of those celebrities who has a style many of us can relate to. It is simple yet elegant. Here she is on set in an earlier season of Gossip Girl, casually doing her stuff looking fabulous and sweet. The floral dress adds a feminine touch to the youthful vibe she always gives off.

with Ms Jules

BEADED BRACELETS

Not many comments are usually made about a woman’s wrist. Delicate and soft are popular adjectives for our hands but wrists; you won’t steal the show with your delicate wrist unless; ah, you have a winning bracelet on. There are many different kinds of bracelets, but for this month, I want to talk about my favourite one; the beaded bracelet. http://urbangirlaccessories.com Beaded bracelets can be either stretchy or have a clasp, made of glass, crystal, or semi-precious beads. Beaded bracelets are considered to be a high fashion trend worn on all kinds of occasions; yes, from the late afternoon errand to your nearest KANNUS supermarket or one of the annual charity galas. Though the simplest of them is just a strand of beads with a clasp, you can find elaborate beaded bracelets or small seed beads woven together to form a bracelet. You can hardly go wrong with beaded bracelets, but, just in case; Consider color: When wearing beads casually, simply wear the colors that you like. For formal occasions, pay attention to what you’re wearing. A black dress opens up a wide range of options, but if you are wearing colour, keep the bracelet a neutral colour or black. Choose size carefully: Smaller beaded bracelets can be worn alongside other bracelets; but be careful with the bigger ones. Keep it simple. Contemplate bead material: Keep the gemstones and diamond ones for formal occasions. Stick to metal and glass one for day-time.

MARCH 2014 | POTPOURRI

Dazielle Laporte (??)

MAKE-OVER

Martin Hoarau’s Hairdressing Occupation: University Student (but secondary teacher by profession) Family: I have a beautiful 7-year old daughter and I am a single mum. Hair Beauty Routine: I usually do my own hair. I need a Make-Over because... my hair is a mess. To me, it looks dull and dry. My expectations are…a new hair look, so that when I look at my hair I feel wonderful! The last time I went to a hairdresser was: Last year, I can’t recall exactly when. The most extreme thing I have done to my hair: I have never done anything extreme to my hair, I usually just add highlights and do a blow dry.

BEFORE

Hair (with Martin) Martin wants to give Dazielle a very layered hairstyle, one that she will still be able to pull back and tie up. He states that she has too much hair for her small face and that he will sort of give her a fringe that does not stand out too much.

For booking, call Martin Hoarau Hairdressing on 4325186

Make up (with Sophie) Sophie started off by using foundation, followed by powder and blusher. She then applied eye shadow to match Dazielle’s attire.The usual trio followed; mascara, eyeliner and last but not least, lip gloss.

For booking, call Sophie Pool SP Glamour Beauty & Spa on 2793300

for AFTER photo go to page 43 1

The Team

1. Hair: Martin Hoarau | 2. Make Up: Sophie Pool | 3. Photography: Alvin Abel 40

MARCH 2014 | POTPOURRI

EAT WELL

Nourish your skin, stick to a diet rich in fruit and vegetables and fish to increase the body’s intake of vitamins and antioxidants and omega 3 which will help to keep skin healthy and youthful. Reduce your intake of refined sugars which accelerate the destruction of collagen and elastin in the skin.

DE-STRESS

Skin often reflects your emotional state; too much stress will result in pale and dull skin. Frowning will only encourage those worry lines.

GET ENOUGH SLEEP

Lack of sleep often goes hand in hand with stress but getting enough rest is essential to restore energy and maintain the skin’s overall health.

LOVE YOUR SKIN

Adopt a consistent skin care routine, cleansing and moisturising with products suitable for your skin type. Keep the skin cells plumped up and healthy by using an effective moisturiser. Anti ageing creams claim to smooth the skin by removing dead cells, hydrating and plumping up the skin. Look for the most recognised anti ageing ingredients nowadays such as retinoids, glycolic acids and anti oxidants such as vitamin C and E.

STAY HYDRATED

Drink at least one litre of water a day to help flush out toxins which have a negative impact on the skin. Women with well hydrated skin develop persistent wrinkles more slowly than those with dry skin. .

By Jennifer Baldwin Wrinkles are inevitable and although genetics play a large role in how quickly and deeply they form, there are several environmental and lifestyle factors we can address in our everyday life to help keep them at bay. Skin cells on the outer layer of the skin die and regenerate every day. This turnover rate, quicker in youthful skin slows down with age resulting in dry, dull looking older skin. Elastin and collagen fibres which make up the skin give it suppleness and strength. As we age, the number of these fibres is reduced encouraging fine lines and wrinkles to appear. Skin also contains a layer of fat just below the surface which gives it form and structure. With age this layer thins out, we lose volume in our face causing the skin to sag and wrinkle. Although the rate of each individual’s ageing process is largely dictated by inherited genes, there are other simple steps we can take to help enhance our complexion and maintain a youthful appearance.

SKIN OFTEN REFLECTS YOUR EMOTIONAL STATE; TOO MUCH STRESS WILL RESULT IN PALE AND DULL SKIN. FROWNING WILL ONLY ENCOURAGE THOSE WORRY LINES.

TAKE COVER

The sun is one of the skin’s worst enemies! Exposure to ultra-violet radiation leads to cell damage which accelerates the breakdown of the youth enhancing elastin fibres in the skin. Frequent unprotected sun exposure causes loss of elasticity and lowered collagen production resulting in deep wrinkles and sun spots as well as an increased chance of developing skin cancer. Always wear sunscreen which protects against UVA and UVB rays with an SPF 30 or above, to maintain healthy, youthful plump skin for as long as possible. Always wear sunglasses in bright sunlight to minimise squinting which will cause fine lines to develop around the eyes.

NO SMOKING

In addition to the other health risks associated with smoking, smokers will have more wrinkles. Nicotine in tobacco constricts your blood vessels which reduces oxygen flow leaving the skin dry, dull and damaged. The skin of a smoker will wrinkle faster than that of a non smoker because smoking pumps your body full of harmful toxins. The repetitive action of pursing the lips to inhale can also cause unsightly wrinkles around the mouth.

LIMIT YOUR ALCOHOL

Excessive alcohol intake will cause dehydration and also decrease the elasticity and collagen of the skin. Alcohol can also make your skin look flushed and blotchy which will not promote a youthful even skin tone.

GET MOVING

Exercise improves blood flow and circulation which in turn improves the condition of the skin. Exercise and sweating during exercise will help to flush out toxins from the body which may cause premature ageing.

Jennifer Baldwin has worked in the fashion and beauty industry in several countries

MARCH 2014 | POTPOURRI

BEAUTY

Keeping wrinkles at bay…

BEAUTY

The Pixie-Hair Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday changed women’s conception, or rather misconception about short hair. Women realized that short hair did not only belong on a man’s scalp alongside a beard. Yes, we could be feminine and attractive without tying our hair back in a pony tail. And so the pixie-do was brought to life. Countless female celebrities since then have had their stylists create their own versions of the pixie-do. When Charlize Theron showed up at the 2013 Oscars with her new pixie hair cut, she almost stole the entire show. Naturally, there are many variations of the short hair-do since no hair is the same as the other (straight/ curly/ oily/ unruly – take your pick). As the norm dictates, the rest of the world observes what the red carpet folks tell us and we pick and chose what we will copy from them. Many, many of us have copied the pixie hair.

