POTPOURRI August 2015 by Paradise Promotions

www.potpourrimagazine.com

THE BOND THAT DOESN’T BREAK An Insight into Twins

Back to Natural

Samia Rose’s Hair Journey The Voice Behind

“Butterfly”

Meet Alahna Payet

SAN POU SAN Sertifye The Brand and Buzz of Orizinal Kreol AUGUST 2014 | POTPOURRI

POTPOURRI

August

54 56

Why you should think twice before JUDGING others

Giving Your Child a Daily Dose of Spirituality

66 Cape Town The Number 1 City for 2014 (NY Times)

20 Anita Francois - A Life Less Ordinary

59 Fragrances A Growing Environmental Hazard

The Team Chief Editor: (1) Marie-France Watson | M: + (248) 2512477 | E: marie-france@seychellespublications.com Marketing: (2) Ineke Camille | M: + (248) 2520937 | E: ineke@seychellespublications.com Freelance Writing: (3) Elaine Lafortune, (4) Martine Gontier, (5) Mawess Wirtz, (6) Lynette Botha, (7) Isabelle Houareau Photography: (8) Suzanne Verlaque | POTPOURRI Photography Studio Graphics & Layout: (9) Olivia Michaud | W: www.angelcreativedesign.com

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5 Potpourri Magazine Seychelles

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

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From the

EDITOR Dear Folks, I never realised how much I’ve missed out on by not having a sister until last week, when we had three pairs of sisters in the office for our “Sisters Special” feature. The bond of love, unique for each pair, was alive and evident as we talked to them, so much so that I couldn’t help but wonder what my early years would have been like if I’d had a female sibling. I have a brother who I love dearly and I wouldn’t change him for the world. However, being nearly a decade older than me, I don’t have an abundance of memories of us playing together as I grew up, which is perfectly understandable. If I’d had a sister, perhaps things would have been different. I don’t feel too short-changed, though, since in my teens I did meet my sister-from-anothermother. With Ineke, I experienced sisterly affection, adventures and security. I continue to do so.

Photo credit: Suzanne Verlaque

We have a great article on Cape Town, South Africa in this issue which you must read if you’re considering vacation options this year. It is certainly a city of the moment and the author, Lynette, who is ELLE South Africa’s Deputy Editor, tells us all the reasons why. For the ladies struggling to find that perfect foundation that will give flawless coverage, do not miss our Beauty feature on page 49. Some of our readers have been kind enough to share their preference and the reasons why. Your hit-and-miss foundation days might just be over after August 2014. In-line with beauty, Samia Rose shares her wonderful hair journey back to natural. It’s a heartfelt account of why she started, her philosophy on the topic and her journey so far. Many women are increasingly becoming more aware of their natural beauty and are moving away from chemical treatment options. If you have been giving this some thought, you must not miss Samia’s story. For those of you visiting our beautiful islands this month, may you have a memorable holiday and are blown away by the Seychellois hospitality.

Chief Editor

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Cover Models Amanda Pillay-d’Offay & Debbie Pillay-Mears Read more about the twins on page 8 Creative & Fashion Director: Joel Rose

Photographer: Marsha Dine

Hair: Kelly Hoarau

Make-Up: Sophie Pool

Dresses: Trendy, Necklaces & Bracelets: Turia’s Fashion & Trendy, Shoes & Earrings: Rodyann’s

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Musings of an Island Girl if it’s done too much—like a grandmother who is constantly telling her friends about the praise or good grades her grandchild has received. 2. Be aware that even talking about a small amount of success can be hurtful if the person with whom you are sharing the information has had recent failures, or is feeling badly about themselves. For example, your pride in your child’s good grades, while totally understandable, can be a blow to an acquaintance whose child is struggling in school.

Photo Credit - Joel Zamzow

by Tina Houareau

Is there a Right Way to Brag? Understanding the competitive component of bragging can help us deal with people who are constantly showing off, while giving us a chance to comfortably share things from our lives with friends, family and colleagues. Here are five guidelines to follow: 1. Instead of blowing your own horn, talk about something that someone else has said about you. Psychologist Susan Speer, who conducted one of the very few scientific studies about bragging, says that it is best if you present something that someone else has said about you. Sharing your pleasure in the comment can help. Saying “I feel so pleased (or proud) that my boss told me how much she likes my proposal,” can go over much better than, “I’m my boss’ favorite.” However, this can backfire

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3. Give your listener a chance to talk about her achievements as well. Research by psychologists Diana Tamir and Jason Mitchell shows that there are physiological reasons that we enjoy sharing our experiences with other people. Using MRIs, they found that the pleasure centers of our brains light up when we talk about ourselves. So of course we want to tell people about the good things that happen to us, but to make someone else feel good about us, we should encourage them to share their good experiences as well. 4. Be mindful of these rules even in environments where showing off is part of the norm, like Facebook, Twitter and other social media. Posting about your accomplishments can be rewarding in the moment, but since you can’t gauge how it might make someone else feel online, you may inadvertently be stirring up hurt feelings or competitive envy among your friends. So it’s probably a good idea to share more discretely– share a little, but then invite friends to tell you what they’re doing. 5. When someone shows off to you, try saying something like, “You must be so proud of yourself!”—and then immediately start to share something you have accomplished. It might cut them off, but if it starts a battle of one-upmanship, don’t engage further. Just say something like, “Yes, it’s going pretty well for us both.” Even if they keep at it, you’ll have reminded yourself—and them—that they’re not the only one with something to feel good about. 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 6

