POTPOURRI June 2014 by Paradise Promotions

Father’s Special

A Daughter’s Love A Tribute, by Anielle Esparon

Solar Energy

Terence Lafortune

From filming to construction

GIORGIO BELLO The Story of a DJ

FACTS & MYTHS

JUNE 2014 | POTPOURRI

www.potpourrimagazine.com

The Perfect Shave

POTPOURRI

June

64 Welcome to Perth; Sites and Scenes of this Australian city

47 How to live a life more connected with nature

26 Marcus Volcy Unfinished A Seychellois in Beijing

Benefits of adopting a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Gratitude attitudeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

What only a father can give A parenting perspective

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: Francis Victor 5. Freelance Writing: Martine Gontier 6. Photography: Suzanne Verlaque | POTPOURRI Photography Studio 7. Graphics & Layout: Olivia Michaud | E: info@angelcreativedesign.com

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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.

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From the

EDITOR Dear Folks,

Photo credit: Suzanne Verlaque

I often wonder when was it that the world decided that mothers were more important than fathers. From the cards’ racks in Hallmark shops to laws in most countries, it is very clear that mothers are held in higher regard. I am unsure whether I agree or not with this. Within the confines of my home, I know my children need their father as much as they need me. Perhaps it is sensible to say they need different things at different stages in their lives and depending on those stages, there is one parent who is deemed more important. It would be un-wise for me to comment on the ‘role of the father’ situation in Seychelles since I am not equipped with any statistics or professional opinion to go by. However, I think it is fair to say that as a nation, we have quite a way to go to giving the proper acknowledgment fathers deserve. During a recent baptism class which I attended, Deacon Agathine, briefly addressed this by saying that mothers need to differentiate between a father’s financial responsibility and emotional responsibility for his child. Mothers who are faced with this situation might not entirely agree, but I do get his point. At the end of the day, I don’t think it is possible to simply be a good father without a good mother (and/or other support system) and vice-versa. For those who do defy this, I am in awe of you. In line with our Father’s theme for this month, you must not miss Rebecca Belle’s account of Anielle Esparon’s tribute to her father; the man who raised her after her mother lost her battle with cancer. We also have a double spread of adorable snaps of fathers and their kids on pages 10 & 12. It is perhaps predictable that I will remember my own father as I write this editorial. At his funeral, 13 years ago this month I concluded his eulogy with this, “There are moments in a girl’s life when she needs to look towards her father for security, for approval, for love and for pride. When these moments come my way, all I’ll have to do is look in my heart, and with you being the first person there, it won’t be too hard for me to find whatever it is I am looking for.” Over a decade later, I can confirm that this will never change. Chief Editor

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Cover Models Dad: Collin Rath | 30 | Performing artist

Daughter: Rhea Rath | 5

Son: Quentin Rath |3 months

‘I am a father’ – what does this mean to you? ‘It means everything. I am no longer one, my life is about two other little people who are a part of me and depend on me. It is one of the best feelings I have ever experienced.’

Are you the one that sets the discipline at home? ‘I come from a family of very loving but strict parents and Neesha comes from a similar upbringing. We both have the same beliefs and values so there is no issue really about who sets the rules -- we both discipline the children the same way. If in certain situations we are unsure of what punishments to give or how to deal with a problem, we discuss until we can agree on taking a decision.’

What do you find most challenging about fatherhood? ‘It’s mostly the fear of knowing you are responsible for them; dealing with things like illnesses and other health issues are always my worst nightmares. I guess it’s also the patience it requires to raise them, every stage is different and it doesn’t get any easier as they get older. I always try to be the best I can at everything so I can also meet up to their expectations and not just the other way round.’

What do you enjoy most about fatherhood? ‘Making my children laugh! Seeing those smiling faces are just priceless moments. I also love the fact that I get to teach them things that I know and watch them learn. It’s always fascinating to observe their development from birth: first steps, forming words, learning languages. Every stage is interesting as I watch them grow. It’s also great because you get to relive your childhood, exploring things for the first time again, remembering yourself at their age. It’s also funny when you can see yourself in little things that they do.’

Becoming a father; did that change you? ‘I don’t think I have changed that much after kids, I am pretty much the same person I always was. I don’t know if that’s bad. Being quite a bit older than my siblings, I had to learn at a young age what bringing up a child entails. But yes, it has brought a sense of responsibility knowing that they are completely dependent on you. The major change I guess is that every decision revolves around the children now -- we have to think about what’s best for them in everything that we do.’

Both you and Neesha have a passion for music; will your kids follow suit? ‘Rhea is already well in line where that is concerned. She has joined me a few times in my gigs already. In fact I think she is probably the best 5-year-old vocalist I have met so far! She shows great interest in singing, dancing and musical instruments and we definitely hope Quentin is also blessed with this gift. If they want a career in music we would definitely encourage and support them and do everything we can to help them to the maximum. Of course if they should want to do something else we would be equally happy as we believe that anyone should be able to follow their own dreams. This is how I was brought up and it has worked out well for me so I can only try do the same with my children.’ Photographer: Suzanne Verlaque

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Clothes: MAKI Seychelles

A daughter, and now a son. Any more to come? ‘I am very happy with a pair. I never really thought about a number for how many kids I want before. We will see what the wife has to say about that!’

Kempinski Seychelles Resort, Mahe Island Hilton Seychelles Labriz Resort & Spa, Silhouette Island Double Tree by Hilton Allamanda Resort & Spa

Photo Credit - Joel Zamzow

Musings of an Island Girl

by Tina Houareau

Hope Springs

Hope is a collective concept. You can see hope in the eyes of a starving child, in the smiles of a mother as she gives her baby the gift of life, in the tears of those who are offered successful treatment options for chronic illnesses, and yet also comprehend hope of the beggar gripping onto a lottery ticket or the wealthy stakeholder orchestrating big business deals. Hope is for every soul who walks on earth, but the idea of hope has morphed in translation over the years. Today, hope is seemingly speckled all over the place – like the various toppings that can be enjoyed on a homemade pie. We crave it because it adds zest to our lives. We chase it because it keeps us motivated, driven, interested. In fact, many would even argue that hope is an absolute necessity in order to survive. William Shakespeare knew this to be true when he wrote, “The miserable have no other medicine but only hope.” Centuries later, hope has become a ‘buzz’ word in our society. The author of the bestselling book turned movie series, Hunger Games, would agree as Suzanne Collins wrote, “Hope. It is the only thing stronger than fear. A little hope is effective. A lot of hope is dangerous.” From poets, to presidents, to box office hits, hope has captured each generation and helped them endure the heartache and suffering that comes with life. One of Forbes Magazine’s longstanding quotes has been, “There is no medicine like hope, no incentive so great, no tonic so powerful as expectation of something tomorrow.”~ Orison S. Marden Even self-sabotaging Gwen Stacy in The Amazing Spider-Man 3 clings onto the idea when she boldly declares in her high school graduating acceptance speech, “What makes life valuable is that it doesn’t last forever, what makes it precious is that it ends. I know that now more than ever. And I say it today of all days to remind us that time is luck. So don’t waste it living someone else’s life, make yours count for something. Fight for what matters to you, no matter what. Because even if you fall short, what better way is there to live?”

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.

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LIFESTYLE

A Daughter’s POTPOURRI: What do you do for fun?

AE: I just love reality shows. Oh, and of course music – soul mostly, movies and just chilling out really. In fact on my way here I was bobbing my head to some amazing soul music – cranked up to the max.

POTPOURRI: All the way here?

AE: I live at Au Cap.

POTPOURRI: I see. So tell us a little about yourself.

AE: Wow, ok. I would like to think I’m an extremely independent person. I cook and clean and I’m basically completely OCD about cleanliness. [Laughs].

A daddy’s girl from the start!

By Rebecca Belle When I was asked to catch up with 18- year-old Anielle Esparon for POTPOURRI’s Father’s Day special, it didn’t take me long to realize she was definitely the bubbly type. She had a lovely smile and her eyes shone in a way that reminded me of someone older – much more experienced than the teenager sitting before me. And I suppose she was. An old soul perhaps, or at least someone who knew a little about pain, grief - and ultimately – unconditional love. In the first few minutes of our conversation, I caught a glimpse of a caring and strong young woman, not to mention devoted daughter, in an 18-year-old’s body.

AE: I love medicine and I love kids. “In fact I’m actually

waiting for a scholarship to study and become a pediatrician eventually, though I might have to practice general medicine first.

Toddler Anielle with her parents

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LIFESTYLE

POTPOURRI: You suffered a great loss very early in your life – can you tell us about this?

AE: At a very young age – I think I was in P2 – my mum was diagnosed with breast cancer.

She relapsed three times in the space of about 6 years. It was tough times. Before she died, the cancer had spread to her spine and in her bones. Even with all the treatment and medical trips to Singapore, nothing could be done and on May 20th 2008 the inevitable happened. Mum passed away. [Smiles.] I would not have gotten through all of it were it not for my dad. He is what I want to talk about today and with Father’s Day just around the corner I want him to know – no – need him to know what a monumental part he has played in my life.

POTPOURRI: Can you describe your relationship with your father?

AE: I’ve always been a daddy’s girl. Wherever dad would go, people would inevitably see

me tagging along. Even now - and sometimes, it gets a little awkward when people who do not know me refer to me as his girlfriend.” She laughed. “It’s funny at times. My dad has always been there for me – taught me how to cook and drive and clean. Actually, now that I think about it – I probably inherited the neat-freak gene from him!

POTPOURRI: You guys seem pretty close. Did you have any reservations at first – I mean, knowing it was going to be just you and your dad, did it ever cross your mind that you might miss out on certain things?

AE: Not at all. I had no reservations whatsoever and I just trusted him. He knows how to

do everything! I’m serious – even how to pick out curtains – ruffles and everything. He’s so domestic. I remember one time I had an extreme case of menstrual cramps. Dad was in town when I called and he rushed home immediately. I’m pretty sure he had no idea what to do but he braved it out and called his sister who gave him some advice. That day he infused some nutmeg in hot water and made me drink. It worked! Dad really does try to help in whatever way he can. I remember another time I had such severe allergies that I had to stay in bed for 10 days. It was complete torture. Every morning dad would bring me tea before heading off to work – he’s a taxi driver – and would check on me when he got home. I remember he also bought tons of bicarbonate soda just so I wouldn’t run out. He loves his job too, you know? He never ever complains about it. It’s like he gives himself completely to whatever it is he is doing.

POTPOURRI: What about ‘The Talk’?Wasn’t it awkward to talk to your dad about boys and the like?

AE: No, not really. I mean, I was already mature enough so it wasn’t like he had to explain

everything from scratch. At the time I had a friend who I was very attached to. Even though we don’t talk so much these days, he was there for me during my mum’s sickness and after she passed. Dad was ok with him. I suppose he noticed that my friend was helping me cope with a few things. There’s only so much my dad could carry emotionally and I suppose he was grateful for someone else’s support during those tough years.

POTPOURRI: What about now? What would you say to young people in Seychelles who might be going through the same things you did?

AE: You know, not too long ago, when I was still at the Independent School, a girl – a little

younger than I was – was going through just about the same things I did. She had just lost her mother and one of the heads of school approached me to see if I could in some way help her through the ordeal. I spoke to her and although I’m not sure how she is doing today – I do know I made some sort of impact in her life that day. Her mother was gone – like mine - but she still had her dad. I told her to hold on to him – help each other through the tough times. I think she took my advice.

POTPOURRI: It must have been tough.

AE: [Smiles.] At first. But I knew I wasn’t the first to go through that. After my mum passed I

still had my dad who I love with all my heart. He supported me and I did really well. My grades shot up and I learned really quickly that life goes on. I don’t want my life to be about the death of my mum. I won’t be defined by that. My advice to any young person who has lost a mother and still has a dad who loves and cares for them is – you’re never alone. Look at me. I have never been closer to my dad than now.

POTPOURRI: That’s good advice; do you think your dad is reading this?

AE: [Laughs.] “I hope so.”

POTPOURRI: And what would you say to him if he were?

AE: I would say thank you daddy. [Begins to cry.] Thank you for all you have done. I am so grateful and I have never felt like I lacked anything while you were raising me. [Anielle goes from tears to sudden laughter.]

POTPOURRI: What is it?

AE: It’s funny, but I don’t think any man could live up to what my dad has done for me. I can

see it now. Me throwing a tantrum like, “What! You don’t know how to cure menstrual cramps? My dad does!” [Laughs.] Yes. Nobody can replace my dad. And I suppose what I really want to say to him today is – Thank you so much for raising me right and being there for me. I will always be grateful. Oh and one more thing. I love you.”

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OPEN LETTER

“A LETTER TO THE BOY WHO BROKE ME.” My Moomin, Today I take the first genuine step towards healing in writing you this letter. Some might say that you will never know that it came from me, or even that it was addressed to you, but I KNOW you will know. I began this letter with the name I would call you when nobody was around, and I will write about things only you will ever understand. It’s been thirteen long months since we kissed goodbye, you promising me that you would be back soon, that you could not be without me and that we would be together again. A month later and you had stopped answering my calls. Stopped calling. You asked for some space as you were feeling lost and needed to find yourself. I agreed to that, because at the end of the day, all I wanted was that you were okay. That you were happy. I told you that I was there, that I understood that I would wait for whatever amount of time you needed me to. I was calm and kept myself together for you, because if you were down, my job was to stand tall and be your rock. This is the side of me that I let you see. Here is the side of me that I didn’t let show, the story that you never knew about, because I was bent on remaining strong for you. The day you asked me for space, I asked if you still felt the same about me. Your reply after four years was “I don’t know”. That was over a text message. Technology, huh? The minute those words appeared on my screen, I immediately felt like someone was choking me, and the worst part was that I wasn’t even bothered to fight for air. I broke down, and I remained so for one whole week. I would cry over absolutely nothing. I didn’t eat or sleep. I felt worthless without you, and because of you. Yet all I would long for was one text from you, telling me this was all a big mistake and that you needed me as much as I needed you. I locked myself in my own world, and kept everybody out, not even my best friends could help. I felt not only broken, but also un-fixable. I was scattered in a million little pieces, and all over the place, and you were the only one who could put me back together perfectly. Yet you weren’t there. Worse still, you’re the one who broke me in the first place. My world revolved around you for so long, and all of a sudden, my world just stopped. You were my hero. The only one who ever really understood me. Above everything else, the only one who ever accepted me for ME. I let you in where nobody else ever went, and it’s like you could mend all those little broken pieces that I had carried around with me for so long, from a difficult childhood, to the abusive exes and all the little heartbreaks life put me through. Not a day would pass by that I wouldn’t love you more. You were my refuge -- if something would ever go wrong, I’d literally come running to you, and you would take me into your arms and give me one of those hugs that would just make me disappear from the world. You did everything you ever could to make whatever was wrong, right again. We weren’t just a couple, we were partners, we were a team. You cried, I cried. Somebody would offend you; I’d jump in and throw in a punch for you.

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But then you left me. And here I am today, still unable to let anyone else in. I try to find you in every guy I meet, but at the end of the day, I realise nobody will ever come close to you. Nobody will ever be good enough to replace you. So every guy who even comes close to falling in love with me, I find an excuse, I find a flaw; I find a reason to not give them a chance. It’s not because I hope you’ll come back to me. It’s because I still love the memory of you so much that I don’t want to let go. No, I don’t want you back. I know you and me; it’s something we’ll never be able to fix. From your interfering mother to all the lies, all the deception, all the cheating -- we can’t fix it this time. The person you have become is not the person I knew and glorified just a year ago. I don’t hate you at the end of the day, that’s for sure. My point is, I forgive you. From all the endless messages you’ve been sending me, I managed to pick up you regret hurting me. If I don’t forgive you, who else am I hurting but myself? So this was my letter to you -- all the things I never got to say to your face, and that I never actually will. Time is healing me, and I have all the time in the world. I’m in no rush. If anything you have taught me the true value of myself does not come from somebody else and by how much that person loves me. It comes from inside of me. For the first time in my life, I truly feel beautiful no matter what, and I have you to thank for that -- kinda twisted I know, but it’s true. Look at me, even in trying to tell you off, I’m still complimenting you. I finish this by being formal and wishing you all the best in life. I truly hope you are happy. All my love Kia

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.

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Father’s Day Father’s Day gives us all the chance to express our love and gratitude to our fathers. While we all say that each day is a day to show such affection, commemorative days serve as reminders since in our busy lives we often forget. Just like our mothers, our fathers support us, raise us and help shape us into who we are and who we become. Father’s Day was first celebrated in the early 20th century in the USA. The objective was to create a day to honour dads that would complement Mother’s Day. We would like to thank our readers who have shared photos of their dads and the dads who have shared photos of themselves and their kids. We hope it is a memory that would forever be cherished.