Simple steps to

The wrap-around braid With Helen (Martin Hoarau)

Audrey Hepburn

So, are you thinking of going short? Some things to think about: • It seems like a wash and go type of cut. It is. If it looks like you will be spending an hour getting your pixie in order in the morning there is a problem. • Some pixies are divinely feminine while others are extremely edgy or messy (think Halle Berry). Discuss this with your hairdresser before scissors even come into sight. • Know your hair type; and accept it. Unruly curls are unruly. There is a pixie style that would suit it. Again, your hairdresser should advise you on what would best suit your hair type. • Know your facial structure. This is just as crucial as the hair type point above. Remember that there isn’t ONE pixie hair style. The one thing all pixie hair styles have in common is ‘short.’ Yours can be ‘tailor’ cut to suit your features and facial bone structure. • Know what upkeep the hair-do will need. Yes, if you want to go for a pixie hair style, you have a lot to talk about with your hairdresser. If you never knew his/her name, now it’ll be a good time to find out. You need another chat about maintenance. Will you grow out the pixie? Keep it for a while? Will you throw in a colour or highlights in the mix? A rule of thumb to consider; If you can scrape your hair back into a tight ponytail and still think you look good, you can consider anything, even very, very short hair. Once you take the plunge into the pixie world, two things are for certain; you will feel like a million dollars and you won’t complain about the heat like Rapunzel.

Separate the hair (lower ear area) and tie a pony tail on one side

Gather the loose bottom hair on the opposite side and start braiding

Tie braid

Take braided hair to the pony tail side

Wrap it around and secure with a pin/clip

Helen (Martin Hoarau)

Halle Berry

Charlize Theron

MARCH 2014 | POTPOURRI

Et voila!

MAKE-OVER

R E T F A

Dazielle says, “I feel awesome, I love it!”

MARCH 2014 | POTPOURRI

HEALTH

VIEW FROM THE STATION

A LIFE OF ABUNDANCE

Living your values, many blessings at a time By Jenny Gilbert

onsider just how boring and certain life would be if we were all millionaires, driving super-luxurious cars and running hugely profitable enterprises? Besides the fact that there would be no purpose or will to live in such a universe, it is a fact that some people don’t aspire to this lifestyle in any way at all. For countless millions having heaps of money and possessions might equate to excess baggage that is burdensome and unnecessary - filled with expectations and responsibilities too mammoth to bear. Billions of people around the world consider abundance to be a hut in the nature with running water, home-grown food and an education for their children. Which might explain why there is such an enormous divide between rich and poor.

MARCH 2014 | POTPOURRI

I’ve learnt that we all do get what we really want – even if that is unconscious to us. Importantly, and more accurately, I’ve come to see that we get what we value and appreciate and that those rewards grow in proportion to how much we value and appreciate what we have and are. If you’ve learnt to appreciate the little you have – but from a scarcity perspective - then that becomes a value over time which will stick to you even if you regularly visualize a luxurious lifestyle filled with your heart’s desire. No matter how much you affirm having this lifestyle, unless it really fits what is really important to you, in the value sense, and unless you already truly appreciate what you already have and have achieved, that dream could forever be outside of your grasp.

For me, Abundance is having, doing and being what feels right for me in line with my values. I believe strongly that if I truly valued being a multi-millionaire with a penthouse in Manhattan, a ski villa in St Moritz and a super-yacht in Monaco, that is what I would have. In truth that lifestyle has absolutely no value to me. So, I know for sure that no matter how much effort I put into envisaging that lifestyle, it will never materialize. I believe in the concept that I have everything I want and need, right now. And even when I think I don’t have something it does not simply make it unavailable because I thought so! I also don’t agree that we are born to labour on being abundant through visualisations and affirmations hoping and praying that the law of attractive will deliver up our wishes. While these are absolutely great, powerful tools and necessary in helping us to open the way to abundance, they will not be effective unless we a) know and commit to what it is that we really value and b) consciously value and appreciate what we already have and are already achieving. There is no getting away from having to do the work of consciously making choices, based on what it is that we truly value, in order to open the door to our ‘abundance store’. Once we can clearly define what we value and what is important to us and commit it to paper, we will immediately open up a channel to our abundance. Take out a pen and paper and describe what’s important to you. It will look something like this: It is really important to me to (I will name 5 out of many): • be able to spend time creating beauty around me – in my home and in my career • have financial freedom to enable me do things that matter to me (my values) • easily afford the time to be able to travel to visit friends and family abroad • spend time in nature and with my loved ones • live a balanced, moderate lifestyle which keeps me in good health These are some examples only. If you believe that it is important for you to be super wealthy, to live in an opulent home (or many) with lots of trimmings and a social life that goes with it, write that down. Nobody but you can decide on what is valuable to you. We are free to be who and what we want – we really just need to declare those things that will make us feel whole and valued. Now, move onto consciously noticing and appreciating what you do have and what you are already achieving. Doing this will help you to recognize that you already have abundance, that the things and people you value and appreciate always grow and develop proportionately because that honours your value system. Then the law of attraction makes sense. An easy way to show appreciation is to recount all your little successes during the day. If you need more structure in order to achieve this, try by writing down at least one thing you appreciate and are achieving in the five areas of your life and make that pertinent to that day. Jot down each success in your relationships, your finances, emotional life, spiritual and health areas that you achieved over the course of the day. This could be as simple as being grateful that you spent 10 quality minutes having a worthwhile chat with a friend, cutting out bad eating or drinking habits for that day, getting something you needed on a ‘barter system’, instead of for cash, noticing the full moon or feeling good about something you did for someone. Soon you will realise that abundance is already in your life. Keep at it; the more you count your blessings, the more they will multiply. The life you create, when you can be bothered and are willing to repeatedly check your value system, is entirely in your hands. Remember that the law of attraction only operates when you are happy and appreciative of what you have in this moment - because the laws of the universe only work in the ‘now’. If you disassociate from what you don’t like in your life now (rather than appreciating it for what it teaches you) and focus only on what might be better in the future, you will continue to create anxiety and scarcity from “not having” now. Whatever you desire is already here waiting for your attention. It is now up to you to put the rules of value and appreciation to use. By choosing to do this you choose abundance. Try it and see what happens. Remember if you create a space for abundance and know what you’d really love to fill that space with, if you appreciate all the good things and achievements you have already, the space will fill up with more and more of those rewards and blessings from the infinite supply in your ‘abundance store’. 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. Please visit resonatewell.wordpress.com or email reson8.well@gmail.com.

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HEALTH

Keep at it; the more you count your blessings, the more they will multiply. The life you create, when you can be bothered, is entirely in your hands.