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By Mawess Mea Wirtz

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have another you? A person who would always be there? Ever thought of all the fun you would have together and all the antics you would get up to? This is what Amanda D’Offay and Deborah Mears share with each other every day. Mandy and Debby, as they are more commonly known, are monozygotic twins, which happens when one fertilised ovum is split into two, resulting in individuals with the same genetic codes. The only thing that would give them away - if they were brought up exactly the same - would be their fingerprints. So I decided to put their bond to the test, with a series of challenging questions and awkward hypothetical scenarios, to find out if “Twin Sense” exists, and if so, how powerful it really is. I first wanted to go back to the very beginning, before they were even born. Turns out when their mother was pregnant, she continuously told her doctor that it felt as if she was carrying two babies. She was always assured that it was only one but proved once again that a mother’s instinct should always be taken into account: after giving birth to Mandy she gave birth to Debby 10 minutes later. Scientific studies show that the sharing of almost identical DNA creates a very special bond that runs deeper than most human relationships. It’s easy to recognise when people pretend to like each other for your benefit, but Mandy and Debby are so in tune that it’s obvious these are two people who genuinely love each other and love being together. When I asked them when they first spent some time apart, the depth of their bond was evident when they came up with the same answer: the National Youth Service. I had mistakenly assumed that this meant they had gone to different villages. Nope. For them, the so-called ‘separation’ merely involved being grouped into different clusters. But simply not living together for the first time induced such a sense of loss that the short distance might as well have been a vast ocean. They are protective of each other, loyal, and when pressed, can be downright defensive of each other’s lives, with little toleration for interference. Their “Twin Sense” is a support system. When one is feeling down, a well timed call from the other is never far away. The twins are likely to speak over the phone at least five times a day and keep up a steady stream of texts.

Neural Reflection

I really wanted to gauge how different they were, in spite of their strong bond and duplicate DNA. Mandy admitted that she was the more rebellious twin, her sister the quiet one. Sure enough, Mandy does most of the talking during our time together, while Debby only interjects her views selectively. They were obviously used to this arrangement - Debby showed no sign of being bothered by her sister taking over the dialogue as she relaxed back into her chair. But frustratingly enough, that was about as far as I got in terms of classifying their psyches. Even while growing up, the two showed remarkable similarities. Aside from their physical appearance, they

resembled each other in many other areas – at school they would gravitate towards the same subjects, and would score around the same marks.

They also have similar styles, admitting they could buy items for each other without ever having to worry if their counterpart would like it. Home décor? Same deal. I was jealous - I wished I had a twin! As I watched them sharing a plate of food my mouth nearly dropped open in fascination as they helped themselves and talked, with their eyes on me, without once bumping into each other. Ordinarily even the closest couples have to check what the other is doing to avoid a casual stabbing. They were so synchronised that I had to ask them if they had practised it at home before coming. When they both gave me the same expression before laughing simultaneously, I marvelled at the opportunity to observe the kind of “Twin Sense” I had only previously read about in books.

Twin Families

I can imagine it takes a very understanding man to marry into twins. Despite each having their own family and living in different districts,

They are protective of each other, loyal, and when pressed, can be downright defensive of each other’s lives, with little toleration for interference. Their “twin sense” is a support system. When one is feeling down, a well timed call from the other is never far away.

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LIFESTYLE

The Bond That Doesn’t Break

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LIFESTYLE

Scientific studies show that the sharing of almost identical DNA creates a very special bond that runs deeper than most human relationships. It’s easy to recognise when people pretend to like each other for your benefit, but Mandy and Debby are so in tune that it’s obvious these are two people who genuinely love each other and love being together. Mandy and Debby are constantly popping over to each other’s place. Mandy joked that her husband even thought he had gotten a “buy one, get one free” promotion. They each have one child, but the kids are very aware of who mum is and who aunty is. Even the kids are connected via this twin bond, often seeking the comfort of their respective aunties. The twins have never spent a birthday apart, other than during the years that Debby spent in South Africa, which both confess were “miserable” celebrations. For those currently dating twins, learn this word and live by it: share. Two-for-one birthdays may not offer the most romantic of occasions, but it might save the cheapskates among you some cash.

Duplicity without Deceit

Disappointingly – at least for my own mischievous imagination – I was to learn the twins haven’t used their likenesses to get out of trouble. “Yet,” Debby clarified, with a twinkle in her eye. I was surprised to hear they had never succumbed to that famous twin trick of pretending to be each other. The one exception? Failing to point out who they are when a passer-by mistakes one for the other. This usually just serves to avoid a long-winded explanation. Thus, the most interesting realisation from the interview didn’t come from any of my conclusions. It came from the twins themselves, who told me that they had never actually thought about how eerily similar they were; it was only now, with someone trying to pinpoint their differences, that it became so obvious. I guess that’s “Twin Sense” for you. With their beautiful mother.