“Daddy! Give me cake!” Dad: Johnny Louys | Son: Emmanuel Louys Date: March 2014

“My graduation. Making my father proud.”

Special kisses from Daddy only!! Dad: Marco Francis | Daughter: Elizabeth Francis | Date: August 2012

Dad: Joe Sammy | Daughter: Chloe Sammy | Date: May 2014

Totally smitten!! Dad: Paul Testa | Daughter: Amelia Testa | Date: August 2012

Selfie time! Dad: Sabry Bruce Khan | Son: Thuwein Khan | Date: 2011

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”Pool time! Boys only” Dad: Garry Camille | Sons: Peter and Thomas Camille | Date: May 2014

‘My reason for everything’ ”Spending some quality time with daddy on the playground”

Dad: Luc Perreau | Daughters: Zoya and Neena Perreau | Date: May 2014

Dad: Alvin Abel | Son: Athan Abel Date: 16th Dec 2012

“No one can mess with me here!” Dad: Leroy Adrienne | Daughter: Enya Adrienne | Date: March 2014

“We can pose too! Not just Mummy!” Dad: Patrick Albest Son: Ilario Albest Date: April 2014

“No matter how old I get, I will always be daddy’s little girl” Dad: Ebra Camille | Daughter: Vivianne Camille | Date: Christmas Day 2013

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Live your

Dreams For more information, call us on +248 4 391 000 or e-mail info@airseychelles.com

JUNE 2014 | POTPOURRI

quick stop off for Peking Duck turned into a night of delightful debauchery. It was the end of the Rugby Sevens and the streets of Wan Chai had become a massive outdoor nightclub. We kept our energy up for dancing with Goose Pit test tube shots, handed to us liberally by accommodating bar staff.

The next morning I awoke with aching calf muscles (that would be the dancing) and a throbbing head (that would be renée martin designs the shots). I soon shook these off when I realised that I was late for a very important date – the Homegrown Foods Harvest Feast in the New Territories. Alas I had missed the last coach departing from Central Hong Kong! What followed was a mammoth journey involving 4 trains, 2 buses and a taxi as I made my way to the border of Shenzhen, China. I arrived triumphantly two and half hours later at Zen Organic Farm, much to the amazement of my new friends, Kat and Oscar. We soon got down to the serious business of filling our plates with delicious goodies from the chefs of Four Seasons, Little Bao and The Butcher’s Club, to name but a few, which we ate in the sunshine as we listened to a grass roots blues band. After being dropped off by the coach later that day, we were still in the mood to party. We headed to Happy Valley Racecourse to experience the only legal form of gambling in Hong Kong. Apparently the tote on a single night’s horse racing at Happy Valley can be equivalent to a whole year’s betting at race tracks in the west.

DECEMBER 2013 | POTPOURRI

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We placed our bets then sat back and enjoyed the races, which were framed spectacularly by Hong Kong’s skyscrapers, twinkling in the background. Hong Kong, you have my heart. I will be back before you know it. Until next time, if you can’t be good, be good at it.

Goose Pit You will need... 25ml Red Bull 25ml chilled cranberry juice 25ml orange vodka (straight from the freezer)

What to do...

Mix all ingredients in a cocktail shaker and pour into a shot glass or preferably, a test tube.

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

A Fresh Start - London to Mahé By Daniel Balkwill

AH, THE BACON SANDWICH. IF THERE IS A TASTIER, MORE EFFECTIVE METHOD OF SIMULTANEOUSLY STAVING OFF BOTH HUNGER PANGS AND A HANGOVER I AM UNAWARE OF IT. both hunger pangs and a hangover I am unaware of it. If you are suffering from the after effects of an over-enthusiastic previous evening’s refreshment then a bit of advanced planning is required. Get all of your ingredients beforehand in order to avoid a painful walk/drive to the shops with sightless, red-rimmed eyes first thing in the morning and then you can focus entirely on crafting this thing of beauty. Everyone has their own unique take on this so here is mine. In terms of ingredients, cheap, sliced supermarket white bread is perfectly acceptable. Anything fancy, particularly brown bread with superfluous seeds in it, is not. Unsmoked back bacon is ideal. Anything else doesn’t really seem to work. Two rashers should suffice. Fry the bacon in a pan for a minute or so each side, pouring away any watery residue as you go otherwise the bacon will just boil, rather than going slightly crispy and taking on a touch of colour. I don’t like my bacon overdone. If you like the taste and consistency of leather then you can save yourself the trouble and just chew your wallet instead. I like to use a little Heinz tomato ketchup. Other brands are imposters and perennial pretenders to Heinz’s coveted throne. Here is where I eschew convention and disdainfully toss the rulebook of bacon sandwich construction aside. I also put a small amount of creamed horseradish sauce on the other piece of bread. It adds a really unique dimension and a bit of an extra kick. It is my solitary gift to the culinary world. Don’t worry, I’m not pregnant and I haven’t lost my marbles. Just try it. I don’t add butter or margarine. Let’s face it, this is not the healthiest snack so no need to go overboard with the cholesterol. Cut the sandwich in half on the diagonal which makes it considerably easier to eat as well as adding a touch of stylistic élan. I like to accompany mine with a cup of Twinings English breakfast tea. If you can’t get hold of this then the local vanilla tea makes a more than adequate substitute. Then make yourself comfortable and enjoy.

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.

Like2013 many of my fellow countrymen, 15I am British. AUGUST | POTPOURRI

I have several curious habits ingrained in me that are typical of inhabitants of our great nation. These include complaining when they are too cold or too hot. The optimum temperature for a Brit is probably around 22.7 degrees Celsius but anything either side of that and vociferous protests will be issued. We apologise excessively, especially when it’s not our fault. Only a British person will say sorry when someone else has carelessly blundered into them. Our transport system goes into meltdown whenever there is seemingly the merest hint of dodgy weather, we drink warm beer and we adore bacon sandwiches. Ah, the bacon sandwich. If there is a tastier, more effective method of simultaneously staving off

JUNE 2014 | POTPOURRI

“IT IS ADMIRABLE FOR A MAN TO TAKE HIS SON FISHING, BUT THERE IS A SPECIAL PLACE IN HEAVEN FOR THE FATHER WHO TAKES HIS DAUGHTER SHOPPING.”

My Zen Master By Alexandria Faure

“It is admirable for a man to take his son fishing, but there is a special place in heaven for the father who takes his daughter shopping.” The quote reminded me of the memorable times I’ve had with my father – not only shopping, but watching Mr Bean, eating his ‘creative’ dishes and judging whether they are tasty or not, combing my hair and creating new hairstyles together and playing funny games. To all those girls at school who loved my hairstyles – yeah you guessed it; my father did it! Always detangling my hair gently making it a painless experience, sorry mum, but papa wins at this job. I’m very indecisive when it comes to shopping so you can imagine how much he must have enjoyed it! I was always proud to say as a little girl that my papa fixes airplanes, but as I see life for what it truly is today, I appreciate him for much more.

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For the long hours he endures out on the airport runway – sometimes in the unbearable heat and the freezing cold to provide for our family. For showing me that strength is something that is inside you, not necessarily your physical state, and for teaching me the power of the mind. Thanks to him, I am not afraid of hard work, I feel comfortable pushing myself and grabbing opportunities. And thanks to him I understand life, spirituality and the importance of viewing things in more than one way before judging it. My father always makes me learn things the hard way, but as a little girl he was my best hair stylist, my best friend playing games in my room, and today he is my zen master, my private adviser and my go to person when I need balancing and a motivating talk. Today my meticulous focus and perfectionist attitude towards my work is thanks to him – for all those weekends he made me sit at a desk and draw lines with a ruler 1cm apart on a plain A4 piece of paper, along with doing multiple rough drafts of homework to make sure its correct before writing it out neatly and tidily in my schoolbook and the lectures that seemed to last a lifetime if I got it all wrong. I laugh about it now! My father is my hero, my co-actor, my perfectionist buddy, my motivator and my zen master. I’ll be singing his praises for the wonderful father that he is, and I hope that one day I’ll marry a man that can be just as good of a father that he is.

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.

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BE RNA R D GE ORGE S criminal cases are prosecuted speedily and dealt with in a reasonable time. This is only fair to the alleged perpetrator because, after the passage of time, memories fade and witnesses disappear. Thus it is that, as with many other things, the law has to find a balance between doing justice to the victim and doing justice to the alleged perpetrator. Sexual abuse cases are notoriously difficult to prove. Oftentimes, the victim wants to bury the memory. Or the victim may be a child and children do not always make reliable witnesses. In some cases, the act has happened within a family and the family closes ranks around the perpetrator. The same happens when the act may have happened in an institution – a school, or a church – for example. Then, there is the reluctance to prosecute any but the most obvious cases, because of the notion that in a small society such as ours the reputation of a person may be unjustly shredded by a prosecution which does not succeed. And, many cases which deal with actions from 20 years previously are designed to fail for the reasons given above. It is a legal minefield. Happily, there are solutions. The criminal law has no statute of limitations, so a crime can always be prosecuted, irrespective of how long ago it occurred. Once the process starts, though, it must proceed speedily. Also, physical evidence in an abuse case is not a necessity. It may be in a rape

Recent cases of child abuse in Seychelles have awakened an incident which happened in my childhood – over 20 years ago. I was sexually abused by my neighbor for a brief period of time. I am considering coming forward and exposing him. I fear that a lack of physical evidence would make my case weak. I do re-call my teachers having conversations with me about something not being right about my behavior during the time. Do I have a chance of putting this monster behind bars? This question starkly shows two universal truths: Seychelles is not immune to the global problem of child abuse, and victims still have not healed decades after the event. It is easy to dismiss child abuse cases with the words, ‘they will grow out of it’ or ‘it was a simple act of touching – there was no rape’ or, as recent cases in the UK revealed, ‘it all happened so long ago, best forget it.’ Well, the question here by a Potpourri reader shows that none of these things are true. People bear the scars of abuse when young throughout their lives. They resent the abusers for having got away with it. They want closure. Our constitution guarantees persons accused of offences the right to a fair trial. That is a necessary safeguard, because the offender sometimes is alone against the might of the police force and the attorneygeneral’s chambers which have all the resources of the state at their disposal in investigating crime and prosecuting criminals. One of the safeguards is that

JUNE 2014 | POTPOURRI

“SEXUAL ABUSE CASES ARE NOTORIOUSLY DIFFICULT TO PROVE. OFTENTIMES, THE VICTIM WANTS TO BURY THE MEMORY. OR THE VICTIM MAY BE A CHILD AND CHILDREN DO NOT ALWAYS MAKE RELIABLE WITNESSES. IN SOME CASES, THE ACT HAS HAPPENED WITHIN A FAMILY AND THE FAMILY CLOSES RANKS AROUND THE PERPETRATOR.” case, but not necessarily in abuse cases. What will be required to make a case from 20 years ago energize the prosecuting authorities sufficiently for them to want to initiate a prosecution is proof. If the victim is believable and, crucially, there is strong evidence to support him or her (the law calls this corroboration), then the case may have legs. It really depends on these two things – a reliable victim, clear in his or her mind as to the incident, and corroborating evidence which supports the victim sufficiently strongly to make the incident almost impossible to deny. But let us not rush. This case is a long shot because of the fact that it happened 20 years ago and, reading the question, the facts seem hazy. But, it has a chance of happening if the two conditions – reliable victim and corroborating evidence – are met. Old sexual abuse cases are unpredictable, as recent prosecutions in the UK have revealed. But, as the same cases have revealed, they are by no means all doomed to failure. The risks are high and therefore only clear cases where the evidence is strong should be entertained. But, victims must be protected, and the description of the alleged perpetrator as a ‘monster’ here shows just how high feelings run, and just how deep the trauma often is. Closure is required and this can sometimes take decades to happen, but if the action is provable, then society has a duty to investigate it and bring the perpetrator to book. That is what the law is for, after all.

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.

JUNE 2014 | POTPOURRI

CONSUMER AWARENESS

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

THE LEAP MOTION CONTROLLER

Cable Points Rewards Catalogue Something for Everyone The first ever, brand new Cable Points Rewards Catalogue is now available for all Cable Points registered customers. It showcases the whole range of rewards available to you with our loyalty program which was launched in 2011 and has grown in terms of types of rewards available, since. ‘There is something for everyone, every taste, every lifestyle and every Points balance,’ says Herve Atayi, Marketing Intelligence Manager. 'We keep bringing new, innovative and practical items to our rewards range and our residential, loyal customers are sure to find something appealing to redeem in this catalogue.’

Leap Motion’s gesture-sensing controller is a smart little gadget promising new ways to interact with your computer- be it while you are playing games or browsing the internet. Point, wave, reach, grab. Pick something up and move it. The leap motion controller allows you to freely control your computer without using a mouse but with natural hand and finger movements just like we see in sci-fi movies. The controller is quite small; almost the size of a USB pen drive .It connects to your P.C or Mac via the USB port. It uses two cameras and three infrared LEDs to track users’ hands and fingers and is said to be capable of tracking all ten fingers at the same time. Users have to place their hand within a meter above the controller so it can detect simple gestures like pointing and pinching while also allowing for more complex movements using both hands. The controller is not just a replacement for your mouse but it also creates a totally new experience as the device has its App store called Airspace (equivalent to Apple iTunes) which is filled with lots of cool software, games, creation suites for art and music, learning tools for download so than the leap motion can keep you or your kids entertained. Minimum system requirements for you to use the Leap Motion are as follows: Windows 7 or 8 or Mac OS X 10.7 Lion ; AMD Phenom II or Intel Core i3, i5,i7 processor; 2GB Ram; a USB 2.0 port and internet connection. If you are a tech enthusiast or just want to try out a new toy, then you need to try the Leap Motion for a glimpse of what the future feels like.

Know Your Wine by Kreol Wines (Eden Plaza) Clairette de Die from Cave a Vins History: With its two thousand years of history, Clairette de Die is a natural sparkling wine surrounded by a legend that you could almost read about in schoolbooks. Back in ancient times, the Roman author Pliny the Elder described a wine that was highly appreciated by the Voconces, the ancestors of the Diois. This Gallic tribe left jars of the wine in rivers over the winter and then recovered them in the spring. From these jars emerged a precious liquid, sweet and sparkling. Today, this precious liquid is known as “Clairette de Die”. Tasting Notes: Clairette de Die is a naturally sweet sparkling white wine. Tasting it is like biting into an extremely ripe fruit, an apricot or a peach, and simultaneously inhaling the aroma of white flowers such as the rose, eglantine, or honeysuckle. The colour can be more or less intense, ranging from an extremely pale straw colour to golden. Food Pairing: Clairette de Die Tradition is the perfect accompaniment to a fruit salad with mango and pineapple. And it goes equally well with a ladaube banana or breadfruit (friyapen) It is excellent with grilled fish or even a pungent bat curry and finally, it must be said, it accompanies cassava and breadfruit chips or pti mimi like no other alcoholic drink. SR190.00 a bottle.

Whether you are a prepaid or a post-paid customer you can redeem your points for the items which range from lunch packs to smart watches and even phone pads. Registering is easy and earning points is automatic, plus you don’t have to wait too long to start redeeming your points. Your personal, free copy of the Cable Points Rewards Catalogue can be picked up at any of our customer service centres in Victoria and Anse Royal as well as the customer experience centre at Beau Vallon. Otherwise download a free copy at www.cwseychelles.com. The catalogue is valid for 12 months, from January to December 2014 and will be refreshed on a yearly basis.