INSERT HEALTH ADVETORIAL

MARCH 2014 | POTPOURRI

Better Living

With Célia Ponzo

MY PATH TO YOGA It took me some time to discover yoga. Let me start by re winding back to when I was living in London. I remember I was in the midst of studying for my final exams during my master’s degree, I was stressed, constantly out of breath and desperately trying to keep up till I would finally break free by handing in the final exam paper. I decided to finally try yoga, a practice that always deeply attracted me from the beginning, however something I never really pursued. My first encounter with yoga I have to admit was not very positive. Firstly because of my flexibility, I was not able to do half the poses in the class and secondly because of my racing mind. I felt everyone around me was deep into their practice on a completely different wavelength to me that I felt nearly impossible to ever be able to reach. It was one of the longest hours, I was constantly looking at the clock for it to be over. I thought that I should not give up quite yet so a couple of months later I joined a different class. Still I got the same feeling of

frustration, I was not able to follow and felt bored. Despite these feeling I was yearning to be able to be like those around me, to be able to breathe through each pose, to be able to unwind my mind and to just keep my body still. It did not work so I decided yoga was just not for me. I was wrong, yoga was just what I needed in my life, I just needed to understand the philosophy behind the practice and have someone guide me through it. I did not have this before arriving in Seychelles. Seychelles was the beginning of my real journey with yoga. My first yoga class on Mahé was with Nature Seychelles at the Sanctuary just off Eden Island. As you sit on your yoga mat, sunlight dances on the water drawing the eye and calming the mind, trees rise up, lifting the gaze to look out towards the mountains. Birds sing to one another all around as the gentle breeze cools the forehead, tension melts away, revitalizing energy flows in.

Straight away my experience was different to my London yoga classes, it was the perfect introduction to the practice. Along with the magical context I was practicing in, the teacher Robin guided me step by step, breath by breath. His knowledge and experience of yoga was immediately transmitted to me leaving me with a sense of trust that this was a safe place for me go deep within myself. The benefits of yoga are infinite, not only does it provide relaxation, but also improves flexibility , strength, weight loss, reduces depression and anxiety and controls many other physical ailments. Practice as much as you can, whether it’s one time a week or several times a week. If you practice the right way yoga will transform you and its positive effects are cumulative over a lifetime. Yoga is healing, allow yourself to be healed by inhaling positive healing energy and exhaling negative energy. If you practice regularly yoga will change your life. It has somewhat changed my life. The most important lesson I learnt through practicing is being kind to myself. What does this mean? It means listening to my body and finding the perfect balance between effort and ease.It means accepting the fact that I am not the most flexible person in the class and that yoga is not about shaping my body to fit a particular shape but rather listening to my

maximum flexibility limit and being at peace with how far I can reach my toes. The teacher’s words keep echoing in my mind ‘True yoga is not how long and how well you can stay in a pose but the person that truly understands yoga is the one that gets in the pose but then listens to their body and rests down rather than pushing their limit’. Being kind to myself also means accepting what I find as I practice. I am mindful about the feelings and sensations that I am experiencing in my body and in a non-judgemental way I try to let go. It has been over a year now I regularly practice yoga. I still struggle at times especially when it comes the moment of relaxation at the end of the class. It is my hardest moment as when I begin to connect I can feel strong emotions and sensations in my body that scare me and then following those sensations I sometimes judge myself for not being as relaxed as everyone else around me. Then I stop myself and accept my racing mind, I try to let go as I know the ground is holding me and that I am safe. Find someone you trust to guide you through yoga. I would not be where I am today without having an incredible teacher which whom I feel I can connect with and most importantly trust. I know yoga is my journey but I know my teacher can be the conduit to help me along the way. Thank you Robin.

Célia is passionate to inspire happier and healthier lives by sharing holistic tips to her public. Her background is in medical anthropology and public health. She is currently working in the nutrition unit at the ministry of health.

MARCH 2014 | POTPOURRI

The Smoothie Queen We have reached our third month of the year. Anyone feeling like a good detox? Well to kick start this month, we shall make my March Madness Green Detox Smoothie. It is a healthy and refreshing way to start the month, and it doesn’t taste like grass! You are constantly ingesting toxins, whether they are coming from your food, your air, your water, it all registers to toxins to be processed by the liver. Toxins are unavoidable, but every once in a while you’ve got to stop and remove them! Signs of toxicity are, dark circles under the eyes, a yellow coated tongue, irritability, moodiness, anger, premenstrual tension, headaches, lack of vitality, the feeling of discouragement or hopelessness, arthritis, puffy skin, constipation and irregularity, brain fog and the feeling of being ‘spaced out’, food cravings, late night binging and skin blemishes. So with the help of this month’s smoothie, let us wash out all those toxins from our bodies! The more greens people add to their diet the more enthusiastic they get! Reducing the demand on your digestion will boost your physical and emotional energy. When your body doesn’t have to process heavy foods and toxins, you feel energetic and invigorated!

If this smoothie is drank every day for one month, you will surely notice the difference in your complexion. With simple nutrient dense foods you shall feel easily satisfied and over eating is less likely to happen. Eat glue get glue; moving to a fresh food diet will dramatically improve your digestion and elimination! You’ll feel better because you are digesting better. What goes on in the guts affects every part of your overall health and well-being. You’ll feel less irritable and more interested in spending time with others because your body is feeling rested and peaceful right down to your cells. You will think clearly, feel more focused and get more done because your body’s attention and energy isn’t tied up with digestion. Simply replace one meal a day with this detoxifying smoothie. Perform a cleanse in a regular and natural way. Green Tea will be one of the ingredients in this smoothie, it contains important antioxidants that our body needs. It offers a slight caffeine boost that can help you get a jump start in the morning just as coffee does. So enjoy this month with the help of this delicious smoothie, do some exercise and stay positive!

Mili’s Green Detox Smoothie ** March Madness ** Method:

• Wash, peel and chop up all your fruits and vegetables according to the size of your juicer/blender. • First pour your water and green tea into the electric blender/juicer. • Simply add your spinach, celery, basil, mint, pineapple, strawberries, blueberries, greek yoghurt and honey. • If using an electric blender, blend for about 1 minute, with a juicer all you are required to do is pop the fruits and veggies into it and stir it when that’s done. • For a smoother texture pass the result through a strainer (make sure to do this especially if you are using a blender). • Serve with plenty of ice and taaddaa! Smoothilicious! Green goodness to the max, slurp up this smoothie and feel fantastic for the rest of the day! To see a video of the making of this smoothie please check out ‘Mili’s Green Detox Smoothie!’ on my Youtube Channel > http://www.youtube.com/user/Milidoux/videos

Enjoy and let the green March Madness begin!

Ingredients:

150 grams raw spinach 1 small pineapple 250 grams blueberries 200 grams of strawberries 250 grams celery

1 cup green tea 400 ml water 1 normal sized tub of greek yoghurt 3 teaspoons of honey A handful of mint A handful of basil leaves

POTPOURRI STUDIO BANNER 48

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Emilie Chetty is our Smoothie Queen. She shares her smoothie recipes with us each month. She is a young pescatarian from the Seychelles who dedicates much of her time making it possible to provide us with not just super healthy but also amazingly delicious smoothie recipes! Catch Emilie in action on our page, www.potpourrimagazine. com where she shares videos on how to make her smoothies and she will help us improve our diets with her fabulous recipes!

Coping with Guilt Q:

Dear Annalisa, Two of my close friends have gotten it - and won the battle. At the time of getting the cancer neither had had kids and now one never will, while the other is struggling to conceive. I on the other hand, have a 2-year old and I am pregnant with my second. I feel my friends distancing from me and I get it, but I don’t want to lose them. What do I do? Lucille, 34

“INSERT A QUOTE HERE TO FILL THE SPACE INSERT A QUOTE HERE TO FILL THE SPACE INSERT A QUOTE HERE TO FILL THE SPACE INSERT A QUOTE HERE TO FILL THE SPACE”.