Debbie and Amanda as babies and toddlers.

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SISTERS SPECIAL

Biologically, the sibling bond is likely to be the longest relationship anyone with a sibling will have. It may likely also be the one that pains you the most and at the same time, fills you up with an abundance of love. Anyone with a sibling will testify to this. And then, there are sisters. Sisters who are close would tell you that their bond is unique, there’s nothing else quite like it. And they would be right. The unconditional love and support that sisters have for one another is something that isn’t easy to find in any relationship. Sisters will forever fight about clothes and shoes, but they will seldom allow anything to break their bond. We meet 3 pairs of sisters…

AISHA & MICHELLE Are you best friends?

Aisha & Michelle: No, most definitely not! Michelle: Sometimes we are. But, we have our own friends. Aisha: We’re sisters. Our bond is beyond friendship.

You see each other often?

Aisha: At least once a week we see each other. We do the gym thing together! Michelle: We also have movie nights.

What do you find annoying about her?

Aisha: She’s very stubborn. Michelle: There’s nothing I find too annoying about Aisha. I don’t like the fact that she doesn’t always stand up for herself.

Do you fight?

Aisha: “At least once a week we see each other. We do the gym thing together!”

Aisha and M: We used to! Aisha: When we lived together, the fights were more frequent. Now that we live apart, we no longer fight. Michelle: We miss each other.

Would you say you’re more alike or different?

Aisha: We are very different. She’s the fighter, the tough one. I’m weaker:

What do you love about each other?

Michelle: She’s kind and so helpful. Aisha: She’s a fun person to be around. Despite being the younger sister, she also stands up for me. I can rely on her to have my back. Together, we make the perfect person!

Do you seek each other’s advice when you have a decision to make? Aisha: Yes we do. We talk about life and everything. Michelle: I call her all the time for advice; she is the helpful one!

Aisha Rouillon (34), Software Account Manager (VCS)| Michelle Barbier (26), Sales Administration Officer (Cable & Wireless)

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DONALINE & MARIE-ANTOINE

SISTERS SPECIAL

Are you best friends?

Marie-Antoine: Definitely. She’s also my big sister and my mother. Donaline: She’s my person for sure.

You see each other often?

Marie-Antoine: Yes, we live next door to each other. I am always invading her privacy! Donaline: There’s no privacy between us. We’re also calling each other all the time.

Would you say you’re more alike or different?

Marie-Antoine & Donaline: Different! Marie-Antoine: I’m into sports and I also like to pamper myself. Donaline: I’m a mum of three boys, I don’t have the time for all these things. Our lifestyles are very different. Actually she has just forced me to get nail extensions for the first time!

Do you fight?

Marie-Antoine: No. It’s very rare that we fight; if at all. If there’s something I am not happy about maybe I’ll send an SMS. But we won’t make a story out of it. Donaline: I understand Marie-Antoine very well and I know when something is serious and when it’s not. Being the older sister, I compromise a lot. I’m fine with that.

What do you love about each other?

Marie-Antoine: I love her cooking and everything else! She’s also in charge. She takes care of our business and makes decisions. Donaline: She lets me decide. I guess I’m the responsible one! But it works for us.

Do you share similar views on life?

Marie-Antoine: Not at all. We’re very different. From politics to football. She’s currently watching the World Cup while I couldn’t care less! Donaline: Despite different viewpoints though we always sit down and discuss. Nothing is ever an issue for us. Marie-Antoine: Our mother was active in politics while we grew so Donaline took care of me. From dressing me to feeding me and protecting me. Donaline: Being older, I saw myself as a mother figure. I have always wanted the best for her. Our situation undoubtedly made us even closer. Marie-Antoine Gappy, 37 (Self Employed) Donaline Delpeche, 41 (Self Employed)

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Donaline: “Despite different viewpoints though we always sit down and discuss. Nothing is ever an issue for us.”

SISTERS SPECIAL

SHEIJNADA & JULIETTE Are you best friends?

Sheijnada & Juliette: YES! Sheijnada: Even when we were kids!

Do you see each other often?

Sheijnada: We do see each often. We talk on the phone every day as well. Juliette: We talk about everything and we definitely see each other a lot.

What do you find the most annoying about each other? Juliette: She thinks she’s always right! Sheijnada: Can I be honest? She often says negative comments about herself; none of them are true. To me and to so many people she’s beautiful. Look at her!

Would you say you’re more alike or different?

Juliette: Different. She’s more outgoing and confident while I’m shy. Sheijnada: You aren’t shy, not anymore that is. Juliette: That’s because you’re with me right now.

Sheijnada: I’ll even give her advice when it comes down to choosing a colour for a new car.

Do you have a 6th sense about each other?

Sheijnada & Juliette: Definitely. Sheijnada: I was meant to be a twin and I really believe that Ju is the twin who didn’t make it. Juliette: When Sheijnada was pregnant I also experienced pregnancy symptoms. In fact, I thought I was pregnant. It happens often, I feel sick when she’s not well and I just know when something’s not right.

What do you love about each other? Juliette: Her sense of humour. Sheijnada: She has the biggest heart ever!