WHY HOTEL INSURANCE IS ESSENTIAL TO THE TOURISM INDUSTRY

As an Hotelier or Guesthouse Owner, you are aware that when your guests arrive at your establishment, the last thing they should be thinking about is ‘what could go wrong’. As the owner, it is your responsibility to ensure that your guests enjoy their stay, and that their belongings are safe. This is why adequate hotel insurance is essential. You need to ensure that if something happens, you, your staff and your guests are covered. Accidents usually happen when you least expect it. It could be something as simple as a guest taking a tumble on the stairs or slipping on a coffee spill in the breakfast room. Your guest can make a claim against you for negligence and seek compensation for their suffering, medical expenses and legal fees. The appropriate insurance cover with public liability will cover the costs of the claim and legal costs, depending on your level of cover. A severe storm, flash floods or accidental fire can cause serious and costly damage to your hotel and its contents, such as furniture, bed linen, towels, curtain, crockery etc., which are vital to run your hotel successfully. If you do not have hotel insurance, the cost of replacing damaged items could run into thousands. If you were to pay for it yourself, it could put a serious strain on your finances and in the worst case, put you out of business. The personal property of your staff and guests are also at risk from fire, flood, theft and accidental damage. Both your staff and guests may claim compensation from you, the hotel owner, if they suffer any damages. Costly items such as jewelry, mobile phones, cameras and laptops are not uncommon items for guests to travel with, making the risk of their loss a reality. As well as ensuring that you have adequate security measures such as guards and cameras, an appropriate insurance coverage would give you protection from claims made against you. Depending on the size of your establishment and the number of guests affected by an incident, you could be looking at a very large bill. Hotel insurance offers you financial protection in the event that a claim or multiple claims are made. The reality is that without adequate insurance, hotel and guesthouses’ owners are at risk. The hotel insurance can help provide peace of mind and be a long term partnership to your development. No industry can survive without insurance in the long term. Contact the SACOS Insurance Company Ltd on telephone 4295,000 or pay SACOS a visit at the SACOS Tower, Palm Street, Victoria, for professional assistance and guidance. Contributed by SACOS Insurance Company Ltd.

SACOS. Rest Assured, Be Insured

JUNE 2014 | POTPOURRI

hotel experience in Seychelles

AN EXTRAORDINARY LOCATION, UNIQUE IN ITS BEAUTY A sought-after destination in the Seychelles, unique in its beauty and environment. LĂŠmuria inhabits a unique and extraordinary site. Begin the U-experience: call (230) 402 2772/73 or visit us at www.constancehotels.com

JUNE 2014 | POTPOURRI

Bonnes vacances Monsieur Georges !!!! (par Georges Gravé) Avez-vous passé de bonnes vacances Monsieur Georges ??? J’ai du répondre des dizaines de fois en souriant a cette question… oui, très bien, merci ! Normal, après trois semaines en France, c’est la question que tout le monde pose. En fait la vraie réponse est : Non, c’était les trois semaines les plus difficiles de ma vie. Prendre la délicate décision de mettre son papa en maison de retraite ! Voila pourquoi j’étais en France ! Je me souviens de cette magnifique et émouvante chanson du grand Jacques : « Les vieux ne rêvent plus, leurs livres s’ensommeillent, leurs pianos sont fermés. Le petit chat est mort, le muscat du dimanche ne les fait plus chanter… les vieux ne bougent plus, leur gestes ont trop de rides, leur monde est trop petit….Du lit a la fenêtre, puis du lit au fauteuil, et puis du lit au lit… » Mais les vieux de Jacques Brel ne connaissaient pas encore Madame Alzheimer. Une drôle de dame qui, jour après jour vous ouvre un autre monde. Un monde totalement inconnu pour celui qui accompagne et qui regarde l’autre s’éloigner définitivement loin de la réalité de notre quotidien. On à beau le savoir, avoir entendu des tas de savants en parler, écouter nos politiques (avant les élections) nous faire des tas de promesses à ce sujet…… Mais quand il s’agit de son Papa on se prend quand même une sacrée baffe en pleine gueule ! Et oui cher Papa, toi qui a eu une vie si riche et si pleine, une vie où tu as toujours eu la maitrise de tout, toi qui fut Président de si nombreuses associations (protection civile, lutte contre la drogue, protection des uns et des autres…) pompier de Paris dans ta jeunesse, maitre de conférence, directeur de formation dans la sécurité…. Te voila maintenant, comme le disait Brel, réduit au minimum… » Du lit au fauteuil, et puis du lit au lit « Ce n’est pas simple pour moi ton fils de te voir comme tu es aujourd’hui – un petit vieillard ratatiné, radotant toujours les mêmes histoires que je connais par cœur et qui au fils des jours deviennent de plus en plus confuses. Par contre (merci Mme Alzheimer), je découvre le jeune Norbert, 20 ans qui a fait la guerre avec le General De Gaule, et la…… la mémoire est intacte et l’on feuillette en ta compagnie un livre d’histoire passionnant. Ce sont d’ailleurs les seuls moments ou tes yeux sont encore

brillants. Autrement, ton regard est désespérément vide. Mais ou es tu Papa ? Je dois t’avouer, cher Papa, que je m’attendais à cette issue. L’an dernier déjà, j’avais eu un choc en te voyant : pas rasé depuis plusieurs semaines, sale comme un pou et l’appartement dans un état !!! Et malgré toute la logistique déployée autour de toi, je savais qu’il faudrait bientôt « t’enfermer » comme tu le dis si bien aujourd’hui. Ce qui est surprenant avec la vieillesse, c’est que toutes tes idées, tes croyances, tes idéaux, tes certitudes se volatilisent comme si rien n’avait jamais existé. Il y a encore quelques années, les colères que tu piquais lorsque tu voyais un vieux conduire. Il faudrait des lois pour leur interdire la route disais tu sur de toi. Et aujourd’hui, a 91 ans, il a fallu que je te fasse croire que ta voiture était irréparable pour t’empêcher de conduire. Toi aussi tu étais devenu un danger public ! Lorsque le concierge m’a appelé aux Seychelles en me disant que tu venais d’être hospitalisé et que tu venais d’inonder l’appartement et celui des voisins du dessous, je savais en prenant l’avion que le moment était venu. Le Bois Joli ! Voila le nom de ta dernière résidence. Une petite maison de retraite, qui ressemble au premier regard à une jolie pension de famille. J’ai bien dit au premier regard, car le problème, c’est… qu’elle est remplit de vieux. Et malgré la qualité des soins et des services, malgré l’extrême gentillesse des employées, cela ressemble quand même à la cour des miracles ! Je me souviendrais longtemps de ton regard désespéré lorsque tu m’as demandé - quand rentrons-nous à la maison ? J’ai du te répondre – Jamais Papa, c’est ici ta maison maintenant. Apres plusieurs minutes d’un long silence, tu m’as dit – tu vas me laisser ici avec tous ces fous et ces malades…et si je comprends bien as-tu poursuivi, je vais mourir ici ? Et comme je ne voulais pas te mentir, j’ai du te répondre -Oui Papa- J’ai bien mal dormi cette nuit la. Vivre toujours plus longtemps, toujours plus vieux, oui, mais comment ? C’est la question que j’avais en tête tous les midis en déjeunant avec toi dans la charmante salle à manger du Bois Joli. Tu as encore de la chance, tu peux encore manger tout seul. Que dire de la voisine qui se lève 50 fois pendant son repas, de l’autre qui répète inlassablement « aidez moi-aidez moi », certains mêmes se disputent pour un bout de pain… et un peu plus loin, juste un peu caché, « les épaves de la vie » en fauteuils qui ne peuvent plus se nourrir seul, ils peuvent juste encore ouvrir le bec. Alors oui, vivre plus longtemps…mais comment ? Vous avez passé de bonnes vacances Monsieur Georges ? Oui, merci, c’était génial. Mon agent de voyage m’avait même rajouté un supplément gratuit : la visite des administrations française ! Car vous ne pouvez pas imaginer une seconde le nombre de paperasse et de dossiers en tout genre que vous devez remplir pour extraire son Papa de la société. Alors, en fait, oui, j’ai passé un bon séjour en France, car avec amour, compassion et respect, j’ai tout fait pour que ton dernier parcours de vie, cher Papa soit le plus agréable possible. Je sais, ce n’est pas le paradis, mais le paradis, cela sera pour un peu plus tard. Georges, ton fils qui t’aime.

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

JUNE 2014 | POTPOURRI

EXPLORING EDEN

Nature Trail s with Wildli fe Club of Seyc helles “Mare-Aux-Co c hons Trail”

It would be in teresting to kn ow why the Na given this trail. me Mare – au This trail encroa x – Cochons ha ches on the M and it is sugges s been orne Seychello ted that it is be is National Park st to kick start You can get to , the trail via th the starting po e Le Niole rout int on the Le Ni enjoy the amaz e. ole bus from Vi ing views over ctoria. You will the north wes and North Islan t of d and even th e stunning view Mahé, towards Silhouette community. Fr s of the Bel Om om a distance bre fishing rura you will also sp activities on th l ot the remains e treasure sites of the digging of Olivier Leva sseur nicknam ed La Buse. According to hi storical detail, the Zigzag pa and descends th steeps dow through the fo n into the valle rest of endem with introduce y ic palms and Bo d plants. It was is Rouge mixe once the Rom Pilgrimage in d an Catholic pr the early 1900 iests’ Holy Wee s. k The Valley still shows signs of the once-thriv Roman Cathol ing plantation ic priests, with managed by th mango, orange clove trees sid e s, and breadfru e-by-side with it, nutmeg and the fast-growin commercial pr g cinnamon tre oduction of cin es which were namon oil; the on this trail. Th once distillery ruins ere was a prie is the main inte st named Fath many people rest er Victor who for keeping be was well know es and produc (baka dimyel). n by ing the local br ew from the ho ney Upon reaching the freshwater marshes of th streams flowin e upper lands g to the west, which feed th most hikers ar reason why th e myriad e left in absolu e place has be te awe. Maybe en given the na summit, with this is the me. The breath its bird’s eye vi taking beauty ews across the and western co of the surrounding m asts and the ho ountains to th rizon, makes th e northern is trail a must for trekking en Length: 7.9 Km thusiasts. . (One Way) Altitude Chan ge: Up 270m do wn 470m Length: 9.6Km . (Return by th e same route) Altitude Chan ge: Up 270m do wn 470m

Medicines in your Gard By La Plaine St. André

zoliker A.K.A Bois Joli Coe

Plant of the month: Bwa r and distributed in Madagasca Origin: The species is widely que to Seychelles.

-species is uni the Mascarenes, but this sub own to a beautiful golden yell ripe ch whi ts frui Small round seeds, that ky stic red ht brig 4 al reve brown and split open to an heart. the 4 chambers of the hum perhaps remind people of a as es or the bark is drunk Its uses: A decoction of leav as l wel as ms ble pro rt related tonic. The tonic helps in hea ression. dep in help also y ma hypertension. An infusion before following the : Please consult a professional

Important

above guidelines.

Acknowledgments: Pascal Poonoosamy

Brutus, Rachel Spiro, Chanta

JUNE 2014 | POTPOURRI

SEYCHELLOIS OVERSEAS

Marcus Volcy Unfinished P: Tell us about yourself…

I spent most of my life in the Anse Royale District. I have four sisters Julie Dufrene, Tahiri Dookley, Hannah Volcy and Karen Dookley and four (crafted) brothers Sandy Moncherry, Jim Philoe, Gino Albert and Mike Maria. I went to Anse Royale School from crèche in 1989 through to Secondary in 2001 and decided to join the world of work after that. I also studied some courses with the Tutorial College in 2002 and some other courses whilst I was working. I began work in administration at the Ministry of Industries & International Business and had several roles in various ministries before joining the private sector. I like to read about US Presidents Ronald Reagan and George W Bush. I love comedies like Yes Minister, Yes Prime Minister & Keeping up Appearances to have a good laugh. I love Hillsong Church in Australia and

JUNE 2014 | POTPOURRI

it is my dream to visit Hillsong in the near future. I love their Live Worship Albums and I love anything from Darlene Zschech, Barry Southgate, Don Moen & Martin Smith. I could not live a day without listening to Gospel. My favourite quote is ‘’I have recklessly forgotten your glory, O Father. And among sinners I have scattered the riches which you gave me. And now I cry to you as the prodigal.” I, too, I have shortcomings and weaknesses so I always consider me to be the prodigal son.

P: When did you leave Seychelles for Beijing?

I left Seychelles around the end of August 2012. It was a big step but I was comfortable with the decision. It was easy because I am a reserved person with not so many friends and this made it easier, along with my mum’s full support for what I decide.

SEYCHELLOIS OVERSEAS

P: How was the adjustment?

Well life in China is good. I’m easily adaptable to change. I often joke that if you have worked at MLUH you can go and work anywhere and can adapt to anything. Also we have other Seychellois studying in China - we connect on some occasions. In general I cannot complain.

P: What is the lifestyle like in Beijing?

People here in China really uphold their culture and I have a great respect for that. Of course as youths we easily get influenced with international style but it is not so bad. Chinese people have a sense of respect among themselves, tolerance and they are always ready to help. It looks like everyone is busy minding their own stuff and that’s very good.

P: What do you miss most about Seychelles? That’s easy, the food.

P: Compassion Foundation. Tell us about this…

Compassion is an independent youth-friendly foundation and non-profit organization that aims to instill compassionate actions and youth empowerment for a successful tomorrow. Our singular, all-consuming passion is to build and see everyday youths be empowered in all spheres of life. We believe in the youth - we believe in their potential and we believe in their amazing capacity to influence others with good.

P: How long have you been involved with the foundation?

We started Compassion around March 2009. Ideas were flowing to and fro between myself and friends about what we could do. The name itself was a bit tricky as there were lots to choose from, but for me I was somewhat attracted to Compassion. Compassion is everything. Automatically I spearheaded the organisation as its first Chairman until 2012 when Trevor Barbe was elected.

P: It’s a rewarding venture?

In Compassion people come and go, the youths come and go. Michel Pierre, my Executive Chairman, and I discussed this recently. Michel and I have been working a lot together since 2009 and he also shared the passion for Compassion. Sometimes we get young people with great potential, be it in graphics, web design, etc but as one grows

Chinese people have a sense of respect among themselves, tolerance and they are always ready to help.

there is a need for them not to neglect their future endeavours. Some will go into their own business or their work is demanding and they don’t have enough time to give for the foundation, but we are comfortable with what they decide. Some will earn a scholarship and they have to pursue this and it’s something we have to respect, but our commitments remain and we always find ways to involve young people and still be successful.

P: How are you involved in it while you’re away?

I am not involved at all now. It’s the board who runs the show. I have a big appreciation for my chairman Trevor Barbe and his ability to lead. My role in the future is maybe to get more youths involved in the cause.

P: When will you be coming back?

I celebrated my 29th birthday on the 12th April this year and I was asked to take a moment to think. To think where I come from and where I want to go in the future. The theme that came to mind was Marcus Volcy Unfinished. If all goes well I will return in 2017 but life is full of high expectations so I don’t have much to commit. But I want to spend the rest of my like giving a voice to the less fortunate. I want to have enough money to do activities for children with HIV or cancer. It’s difficult for me to accept there are so many children suffering around the world. Life is so short and I would not want to miss a moment to help a young person if I can. I just want to do something good before I reach 30. You will agree with me that not everything is perfect because in life we cannot attain everything at one go. There is a need for hard work and sacrifices to be made and I understand that. So I want to start my 30s with something beautiful which is still being written. I’m motivated by the good, simple things in life.

JUNE 2014 | POTPOURRI

BEHIND THE BUSINESS

Sun Excavations Breaking Barriers Terence Lafortune’s journey from filming to construction

“THE COMPETITION IS FIERCE, BUT THIS IS EXPECTED IN BUSINESS, AND YOU JUST HAVE TO NAVIGATE THROUGH. SEYCHELLES IS CONTINUALLY DEVELOPING AND BUILDINGS ARE BEING ERECTED ALMOST EVERY DAY. SO AS MUCH AS THERE IS CONSTRUCTION GOING ON, WE WILL ALWAYS HAVE WORK TO DO”. 28

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Construction industries throughout the world are challenged to improve performance if they are to contribute fully to the achievement of economic prosperity, sustainable environments and healthy fulfilled populations. Construction managers are a lot like a parent, really. They have to set schedules, keep an eye on finances, make sure everybody is where they’re supposed to be every day (and doing what they’re supposed to be doing), ensure there are no safety hazards around, and, in general, keep everyone happy. Sounds like quite the job already. But the details are even more dizzying. Meet Terence Lafortune, owner of construction company Sun Excavations. A former TV camera man and producer in the local media for more than a decade, Terence did something not everyone is brave enough to do: re-shape his career mid-stream. POTPOURRI sat down with him to discuss his entrepreneurial transformation from filming into the construction field over the past seven years.

YOU WERE ONE OF THE MOST EXPERIENCED PROFESSIONALS OF YOUR GENERATION IN THE FIELD OF TV PRODUCTION, UNDERWATER FILMING AND PHOTOGRAPHY, SO WHY THE SHIFT?

“Life had become taxing as I was undertaking other personal businesses on the side. I realised that I needed to choose between my career and what I felt was the direction I was being driven to head in. I eventually chose construction, as I felt it would prove more advantageous and beneficial to me.” After he left SBC, Terence still had his grasp on TV, which is why he opened his private TV production house where he dealt in shooting promotional videos and training DVDs in liaison with the tourism industry. He later went into the renting of construction machinery, but back then on a much smaller scale. He subsequently set up a car rental company called Sun Cars but quickly learned that it would cost him too much family time and so he sold it to a Praslinois. “I struggled for a while on my own, trying to maintain all three businesses at once, but I knew eventually I would have to let go of one. So I chose to let go of TV production. When you’re working under pressure, you become less productive and less creative. Creativity is the core of such a business and I like to give a hundred percent in everything I do, so I couldn’t continue.”