A: Dear Lucille,

First thing’s first, I would rather say based on your friends’ behaviours your thought is “my friends (are) distancing from me” and that makes you “feel sad, concerned, anxious (or other feelings of the sort)”. Your friends may well be keeping their distance from you or you may be perceiving their behaviour(s) as such. How are you to know what’s really going on and how to not lose them? Simple, communicate. Communication is the process by which people connect with each other, share information, disclose concerns and negotiate solutions to problems. Good communication is essential for successful relationships, it enables friendships and develop bonds. Currently a lack of communication with your close friends on the matter of children and pregnancy is stopping you from resolving this issue and stopping you from getting your needs met, of not losing your friends. Therefore it is simple, start to communicate, which means expressing yourself in a way that increases mutual understanding and promotes goodwill. Now here’s how you can say this “When you don’t call to catch up, when you excuse yourself from meeting up I get the impression that you are slowly staying away from me and I feel sad”. You see this is your impression, your thoughts on your friends “behaviours”and it is also how you feel. You don’t really want to be saying “I know you are avoiding and distancing yourself from me because I am pregnant again”. Here you are inferring the motive for your friends’ behaviors (meaning you doing a bit of mind reading). Instead put the matter out there for discussion, talk about what you believe to be happening, allowing your friends to share their opinion. Be honest and ask for clarifications. Plus don’t forget to state your fear of losing them. That would be one thing to do. Happy communicating between you all close friends.

A: Dear Janelle,

Survivors (note the choice of word, Survivors, not victims) of childhood sexual abuse experience a variety of overwhelming and intense feelings, ranging from shame, fear and guilt. Abusers have been known to shift the blame of the abuse onto children telling them that the abuse is their fault. That in itself is powerful. Now to top it off, to have the survivor’s close, not believe that the abuse is happening/or happened and ignoring the survivors may have devastating effect on the survivor. This has the potential to trigger emotions of guilt, shame and distrust. It is not uncommon for survivors to talk about hatre towards prominent carer. Your friend’s experience has created for her a world that you may have little understanding about, given your different life experience. Her belief about life is probably one based on the world as an unsafe and dangerous place, where you cannot trust anyone. Your friend may experience additional traumatic responses such as flashback of the abuse, sleep disturbances and other symptoms. These are all responses that may prove difficult for you to deal with or assist her with. Therefore remain as a friend. Survivors do not readily talk about their abuse, but your friend has confined in you and that’s a good start. So remain as someone she can talk to but more importantly continue to listen when she wants to talk. Be honest, if the information is proving too hard and if you observe unhelpful changes in her behaviour (e.g. substance abuse, self injury) direct her to appropriate services for professional help, such as a counselor who have worked with survivors or other mental health workers (e.g. mental health nurse, psychologist, psychiatrist). So just be there.

To Forgive a Mother Q:

Dear Annalisa, My friend was sexually abused as a child but when she confided in her mother she was told to stop lying. The abuse stopped eventually and my friend grew up. However the ‘incident’ created a distance between mother and daughter. The mother is getting older and my friend feels bad for her but feels that the aid cannot be emotional but rather simply financial. My friend is naturally very affectionate but with her mother it’s the generic kiss on the cheek with a ‘how are you?’ I want to help, how do I do that? Janelle, 27

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.

MARCH 2014 | POTPOURRI

AGONY AUNT

Dear Annalisa ......

PARENTING

Your Child’s Education

By Nathalie Hodgson

As I sat in front of this pile of forms I could not help but think, where did the time go? I was now filling in primary school application forms for my daughter to start pre-school. Here in Qatar there is only one option, private school; and there were so many to choose from. There are still long waiting lists to get into the more established schools but I had done my research and identified those that met the standard we were looking for (relying heavily on the reviews from current satisfied parents through several social networks and personal interviews). I was cautioned the application process was brutal and rigorous but I was up for the challenge, this is my daughter’s education, it is important. The one thing I was not expecting was how in depth we had to go and well how we, as parents, would also be under the magnified glass. The forms were straight forward, including previous school/nursery experience, any official reports, full physical and mental medical history, an interview and a few tests (yes even for a three/four year old). Form after form I was not fazed until we got to the ‘Parent Questionnaire’. What was this? It listed; describe your child’s character, interest, talent, strengths and weaknesses; what type of activities do you do together with your children; what are your social, developmental and academic goals for your child etc? Other more personal ones included; Is there anything we should know about this student: personal circumstances, medical issues, birth trauma, recent bereavements, fears or other issues which may affect his/her learning; Who looks after your child at home?; How much time do you spend one on one with your child? So much detail. As I noticed my forehead crunching over concentration, I realized that this exercise was forcing us to deeply reflect what we truly wanted for our children in this next phase of their lives - nothing less than a the best education we can provide, and an environment to richly develop all facets of their character and talents. Up to this point a majority of my daughter’s educational development has been from the surrounding adult influence and interaction. Yes she has been in the presence of early childhood development experts at nursery however not for a majority of the day. Let’s do the math, by the time your child has finished compulsory schooling they would have spent over 13,700 hours in close contact with the teachers (and colleagues) at school. This will be more time they would have spent with you in those years! This decision was important as much for the school (accepting the child) as for us (the parent) choosing the school. After several hours at this, I concluded these forms are an informal

method of interviewing the parents. Analysing what type of family the child is coming from, not just culturally, economically etc but from a parenting style and psychological point of view. Of course every parent is going to complete a perfect picture life, which maybe far from the truth, however the process of thinking and writing about what goals you want your child to achieve right at the start of their schooling life places the right train of thought into a parents mind. In my case a very fruitful exercise! These goals will be kept for each year, for each teacher for each school (when we move to the next one). It will be our foundation and our checklist for vetting the educators, environment and ourselves through their educational years. What an exercise. Having listed out what goals are important, the forms also left me to ruminate on the who. Who is my daughter? Admittedly, at first I thought it strange and I was not expecting such a direct question. But it is an obvious question to ask, which forced me to list her talents, strengths, weaknesses and challenges. We all give a passing comment to our peers such as ‘my daughter loves to sing and dance at any opportunity’ but to state this as a personality trait? Every child loves to sing and dance, is this something to single out? I took some time to truly reflect on my daughter and look back from day one until now. I know my daughter is drawn to music. She frequently picks up a familiar tune and adds her own lyrics. She uses different scales, tones and rhythms to express her thoughts through song and sings frequently to herself (when nobody is watching). She has an acoustic ear and stops to listen to any type of instrument or anyone singing. So there was no way that this would not be one of her strengths. Our opening statement was ‘She is a confident, creative and lively girl. Friendly and always full of ideas. Her talents lie with music dance, expression and communication which are free flowing and come very natural to her’. This was only the start of her personality description. Our synopsis of the goals we listed is below: 1. Our goals are for her to further gain a sense of independence and self-confidence, and be able to follow rules and instructions and engage in constructive conversation and play with peers. We would like her to further develop her natural sense of curiosity to discover new knowledge and to solve problems all with her very healthy imagination. 2. We want to help her reach her full intellectual potential -- but without adding too much pressure, ensuring that her natural abilities are nurtured and continue to grow. Whatever she does academically we would like her understand the value of learning, progress, effort and resilience. We want her to learn to appreciate her peers and always act with kindness, compassion and equanimity. 3. Our overall goal is for her to always feel competent and confident, and to help her develop a sense of passion and purpose now and throughout her life so she enjoys everyday with love, joy and happiness. Is that not what you want for anyone, at any stage of their life? A few days after submission we were complimented on the questionnaire responses (which did not give any extra points into her application) but indeed was nice to hear. Happy Parenting!