Sheijnada Reinert Hoareau, 26 (Receptionist at Euromedical) | Juliette Reinert D’Offay, 29 (Nail Technician)

Do you fight?

Sheijnada: We fight a lot! Though we can only stay mad at each other for an hour. Juliette: Even if we’ve just had a fight, I forget about it completely and call her because I need to talk to her. Sheijnada: The longest we’ve gone without talking was 3 days. The plan was to not talk to her for a week but the plan didn’t go well.

Do you ask for each other’s advice?

Sheijnada: Yes! We ask for each other’s advice on everything. Juliette: I always ask for her advice about marriage, fashion, children and anything really.

Sheijnada: “The longest we’ve gone without talking was 3 days. The plan was to not talk to her for a week but the plan didn’t go well.”

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OPEN LETTER

REMEMBER THAT LOVE IS NOTHING COMPLEX, IT’S JUST A FEELING FIRED BY INSURMOUNTABLE AND UNKNOWING DEVELOPMENTS INSIDE THE SOUL, HEART, BODY AND MIND. To Mrs A. The funny thing about love is that it is fleeting, or at least for some people it is. Love may be temporary, meaning that just as quick as you fell in love, you somehow fell out of it. It might have taken me the better part of two years to realise it, but in the end I did. In the days that have passed since this revelation, I have struggled to understand how this could have happened. I have struggled to cope with whether or not I know what love really is. Was I just infatuated? Was I blind to everything around me? Was I just so lost in you that I lost touch with reality? And to this end I have to come to a conclusion: while I was in love with you, you were never in love with me. Contrary to popular belief, love is not fleeting. True and genuine love does not come and go with the whims and desires of the heart. True and genuine love sees past the imperfections. Real love is when you dwell on a person’s energy, you see only the essence of that person, not the shell. That’s why you can’t fall in love with beauty. You can lust after it, be infatuated by it. You can love it with your eyes and body but not your heart. True love creates a connection with the soul. Any physical imperfections disappear, and they become irrelevant. True love longs for the best in the other person and accepts their flaws, knowing that they are the only things that separate us humans from the gods. Then again, falling in love and staying in love are two completely different things; just because you took the leap doesn’t mean that you’ll survive the landing. I hope that you find true love, and that it lasts for the longest time possible. I hope that somewhere within the future you come to the understanding of what true love looks and feels like. Love is nothing materialistic, it isn’t an object that can easily be coaxed, teased or gained.

It comes from the soul, unasked and unsought. Remember that love is nothing complex, it’s just a feeling fired by insurmountable and unknowing developments inside the soul, heart, body and mind. I still want you to be happy. I just hope you realize that when relationships get tough, you have to decide whether or not YOU WANT to work through it. Being in love is refusing to be afraid of getting hurt. In my opinion that’s the most beautiful part of being in love because love will always wound you in the end, whether it’s because you choose to go your separate ways or because your significant other dies before you. Love does hurt you…that is something that no human can escape. Love is willing to risk it all, and when you are willing to risk it all you will have no regrets. Love is what life is made of. And one final thing: Saying that time heals all wounds is correct to a certain degree. Over time the mind, protecting its sanity, covers the wounds with scar tissue and the pain lessens. But it’s never truly gone, thus allowing us to learn and forgive but never allowing us to forget. Although the mistakes that are made are lost with time, however, one thing that is never forgotten or lost is love. True love never dies. Now go home and go to that someone you love and look them in the eye and tell them you love them, because if you don’t do it now, you might never get the chance to do so ever again. Hell, you don’t even have to use words – actions speak louder than words – the reality of the situation is that REAL love is difficult to find in a world filled with people who choose to love halfheartedly. Leave your mark; love with so much passion that your actions remain immortal and so does your love. Rgds Sc4reCrow

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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My Journey Back To Natural By Samia Rose Martin Luther King Jr once said, “The hair is the richest ornament of women.” Indeed it is a point of pride and joy for many. Women around the world seek a healthy beautiful head of hair and it’s no joke – many do take their hair very seriously! Hair is viewed as an element of beauty and is among one’s first noticeable features. I once went to a shoe store and one of the girls there looked at me and, exclaimed, “I love your hair!” and the other added, “Me too! It’s the first thing I noticed when she walked in.” Besides its cosmetic appeal hair can also hold social, cultural, religious, spiritual and personal connections for people. For instance, by looking at how one wears her hair, much can be revealed about one’s personality, age, social and financial status as well as their religion. You can even say that it is an expression of one’s self – a personal statement to the world. Think about the big hair of Dianna Ross and Tina Turner, Whoopi Goldberg’s iconic locks or in more recent times, Michelle Obama’s perfect hairdos, Beyoncé’s voluminous weaves, Miley Cyrus’ shocking short haircut at the turn of her early adulthood and Rihanna’s twenty-