WHAT’S YOUR DAILY ROUTINE LIKE?

“A normal day will consist of visiting project sites, conducting or attending meetings, and pursuing future business opportunities. A large portion of the day will also include solving problems and pre-planning for short- and long-term projects.”

WHAT ARE SOME CONSTRAINTS IN MANAGING DIFFERENT PROJECTS?

DO YOU EVER THINK THAT YOU TOOK A RISK IN JOINING THE CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS?

“I clearly jumped into something I didn’t know much about; but just like a marriage, you cannot jump ship because of difficulties. You have to stick with it and make it work, and that’s what I’ve been aiming at.” As his leisure pursuit, Terence reveals that fishing is his most-favoured past time. His love for fishing came out quite strongly as he gave me an insightful lesson about boats. With a quick tour of the Eden Island marina, we were able to take a peek at his pleasure boat Wave Breaker, which he takes out to sea from time to time. The 47-year-old business man’s construction company has been licenced as a Class 1 builder who deals not only in construction but who also specialises in rental of heavy machinery. As a construction manager Terence is expected to lead and oversee a variety of building projects from start to finish. The jobs can range from a small renovation job to the construction of a large structure. “You need to establish the kind of clientele you want by giving out good service. This is primordial to anyone leading a business. I always make sure my clients stand happy and satisfied with my end product and leave with a smile on their face.” Dedicated father of two, Terence says that family is very important to him and he tries to spend as much time with them as he does with his business. “In fact, my greatest strength is my wife. She takes charge of all my accounting work and helps out a great deal with the business.” HOW DO YOU VIEW THE COMPETITION IN THE CONSTRUCTION MARKET? “The competition is fierce, but this is expected in business, and you just have to navigate through. Seychelles is continually developing and buildings are being erected almost every day. So as much as there is construction going on, we will always have work to do. Maintenance also forms a huge part in construction, and every building needs a renovation once in a while. So I foresee a very bright future for Seychelles as well as for my company. The construction industry is a small network, and your reputation with clients and peers can carry you a long way.”

IN YOUR OPINION WHAT ARE THE KEY STEPS TO SUCCESS

Whilst things are not always easy, this determined entrepreneur thinks that perseverance is the key to success. “To succeed, you need to pre-plan your projects well and understand the client’s needs and expectations. Good communication, problem-solving, and organisational skills are essential to being successful. Failure is sometimes inevitable, but if at least you have the decency to pick yourself up and try again, then that’s all that matters. We need to keep fighting to maintain our market share and consolidate our position and who knows; maybe we might become the next best thing and turn out to be as big as companies like Vijay and Laxmanbhai.” As with many jobs today, the economy is a driving factor so construction companies have to keep everyone in the loop during the entire project, from clients and architects to contractors and subcontractors, and quickly attend to any problems that arise. “Every day is different and every new project presents a new set of challenges. You just have to be ready and open to new opportunities.” Indeed, being open to new opportunities - even if that includes a totally new career path - might just be the trick to finding that niche!

“Good service and good delivery depend a lot on the people in the background as much as those in the forefront. A common issue in this field is the unavailability of experienced, serious and hardworking individuals. I think this is an issue with many companies. There is a lack in competent and dedicated workers. It is not always easy to deal with issues that arise, but I always try to look beyond the complications and work around issues. I believe many young workers as well as entrepreneurs need more discipline if they want to get far in the business arena. We also suffer a lot from bad debtors.”

HOW MANY STAFF DO YOU HAVE UNDER YOUR CARE?

“I employ a little over 30 staff, both Seychellois and foreigners equally. I like to have a close rapport with my staff. It helps to equip them with the necessary knowledge and skills of how to do a particular job, and in inspiring them as best I can so our delivery remains up to standard.”

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT WHAT YOU DO?

“The job is very challenging, but it’s also very rewarding. At the end of the day, you have something very tangible. And then, there’s seeing the smile on my client’s face, and knowing that I’ve done everything in my power to deliver a good job. When you do a job that you love, clients can benefit from a substantial product. Nothing is more satisfying than that.”

JUNE 2014 | POTPOURRI

BEHIND THE BUSINESS

By Elaine Lafortune

FEATURED ARTIST

Veni, Vidi, Vici - A man of music The story of a DJ Seychelles is not as small of a world as I originally thought. Giorgio Bello, you’re a hard man to pin down for fifteen minutes, I’ll tell you this much! But hey, I’m no quitter and so we came to a compromise of sorts. They say you need to try everything at least once, right? Well following that, here is the most unique - to say the least interview I’ve ever had: My Skype call with DJ GIORGIO BELLO; (which means yes, like many of you, I am yet to meet the man in person - George, you owe me a free DJ session - it’s the unspoken code which I may or may not have just come up with )

SO! tell me a bit about yourself

My name is George Belle or as people know me, DJ Giorgio Bello. I am 22 years old, I live in Takamaka. I studied visual arts for three years at the Seychelles Polytechnic, after which I went to work at the Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation as a TV producer, where I am currently coproducing a music video program called Vibes. I have a sister, and she’s been always behind me pushing me towards the only thing in my life, which is music.

And how has 2014 been for you so far?

2014 was initially meant to be a year of me being a DJ. I have been here and there, kind of “underground” - only submerging whenever I’d have gigs or releasing remixes. In previous years I was laying low in terms of music because I was engaged in other activities, mainly photography and videography.

How old were you when you started doing this?

I started playing the piano at the age of four, and this developed more into my musical talent. I played guitar at the age of six, drums at the age of seven, bass guitar at the age of eight, and I produced my first remix at the age of 12, but it was never released.

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What have you been doing production-wise?

I’ve been doing lots of work for mostly local artists but some international artists as well. I specialize in instrumentals and I am well versed in music production. I understand a lot about music actually and can cook up a beat or a melody from scratch. Most of the remixes I’ve done are local and when doing these remixes, I need to put in my own composition to them in order to somehow alter the melody or rhythm in a way not to ruin it, but to add that ‘spark’ to it. Do you use any equipment in particular? To begin with I used only a laptop and a kind of software capable of producing music. In time, I appreciated the importance of having other equipment - not necessarily to make it better, but rather to enhance my skills and perfect my beats to the last note. Nowadays, I use entry-level equipment. Not too complicated, but enough to do the job.

Did you start this path with a specific plan about where you wanted to go?

No plan whatsoever was ever part in my life. To be honest, I feel deep inside that this is what I was born to do. No doubt about it!

No. All I use is the power of the ear. I listen, I analyze, I practice and I implement...very easy!

Tell me about your production

At the start of my journey, my productions were picking up from quite a low level. Looking back to say, five years ago, I now realize that the sound quality itself is so different and a lot has changed since. I followed the tricks of the trade handed down to me from other producers who have been in this field for quite some time. Over the years I managed to perfect my productions. In creating my own unique style, I have definitely moved my music to the next level and I’m pretty psyched about that.

Do you have any new stuff coming out in the near future?

I always take things by the day so never rush in the things that I do. Frankly, I don’t see the point in rushing, because my life is the music. While I take my time to explore every corner of music, I set along the road to test the waters. Sometimes they turn out good, and sometimes bad, but none of it discourages me. There will definitely be something coming up in the near future, all I have to say is, keep a look out, guys!

What are your views on music piracy and do you think it can be controlled?

So many people in the music industry have been trying so hard to control piracy. And I for one condemn it strongly. The effort given in music is looked down upon when in reality it has deep value to the ones who produced it. I do encourage originality, and I do support artists in their struggle to make their voices heard. As for the people who do not respect it, they do not know the real value of our work.

What/who is your biggest inspiration?

My biggest inspiration from the start was David Guetta, the well-known EDM (Electronic Dance Music) DJ. His style made so much sense to me as if I understood everything going on in his music. Later, I discovered a Jamaican DJ, Willy William, whose style is more island-like, called Afro

FRANKLY, I DON’T SEE THE POINT IN RUSHING, BECAUSE MY LIFE IS THE MUSIC. WHILE I TAKE MY TIME TO EXPLORE EVERY CORNER OF MUSIC, I SET ALONG THE ROAD TO TEST THE WATERS. SOMETIMES THEY TURN OUT GOOD, AND SOMETIMES BAD, BUT NONE OF IT DISCOURAGES ME.

Dance. From there, I moved into a whole new style of remixing. I’ve always believed that there’s nothing that you can’t do with music. As Bob Marley said, “The good thing about music is, when it hits you, you feel no pain.” I will always relate to this saying. Local artists which I have worked closely with are Ion Kid (Michael Savy) and Chicco Martino. Along the way I have made new alliances with other artists and producers. They all have, in a way or another, helped me in my journey.

Can you tell me about any particular embarrassing/funny moments behind the deck?

(Laughs) So many things have happened, either plain weird, or plain stupid moments. One moment which will always mark the worst that ever happened to me, was when I accidentally loaded a French song by Francis Cabrel, and it was at that time when my laptop froze. All I did was cut the volume and the club was left silent, which was then accompanied by boo’s and insults. It’s kind of funny now when I look back, but can you imagine the embarrassment at that very moment?

How do you like to unwind when you’re not dj’ing?

I usually sleep. I mean, who doesn’t! DJ’ing in a club is really tiring. The thing is, when you are DJ’ing the club, you don’t feel it, but as soon as you stop and are on your way back home, you feel your energy level drop. I have many hobbies. I play video games, surf the net, watch movies and series, take pictures, and enjoy riding my bike or even going to the beach.

What does the rest of 2014 have in store for Dj Giorgio Bello? 2014 for me means more remixes and more productions! My website is still up, as is my Soundcloud account where I post my remixes and my Facebook where you can all keep up to date with my work.

Do you feel you have changed a lot these past few years?

I have changed - my mind has been set more maturely over the things that I do. The reason I know this is because I have realized that I am more focused on what’s important and what isn’t. By doing this, I have enhanced my end product and made possible things that were never attainable by myself. At this very moment, I am confident in myself, and I believe in my goal.

Biggest turn off about people?

There are a hundred things that DJ’s do not like about people. The worst turn off I’ve had about people is when they never appreciate the work you’ve done and simply criticize. While I get a lot of positive feedback about my work, some always sort of bend the steel to see if I react otherwise. From the beginning I was told that the journey would not always be so rosy and that I’d face all sorts, so I now tend to ‘take a chill pill’, relax and let it go. I know that what I do is appreciated by a lot, and a small minority will always have something extra to add that’s not always positive but there’s nothing I can do about that, right?

..and your favourite quality in people close to you?

So far, everyone that I am close to has encouraged me and believed in me, which has given me the strength and motivation to go on my path as a producer and DJ. This has got to be my favourite thing about them and I thank them for that.

By Martine Gontier Follow George: http://www.djgiorgiobello.com/ On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/DJ-GiorgioBello/165935880113185 On soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/dj-giorgio-bello

JUNE 2014 | POTPOURRI

FEATURED ARTIST

Did you ever take music lessons?

Make a statement with Colour: Dulux Luxurious Silk With Elaine LaFortune The Dulux colour specialist tells us which colours are currently trending in the world of interiors and how we can go about choosing the right shade for our homes and establishments. Dulux has recently launched new trendy colours for interior walls. The purpose of these tones is to create a foundation that will enhance the current schemes in your home or office. These tones will serve as a canvas or foundation to complement almost any other broad wall colour and inspire you to create beautiful schemes in your living or workspace. The new colours are available in Luxurious Silk standard colours or tinted colours. If you’re considering a paint overhaul – WOODWORKS Unlimited is here for more ideas on how to incorporate these colours into your home. Dulux Luxurious Silk is now available in brand new packaging which boasts easy navigation and useful information with on-pack visual cues. Now you can refresh your home and office with the warmth, the richness, the freshness and the tranquility of Dulux Luxurious silk paint.

A little change is good

A little change is good for us and can really uplift the spirits. If you are looking for an impactful change that won’t break the budget then a splash of Dulux Luxurious silk paint may be for you! Dulux Luxurious silk provides excellent wear resistance and exceptional stain removal properties, along withgood flow and excellent opacity. The application is as easy by brush and roller, and offers excellent resistance to splatter. It’s also quick drying - two coats can easily be applied in one day. If you’re allergic to paint smell then look no further, Dulux Luxurious silk is the paint for you. It is a low odour premium interior mid-sheen finish with supreme stain resistance. Dulux Luxurious silk is recommended for bedrooms, living rooms, hallways, kids play rooms, passages or any areas that require luxurious long-last scrub resistent finish. With its low odour,

JUNE 2014 | POTPOURRI

there is no smelly paint fume to worry about. When you’re done with painting your home or office, there is absolutely no hassle with cleaning up. All equipment can be effortlessly washed with tap water. Don’t even worry about repainting every year. Dulux Luxurious silk is non-yellowing and will not go yellow even with age. Want a luxurious interior wall coating with a smooth silk finish? At our Dulux Paint Centre at Providence we can produce any of about 4,000 different colours in less than 4 minutes. The pack size ranges from 1, 5 & 20 litres.

Our promise of the ultimate in Dulux quality and performance

Dulux Luxurious silk is the preferred paint product being purchased by most 5-star establishments for painting of interior walls/rooms. This is basically because of its unmatched qualities and properties: · Stain resistant · Low odour · Washable · Mid-sheen appearance · 10-year warranty as printed on its packaging. Dulux smooth and creamy Luxurious Silk offers unique colour protection in a wipe-clean finish. It is protected by Colour guard formulation with an invisible protective layer that locks colour to your walls. It is ideal for busy areas of your home because of its hardwearing wipe-clean formula, allowing you to wipe away spills and dirt easily, keeping that ‘just painted’ look for longer. The Dulux Luxurious Silk Paint provides a smooth and delicate shine finish, ideal for many rooms in the home or office. It also gives off a luxurious silk acrylic finish for interior walls with excellent stain resistance. The finished paint work will surely exceed your expectations. Believe in the power to transform your surrounding and how you feel about them. It’s time to make a change with colour.

JUNE 2014 | POTPOURRI

HOMES IN PARADISE

Cinnamon Hill Villa, Sorento, Mahé

JUNE 2014 | POTPOURRI

HOMES IN PARADISE

• • • • • • • • • • • • • •

2,870 square metres of property 400 sq. metres of house area 3 bedrooms, all with en-suite bathrooms 1 guest washroom Double car covered garage Dip pool Fully fenced Roundabout style car driveway entrance Wine cellar Large store room Panoramic sea views and sunset view 5 minutes to Beau Vallon beach, close to the Hilton resort and Spa 15 minutes to Victoria Permission to build a 4th bedroom on the rooftop

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

JUNE 2014 | POTPOURRI

FASHION 36

JUNE 2014 | POTPOURRI

FASHION

JUNE 2014 | POTPOURRI

FASHION

Valerie Lebon | Marketing Executive Air Seychelles What’s your number one fashion rule?

No-no to cheapos! I love taking advantage of a good sale or deal as long as it is for a quality piece. I’d rather purchase one really stunning dress or top that I can use to mix with my other items of clothing - I’m very much a quality over quantity type of girl!

Which celebrity would top your ‘best dressed’ list? It would definitely have to be Kim Kardashian!

What’s your favourite item in your wardrobe?

I purchased this pencil skirt from Warehouse a while ago with a zipper accent along its entire length- I love it to bits! A pencil skirt I feel is a staple in any woman’s wardrobe, you can easily dress it up or down - whether it be with a tucked in shirt for a day at the office or a crop top for a night out about the town!

What colour is dominant in your wardrobe? White and dark blue!

Your favourite place to shop?

My preference is online shopping. A few favourite online stops of mine would have to be River Island, Warehouse, Mango, Top Shop, Dorothy Perkins and New Look!

Are you a high heels/flats or sneakers girl?

With ballet flats you can’t possibly go wrong. You can look oh-so well put together and get the bonus of comfort!

Your favourite designer/ designer item?

My favourite item would have to be my nude coloured Aldo handbag. I remember having eyed it and just a few days later received it as a surprise gift. It has immense sentimental value.

A definite NO-NO is: Showing too much skin!

A brief description of your fashion style would be:

Understated elegance

A good fashion sense means…. Knowing what works for your body and then making it your own by either throwing on a lovely, bright coloured belt or some chunky bangles.