Nathalie Hodgson, is a writer, mother, PR & Marketing consultant and yoga instructor, juggling this whilst raising two kids and enjoying the most of life, she can be contacted on natsavy@hotmail.com.

MARCH 2014 | POTPOURRI

PARENTING

‘Parole de Sage Femme’ (avec Loréa Dewals, Cabinet Isis)

Le Cancer

La Journée Mondiale du Cancer a eu lieu le 4 Février. L’Organisation Mondiale de la Santé a publié un rapport sur le cancer qui est une cause majeure de décès dans le monde. En 2012, 14 millions de nouveaux cas ont été recensés et 8,2 millions de personnes sont décédées. Les estimations sont alarmantes puisque l’OMS estime que dans une vingtaine d’années 22 millions de personnes seront atteintes par an. Qu’est ce que le cancer ? Le terme s’applique à un grand groupe de maladies pouvant toucher n’importe quelle partie de l’organisme. Les termes de tumeurs malignes ou de néoplasmes sont également utilisés. Lorsque les cellules anormales se multiplient au delà de leur délimitation habituelle et envahissent d’autres organes, on parle de métastases. Aujourd’hui en raison de l’accroissement et du vieillissement de la population, plus de 60% des cas surviennent en Afrique, en Asie, en Amérique Centrale et du Sud. On enregistre également 70% des décès dans cette région. Le vieillissement est en effet un facteur fondamental dans l’apparition du cancer. Cela s’explique par l’accumulation des risques de cancers spécifiques tout au long de la vie conjuguée au fait que les mécanismes de réparation tendent généralement à perdre de leur efficacité avec l’âge. La prévention et le dépistage précoce sont deux facteurs primordiaux qui permettraient de réduire la morbidité et la mortalité. On pourrait éviter plus de 30% de la mortalité dûe au cancer en modifiant ou en évitant les

principaux facteurs de risque, à savoir: • Le tabagisme : facteur de risque le plus important, entrainant 22% des décès par cancer et 71% des décès par cancer du poumon. • La surcharge pondérale ou l’obésité : il est important de limiter sa consommation de sucre, de sel et de graisse. • La consommation insuffisante de fruits et légumes. • Le manque d’exercice physique (sédentarité). • La consommation d’alcool : associée de façon dose-dépendante a de nombreux cancers, tels que le cancer buccal, du pharynx, de l’œsophage, du foie, du pancréas et du sein. • L’infection à Papillomavirus (HPV), virus sexuellement transmissible et responsable du cancer du col de l’utérus. • L’infection au virus de l’hépatite B (HBV) responsable de cancer du foie. • Une exposition fréquente et prolongée au soleil : responsable du cancer de la peau, le mélanome. Le dépistage permet une détection précoce du cancer et augmente ainsi considérablement les chances de réussite du traitement. Dans le cas de certains antécédents familiaux, les personnes concernées effectueront des dépistages précoces, comme pour certains cancers du sein (mammographie), le cancer de la prostate ou le cancer colo-rectal (coloscopie), par exemple. Les professionnels de santé sont là pour vous aider à améliorer vos habitudes quotidiennes, vous informer sur les signes d’alertes éventuels, pour effectuer les examens de dépistage et vous accompagner à travers le parcours de soin lorsque cela est nécessaire. Pour plus de d’information n’hésitez pas à contacter votre professionnel de santé. Une dernière chose : Mesdames, à quand date votre dernier frottis cervico-vaginal ? (Il permet le dépistage du cancer du col de l’utérus.)

EllaTurns Name: Ella Chung-Faye Birthday: 15th March From: Mummy Sheena Jean Mummy says, “Ella made her appearance 4 days after her dad and I had celebrated our 27th birthdays - underweight at 2.3kg only. To us, she is just the most precious little girl. She is very energetic. She likes to run around, doing her ‘’little monkey games’’ as I call it. She adores water (sea/pool/or just bathing outside the house open air will do). Her favorite colour is pink (of course). She is not a fussy eater, she eats all her vegetables and she will take rice over chips any day. She also loves drinking ovaltine. Her favorite meal is Uncle Peter stir fry (Chinese), and it can be either vegetable or chicken & Uncle Peter Sweet Corn Soup !!! She is a teaser and can be a little bossy at times but she is, above all, the greatest companion.”

MARCH 2014 | POTPOURRI

FEBRUARY 2014 | POTPOURRI

CONSERVATION

Green Beauty Choosing cosmetics that won’t cost the earth Cosmetics are a huge industry and few women in Seychelles can claim that they use no cosmetics whatsoever. Believe it or not, cosmetics can affect the environment in their production, use and disposal. Even as we shower and bathe, the chemicals found in the cosmetics we use are washed right down the drain and into our waterways. This impacts our water supply. It also impacts our food supply as we rely on this same water to fish from and to water our vegetables and crops. There’s not only the issue of water pollution, but discarded makeup has to go somewhere – into landfills. That’s not to mention the many millions of plastic jars, tubes and other containers and packages that wind up being thrown out each year, along with their cosmetic residue that will continue to leach into the environment.

HERE ARE SOME TIPS ON HOW TO BE SUSTAINABLE WHEN CONSIDERING COSMETICS: 1. Always strive to buy products in glass packaging, but if you have to go plastic, look for products made from recycled, recyclable or degradable materials. 2. Choose products that come in less packaging. Products enveloped in unnecessary cardboard containers, non-degradable plastic bottles and pumps, or sold with any unnecessary flair (cloth bags, crystal or sequin stud designs, ribbons, tissue paper, leaflets, etc.) should be avoided where possible. 3. Try and avoid the commercial cosmetics, be a DIY pro and Make your own homemade natural beauty supplies. How about an oatmeal and onion puree for a facemask to help clear out those blackheads? Find more recipes at www.goodhousekeeping.com/beauty. 4. Get into the habit of investigating cosmetics labels, just as you would consult the back of a box of cookies to check the calorie content before eating it. Avoid these following ingredients, because they have an impossibly large ecological footprint: Petrochemicals, Sodium laureth/lauryl sulphates, Formaldehyde & paraben preservatives, Synthetic dyes and Artificial fragrances.

GET INTO THE HABIT OF INVESTIGATING COSMETICS LABELS, JUST AS YOU WOULD CONSULT THE BACK OF A BOX OF COOKIES TO CHECK THE CALORIE CONTENT BEFORE EATING IT.

Contributed by Ginnie Laurencine for Sustainability for Seychelles (S4S), a local NGO whose mission is to promote sustainable living in Seychelles. For more info about our work contact us: Email: info@s4seychelles.com Tel. 422-4072 / 251-9135. Address: Suite A9 Arpent Vert, Mont Fleuri. Website: www.s4seychelles.com or find us on Facebook. This article was supported by the GEF small grants programme.