“RETURNING NATURAL IS NOT A TREND, IT’S A JOURNEY AND I TREAT IT THUS. WE ALL HAVE OUR OWN UNIQUE REASONS WHY WE CHOSE TO EMBARK ON THIS JOURNEY”. odd hairstyles in as little as one year – OK I’m exaggerating on the latter, but you get my point, right? It is no surprise therefore that hair is also big business. Celebrities aren’t the only ones who would invest to flaunt a beautiful head of hair. Non-celebrities like you and I love to invest in our hair also – think of those weekend trips to the saloon or the number of hair products you’ve invested in in your lifetime. As a result, large businesses worldwide pour millions to fulfil these demands, making huge profits in return. The mystical significance of hair is documented in the Bible and observed in many religious beliefs. Samson’s secret to his enormous strength was contained in the length of his hair. Yogis view hair as a wonderful gift of nature and a valuable source of energy for human vitality and in Hindu

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societies women do not cut their hair except for religious sacrifices as an act of devotion and sign of gratitude to please their gods. Hair also bridges the intricate connection between spirituality and personal meaning in one’s life. How one choses to wear their hair can go beyond religious beliefs and practices into a representation of their journey of self-identification and personal values in life. The journey back to “natural” is one such journey. Many women, especially women of colour, have decided to return natural and it is not the first time in history. Kathleen Cleaver of the Black Panther party in the late 1960s has spoken openly about her pride in wearing her naturally curly, kinky hair. You may have pictures of a parent sporting an afro in their heydays. There is a rebirth of this era, this pride, this sense of identity and ownership and awareness of the curly hair’s beauty. More and more wavy, curly or coily haired women are now opting to wear their natural hair and they do so with pride and confidence. Perhaps this is a contemporary evolution which could change the perceptions and discourses surrounding curly, coily hair in this day and age, and maybe hold the potential to significantly redefine the mainstream standards of beauty. My story is similar yet quite serendipitous as I was not intending to return natural nor was I aware that so many have, or were, following suit. However I am glad that I have re-discovered the beauty of my natural hair. I feel empowered by it and re-connected with my identity. I would say I stumbled upon this “natural hair” momentum. My natural hair and I have found each other all over again!

Flying you to the city of

light & love

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I once looked at Kelis’ curly hair in her Milkshake video and admired how beautiful her curls were, whilst simultaneously dismissing the idea that my hair could do anything remotely the same. I am now convinced that I was wrong. It took a journey to realise that I simply did not know how to bring the best out of my hair and that there was much that I had yet to learn. My mother did her best to teach me what she knew but overall, like most curly-haired girls, the full potential of our hair and how to take care of it in its natural state has not been taught and fully explored. Since I didn’t know better, I accepted my perception about my hair: that it was hard to maintain without a relaxer. Growing up I always had long hair. As a child my mum would usually braid my hair in either a single plait or two, secured with bands. As a teenager, I would have a huge head of hair which I thought was beautiful – the only problem was that I couldn’t wear it out without it turning into a frizz-ball mess! I longed for a relaxer so that I could wear it out, but my mother would not have any of it as she thought it was not necessary. Turns out my mum was right -- as always mums know best and most of the time we get to find out only afterward. So I waited until I was granted the permission to do so – finally I could wear my hair down – unknown to me at the time that this Creole girl would one day miss what she had waited so long to get rid of. Many years later my journey back to natural began. I woke up one day noticing the skin on my face was redder and drier than usual. This got worse over a couple of days and it did not look like it was about to ameliorate any time soon. You can imagine how worried I was. Who wouldn’t be? Your face is the first thing people see and there is very little you can do to hide it, and despite my suspicions I wasn’t sure what was going on. I decided that it was time for a doctor’s visit. Turned out I was having an allergic reaction to one of my cosmetics. Cream or make-up? I wasn’t sure. I was advised to stop using everything and to figure out which one was causing the allergy. It was also around the same time I had decided to stop chemically relaxing my hair at home since I thought I wasn’t doing a good job anymore. I thought it was time for some change so I’d gone back to my regular visits at the hairdressers and had them do it. Their method was