JUNE 2014 | POTPOURRI

FASHION

Get His Look Brad Pitt

www.rolexblog.blogspot.com

There isn’t much we can say about Brad Pitt that has not been said before. He is simply a beautiful man and while his ex-wife, Jennifer Aniston once said he did lack a sensitive bone in his body, the way he has embraced family life and fatherhood with current partner, Angelina Jolie, has made him even more desirable. Despite, being one of those people who would pull off any look, Brad never disappoints when it comes to style. From his ‘red carpet’ looks to his motorbike trips to the grocery store, he has fashion critiques buzzing.

Shirt: Spendless Boutique | Orion Mall Vest: Spendless Boutique | Orion Mall Ring: Portofino | Eden Plaza Hat: Deba Store Sunglasses: Beyond the Sea | Eden Plaza

with Ms Jules

COCKTAIL RINGS Some fashionistas would argue that the cocktail ring is what made fake fabulous. There’s actually an interesting history behind cocktail rings dating back to as recently as the 1920s in the US. If you are a fan of Boardwalk Empire, an on-going HBO series, you’ll know what I mean. At a time where alcohol was prohibited in America, the elite and wealthy attended secret parties where the alcohol flowed and fashion flourished. Women, enjoying the stealthy nature of such events, would embellish their flashy outfits with lavish cocktail rings. The rings weren’t subtle - and the more outrageous the ring, the more unconventional and modern the woman was deemed to be. Earlier rings used to be the real thing - precious gems, and diamonds in particular -- but by the ‘50s, many cocktail rings were made by costume jewelry designers. The fashion world focused on other things in the late 1960s and ‘70s but not for long. Sometimes referred to now as a “statement ring,” the cocktail ring is back—with a bang or bling. Tips to note: • A cocktail ring is bold and so it is worth remembering that it will draw attention to your hands, and consequently, your nails, so make sure they are perfectly groomed. Nail varnish coming off your nails will NOT do it justice. • As much as possible, ensure that the colour of your nail polish does not clash with the colours in your ring. While it’s necessary to let the 16-year-old girl in us come alive once in a while; avoid multi-coloured manicures, nail art and glittery nail polish when you wear a cocktail ring. It shouts many things - none of which translates to elegance. • A cocktail ring adds an element of fun to any outfit, so it goes without saying that you should have fun with it! The bigger and brighter, the better. Just remember that balance is key, so it is better to wear one at a time.

JUNE 2014 | POTPOURRI

Anna Simon Lespoir (29)

MAKE-OVER

Martin Hoarau’s Hairdressing Occupation: “I am a High School Geography teacher.” Hair Routine: “I usually co-wash on a weekly basis then moisturise with hair oil.” The last time I went to a hairdresser prior to this make-over was... “a month ago for a wash and blow dry.” The most extreme thing I’ve done in my hair? “I’ve cut it ¾ its original length; nothing too extreme!”

BEFORE

What I’m expecting from this makeover: “I am interested in having a lighter hair colour but keeping my current hair length.”

Hair (with Martin) ‘In keeping to Anna’s wishes, I’m going to add a single lighter colour all over. Keeping the length doesn’t mean we can’t play with layers so I will heavily layer hers. In doing so we’ll also get rid of split ends.’

For booking, call Martin Hoarau Hairdressing on 4325186

Make up (with Olga) ‘I loved working on Anna’s skin. After contouring her face (with Black-Up make-up), I focused on her eyes. I opened her eyes up further with eyeliner and different shades of earthy colours. A peach/pink lipgloss completed the look.’

for AFTER photo go to page 43

For booking, call Olga on 2526405

The Team

1. Hair: Martin Hoarau | 2. Make Up: Olga Mor | 3. Photography: Alvin Abel 40

JUNE 2014 | POTPOURRI

BEAUTY

Razor Meets Skin The Perfect Shave

Women remove hair from their bodies for various reasons including comfort, hygienic, aesthetics, cultural or religious reasons. However, despite the wide choice of de-fuzzing methods including waxing, sugaring, electrolysis, lasers and depilatory creams now available, research shows that a large majority of ladies still claim the humble razor as their weapon of choice when it comes to quick, convenient and affordable hair removal. Contrary to popular belief, shaving does not stimulate the hair follicles and cause hair to grow back thicker and darker. Hair that has not been cut has a tapered end due to everyday wear. Once the hair is cut, it has a sharper, straighter edge which makes it appear thicker. Hair that has never been cut is also lighter in colour due to sun exposure so new hair growth may be slightly darker. It is also a fact that as part of the natural hormonal and ageing process, hair growth becomes thicker and more abundant especially during the teenage years when it may well be around the time that we start shaving. The disadvantages of shaving are the potential nicks, cuts, razor burn, irritation and soreness often caused by using blunt blades. Shaving can also cause ingrown hairs which can be painful and lead to infections. Hair also grows back much quicker than with other methods such as waxing which remove the hair from its root rather than cutting across the surface of the skin. So unless you can tolerate unsightly visible stubble, you will have to repeat the process every 1-4 days depending on the rate that your hair grows.

closest shave. • Pull the skin taut with one hand and shave with the other, skimming the razor over the hair. • Rinse the blade often in warm water to unclog the blades and avoid repeating the same stroke repeatedly especially in sensitive areas as this can cause irritation. • The advice is always try to shave in the direction of the hair growth but some women find that they get a closer shave shaving in the opposite direction. Be warned that this may increase the risk of ingrown hairs and irritation. • Long upward strokes are best on legs whilst in the underarm area, where hair grows in all directions, short side to side as well as up and down movements may be necessary. • Rinse the blade often and avoid repeating the same stroke repeatedly especially in sensitive areas as this can cause irritation. • Go slowly especially over bony areas such as knees and ankles where nicks can occur.

Aftercare • • •

Splash the skin with cold water after shaving to help tone the skin and help stop any bleeding if you have cut yourself. Condition the shaved area regularly to reduce irritation, itching and to soften the skin as well as reducing the discomfort caused by itchy stubble in between shaves. Use unperfumed products designed for sensitive skin or baby oil. Refrain from using deodorants or anti perspirants or perfumes on the skin immediately after shaving as this may cause stinging and discomfort. Jennifer Baldwin has worked in the fashion and beauty industry in several countries

The best advantage of shaving over other methods of hair removal has to be speed and convenience, practically anytime, anyplace, anywhere as long as you have a razor and access to warm water [and some degree of privacy of course!] It is also probably the cheapest option available depending on how much you choose to spend on your razor and optional shaving gels or foams.

Choosing a razor Never, ever share your razor if you wish to avoid catching an infection! For the smoothest, easiest shave, opt for a quality razor, not the cheapest which can cause razor burn, irritation, soreness and nicks. Razors especially designed for a woman’s curves are available often with moisturising strips to lubricate the skin and cushions to maximise protection as well as easy grip handles. Although razors can be used more than once, the blade must remain sharp. A dull blade will pull the hair and increase the risk of ingrown hairs. As a general guide, if you need to apply any pressure it’s time to replace the razor or the changeable blade. There is of course the electric option for a razor with blades behind a perforated foil to minimise nicks, but these come with other considerations such as a higher initial investment, spare batteries and / or access to a power socket to use or recharge so possibly not as convenient.

Tips for a perfect shave • • •

If the hair is very long you may wish to clip it first using scissors. Never dry shave! Ideally soak the area to be shaved in warm water first for at least 3 minutes to help soften the hair, open the hair follicles and relax the skin. For best results use a shaving gel, lotion or foam to further soften the hair, reduce friction and condition the skin. Using a specialised shaving product will allow the razor to glide smoothly over the skin and ensure the

JUNE 2014 | POTPOURRI

BEAUTY

The Low Ponytail We’re all guilty of it. It’s hot, we have things to do so we pick up our hair and tie it up the top-knot as it’s called. It’s easy and most of the time it looks pretty decent. Somehow, the idea of tying our hair lower seems to require something additional for which we just don’t have the time. Well, hair experts would tell you this; make the time. Low pony tails are part of the ‘hot’ hair trends of 2014. Who are you to be left out?

A classic revised…

Yes, it does start off pretty easy. Gather all your hair from the front and hold it together at the nape of your neck. Once you’ve done that, you have your foundation. Your next choice: is it going to be from loose and messy or super-straight and sleek? Well, it depends. Where are you planning to take your fabulous low ponytail?

Simple steps to

The Braided Side-Bun With Helen Payet

Evening: Sleek

The sleek finish is the epitome of chic when incorporated into a low ponytail and styled properly. The rule here is to go with a centre part accompanied by minimal accessories. Tip: Because the centre or slicked-back ponytail is an evening look, be sure to try it with a smokey eye makeup finish for full effect.

Create a side parting. Take three small sections and start braiding.

After each ‘braid’, add an additional section of hair in.

Continue doing this until the bottom of the head.

Join the chunk of hair left-over and continue braiding.

Day-time: Sling to the side

Sleek and featuring a side part (another hot hair trend), this is the kind of ponytail that serves as a statement of mere simplicity. Tip: Be sure to pick a clean-cut outfit in order to balance this styling of the low ponytail’s modern feel.

It CAN be messy

This works best with straight hair and it evokes an absolutely effortless feel. Don’t pull all your hair into the ponytail, leave some strands to fall across your face and to sit out behind your ears. Tip: Don’t forget the allimportant texture / volume on the crown.

Curly hair: now we have texture!

Built upon waves (natural or otherwise) and wrapped with a single strand of hair or elastic, the textured ponytail epitomises a casual-yet-sophisticated take on the trend. Soft and utterly feminine, this nonchalant version of the low ponytail works best with medium to long hair.

Tie the hair at the bottom and then roll it into a bun.

Secure the bun with pins and voila!

Helen, from Martin Hoarau’s Hairdressing is a fully trained hair stylist who joined the team in December 2013. She is from Kenya and is great at putting hair up.

Hope to see you on the low ponytail bandwagon!

JUNE 2014 | POTPOURRI

APRIL 2014 | POTPOURRI

MAKE-OVER

R E T F A

Anna says, ‘It’s great. Exactly what I wanted. I love it!’

JUNE 2014 | POTPOURRI

HEALTH

VIEW FROM THE STATION

THE BOUNDLESS THANK YOU Benefits of adopting a ‘Gratitude attitude’ By Jenny Gilbert Now that you’ve hopefully embraced ABUNDANCE & GRACE and practiced ‘HUMILITY’ several times, let us move onto Gratitude. The 4th Virtue, Gratitude is the one Virtue in our programme which corresponds directly with the chakra system. Gratitude, like the heart chakra, rests at our centre, the core of our spirit. Located around the heart, upper chest and upper back, it integrates the upper (Abundance, Grace & Humility) and the lower (Integrity, Acceptance & Balance) Virtues, bringing harmony and peace and capturing love and abundance in our life. You must have heard the saying ‘the more love you give, the more (love) you receive?’ Keep that in mind while reading this article.

JUNE 2014 | POTPOURRI

The chakra system’s Sanskrit name for the heart chakra is Anahata. Translated as ‘unhurt, unstruck and unbeaten’ it suggests that at the core of our spirit, way beneath the dialogue of our personal pain, suffering and broken heart, we find whole, unconditional, true love and compassion. The yoga practice of pranayama breathing helps balance and tone the heart chakra to increase vitality and enthusiasm for life. With yoga postures we can give the heart space so that it can open up to its true character of giving and receiving love freely. An easy posture to allow heart energy to flow is to lie down on your back and gently arch it over a cushion. It is suggested that you then stretch your arms in the Eagle Pose

“I AM GRATEFUL TO BE LIVING IN SEYCHELLES, BEING SURROUNDED BY NATURE, BLUE SKIES, WARM, SAFE SEAS AND AN ABUNDANCE OF HEALTHY FOOD. THANK YOU”.

and to the Universal Law of Attraction which governs all the energy in our Universe. From the way an atom is formed to the ebb and flow of the tides, everything from human cells to material objects is held together by the Law of Attraction. With Gratitude, this law operates on our thoughts and feelings, attracting whatever we feel and think to us, feeding back to us that which we are grateful for. This seems simplistic for sure; however evidence on the benefits of using Gratitude is irrefutable. There are numerous studies on the subject with convincing results not to mention insights on the significance of Gratitude demonstrated by some of the greatest scientists. One only has to google ‘benefits of saying thank you’ to start getting the picture. Consider Sir Isaac Newton’s theory ‘that every action has an opposite and equal action’. Applied to Gratitude, this means that ‘every time we give thanks we cause an opposite action of receiving in equal quantity to that which we are grateful (or give thanks).’ So, if we are just a little bit grateful, we will receive just a little bit of abundance. Being ungrateful means that we’re taking things for granted – unintentionally taking from ourselves. The law of attraction says that ‘like attracts like’ so if we take something for granted, we will be taken from as a result. Leonardo Da Vinci, Shakespeare, Emerson, Einstein, Newton, Gandhi, Plato and many more famous individuals all actively practiced Gratitude. Empowered with the ‘like attracts like’ principle, they knew the power that practicing Gratitude would have on them. It goes without saying that these have been some of the most brilliant minds of all time – all of whom consistently thanked others several times a day for their help, support – or simply for their blessings. Not surprisingly they were given astronomical insights into new wisdom that would seek to guide and enhance humankind. Ancient myths and legends say that in order to experience abundance in our lives, we have to utter the magic words of ‘thank you.’ The great religions also have Gratitude = Abundance as a promise for all. One wonders then how we lost this knowledge, this treasure called Gratitude. We might say ‘thank you’ many times a day but without truly, deeply activating ‘thank you’ as a heartfelt intention, merely paying lip-service and, while we will most likely receive something in return, it will be limited to the effort and feeling we put into the thanks. Starting today, write a Gratitude List of everything you are truly grateful for and why. While doing this, apply gratitude to all aspects of your life: love, career, finance, health, emotional well-being, family, etc. Once you get into the habit, practice Gratitude daily. Every morning write down 10 things for which you are truly grateful (and why). Then read your list, saying ‘thank you’ as many times as you can after each blessing. Examples of what your Gratitude list might look like: ‘I am grateful and ever thankful for being in a loving, healthy relationship because it makes me feel safe and beautiful. Thank you.’ ‘I am truly blessed that I live in a lovely, dry home, have access to running water and a flushing toilet because it provides me with the comfort I enjoy and feel good with. Thank you.’ ‘I am thankful that I love my work because it inspires and rewards me constantly. Thank you.’ ‘I am so happy and grateful that I am able to share my thoughts and experiences with others because whatever I give freely comes back to me as inspiration and wisdom. Thank you.” “I am grateful to be living in Seychelles, being surrounded by nature, blue skies, warm, safe seas and an abundance of healthy food. Thank you”. Thank you for reading this article. May it guide you to ‘insert’ a Gratitude attitude into your life. The better you get at it, the more abundant your life will become, the more joy, peace, harmony and love you will attract. And remember that you are solely in control of the breadth of the abundance you will receive that always equals the depth of feeling, deep-down thankfulness that you show for what you already have.

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.