HOWEVER, TRUST THESE LABELS WHEN YOU SEE THEM: • • • •

Paraben/Phthalates/PCB-free USDA Organic certified IOS Natural & Organic Cosmetic certified BDIH Certified Natural Cosmetics

Read more @ http://www.thedailygreen.com/living-green/naturalbeauty-cosmetics and www.goodhousekeeping.com/beauty

MARCH 2014 | POTPOURRI

HONEYMOON IN PARADISE Bride and Groom: Xxxxx

From: Xxxx

Wedding Date: Xxx

Venue: Xxxx

They chose Seychelles because, “Xxxxx”

MARCH 2014 | POTPOURRI

HONEYMOON PARADISE WEDDINGS IN IN PARADISE

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

MARCH 2014 | POTPOURRI

OCCASIONS

Red Sea – Unleash Your Party Red Sea cocktail was created for the Seychelles Underwater Festival SUBIOS back in 2009 by consultant bar tender Christopher Lusta, who was then an employee of the Trois Freres Distillery. Fast forward to February 2014, and Red Sea is launched in a memorable evening at La Plaine St André.

Red Carpet photos: Marsha Dine

MARCH 2014 | POTPOURRI

OCCASIONS

Band: Collective Soul (also the resident band of La Plaine St. André) DJ/MC: Ezy D Dancing: Joker crew Décor: MAD Creation Light and Sound: Omega production Theme song for Red Sea; “Red Sea Tro Bon” by Master Emel - Martin Lebon. Belly Dancing Belly Dancer: Melanie from Cocoshakti Bellydance For more red carpet photos, go to our website; www.potpourrimagazine.com

MARCH 2014 | POTPOURRI

DINING

Porto Cervo

Photo credits; Jacques Holtzhausen

estled into the corner of marina-side Eden Plaza, Porto Cervo is an unassuming establishment. As with all the restaurants in the area, it has an indoor and outdoor section, the latter being carefully dotted with seats and couches in such a way as to allow every individual on even a fully booked evening to have ample space and comfort.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

The décor sits somewhere between nouveau-riche island touches and contemporary European designs; lots of dark wood, clean cut glass shelves and a spacious L-shaped bar counter which defines the inner sanctum of the restaurant. Behind the counter, neatly dressed staff glide back and forth, preparing fresh juices and exclusive cocktails with effortless speed, while the pizza chef heats up Porto Cervos very own Italian flame-brick oven. That’s where our evening started. While we watched, somewhat in awe (at the very least, impressed) as all of this unfolded, an open-faced young man wearing the same Porto Cervo shirt as every other employee sauntered over and pointed us in the direction of our table.

THE STARTER

A few words and a series of very tempting suggestions ended up with us ordering two starters – both of them Carpaccios – one Tuna and one Red Snapper. Our waiter strongly recommended that we taste the restaurants fresh Passion fruit lemonade. We took him up on it and no more than 7 minutes and 33 seconds later, were staring at a pair of dishes so beautifully prepared that they almost begged not to be eaten. Before tucking in, we each took a sip of the lemonade which came so highly endorsed and stared at each other for a moment before simultaneously whispering ‘yes’, finishing our respective glasses and moving on to our starters. Both dishes tasted as good as they looked. A home-made honey mustard sauce and thinly sliced shards of Parmesan cheese adorned the fish which had been laid out in strips, cut so finely they were almost transparent. The Tuna was amongst the best fresh fish I’ve ever had in Seychelles and melted the moment it touched my tongue, while the Red Snapper was a pleasant surprise as, for white meat, it retained a very potent flavour. Sweet, but just enough to allow the savoury aspects of the dish to still come through. I should mention that the Focaccia bread that accompanied our starters was without a doubt the best Focaccia I have ever eaten. Anywhere.

DOWN TO BUSINESS

Starter

MARCH 2014 | POTPOURRI

Once we’d finished the starters and argued about whether or not it was acceptable to scrape the plates clean, our waiter came over and recommended dishes for our main course. I took him up on one of his suggestions and ordered the traditional Russian Beef Stroganoff, which seemed like the smart choice as, by that point, I’d ascertained that the people running the restaurant (our waiter included), are all Russian and not Italian, as the name ‘Porto Cervo’ might suggest. My fellow diner went against the cultural grain and ordered cheesy mussels, justifying his choice of main by informing me that he always judges restaurants by the quality of their mussels. While we waited, we had another two Passion Fruit lemonades,which went down just as fast as the first pair and I decided to further quench my

MARCH 2014 | POTPOURRI

DINING

THE SWEET STUFF

Dessert came in a jiffy; One chocolate fondant and one Panna Cotta. Again, both were exquisitely laid out and almost too good-looking to eat. The Panna Cotta, which was my choice, was as one would expect a Panna Cotta to be in say, Northern Italy. Soft, light and delicately flavoured, the characteristics of the cream dessert were perfectly accentuated by a sprinkle of sweet berries. The Fondant au Chocolat was, again, another standard dessert made very well. The chocolate glistened and was right on the border between too rich and not rich enough. It satisfied a sweet tooth without making me regret eating it afterwards and really complimented the last hints of my beefy main course.

Main Course

thirst with a frozen strawberry mojito, which is something I’d never usually go for. I’m glad I did. Before we knew it we had our mains, both of which were superbly presented and well-sized. The Beef Stroganoff was everything I’d hoped it would be; tender cuts of steak, a flavoursome sauce, perfectly salted mashed potatoes and just the right seasoning to compliment the core tastes. Safe to say, it didn’t stay on the plate for very long. The mussels were equally good but I should mention that they’re cooked without seasoning, so don’t be surprised if you have to salt yours, should you order any next time you’re at Porto Cervo. One more visit from our waiter, who expressed his pleasure with the fact that I thoroughly enjoyed my Russian-made meal, and we had dessert on the way. Before he left, I assured him that the main course was incomparable, in my opinion, to which he simply chuckled and said “I know”. Confidence is key.

Dessert

THE VERDICT

All in all, everything about Porto Cervo ranks it as one of the premier places to eat on the island. The atmosphere is calm and inviting, the food is impeccable, the drinks are 2nd to none and the service comes with a sense of hospitality that other establishments seem to lack. I would recommend anyone eating there to choose something from the Russian menu because chances are, unless you’ve spent time in Russia, you’ve never had anything like what they’ve got to offer.

Left Side of Bar Entrance

MARCH 2014 | POTPOURRI

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BON APPETIT

Chef Eric’s Tropical Fruit & Coco Germe Gratin

Coco germe and tropical fruit gratinated with Takamaka Bay Vodka flavoured sabayon served with coconut ice cream. Serves 4

INGREDIENTS 4 germinated coconuts 4 coconut shell halves 150g ripe pawpaw 150g ripe mango 150g ripe pineapple 5 egg yolks 2 cl Takamaka Bay Moutya Vodka – Mango Passion Flavour 10g unsalted butter 10g sugar 4 scoops coconut ice cream

METHOD

Cut your germinated coconut and fruit into small cubes Add your butter and ½ of your sugar into a pan at high heat until both are melted and well combined Throw in your coconut & fruit and stir for about 1 minute Flambé with Takamaka Bay Moutya Vodka – Mango Passion Flavour How to flambé: Heat the vodka in a saucepan with high sides just until bubbles begin to form around the edges. Remove the pan of fruit away from the heat source and pour in the vodka. Ignite your vodka at the edge of the pan with a long match or long barbecue lighter. Allow to cook until the flame disappears.