“THERE IS THIS STRONG AWARENESS OF SELF-LOVE AND ACCEPTANCE THAT COMES QUITE VOLUNTARILY. I DO NOT LOOK AT ANOTHER EXQUISITE CURLY HAIRED GIRL AND FEEL DISAPPOINTMENT AT MY HAIR EVEN ON BAD HAIR DAYS, I DO GET INSPIRED BUT I LOVE MY HAIR FOR WHAT IT IS. IT’S ME AND IT’S MINE, I LOVE IT AND WANT TO BRING THE BEST OUT OF WHAT I’VE GOT”. costly and I had to wait six months for a touch-up. I did that twice and the hard part was that I basically found myself transitioning for six months each time – imagine the nightmare! However I had no clue that I was actually transitioning or that there was even a term for it. I still did my bi-weekly treatments and got my hair blow-dried – it looked great and I was satisfied. I had grown lazy and barely touched my own hair so with the new growth I realised I couldn’t keep this up. On days that I wasn’t getting my hair done I couldn’t simply wash it and have my curls back and go about my business. My hair stayed boned straight, weighed down and limp and there were very little I could do with it - I’d completely lost my curls and I missed it terribly. I also had two hair textures in between my relaxers and that proved too hard for me to deal with. I wanted simplicity and less stress. I also longed to have my curls back but was faced with the dilemma that once I would have them back it wouldn’t be so simple either. I feared I wouldn’t know how to take care of them and wear stunning hairstyles other than a bun. What I discovered eased all of my doubts. Hair aside, I still had an allergy to deal with which was at that time more pressing than my hair issues. I figured I also needed to find a permanent solution besides finding and eliminating the source of my allergies. I decided that from then on I would go organic with my facial skin care. I couldn’t risk it anymore – I was put off by even the most reputed brands. I could certainly do without make-up but I had to moisturise somehow. There was no way around it. So I went on the internet and Googled natural creams and moisturisers. It was as if I had killed two birds with one stone. The first product I encountered was coconut oil, and this led to all sorts of other natural oils and butters that could do wonders for the skin and, you guessed it, hair also. I soaked in all this information like a sponge and got incredibly curious, especially on the hair part. Finally I settled for organic cold press camellia and argan oil as my facial moisturisers and other organic options for my cleanser and toner. I also invested in a good facial steamer for my weekly pampering. I had solved my allergy issue but I still had unfinished business. What started as an unfortunate allergic reaction had luckily turned into a discovery of a plethora of natural hair terminologies, care regimens and styles that would come in very handy, for life. This was my “ah-ha” moment. So my hair had the potential to really do all of this? And this is how you get it to do so? I wondered, but I wasn’t convinced then that I was ready to plunge into it just yet. I’m a rather cautious person and I take time to contemplate before making any decisions that would involve long-term commitments. So I made a deal with myself. I decided that since I am not new to this transitioning thing anyway I would transition and research more on this hair possibility, whilst tuning in on how I was feeling about it as a long-term commitment. By the time my next relaxer would be due I would be ready to make a decision.

Samia was POTPOURRI’s January 2013 cover girl (prior to her hair journey).

AUGUST 2014 | POTPOURRI

For a couple of months I was glued on YouTube videos and natural hair blogs, forums, Facebook pages and books on natural hair and care. I watched how curly haired girls caressed their hair in organic oils and butters and how gently they treated their hair. The results were amazing! I thirsted to learn as much as I could because if I were to commit myself to a natural hair journey I had to get it right. Within a couple of months I felt like a pro and was confident that I could handle this, but most importantly, I felt good about it – great in fact. I concluded that the last relaxer I had done would be it, and so I embarked on my transition journey, purposefully this time around. I remember telling my mum about it and she was very supportive. In the past she had asked me many times over if I would ever wear my curly hair again. I was about to do so, but I was adamant that I was not cutting my hair, for I had cut my hair too many times in the past. However it took me four months of transitioning before I finally got tired of the two hair textures and went for the big chop. I was a full natural once more. I wasn’t too afraid of cutting my hair because I had done really short hairstyles in the past. In addition, the appearance of my natural curls accelerated my decision – they looked too cute and I wanted my whole head of hair to be that way. I reasoned with myself that ultimately I was interested in going natural because I hated this transitioning stage and most of all I longed to get my curls back. So why wait? I also motivated myself that that by the time my hair would get longer, I would be a pro at managing my natural curls. The following week I made an appointment to my hairdresser and instead of my usual hair treatment I told her I wanted to cut all of the relaxed hair off. My hairdresser is not a “scissor-happy” person. She was very hesitant. “Are you sure?” she asked. “I can do a bob if you want.” “Yep, very sure,” I replied confidently. “Cut them all off.” Obviously I had plans on how I wanted my hair to look and brought some pictures of a natural pixie haircut with me. I showed it to her and we settled on a tapered cut (this involves cutting more on the sides and back leaving more hair at the top). I felt like a million bucks. I had no idea short hair, let alone very

“HOWEVER I AM GLAD THAT I HAVE RE-DISCOVERED THE BEAUTY OF MY NATURAL HAIR. I FEEL EMPOWERED BY IT AND RE-CONNECTED WITH MY IDENTITY. I WOULD SAY I STUMBLED UPON THIS NATURAL HAIR MOMENTUM. MY NATURAL HAIR AND I HAVE FOUND EACH OTHER ALL OVER AGAIN!”. short naturally curly hair, could look and feel so sexy! It’s been slightly over a year now since I decided to stop relaxing my hair and just under a year since I chopped off my relaxed hair. I must say that at the moment I am very happy with my choice. My hair has grown considerably since then and I am really enjoying the different stages of hair growth and looking forward to more stages. I do not wish to keep this sense of enjoyment to myself and would like to also share my knowledge and experience with others - hopefully inspiring those who are now in the same spot I was prior to my decision. To help do so, I created a Facebook group called “Natural and Free”.