JUNE 2014 | POTPOURRI

HEALTH

(look it up) but I find it just as opening to lie with arms outstretched to each side. Your chest should be higher than your head - allowing your heart to occupy a higher position than your head! In this position we give room for love which always melts away fear and brings more joy and harmony into our lives. While our Virtues programme adopts the timeless wisdom of the chakra system in many ways, Virtues mainly uses a system of communication with which to enliven our energy systems, encouraging a daily consciousness habit that is fun to embrace and which we can easily ‘insert’ into our lives without changing anything. It is easy enough for the reader to access thousands of informative websites on the chakras and I would suggest that anyone interested should spend some time looking into these wonderfully healing energy centres that aid the Virtues programme. By far the most powerful way to open, energize and balance the heart is to love ourselves and others, ensuring that we show appreciation or gratitude for all the goodness within ourselves and others. Which leads us to the Gratitude Virtue. I find it extraordinary how few people really have a ‘handle’ on what a powerful tool Gratitude is. Firstly, when we feel grateful, we engage our heart (the centre of all love) by giving and receiving. Think ‘give thanks = receive blessing’. In a state of truly feeling grateful we gratify our spirit and feed our soul with thanks for all the blessings we have. When we do this, we vibration-ally connect to grace and abundance

JUNE 2014 | POTPOURRI

Better Living With Célia Ponzo

CONNECT WITH NATURE There is nothing greater than the power of nature. One of nature’s most overlooked powers is the power in nature to heal you. It is very true that the simplest healing tools are the most powerful. Many of us forget the beauty of our surroundings, the different elements of nature that are constantly present around us. It is often the case that when you grow up somewhere, you take what is around you for granted. How many of you sit back and just realise, wow this is where I live? Take a look again, it is truly the paradise of nature. I grew up in Rome, studied in London, started working in Nairobi; capitals of the world constantly being overly stimulated by the noise of the outside world. Bombarded by billboards, advertisements, shops, cars honking and just people storming past you at full speed, knocking into you, pushing you and just trying to essentially survive. I particularly remember my time in London. If you have been to London or heard about the ‘London Rush’ you will know how it feels. It is simply people rushing to get to places, it is people constantly ‘on the go’ hence why now there are ‘on the go’ coffee shops, lunch places where you are racing against time, going to one place and then to the other that you don’t even have time to sit down properly and take the time to enjoy your meal and savour every bite which nourishes your body. I remember getting on the bus every morning and needing to walk a couple of blocks before getting to my university. I had time to walk slowly, I was not in a rush but yet my body told me to walk briskly, speed up the pace, keep the momentum of those around you. I became aware of it one day that actually I did not need to keep up with everyone else but when I slowed down it felt alien to me, simply because every single person around me was just walking with an aim to get somewhere, not just walking in the present moment. So I just kept on walking, kept on trying to keep up with everything that surrounded me; it is a wave and getting out of it is not easy. Now I have ended up here, the opposite to London, so quiet, so peaceful, birds singing, waves crashing, wind blowing, so close to nature. Until now I never really realised how important it is to me to connect with nature and thinking of going back to a big city permanently leaves me wondering whether I could really distance myself again so much from life’s pure essence. I try and make it a priority each day to align myself with nature whether it is how I eat, how I move or how I relax. Why is it important to connect with nature? Nature can be a refuge. It calms you, it helps you connect to something larger than yourself, and provides a much-needed respite from your busy life. Research has found that the simple act of listening to the waves, staring at the moon and the stars, or watching the trees blow in the wind can remind us that there is something greater than ourselves out there. When we can tap into that, we remember, we see, we get out of our heads and into our bodies. The agitated, over-processed mind can have a moment to chill out, calm and settle. We have the space to be with ourselves in a natural environment. Tapping into that power can also create a feeling of acceptance. How can you connect with nature?

EAT NATURAL FOOD

The food we eat makes up every cell in our body. If we want those cells to be healthy, we need to eat food that is natural, whole, and free of anything synthetic and man-made (eating lots of plants is a massive plus, too). Eat more local fruits and vegetables, replace rice with wholegrains such as breadfruits, cassava and sweet potato; these are the foods of nature.

SPEND TIME BY THE SEA

Too many thoughts in your head? Is your mind occupied and overwhelmed by troubles? Take yourself down to the beach and allow the ocean to put everything back into perspective. Bathe in the sea -- the ocean is like a big bath full of natural occurring sea salts that instantly relaxes our body. Think about all those people overseas living in a city buying sea salts in a shop to relax themselves at home in a warm bath. You have it right there in front of you every day!

EXERCISE OUTSIDE

When we exercise, we fill our bodies with freshly oxygenated air — so why not make it the best quality fresh air? For one thing, even if we enjoy it, going to the gym tends to be a chore. It’s just something we have to cross off our list. On the other hand, walking in nature is about being in the

moment, rather than trying to achieve something. Even more importantly, we are surrounded by fresh oxygen-rich air and beautiful scenery, rather than gym smell and flat-screen TVs. And there’s no membership fee.

LET YOUR SKIN SOAK UP THE SUN

Just as the rest of nature needs sunlight to survive and thrive, so do we. Don’t run away from it, and don’t constantly cover yourself up from it. However, be smart -- the sun is strong so know when to protect yourself.

WALK BAREFOOT ON THE SAND

David Wolfe says that one of the reasons we feel so disconnected from the earth is because we literally are —we always have shoes separating us from the ground. Make an effort to take your shoes off and ground yourself every single day. Walking barefoot, also known as “earthing,” has become a scientifically-researched practice with a number of remarkable health advantages, such as increasing antioxidants, reducing inflammation, and improving sleep. Connecting with nature is so important to optimal health and wellbeing of a balanced state of mind, body and soul. Connect yourself to nature -you will connect with it naturally because it is within you. Remember that no matter what challenges occur or whatever happens, plants keep on growing. Sometimes they may not grow as fast due to lack of nourishment in some form, BUT they keep on growing. They bide their time and keep doing everything they can until the time when the nourishment fills them up to fully blossom into their best plant selves. Just like humans. You and me. Keep on growing through the times when you feel challenged, and before you know it, you’ll be blooming into your happiest and healthiest self! Make it a ritual. Create your own ritual to go into nature at least three times a week. If you don’t have the time for that, make it once a week, twice a month or, at minimum, once a month. Take one day to go on a long hike, go sit on the sand, swim in the sea. You would be surprised that even though we live so close to nature not many of us do these things. Be grateful that you live in nature’s sanctuary. We are all so lucky to have it hugging us every day. Make use of nature’s beauty to heal you.

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.

JUNE 2014 | POTPOURRI

The Smoothie Queen Hey there, my smoothie fanatics. We have reached the month of June! Already half way through the year. It’s been so lovely sharing my recipes with all of you amazing fans. Funnily enough someone came up to me the other day and asked me, “how do you do it? “How do you survive on only smoothies throughout the day? I tried it but I could not do it, I nearly fainted.” After he had said this I could not help but laugh.the poor man had tried to survive ONLY on my smoothies. I assume he did not read what I wrote properly. So just a little thought, all the recipes I provide you with are to incorporate INTO your diets, not solely to survive on! This month we shall be making breakfast in a cup! I usually eat all these ingredients for breakfast, and one morning, as I was rushing for work, pressed for time I thought, “hey, why not make a smoothie out of my breakfast.” So into the blender went my oats, berries, yoghurt, honey and cinnamon. Toss them in and let the blender do its work! Oats:one of the world’s healthiest foods. Nothing says good morning like oatmeal with some fresh fruit. Not only is it a great start to your day, it also has many health benefits such as, improving immune system defenses, improving insulin sensitivity, lowering cholesterol, controlling blood pressure and general good health. Here we go…

Mili’s Sunrise Smoothie! ~Good Morning~ Ingredients: 1 cup of uncooked old fashioned oats 4 strawberries 4 blackberries 8 raspberries 1/2 cup blueberries 1 cup Natural Greek Yoghurt 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon 2 1/2 tablespoons of honey 1/2 cup of water 1/2 cup of ice cubes

Method: • Place the oats and water into the blender • Let them soak until the oats have softened, for about 15 minutes • Add all the berries, the yoghurt, the ice cubes, the honey and the cinnamon. • Blend for about 1 minute • Pour into your cup/bottle And there we have it. Simple, quick and healthy! For smoothie tutorial videos please visit my youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/user/ Milidoux/videos Enjoy everybody!

Emilie is our Smoothie Queen and 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 website, potpourrimagazine.com where she shares videos on how to make her smoothies and she will help us improve our diets with her fabulous recipes.

JUNE 2014 | POTPOURRI

Long Distance Love Q:

Dear Annalisa, My girlfriend and I have been together for 3 years. This is her first serious relationship while for me, it’s my third-time-lucky one. She has just been informed of a posting overseas with the company she’s been with for the past year. If she accepts she’ll be away for 2 years. We are still discussing it but I am consumed with fear; if she goes I know I will lose her. Her eyes will open to the world and I am uncertain where I would fit in. How could we survive this distance? Geoff, 25

A: Dear Geoff,

We live in a technologically advanced age that the world seems to have gotten smaller by the click of a mouse or an “ENTER” button. Things we want to say are transported through sms, WhatsApp, Viber (to name a few) in a matter of seconds. Things we are doing can be shown on Facebook and on Twitter in as many details as we wish. With Skype we are able to keep things as close to real as possible. And of course the old faithful, telephone. Now in that sense you are equipped with the necessary avenues to keep in touch. Ask any grandparents of their long distance relationship experience and you’ll be so glad to be living in this era. The first step to surviving this distance is to first put those avenues to good use. Good use here, would mean going beyond just using them to keep in touch and stay informed with what’s happening with each other. It will mean using technology and making time for meaningful, honest and open communication. Discussing your fear is probably a good place to start. I have to add that discussing fear doesn’t necessarily stop it from happening. Instead it means simply that the other person knows what scares you and why. Now it is up to them what they do with the information. “My girlfriend should remain faithful to me always regardless if I’m around or not?” A more neutral and encouraging way to formulate this statement would be “ I would prefer that my girlfriend remains faithful to me, so that our relationship continues, but if she doesn’t, it will hurt/ disappoint me but I will be able to cope with whatever happens”. The reality is there’s not really much you can do, other than remain connected and deal with one day at a time. I have to say, though, you have a mentality that because your girlfriend will be coming into contact with the rest of the world and exploring new experiences, it automatically translates to leaving you behind. The fault with this thinking is that you have already created a belief for which you have no evidence. Now if this is the foundation of your thinking about her time away, can you imagine what thoughts you will generate from the various situations that will happen while you are apart? What type of feelings would follow this type of thinking? Hurt, disappointment, betrayal to name a few. Are you basing this judgment on a general formula or belief about distance relationship or have you adequately weighted your girlfriend in this equation. How does that final sum look like now? So a good place to start, in trying to survive this distance is to first readjust your thinking about what the distance and the exposure will do to your relationship. Then sit back, communicate and see what life has in store for the both of you. Best wishes for your relationship.

No dating! Never! Q:

Dear Annalisa, When my daughters hit their teens I made a rule; no boyfriends until 18. At the time, 18 seemed like a lifetime away until 18 knocked on my door. My 19 year old daughter has asked us if she can bring *Roy home. My wife is excited while I turn blue at the mention of his name. I cannot come to terms with the idea my little girl is dating. My second daughter is 17 and I can only assume she’ll be bringing one over shortly as well. How do I cope with this? Maxwell, Victoria

A: Dear Maxwell

As you say 18 came sooner than you expected and you are nowhere more prepared than when your daughters were mere teens. And like everything that we leave to the last minute, we end up cramming. But after every bad cramming experience we always promise ourselves that we will do better next time, be more prepared (or if you’re anything like me) you end up doing the same thing as the previous time. But to be honest I wonder if a dad is ever so ready to meet any new boyfriend. I’m sure if it was up to you, you would move this 18 years to many more years down the track. Therefore don’t be so hard on yourself. Dating is fun for any new couple, now you could either be a dad who scares her off discussing her boyfriend with you, or you could be a dad who makes it easy to talk about a boyfriend. In the first instance you will bring her closer to you and probably be able to influence her choices and behaviours towards a boyfriend or any relationship for that matter. On the other hand, it may cause her to run a mile in the opposite direction and you’ll only get to see the boyfriends at home and have no opportunity to influence their choices in dating and more importantly their relationship. They say fathers and daughters have a special bond. Allow yourself and your daughters to maintain this bond, by continuously evolving with their different developmental stage as opposed to getting stuck in the little girl mode. They are becoming young adults after all and will need their daddy just as much, but in a different way. Happy being daddy to 18 year olds. 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.

JUNE 2014 | POTPOURRI

AGONY AUNT

Dear Annalisa ......

PARENTING

What Only A Father Can Give

By Nathalie Hodgson

There are some things only my husband can give our children. And I’m not talking about basketball shoes or ipads or bigger allowances or expensive vacations. These are gifts much more important than that—and much more valuable. In a study examining father involvement with 134 children of adolescent mothers over the first 10 years of life, researchers found that fatherchild contact was associated with better socio-emotional and academic functioning. The results indicated that children with more involved fathers experienced fewer behavioral problems and scored higher on reading achievement. This study showed the significance of the role of fathers in the lives of at-risk children, even in case of nonresident fathers * There is no GPS or handbook manual for this parenting journey and a lot of the time it’s a case of ‘learning as you go along,’ or a ‘work in progress’ with fingers crossed behind your back. We try our very best to be daily teachers, mentors, cheerleaders, and disciplinarians for our children, but it is not always easy. As two separate individuals we bring several differences in our parenting style. And I am now observing and recognizing more deeply these differences as our children grow older. Some of them I question, and we discuss in detail but most I have come to appreciate and value as I study how powerful a father’s impact is and through the moment-to-moment experiences and the modeling opportunities it provides.

JUNE 2014 | POTPOURRI

Affection

It’s those common everyday little things that can happen at any time that eventually get translated into behaviors of value. These times are usually in the daily chores that include taking care of the kids daily needs, like cooking for them, giving them baths, playing with them, reading to them and just helping me out in general. These may seem like another task at the end of a very long day at the office but I see the joy in my children’s faces when they get the chance to ‘shower with Daddy’ or ‘help Daddy make dinner or pancakes for breakfast’. Daddy does things differently and this quality time together demonstrates that nurturing is not just primarily mom’s territory; it is not only Mummy that can meet their basic needs. My husband is also very creative in how he shows affection. Wrestling and rolling around on the floor with them, playing acrobats and game theatre with individualised bed-time stories, with their favourite interests and characters. He also shows me a lot of affection and in front of them, which in fact either evokes jealousy or admiration as they also want to be hugged.

Respect

As a doting mother and a softy at heart, I often make excuses for my children: “She’s hungry”; “He didn’t get much sleep last night”; or “He’s only

A study reported in an article in Science Daily by the American Journal of Psychiatry (28th June 2012), stated that Dads play a key role in determining whether children venture outside their comfort zone or fearfully settle for a status quo existence. Fathers’ genuine affirmation provides a safety net for taking risks and stretching their confidence. Even though my husband has a high powered career and is pulled in a lot of directions, when our son or daughter take the stage, the court, or the field, he will not miss it for the world. That glance into the crowd is a subtle search for significance and is exactly what they want. Just as they pick my voice out of a crowd with the precision of a piano tuner, they want to know more that their Daddy is around, backing them up in their corner. My husband does not praise as often as I do however he is always positive in his comments and attitude which helps shape our children’s self-esteem. He lets them know how proud he is and how beautiful and smart, talented and capable they are. What I really like about his praises is that it does not matter where they are, in private or public, he commends them in front of anyone if they have done something right. This shows that his love is abiding and unconditional.

Opposite Sex

Discipline

I see everyday how gentle, patient and kind he is with our daughter, and how their bond grows deeper and deeper each moment. I hope that the attributes he shows towards her remains and will resonate later on, so she won’t tolerate being mistreated by boys but be attracted to a relationship with the same qualities. How he shows me basic courtesy and honor everyday from little things like never raising his voice to me, opening my doors and serving my food and drink first. This shows my son by example how women should be treated.

Affirmations

In his book You Have What It Takes, Christian author John Eldredge says, “Your son or daughter, no matter how old, will always want and need to hear those words from you, ‘You have what it takes ... you are worth fighting for.’”

When we see the word discipline we automatically think of punitive consequences. But discipline also means a topic of learning. So if the aim of the punishment or consequence is to change behavior or enlighten our children, then we need to make sure their actions are put into context, have few warnings along the way, and importantly the lesson is consistent. Men and women generally approach a situation slightly differently. Men being more goals oriented, whereas women tend to more broadly consider the parties involved and possible reactions along the way. So is it that our children inherently have an inconsistency in their parents’ approach to discipline? I see it in our house hold, with me spending more time giving warnings and explaining wrongs and my husband keeping a stricter eye on the lines that should not be crossed - be it pushing a sibling or generally disrespectful behavior. The good cop/bad cop approach is to everyone’s benefit. The children get the benefit of a nurturing/coaching approach, but the lesson is kept real with a different parenting element strongly underlining what is and is not acceptable.

LOVE and More Love

Kian-Lee NairTurns Name: Marvel Chloe Magnan Birthday: 23rd June From: Mummy, Sophia Nair Elaine says: “Now you’ve reached your birthday… Twelve months have surely flown I look back to life before you and wonder how did I fill my days? What did I do that was so important? Do you know, I couldn’t say. You bought meaning into my life and fill my every waking hour. You are a little monkey; of that there’s no mistaking. You wrap us round your finger, a mummy’s boy in the making. But we love you so very dearly and today’s your special day. We send love and best wishes as you enjoy your 1st Birthday. Love, Mummy”

We know statically that children generally do better in terms of educational, health, emotional and behavioral performance when they live in a home with their biological father. Of course there are numerous drivers at play, not the least having a higher house-hold income and someone to simply share the regular household duties and school homework. But I believe a big factor is having an alternative, complementary parenting experience for the kids, which only a male figure tends to provide in their own way (as I don’t want to exclude the same sex parents). Most of what I have listed here could be the total reverse in your home but the most important point is that you have an open, constant dialogue to settle the differences in raising your children, so that the methods you use are from a strong foundation of love. I was blessed to be raised in a home with both a mother and father who loved me and wanted the best for me. They pushed me to be the best and showed me there was no limit to my potential. I am the wife and mother, and productive member of society that I am today because of them. However, some don’t have it so lucky. No matter what your situation is single mother or father - try to seek out male and female mentors for your child so that they have the balance of yin and yang (female and male) role models in their lives. This will benefit them greatly. Happy Parenting! *Source: Howard, K. S., Burke Lefever, J. E., Borkowski, J.G., & Whitman , T. L. (2006). Fathers’ influence in the lives of children with adolescent mothers. Journal of Family Psychology, 20, 468- 476.