Whisk your egg yolk and sugar in a bowl until well combined Add this mixture into a pan and place over a low heat, add in a dash of Takamaka Bay Moutya Vodka And stir it thickens to attain a creamy consistency

TO SERVE

Spoon your fruit and coconut mixture into your halved coconut shell Top with a generous layer of sabayon sauce until all the fruit is covered, just below the rim of the coconut shell. Place your work of art under a flaming red hot grill until golden brown Serve immediately, with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top!

La Plaine St. André T: +248 437 2010 E : reservations@laplaine.sc W : www.laplaine.sc

MARCH 2014 | POTPOURRI

only at Archipelago Wine & Spirits

Sunrise Chardonnay

Country of Origin: Chile, Central Valley region Producer: Concha y Toro Brand: Casillero del Diablo Type: White Varietal: Chardonnay Taste: Sweet TASTING NOTES Colour: Pale colour with lemon- lime reflexes. On the nose a scent of vanilla, and yields intense tropical fruit aromas especially pineapple and papaya. On the palate: Feels light and fresh, well balanced and elegant with a final note of lemon accent. Price: SR 96.60/bottle

Archipelago Wines & Spirits T : +248 4 37 48 76 / 77 E : cheers@archipelago.sc

The Cocktail

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

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MARCH 2014 | POTPOURRI

BON APPETIT

The Wine

Buy a case of 6 bottles & get a 10% DISCOUNT

DESTINATION

Envolons-nous pour la Réunion Par Elaine LaFortune Introducing Réunion

La Tour Eiffel

Stepping off the plane and greeted with a ‘bonjour’ and a warm smile is not only desirable but something to be expected the minute you step onto Réunion soil. At first glance, Réunion is like a chunk of France which has been magically teleported to the tropics. But beyond all the allure, you’ll soon realise it’s a resplendent tapestry, which blends Indian, African, Chinese as well as European influences. No need to look any further than its people to realise the mixture of cultures that seems to be more concentrated than our own Seychellois nation. Elsewhere in this astounding, volcano-blasted landscape, I imagined myself as being on an entirely different planet. Trying to recall my first visit to the island, at the mere age of 11, did not do justice to my senses in the way that the amazing landscape that stood before me did. While it was an extensive ride to the hotel, the air-conned transportation was just perfect to appease the heat. Aussitôt la voiture de location récupérée, direction St Gilles les Bains le coin des touristes -“z’oreilles” land comme disent les locaux- mais qui constitue un excellent port d’attache pour explorer l’île et profiter de tout ce qu’elle a à offrir pour passer de belles vacances. Upon reaching the Hotel Le Récif in the heart of Saint Gilles, the perfume of freshly baked croissants and pains au chocolat invited my senses to want to discover more about this remarkable island situated in the middle of the Indian Ocean, just hours away from our equally wonderful Seychelles.

MARCH 2014 | POTPOURRI

DESTINATION

La Beauté de L’île

Sculptée par un volcanisme toujours présent, la Réunion est par l’océan qui l’entoure, avec une succession de décors somptueux. Cet itinéraire, passant par les cirques de Salazie, Mafate et Cilaos, nous emmènera à la découverte d’une mosaïque de paysages et de végétation aux aspects très contrastés, qui sont bien différents de ces que l’on retrouve aux Seychelles. Au programme le jour de notre arrivée, ils nous ont offert un petit tour de l’île en bus, histoire de bien repérer les lieux. Et là, l’île ne tarde pas à dévoiler sa magie: l’île de la Réunion est une île volcanique, et est très montagneuse en son centre : ça grimpe très vite et en quelques minutes, on peut passer du niveau de la mer à plus de 800 mètres d’altitude. Les trois criques de l’île qui ont tous leurs particularités mais ont un commun leur côté sublime. I could not take my eyes off the impeccably paved road which stretched for miles just metres away from the coastline. I thought about how drivers back home would yearn for such a road to drive on, especially the racers. But the road was not the only ‘merveille’ to feast my eyes upon. The majestic green mountains which stood for metres above sea level were as mind-blowingly stupefying, that I had to ask myself why I had waited so long to visit this island again.

La Géographie de l’ île

The Dance and the Music

There’s nothing I appreciate more than good music and Reunion offered nothing less! La musique est “très importante à la Réunion et on écoute bien sûr tous les genres que nous rencontrons en Métropole”, dixitt Thierry de Kréol Fm. Mais les deux types de musique traditionnelle sont le séga et le maloya, que je me devais d’essayer avant que mon périple réunionnais ne s’achève. My first evening at the ‘Hotel Le Récif’ led to a discovery of the celebrated ‘danse maloya’ and I decided to try it out. The swaying of the hips (as if they were detached from the body) seemed reasonably easy at first glance, but proved more difficult than I had anticipated. To dance the Maloya, one definitely needs strong knees and vigor. The dance, which is slightly similar to the Hawaiian ‘hula’ requires one to go down on one knee and come back up the same way, with the hands holding the hem of a long flared skirt; all of which someone who has little less cartilage in the knees than usual was bound to find challenging. While I struggled to get back up on my feet the other guests - especially those of the male species - were in some sort of trance, presumably from all the swaying hips. Contrary to our sega, le séga réunionnais possède ses propres caractéristiques. Ours is more rhythmic while le sega réunionnais est plus souple. The amalgamation of several cultures is accordingly apparent in the choices of music played on the island. En boîte par exemple, il y a le mélange de tous les styles. J’ai eu l’occasion de danser sur plein de chansons en Kréol seychellois aussi bien qu’en Kréol réunionnais qui je pense montre déjà l’amitié qui existe entre les deux pays par le biais de la musique.

Protruding out of the ocean like a basaltic shield veiled in green, Reunion is surrounded with astounding geographical diversity. Within an hour or two, the landscape transforms from lava fields to sumptuous primary forest, from jagged peaks to extensive coastal cities. Aux dires de notre guide Philippe Techer, l’ Ouest est la Riviera de la Réunion, a long string of beach suburbs and resorts towns. Les ‘pièces de résistance’ sont Les Hautes Plaines et le Volcan. La Réunion est le paradis des randonneurs et je vous promets qu’il y aura plein de choses sympas à voir. Il n’y a, au fait, de meilleure façon de découvrir l’île que la randonnée. A l’intérieur de l’île, entre Saint Benoît et Saint Pierre, je pénètre dans un autre monde. Après avoir franchi le col de Bellevue, on arrive à la Plaine des Sables, point de départ de la piste balisée menant au Volcan: Le Piton de la Fournaise. On emprunte un chemin abrupt qui descend vers l’enclos du Volcan et moi pendant tout ce temps, je suis tout simplement éblouie et j’évite la vapeur qui émane du cratère. Le Piton de la Fournaise est toujours en activité, et même après le dernier écoulement, en 2010, le niveau d’activité ne s’est pas estompé. Ayant pu expérimenter cela par moi même je vous recommande fortement une visite des lieux. The Piton de la Fournaise is one of the world’s most accessible active volcanoes and depending on nature’s whims you might even get to witness fiery-red molten lava. When the volcano has finished working its enchantment on you, there are splendid mountains to trek up in the Cirques and horses to ride if you can get lucky. You can also paraglide from the peaks in St-Leu, an exciting activity which I could unfortunately appreciate only from my bus’ window! There are equally drop-offs to dive from, big waves to surf, extinct volcanoes to fly over, and canyons to explore and the list goes on… “La Réunion est définitivement le pays des aventures.”