I must add that at the same time, I do not frown upon those who still wish to relax their hair. I found out that returning natural is a journey which also involves a deep sense of personal connection with one’s self. There is this strong awareness of selflove and acceptance that comes quite voluntarily. I do not look at another exquisite curly haired girl and feel disappointment at my hair, even on bad hair days. I do get inspired but I love my hair for what it is. It’s me and it’s mine, I love it and want to bring the best out of what I’ve got. At the same time I am not saying that if you have relaxed hair you lack self-love and acceptance. In some cases one’s hair may be the connection one needs to define who one is and how one feels about oneself but it is not a person’s only defining element or quality. I acknowledge that being confident in your skin and embracing yourself does not solely depend upon a beautiful head of hair, be it natural or not, but if hair does it for you, then great. I can however only speak for myself. I have never had confidence issues because I had relaxed hair, neither did I relax my hair because I had any of these issues – I simply wanted to wear it out. What I am trying to say, is that although for a period of time I was happy with my relaxed hair, there were times when I also felt I lacked options, especially when I couldn’t see my beautiful curls anymore. This lack of choice sometimes translated into a sense of loss and a sense of disconnection with my true self - with who I was – for I knew what I had before it was lost. Knowing now that my hair is indeed versatile and can allow me to do both curly and straight styles is a wonderful discovery. I love the versatility of natural hair – its potential had been left untapped and unexplored for so long. I now feel more connected with my identity and do not feel that I have to lose a part of me to get a certain look. Also, although I may look to others for inspiration I do not want what they’ve got. I want the best of what I’ve got. I’ve also amassed a wealth of knowledge in an ongoing learning process, and this is a confidence boost for my natural hair journey. Returning natural also completes my holistic approach towards health and well-being. I have always been a health-conscious individual – it’s been 10-plus years now since I have been engaging in a regular exercise regimen, and over two years since I have made the move towards living an organic life-style. Returning natural fits in with this holistic approach: my hair care regimen is now also organic and I find myself reading the ingredients list of hair products as I would for my food also. This is what it means to me to be a natural haired woman. I do however respect others who are happy with their relaxed hair and would not advice anyone to return natural simply because I have done it or many others are doing it, too. Returning natural is not a trend. It’s a journey and I treat it thus. We all have our own unique reasons why we chose to embark on this journey. Like everything else in life returning natural does carry its pros and cons. For instance, the initial stages of the natural hair journey can get expensive. It involves figuring out which hair products would work and if you’re not so lucky the first time around, you’re looking at spending a couple of bucks on a few useless products until you find the ones you cannot live without. When figuring out your staple products there is also the risk of becoming a product junkie, because you may get super excited at the sight of new products and may want to try them out, even though you have a cabinet of half-used products. Thankfully I am not a product junkie and I attribute this to two factors. Firstly my hair loved pretty much everything I introduced it to and secondly there aren’t that many products available for me to try anyway. The biggest pro however is the joy and thrill of seeing my beautiful bouncy curls in a healthy state and looking their best. This is the most rewarding part of returning natural. I would like to end with one of my favourite natural hair quotes:

“We do not go natural, we return; ‘Natural’ is where it all began” ~ Unknown

AUGUST 2014 | POTPOURRI

PERSONALITY SPECIAL 20

AUGUST 2014 | POTPOURRI

PERSONALITY SPECIAL 22

AUGUST 2014 | POTPOURRI

So, when did you leave Seychelles? Well, it’s funny. I was actually born in the UK. A lot of people think that I grew up here but really, my Grandma moved to London with my mother in search of opportunities back in the early ‘70s. I think it happened a lot back then, you know? I actually only came here for the first time for Christmas in 2007 when I was 17. I stayed here for a couple of weeks. I came back in 2012, which was a special trip because I paid for the whole thing myself and now, I’m here for the third time. I do feel a definite connection to Seychelles though; in England I’m constantly surrounded by Seychellois people, listening and dancing to Seychellois music. Everyone there is so proud of where they’re from. I suppose I had a pre-conceived notion that you were born and raised here before going to the UK. It’s not often that you meet someone who’s experienced life the other way around... Well, my mum is Seychelloise and my dad is from Haiti but was born in the Bahamas and moved to the States when he was about 6, so I suppose my family background isn’t the same as most Seychellois who live overseas. Also, I’m first generation British, so I get a lot of people who don’t really regard me as being legitimately from the UK. I mean, London is a cultural melting pot but I think it’s true that even there, so many people are still coming to terms with the fact that there are so many different countries being represented in London. So many people there just assume that I’m Jamaican and even after I tell them I’m from Seychelles, the next question they ask is often, “is that near Jamaica?” I know exactly what you mean. I’ve had to tell people on many occasions that Seychelles is not, in fact, in Australia or the Caribbean. It can get a little bit frustrating. With that being said and with the fact that your father is Haitian, do you feel even more connected to Creole culture? Well, yeah. Haiti has a creole culture and Haitian Creole is actually the only Creole that is officially recognised as a formal language, unlike Seychellois Creole. I mean, even today there are still arguments about how to write certain words here and I know that there is a huge amount of people who still aren’t fully able to read and write in their mother tongue just because in written form, Seychellois Creole is still relatively young. It’s sort of a mindset as well, in people who live here. I know a lot of people who think, “oh, you’re not born here and you didn’t grow up here, so you’re not Seychelloise,” whereas others are much more open-minded and will be the first to say, “your grandma and your mum are Seychelloise, so of course you are, too!” And it works the other way around in the UK as well. Right. I totally get that. So, you decided to represent the Seychelles in 2013 at the Miss Afrique Francophone competition in London. Tell me about that experience... Well, it’s essentially a beauty and talent competition that brings contestants from all of the French-African countries in the world, such as Congo, Ivory Coast, Seychelles and La Reunion, to name a few. The main event took place in London in November 2013. Among all the girls there, obviously I was representing Seychelles and there was one more girl, Anisa Rose, who also represented our little islands. Anisa actually ended up winning the first runner-up prize, which is effectively second place, so I was really excited about that and happy for her.