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

‘In collaboration with Chanterelle’

JUNE 2014 | POTPOURRI

PARENTING

thrown a temper tantrum twice this morning—so he’s improving.” Part of the growing-up process is to test boundaries: to see how much you can get away with; to see where the lines are drawn. My children started pushing back at 12 months, a sign of a strong character, who knows? My husband is the first to reinforce teaching respect, with no excuses. He sets the bar high, and when they don’t rise to it, he always administers appropriate consequences, which I sometimes don’t have the courage to do. Inherently your children want to please you, so it’s important to start early; teaching them respect for themselves, for others, for property and for their part they play on earth and the universe. My husband’s teachings are very simple: • Look people in the eyes when you speak to them and when they speak to you • The universe doesn’t revolve around you. • Respond with obedience the first time you’re asked • Never forget your manners (saying thank you, pardon and please) and express thanks with a grateful heart • Do things with love (focus, passion and joy in your heart) • Treat your elders (especially your mother), with respect and honor.

PARENTING

HPV ou Human Papilloma Virus... (avec Loréa Rassool, Cabinet Isis) Le métier de sage-femme.... En Mai 2014 a débuté la campagne de vaccination aux Seychelles contre le Papillomavirus Humain. Vous trouverez dans ces quelques lignes, des réponses aux questions que vous pouvez vous poser. Qu’est ce que le HPV ? C’est un petit virus, dont il existe plus d’une centaine de type différents. Ce virus extrêmement contagieux, se retrouve sur le corps, la peau et les muqueuses. Certains types sont qualifiés de virus à Haut risque pouvant être responsable de cancer, d’autres sont des HPV à bas risque. Comment le HPV se propage t-il ? Par simple contact, au niveau des voies génitales, lors de rapports sexuels, oraux et cutanés. L’utilisation du préservatif est indispensable pour la protection des maladies sexuellement transmissibles, mais ne protège que partiellement contre le HPV. Le nombre d’infection est particulièrement élevé au début de l’activité sexuelle. La multiplicité des partenaires sexuels est un important facteur de risque. Quels sont les symptômes ? Certains HPV sont responsables de verrues (condylomes) au niveau de la peau, de la vulve, du pénis, de l’anus et des zones génitales. Les condylomes n’évoluent pas en cancer mais les récidives sont fréquentes. D’autres évolueront en cancer du col de l’utérus, de l’utérus, du vagin, de l’anus, du pénis, et des voies respiratoires. Qu’est ce que le cancer du col de l’utérus ? Le virus “abime” les cellules du col. Ces lésions se transforment plus ou moins rapidement et provoquent alors un cancer. Le cancer du col évolue généralement sur 10 à 15 ans. Quelques chiffres ? 36 000 femmes de 15 ans et plus sont susceptibles de développer un cancer du col de l’utérus aux Seychelles. En 2008, le HPV a été responsable de 274 000 décès, dont 85% dans les pays en voie de développement. Aux Seychelles, le HPV est le virus responsable du décès de 6 à 10 femmes chaque année. Le dépistage ? Le Frottis Cervico-Vaginal (Test de papsmear) permet d’identifier les cellules anormales du col de l’utérus. Il permet d’orienter vers un médecin pour la réalisation d’examen complémentaire et une prise en charge adaptée lors de résultats anormaux. Le premier est réalisé généralement au début de la période d’activité sexuelle et toujours à intervalle régulier. Le dépistage est indispensable car il permet de détecter la maladie précocement. La maladie évoluant souvent de manière asymptomatique au départ. Pour les hommes, un avis médical est indispensable dans le cadre d’un doute sur un rapport sexuel mal ou non protégé ou lors de l’apparition de condylomes, par exemple. Le traitement? Les condylomes disparaissent généralement spontanément et aucun traitement n’est alors nécessaire. S’ils persistent des crèmes peuvent alors être utilisées ou des techniques plus poussées qui permette par exemple de “ brûler “. Lors de lésions anormales du col, une étude plus approfondie du col est alors réalisée. Dépendant de l’évolution, des traitements plus importants sont nécessaires tels que la chirurgie et la chimiothérapie, par exemple. Pourquoi un vaccin ? Cela permet d’éviter l’infection par certains types de HPV et donc de prévenir la contamination et la propagation de l’infection. Il existe différents types de vaccins. Le GARDASIL est le vaccin utilisé aux Seychelles. Il permet de protéger les individus vaccinés contre les HPV de type 6, 16,11 et 18. Les virus HPV 16 et 18 étant responsables de plus de 70% des cancers du col. Un vaccin pour qui ? Les Seychelles ont choisi comme de nombreux pays de vacciner uniquement les filles, une pratique qui sera susceptible de changer dans les années à venir. C’est également le cas au

Royaume-Uni et en France. Des pays comme l’Australie et les Etats-Unis vaccinent les filles et les garçons à partir de 12 ou 13 ans. Aujourd’hui plus de 175 millions de doses ont été distribuées dans le monde. Quand se faire vacciner ? Les pratiques et recommandations diffèrent d’un pays à l’autre. Il est cependant démontrer que le vaccin est plus efficace avant que la personne ne soit en contact avec le virus, c’est-à-dire avant le début de sa vie sexuelle. Les Seychelles ont choisi de vacciner les filles en classe de P6, donc à l’âge de 11-12 ans. Cela permet ainsi de vacciner plus d’enfants et la probabilité que ces enfants aient débuté une vie sexuelle est alors moindre que si la vaccination se faisait plus tard. Ce vaccin est-il obligatoire ? Non ! Les parents doivent donner leur accord. Des demandes de consentements seront distribuées dans les écoles par le ministère de la Santé et l’autorisation des parents sera indispensable à la vaccination. Le vaccin nécessite 2 rappels qui seront réalisés dans les 6 mois après la première injection. Quels sont les risques ? Sur plus de 175 millions de doses utilisées mondialement, l’Organisation Mondiale de la Santé (s’appuyant sur son comité d’étude sur le HPV, GACVS) estime que le vaccin est sûr. Certains effets indésirables plus ou moins importants ont été décrits, mais rien ne permet aujourd’hui de remettre en cause la sureté du vaccin. Comme la majorité des vaccins, il peut y avoir une réaction au point d’injection à type de douleurs, rougeurs ou chaleur. Certaines personnes souffriront de maux de tête, de nausées, de vomissements, de douleurs articulaires ou musculaires, qui disparaitront dans les jours qui suivent l’injection. Il est aujourd’hui recommandé de rester assis 15 minutes après l’injection. Il est nécessaire de contacter un professionnel de santé si l’un de ces symptômes survient et vous inquiète ou si vous ne vous sentez pas bien. En résumé… La vaccination contre le HPV débute aux Seychelles, plusieurs années après de nombreux pays industrialisés (début en 2006). Le vaccin ne protège pas contre tous les types de virus HPV, mais il permet de limiter sa propagation et les contaminations. Le Frotti cervico-vaginal reste obligatoire et recommandé dès le début de l’activité sexuelle, de même qu’un suivi gynécologique chez votre sage-femme ou votre gynécologue. Les hommes doivent être vigilants et ne doivent pas hésiter à contacter un professionnel de santé en cas de doute. Pour plus d’informations, vous pouvez contacter votre sage-femme, votre médecin, les infirmières scolaires ou celles du planning familial… Loréa Rassool est sage-femme ,formée en France et installée en libérale ( Cabinet Isis). Elle propose parmi de nombreux services : des consultations pré et post-natales, des cours de préparation à la naissance, du yoga périnatal, des consultations gynécologiques de prévention, différentes méthodes de contraception et de la rééducation périnéale.

JUNE 2014 | POTPOURRI

The use of solar energy for electricity is quite new in Seychelles although we have been using the energy of the sun to heat water for a few decades. Solar PV (photovoltaic) technology actually converts sunlight into electrical power that can be used in our homes, schools and businesses. The Government of Seychelles recently announced a new rebate scheme to encourage homeowners and small businesses to invest in solar technology to generate electricity. Similarly, the Ministry of Finance has also launched a low interest loan scheme for households called SEEREP to encourage consumer investment in energy efficient technologies including solar PV. There are also several local companies that have sprung up in the last few years that can supply, install and maintain PV systems. In light of all this, there may still be some reluctance on the part of homeowners and businesses to take the leap and invest in PV, partly due to misinformation about the technology. Here are a few clarifications that might inspire you to choose PV for your home...

Myth 1: Solar will get more efficient, so I should wait. Fact: There is a lot of hype by the media over emerging technologies,

but the truth is we’re still using the same solar technology from the 1960’s. Unlike computers or cellphones which experience dramatic improvements in short periods of time, solar has become only moderately more efficient in the last 50 years. Given this stable technology profile solar makes sense right now and once installed, your panels will continue to work for decades.

Myth 2: Solar doesn’t work in cool, cloudy, or foggy climates. Fact: Solar panels work just fine in ambient light and will produce

significant energy on overcast days. In fact, solar panels are actually more efficient at cooler temperatures than hot ones. Point in fact, Germany leads the world in residential solar right now, and doesn’t have a sunny climate.

Myth 3: I will store the excess energy I generate in batteries. Fact: Nearly all modern solar panel systems are grid tied which means

they’re connected to the conventional electricity grid. Your system generates power during the day and excess is fed back into the grid through a system called net metering whereby PUC credits you for that power. At night or on overcast days, you’ll use grid power, but you don’t generally get charged for it because of all the credit you’ve generated. This grid tied method tends to be the most convenient for homeowners. Batteries are an option for those who really want them, but they’re expensive, bulky, have to be replaced every 3-5 years and cannot be recycled in Seychelles.

Myth 5: Solar panels will cause my roof to leak, deteriorate, or collapse. Fact: Solar panels actually protect and preserve the portion of the

roof they cover. If there’s ever a problem with the roof that needs to be repaired, panels can easily be removed. Most solar panels are not attached directly to the roof itself, but rather to a mounted railing system. Installers add sealants to fill in any gaps and often the mounts are surrounded by metal “flashing,” or coverings that act as an extra barrier from the elements.

Myth 6: Solar is still so expensive that it will never be able to pay for itself Fact: Solar is not just for rich people and/or environmentalists! Many

homeowners choose to go solar simply because it eliminates their big monthly electricity bill, leaving some extra cash for other expenses. Global studies show that on average, solar panels pay for themselves completely within 7 to 15 years in saved electricity bills.

Myth 7: When the power goes out, my home is still powered. Fact: When the power goes out, grid-tied systems go out, too. That’s

because it’s not safe to be pushing electricity back out onto the wires while workers may be trying to fix the problem, so your inverter (the big box near your meter that turns DC electricity created by the panels into usable AC current) recognizes that the grid is out and shuts your system off. The solution? Invest in a back-up generator or batteries or don’t worry about it too much, if the power doesn’t go off that often.

Myth 8: Solar will look ugly on my roof. Fact: In the last ten years there’s been a growing awareness of how

smart renewable energy is from both the environmental and economic perspective, so solar panels are finally coming into their own and being regarded as an enhancement instead of an eyesore. For more information, try these websites: http://howsolarworks.1bog.org/solar-myths/ http://www.alternative-energy-news.info/technology/solar-power/photovoltaics/ http://info.cat.org.uk/pv 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.

Myth 4: Solar panels require maintenance. Fact: Solar panels have no moving parts and do not require regular

maintenance. Typically the recommendation is to hose off the panels once a year or so, but many panel owners actually never clean the panels and instead rely on the rain to do the job for them. Admittedly, this will cause only a very slight loss in efficiency (about 5%) over the lifetime of the panels but as solar systems come with monitoring software, you can spot any drops in power generation right away and schedule a cleaning.

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CONSERVATION

Solar Myths

OCCASIONS

amily and friends were at the forefront of Isabelle and Ben’s Cairns waterfront wedding Saturday 19th April 2014 was a magnificent day. Not only did Isabelle and Ben choose this day to get married, the day they chose could not have been more spectacular. April is a good time to get married in North Queensland as it is generally not too hot or humid during the day and it is starting to cool off during the night. Only the week before things had been a little hairy with cyclone Ita crossing the coast dumping lots of rain on Cairns. Isabelle and Ben’s big day, was pretty much a perfect day with the best that Tropical North Queensland has to offer. Family and friends travelled from Seychelles and Mauritius enjoyed a great Aussie holiday topping it off with a lovely romantic ceremony at the Shangri-la hotel on The Marina on the Cairns Waterfront. Isabelle looked radiant in a tailored Alfred Angelo modern vintage chiffon gown. Her was curled, swept to the side and pinned with a delicate flower hairpiece to match the small flowers adorned by rhinestones and crystal beadings on the gown. Isabelle walked down the aisle to instrument version of ‘Vals depar’ by David Andre giving the ceremony a creole flavour, and was given away to Ben by her dad John who had travelled to Cairns especially for the occasion. Celebrant Gina Miles performed a beautiful ceremony where the guests were invited to vow to have fun and drink champagne on this day and to be there to support the couple on their new journey. Isabelle and Ben then performed a unity ceremony where they gave the bell a strong ring while thinking positive thoughts about their future. The couple got to keep the bell that has now been mounted on the wall next to the downstairs bar. Isabelle and Ben vowed to commit and invest in their relationship. The happy couple walked out to ‘On top of the world’. The couple then walked along the Cairns esplanade where they got some amazing shots that not only captured their happiness on the day but also captured the beauty of the place they call home. The reception took place at the Shangri-la hotel that overlooks the Cairns marina. Mood lighting set an elegant undertone for a 3 course dinner. At speech time the two dads John and Ian thanked each other’s family for being so accepting and welcoming. Ben amused the guests by asking them to watch this space for another announcement in 18 months. Family members who were not able to attend the wedding in Cairns sent speeches that were read by the couple’s children. Speeches from mum Odile, grand-mere Therese, uncle Conrad and brother Christian all brought tears to Isabelle’s eyes. The couple’s first dance and husband and wife was “All of me” by John Lenon. The day ended with what can only be described as one hell of a party as the bride and groom and their family and friends danced the night away.

JUNE 2014 | POTPOURRI

OCCASIONS

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WEDDINGS IN PARADISE 56

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WEDDINGS IN PARADISE

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DINING By Francis Victor

Cyann is fun, different and sophisticated. Part of the Ephelia Resort, Cyann is situated at Port Launay in an exclusive and romantic spot, metres away from the beach. We were delighted with the welcoming atmosphere of the restaurant. The friendly staff really made us feel welcomed and relaxed while putting us in the mood for a fine-dining experience. While we waited for our table, we got to enjoy a delicious cocktail from the bar. You cannot argue that delicious food is the one of the deciding factors of a successful restaurant, however we believe that a dining experience should not only indulge your sense of taste, but all your other senses as well, and this is what we appreciated about Cyann’s simple yet elegant décor. The lighting created a romantic and intimate mood, complemented

JUNE 2014 | POTPOURRI

by the sound of the waves crashing against the beach. More impressive is Cyann’s wine cellar which boasts an amazing selection of vintages from all over the world. Do not let the wide array of choice intimidate you, as there is a Sommelier to help with your choice depending on the type of food you would be enjoying.

JUNE 2014 | POTPOURRI

DINING

The Cyann menu focuses on French cuisine with local and Asian flavours, using fresh local ingredients as much as possible. A small selection of sushi is also available on the dinner menu, which immediately caught our interest, especially the Creole-style sushi which was unique in that it used raw snapper and tuna but with mango and other local ingredients you wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t see on a traditional plate of sushi. This is one dinner experience everyone should try at least once in a lifetime. Each course is meticulously decorated and presented, and it was a joy to see how the waiter knew exactly what was being served. Each dish was simply delicious, but what stood out for me - and I have to say congrats to the chef -was the beef steak. Crisp and caramelized on the outside, pink on the inside and perfectly seasoned - it was simply out of this world. Cyann offers a truly unique dining experience which in my opinion is ideal for that special someone, a special birthday, or a special occasion. Surely everything special costs a little more, but it is well worth it. Treat yourself to something special and unique.