MARCH 2014 | POTPOURRI

REVIEWS

Top 5 rental releases

(sponsored by GR Video Rental)

The Butler starring Forest Whitaker and Oprah Winfrey

Directed by Lee Daniels (Precious, The Paperboy), The Butler reveals the untold story of Cecil Gaines (played by Forest Whitaker), the butler who served eight American presidents during his tenure at the White House. We watch as Gaines is transformed by the events which unfold around him, from the Civil Rights Movement to the Vietnam War, and although the direction of the film could be better, a stellar lead performance and interesting subject matter make it enjoyable to sit through.

Don Jon starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Scarlett Johansson

with Kur t Gilber t

Runner Runner starring Justin Timberlake and Ben Affleck

Blue Jasmine starring Cate Blanchett

and Alec Baldwin

Charlie Countryman starring Shia LaBeouf and Mads Mikkelsen

Film of the month The Wind Rises – Starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Elijah Wood Dir. Hayao Mayazaki Studio Ghibli has been at the helm of animated cinema ever since Disney stopped making meaningful films. Founded and based in Japan, the production house has some of the worlds best-ever releases under its belt and although it isn’t nearly as well know as it’s giant American cousin, there is no denying the fact that when it comes to making films that move an audience of people other than seven year olds, Studio Ghibli has the edge. The Wind Rises is the latest film to be released by Giblhi and it is company founder Hayao Mayazaki’s last project as director. In that regard the subject matter is quite fitting. Jiro Horikoshi, a Japanese boy who wants to become a pilot has his dreams quashed when he discovers that he’s short-sighted. Nonetheless, he goes on to become one of the most groundbreaking aeroplane designers in the world after he joins a Japanese engineering company in the late 1920s. In true Mayazaki fashion, the insight into Jiro’s life is subtly used to highlight the events that take place in Japan during the same time period, enabling the audience to see how certain historical happenings shaped the future of the Japanese people, so if you think that because it’s an animated film, ‘The Wind Rises’ is just for kids, you’re wrong. This movie is as emotionally gripping and informative as any feature you’ll have seen in the past year, no matter how old you are. No one makes films quite like Studio Ghibli. If that’s not your thing: Be sure to watch the side-splitting cop comedy ‘Ride Along’, starring Kevin Hart

MARCH 2014 | POTPOURRI

REVIEWS

Herbie Hancock – Headhunters

Album of the month

It’s 1973. You’re 30 years old and in the prime of life. Money comes in easy and goes out easier. The night scene is defined by polished shoes shuffling on wooden floorboards and high-ball scotch and sodas. Live bands turn out tune after tune, each one leaking onto cigarette-littered city streets where crowds of 20 somethings, fresh from the suburbs, line up along cheap, faux velvet ropes. Skirts sway in time with the horn section. After midnight, the men let their pomade hairdos unfurl and swing over their eyes and when the drums move, their heads move. You’re tapping your foot, sitting at a table for two and watching the ritual form a life of it’s own as individuals casually slide onto each other and form one big, vibrating mass. The band keeps playing. They own the night. They own the crowd. African rhythms pour onto the dance floor, accentuated by tight horn riffs and piano chords that are so warm they make the default setting in the room ‘Sweat’. The bass line creeps perpetually. Everybody knows the song: ‘Chameleon’ by Herbie Hancock and his Headhunters. Everybody knows Herbie and each of his Headhunters by name. First and last. The girls crush on them, arguing in the restroom about which one is sexiest. The album came out the week before and had changed everything. Jazz and Soul and Funk, only played like nothing anyone had ever heard. One critic wrote that it was ‘...too groovy’. Over 40 years later, all you need to return to that club is a copy of the album. Only one question remains; Are you ready for time travel? If that’s not your thing: Listen to ‘Little Red’ by UK Electronica/Dub singer Katy B

This time, 10 years ago... Usher – Confessions I don’t think anybody was prepared for Usher’s fourth studio album. The previous 3 had sold well, each doing better than the last and, to be fair to Mr Raymond, deservedly so. By the time Confessions was released, Usher was already a big name throughout America and in most parts of Europe. He bought something new to the table. A timid, yet fiery kind of R’n’B that fans had expecting from countless artists before him, who never really delivered. It wasn’t until Confessions came out that he truly perfected and delivered his signature sound, incorporating elements of Soul and Hip Hop into his crooner-type R’n’B songs. Listeners clearly liked it, as it sold 8 million copies in 10 months and was hailed by critics as Ushers defining contribution. I think it’s the realest thing he ever wrote. Remember ‘Burn’? Of course you do.

March’s Book Highlight

Tess Gerritsen – Last to Die

OH...MY...GOSH! I want it put on record: Gerritsen is a GENIUS! If someone had tried to take this book away from me while I was reading it, I would have torn the pages as it was ripped from my hands! That’s how hard I was holding on to the cover desperately trying to read on in the hope of finding out what in the name of everything sane was unraveling before my eyes! Teddy Clock’s whole life has become a game of cat and mouse since the death of his parents two years ago and now the sudden murder of his foster parents. It’s all Detective Jane Rizzoli can do to send him away to the exclusive Evensong boarding school in a futile attempt to preserve his life. There, she discovers two troubled teens whose pasts bear a shocking resemblance to Teddy’s, Claire Ward and Will Yablonski’s names are now added to a case made up of unanswered questions. Joining forces with pathologist Dr. Maura Isles, the two must put aside their troubled friendship seeing as they are the only hope these children have of staying alive! But whom can they really trust? Will they discover the shocking truth in time to rid the world of an obsessed killer on a twisted quest? This book has absolutely EVERYTHING a literary fanatic looks for in a thriller. Each and every chapter basically begins with a plot twist and ends in a cliff hanger! The pages are literally dripping with suspense and any attempts at trying to guess who the murderer is, is futile! Don’t even bother trying because trust me when I say you will be wrong!! As the story progresses more and more questions arise but the ones before haven’t been answered!

MARCH 2014 | POTPOURRI

The scenes develop at such a fast pace that trying to keep up with the action actually sends the adrenaline pumping and goosebumbs rising! There’s never a moment of boredom and there is not one scene that I can pinpoint and say was unnecessary or was dragging! Everything had a purpose. In most thriller novels, the readers are allowed to see different pieces of the puzzle of the plot and as the book progresses, are allowed to click the pieces together! Not in this book! Oh no, no, no! The author allows us to see all the pieces spread out on the table but it’s not until the very end that she slams the finished puzzle before us and we end up gawking and wondering how on earth we got here!! The characters are probably what makes this book so memorable! Every one of them is a victim of something devastating and being brought together they have to learn to fight the inner ghosts of their pasts as well as the demons of the future! They’re all so different in their backgrounds but it’s the single danger they all face that unites them. I cannot even stress on how amazing this book is! Truly gripping, heart-pumping action that will leave your eyes wide open for days after you’ve closed the last page!

MARCH 2014 | POTPOURRI

The Cable and Wireless Foundation is this month celebrating 8 years since it was first launched in March 2005. In line with the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s long term commitment towards supporting local communities and being responsive to their needs, the CWS Foundation continues to be an avenue through which the lives of many are touched with acts that go beyond social corporate responsibility. The CWS Foundation remains committed to put helping hands together to build stronger communities for our people.

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