Beef fillet with glaze mushroom and croquet with beef confit

Potato cylinder with homemade panner and tomato coulis Seychellois roll, prawn tempura, mango and pineapple

Mussel cannelloni with mushroom and asparagus

Chocolate dom with vanilla creme brule

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Crab Millfeuille with homemade dry tomato and apple pickle

Cherry with chocolate

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BON APPETIT

Duck ‘à l ’orange Served with potatoes & caramelized apples

If you’re looking for an elegant, but easy dish for a special occasion dinner, try making a tasty ‘Duck à l’Orange’ using boneless duck breasts. The secret to success with this dish is in the orange sauce. To properly complement the richness of the duck it should have the perfect balance between sweet and bitter flavors. Serves 4

INGREDIENTS

4 duck breasts 2 apples 8 big potatoes 10 cl of white vinegar 50gms of white sugar 5cl of oil 4 oranges Salt & pepper

METHOD

Prepare the oranges: Remove the peel from 2 oranges with a vegetable peeler. Cut the white pith off the back with a very sharp knife. Cut into julienne and set aside. Squeeze the juice of the 2 oranges and reserve it. Peel and cut the remaining 2 oranges and set them aside. You now have one dish of julienne orange zest, about 1 cup/250 ml orange juice, and a dish of orange sections.

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

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Prepare the potatoes: Remove the peel, Bring to a boil, lower the heat, and simmer until potatoes are fork tender, about 5 to 8 minutes depending on their size. Drain the potatoes and heat the butter in a nonstick pan, add your potatoes. After

a minute, add salt and pepper. Stir and toss well as they cook. When the potatoes are turning golden brown, it’s ready, Set aside. Prepare the apples: Cut the apples into quarters, they don’t need to be peeled. Then heat the apples in a nonstick pan, add the sugar and vinegar, stir until the apples are caramelized. Prepare the duck breasts: Score the fat side of the breasts with a knife. Set the fat-side down in a pan over low heat and render the fat about 10 minutes. Remove the duck and pour off the fat. Increase the heat in the pan and put the breasts back with skin-side down. Let it Sauté until done to your liking, or about 7 minutes on the fat side, then another 3 minutes on the other. Simply cover to keep warm. Make the sauce: Put the sugar and 1 tablespoon water in saucepan, bring to a boil and cook until golden for about 3 minutes. Add the vinegar and orange juice to reduce the sauce slightly. Now add the stock and the zests. Boil down to sauce consistency. Check the seasonings. Add the orange sections. Carve the duck breasts and arrange on a serving platter. Spoon over the sauce, and serve.

only at Archipelago Wine & Spirits

The Cocktail

Spiced Orange Mule

Takamaka Bay Dark rum, spiced with ginger, smoothed with citrus and surfed with ginger ale

YOU WILL NEED A highball glass, a muddler, a cocktail shaker and a fine strainer A sharp non-serrated knife and a cutting board 1 inch of fresh ginger 2 shots of Takamaka dark Half a shot of fresh lime juice Two shots of fresh orange juice Half of a shot of sugar syrup* (two parts sugar to one part boiling water) One bottle of ginger ale

The ‘Sunrise Merlot’

Price: SR 97.75 inc.VAT

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

Peel the ginger and dice it into small cubes, place this into the shaker. Squash the ginger with the muddler to release the juice. Carefully measure in the rum, lime juice, orange juice and sugar. Add cubed ice to the shaker and shake it REALLY hard for around ten seconds. Double strain through a fine strainer to remove the ginger pieces and pour over ice into your drinking glass. Top the drink with ginger ale.

Takamaka Bay T: +248 437 2050 E: info@takamaka.sc W: www.takamakabay.com

Archipelago Wines & Spirits Ltd Providence Mahé Seychelles T: +248 4374877 / 4374877 E: archipelago@takamaka.sc JUNE 2014 | POTPOURRI

BON APPETIT

The Wine

Buy a case of 6 bottles & get a 15% DISCOUNT

DESTINATION

Photo credit; www.nrgaustralia.com

Welcome to PERTH, Australia By Selwyn Fock Yune ABOUT PERTH, WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Grand Final Where do I start?! This is another huge one. It’s the final of the Australian Football league. Now this is where drinking happens like you have never seen. The game itself is about 3-4 hrs but the drinking starts way earlier than that. I had the opportunity to attend a pub Grand Final in the middle of a remote town and everyone was in the pub! I got there at 9am and left at 7pm! People book their leave and possibly refuse to work that entire day! Again betting is huge and by the end of it all, some are very disappointed while others are slightly richer. One thing though; everyone is guaranteed a good time! Sculptures by the sea This is one of the world’s largest free to the public events and happens right here on one of Perth’s favorite beaches, Cottesloe Beach. Over 70 local, interstate and international artists transform Perth’s most popular beach into a stunning sculpture park overlooking the Indian Ocean with some of the most glorious sunsets.

Perth is the capital city of Western Australia and it is the fourth most populous city in Australia. Despite this, Perth itself as a city is not big at all. All the suburbs however, have good shopping malls and shopping streets where you pretty much get everything you might need.

ANNUAL SPECIAL EVENTS

Depending on the time you are visiting Perth, there are a few notable events that are very much permanent fixtures. The West Australian goes mad for those events. Australia Day Skyworks Celebrated on 26th January every year, this is the big holiday. It’s the national day of Australia. The big event is the Skyworks in the evening, however, the whole day sees so many activities across the city. A range of family activities and concerts take place in Langley Park, Sir James Mitchel Park, Kings Park and Fremantle Esplanade Park and in so many other suburbs. You will have so much choice on the day wherever you are. Fringe Festival While I have not attended this one, Fringe Festival is an annual arts festival started in 2012. Its runs for 4 weeks, from 24th January to 23rd February in the entertainment part of the city, Northbridge. You will have plenty to entertain you; food and drinks, the weird and the bonkers! Melbourne Cup This is dubbed the ‘race that stops a nation.’ It’s basically THE horse race of the year and it takes place in Melbourne but the race itself is like only 10 minutes! Literally the entire nation stops work to watch and bet on it. Yes, it’s on during a working day! Even in Perth, offices will either have tips (betting), or put on some food and drinks. It is quite a surreal experience as as offices stage best dressed competitions, imitating the fancy dresswear and hats of those attending the actual race.

rks Australia Day Skywo Photo: Ben Newport

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PLACES OF INTEREST

Fremantle Known to the locals as “Freo”, it is recognized as the best preserved 19th century seaport in the world. There are over 150 buildings classed as National Trust (kind of like listed buildings). The oldest public building is a round house built in 1831. There’s also the famous Esplanade hotel built in 1890 and the haunted Freo prison built in 1850 by convicts. Freo was the major city in Western Australia after being established in 1829 as a port for the Swan River Colony. The port nowadays hosts major sailing tournaments like the America’s Cup and a 500-strong fishing fleet, yachts, pleasure craft, cruise ships and the occasional Navy ships. It’s also famous for its rich heritage and character, with a farmers market, arts, restaurants, cafes, bars, café and clubs.

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DESTINATION

Pubs & Bars If you want to hit the bars and pubs, Perth is definitely the right place to be. It’s like on every corner there is a bar or pub or lounge. These below are some that I have either been to or have heard good things about. Be warned though, bars gets pretty loud on the weekend, as of Friday afternoons. Belgian Beer café | Durty Nelly’s | Laneway Nightclubs Again, plenty to choose from. Some are young crown and some are more suited to the young-at-heart person like me. Below are some top ones at the moment but by no means the only good ones. Ginger Nightclub | Club Red Sea | Eve Nightclub Ken Un swo Keizo U shio 3 Twis t Hear ts

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The following places are a must while in Freo; Esplanade Hotel, Maya Indian Hotel, Moondyne Joe’s, Ningaloo Reef Resort, The Monk Brewery & Kitchen and Tradewinds Hotel Northbridge This is the entertainment hub, located on the north side of Perth’s underground train station. Bars, restaurants, pubs, theatres, nightclubs, a roof-top cinema and gentlemen’s clubs are all there in one location. Taxis are always available and Perth offers a 4am train on the weekend, so you can have a good time knowing you’ll get home alright. Cottesloe Beach One of the more popular beaches, a 1.5km stretch of west-facing sand and bluffs extending from Mudurup rocks to Swanbourne beaches. Here you can relax, watch one of the most spectacular sunsets, dine on fresh seafood, swim, surf, snorkel and enjoy a nice cold pint at the Cottesloe Hotel. Margaret River Region Firstly, this is really wine country, about 3 hours’ drive from Perth! There are so many things to do there that you will need to stay at least 3 days. From cave exploration, wine tasting, wine tours, cheese tasting, chocolate tasting, surfing, canoeing, kayaking, swimming, whale watching, restaurants and cafes, historic lighthouse visits, a heritage trail, a maze, wild flower exploring, and of course, shopping! Swan Valley A 25-minute drive north of Perth, you’ll find the Swan Valley along the Swan River. This area is Australia’s oldest wine region. Here you will find state-of-the-art boutique wineries where you can pick up a bottle or two of some superb wine at cost price. The area is so vast and has an abundant number of restaurants, winery cafes, breweries, distilleries and roadside stalls selling fresh fruits and vegetables. Many of the wineries are small, family operations and with rich histories of migrants from Europe who founded the region in the 1920s. In addition, the international labels such as verdelho, chenin blanc, chardonnay, shiraz, cabernet and fortified wines are all very much present. If you are a wine lover, this is the place to hang out. Just make sure you have a designated driver! King’s Park No one comes to Perth without going to King’s Park! Both daytime and nighttime! The view of the city is pretty spectacular, especially at night. The park itself is mostly Australian bushland and trees but at the main entrance there is a beautiful botanical garden. King’s Park is larger than New York’s Central Park, which really tells you how big it is. Tourist attractions include a restaurant, BBQ areas, treetop walking, a huge walking trail and plenty of beautiful gardens. It is also home to the State War Memorial where the service men and women of the first and second world wars are honoured.

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A NIGHT OUT ON THE TOWN

Casino Perth has one and only one casino. Not that it needs another. The Crown Casino is huge, located in Burswood, which hosts nightclubs, hotels, bars, cinemas, restaurants, a theatre, conference room and spa. Restaurants Where do I start? You are spoiled for choice when it comes to restaurants. From your budget to your average to your high-end restaurants, there are plenty to suit your wallet and your appetite. Below are some that I have listed but there are so much more. Outback Jack’s | Bad Apples | Hippo Creek | Zappata’s | Oliver’s on James Street

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JUNE 2014 | POTPOURRI

REVIEWS

Top 5 rental releases

(sponsored by GR Video Rental)

47 Ronin starring Keanu Reeves and Hiroyuki Sanada Possibly the best contemporary example of what I would call a ‘Super-Action film’, 47 Ronin is, at it’s core, a Kung-Fu movie about good versus evil and the triumph of right over wrong. Of course, the plot is deeply rooted in Kung-Fu tradition; a group of Samurai embark on a quest to avenge their fallen and dishonoured master by killing the Shogun lord who plotted his downfall. Although the acting is mediocre at best, the stunts and fight-scenes are well worth dumbing yourself down for 90-odd minutes.

The Wolf of Wall Street

starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Jonah Hill

Labour Day

The Legend of Hercules

starring Kellan Lutz and Gaia Weiss

with Kur t Gilber t

starring Kate Winslet and Josh Brolin

Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues

starring Will Ferrell and Christina Applegate

Film of the month Mrs. Doubtfire Starring Robin Williams, Sally Field Dir. Chris Columbus To celebrate our father’s issue (at least in part), I hereby name Mrs. Doubtfire the film of the month. After all, what other movie has portrayed a father’s love for his kids more poignantly than Chris Columbus’ (bonus points for an awesome name) seminal film about every child’s dream nanny...in drag? For those of you who can’t remember what goes down, Robin Williams plays a voice-over artist for animations who concocts a brilliant way to spend time with his children after a split from their mother; he fabricates the role of a perfect English nanny and lands a job at his ex’s new house. It’s not long before his kids find out who’s really behind the mask and end up hatching a little plan of their own. By the end of it, everything works out for the kids and their super-committed dad...but you all know that because everyone alive has seen this movie, right? Oh yeah, spoiler alert. I’m not the only person who loves the iconic restaurant scene or better yet, the dancing nanny sequence. This movie is packed full of memorable lines and tear-jerking moments. So kids, why not grab your dad and get him to sit down for a viewing? Dads: spend more money on your kids. If that’s not your thing: Be sure to catch the latest Spiderman movie at home if you missed it in the cinema.

JUNE 2014 | POTPOURRI

REVIEWS

Album of the month

Gretchen Parlato – The Lost and Found Call it Nu-Jazz. Call it Soul. Call it Groove. However you categorise it, this album stands out in any group. Following up from last month’s easy-listening pick, The Lost and Found is a contribution from a relatively unknown artist that boasts such supreme quality in production, composition and conceptualisation that it would be completely understandable if it ends up on audiophile’s ‘Top 10’ lists for decades to come. Gretchen Parlato, being a traditionally trained jazz singer, takes this album as an opportunity to write music that flaunts her timid voice almost effortlessly, creating stories that transport the listener between moods as the playlist unfolds. If her vocals aren’t enough to convince the discerning fan and her writing style doesn’t quite do it for you, then the fact that some of the greatest musicians of our time came together to play on The Lost and Found should sway this record into your favour. With the virtuoso bandleader Robert Glasper on piano and his equally gifted peer Derrick Hodge on bass, you can’t go wrong. Throw Kendrick Scott behind a drum kit and into the lineup and you’ve got a ground-breaking album. I’m serious - You need to hear this. So does your grandma, your brother, your child and your dog. If that’s not your thing: Get your hands on Coldplay’s latest release, ‘Ghost Stories’.

This time, 10 years ago... The Killers – Hot Fuss There is a city that spills out of the ground in the middle of a great desert. There, money flows more freely than water, lights shine brighter than the Sun and stars are more often seen on the pavement than in the night sky. There, long nights behind low-lit bars become short days under thick duvets and loss turns into gain as quickly as gain turns into a one-way ticket home. This is where The Killers were born and where they alone managed to capture the character of a life so unique that it was most aptly described as ‘Blissfully sinful’. We all know where it’s going when the lyric on the karaoke screen reads ‘Somebody told me you had a boyfriend that looked like a girlfriend...’ and that’s all thanks to a 4 piece rock outfit from Las Vegas. It’s hard to believe that this time 10 years ago, we were just getting to know The Killers because now, it all feels so familiar and most 20-somethings can ramble off lyrics and riffs from any one of their albums on demand. So, here’s to the Killers...and to feeling old even though I know I’m not.

June’s Book Highlight

One Summer by David Baldacci

When given a death sentence by a merciless disease, war veteran, Jack Armstrong can’t help but feel that he still has so much to live for. To leave behind his beautiful wife Lizzie and their children: two year old Jackie, talented Cory and rebel daughter Michelle is a fate he can’t bear to accept. But on Christmas Eve, Jack surrenders and prepares to bid his family farewell, when disaster worse than he could ever have imagined knocks upon his doorstep. His beloved Lizzie is killed in a car accident leaving him with a fate worse than death. However, something rises out of him, something that gives him the second chance he’d only dared dream of and after inheriting his wife’s exquisite beach house in South Carolina, Jack spends the summer of his life rebuilding his family. Together, they learn the importance of love and the preciousness of life. A beautiful piece of writing, this book triggers and unearths all the gooey emotions that are present in each and every one of us. A change from Baldacci’s usual crime/ mystery genre, this novel has the heart strings tugged and silent whispers emerging from the first pages. With the themes of love and the importance of family, this novel takes us on a journey with a man who thought he had lost everything. After having built his life and dreams for the future with his high school sweetheart, everything he wanted is ripped from him and we watch him struggle to understand what life is really all about while trying to learn again what he thought he once knew. It reminds us all that the love of a father is one which can be infinite and Baldacci reminds us that if we’re fortunate enough to have

JUNE 2014 | POTPOURRI

a father figure in our lives who would do anything for us, then it is up to us to ensure that we show him how much he means to us! The author is able to completely submerge the reader into the plot and into the lives of the protagonists. The many depths of the different characters are revealed as the book progresses and it’s fascinating to watch them all grow into stronger people. The introduction of new characters throughout the whole book only piles on to the many people we get to love and hate. Usually in books you get the chance to experience the story through descriptions of scenes and places but, in this book, it is both scenic description, as well as the vivid description of emotions that makes the novel the emotional roller coaster that it is. A perfect read for the theme of this month! And happy father’s day to our dear daddies! www.madbookblogger.wordpress.com

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JUNE 2014 | POTPOURRI