I’m not much of a public speaker, so naturally I was quite anxious about the whole experience. My speech was interrupted halfway through when the sound man started playing music, which caught me off balance, but it all went down well in the end and I guess something must’ve gone right because I ended up winning Miss Popularity, which came as a huge surprise to me! A pleasant surprise, I’m sure! Have you had a lot of people calling you since you’ve been back here, asking for interviews and guest spots as a result of your participation in the competition? To be honest, it’s all [down to] my friend Samantha. I suppose she’s one of the main reasons why I entered Miss Afrique Francophone in the first place and when I got back, she intimated that she feels I really should get some press and recognition for my part in the event. Now, I’m not the kind of person that seeks attention. I prefer to blend in rather than stand out; meet new people, make new friends, have a good time and have great experiences without being too loud about it all. I went into Miss Afrique Francophone without really wanting to win anything. I think that the fact that I did, coupled with Anisa’s second place win, has alerted a few people to the reality that the Seychelles really stands out amongst other African countries. At that, I looked at the time and realised that what had felt like 30 minutes of jovial chatter had in fact been 3 hours of deep conversation, so Anita and I agreed that it was probably best to head off to honour other commitments. Once we’d parted ways, I found myself racing back through short-term memory vaults in an attempt to revive one of the many anecdotes I’d just heard, only to realise that my mind was so crammed with information that I couldn’t separate one incident from the another. “Anita Francois certainly does lead a unique existence,” was the only independent thought I could muster.

By Kurt Gilbert

“I know a lot of people who think, “oh, you’re not born here and you didn’t grow up here, so you’re not Seychelloise,” whereas others are much more open-minded and will be the first to say, “your grandma and your mum are Seychelloise, so of course you are, too!”

AUGUST 2014 | POTPOURRI

PERSONALITY SPECIAL

I can’t recall when the last time a first encounter was as natural and enjoyable as my meeting with Anita Francois. From the introductory handshake, I got the feeling that we’d be having more of a chat and less of the interview that I had anticipated; Anita’s open smile, warm laugh and intriguing life story led the conversation in such a way that it felt as though we’d met before, in another place and time. Anita’s is definitely the most captivating tale of a Seychelloise overseas that I’ve heard in a while, even if you put aside her recent participation in the first-ever Miss Afrique Francophone 2013 competition. We met at a local restaurant and got to talking about everything from her one-of-a-kind beauty contest experience, to her international upbringing.

PERSONALITY SPECIAL 24

AUGUST 2014 | POTPOURRI

renée martin designs

“WELL, THE WINE KEPT COMING AND SO LAURA AND I KEPT STAYING!.”

have a certain friend called Laura who brightens the room whenever she walks in. A red-headed, burlesque dancer by night and hard-nosed accountant by day, she’s one of those people who always manages to look on the bright side of life. You can’t help but have a good time when you’re in her presence. Now I don’t know if it was Laura’s presence or just our lucky night but she and I had the most amazing evening recently. After a long week at work (where 12 hour days are the norm), we headed out to a little bar and restaurant in Subiaco called Purl. The maître d’ escorted us to our table and sat us down next to a mature party of four. Over a glass of excellent merlot we started chatting and soon found out that one of them was the owner of the restaurant. Keen to impress us, he sent over a dozen plump Bluff oysters from the live oyster shucking station. Not to be outdone, one of his companions, Tom, pointed out that he owned a successful vineyard and proceeded to send us over a decanter of one of his best vintages. After finishing their meal, the other three said their goodbyes but Tom decided to stay on. He was 75 years old if he was a day and it became clear he had taken quite a shine to Laura! Handling it extremely well, she managed to get him talking about his two passions – food and wine. Well, the wine kept coming and so Laura and I kept staying! In the meantime, a DJ had taken residence

DECEMBER 2013 | POTPOURRI

AUGUST 2014 | POTPOURRI

and the bar was filling up. One by one we were approached by a procession of suitors, all of whom were chased away by Tom! It was hilarious to watch. Eventually it was Tom’s turn to leave. After all that wine Laura and I were in need of some perking up. The answer, according to our bartender, were some expertly made Rainbow Layered shots. Probably not the best idea on four hours sleep, but it did the trick and kept us going for another couple of hours on the dance floor! Until next time, if you can’t be good, be good at it.

Rainbow Layered Shot You will need... 7ml Grenadine 7ml Peppermint Schnapps 7ml Jagermeister 7ml Melon Liqueur, such as Midori 7ml Whiskey 7ml Amaretto

What to do...

Layer gently in the order listed into a shot glass. Requires a delicate touch to keep those layers separate! 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

A PLATE OF YOUR FAVOURITE FOOD, COOKED TO PERFECTION, MAY NOT QUITE OFFSET THE PROSPECT OF IMMINENT DEATH, BUT IT’S BETTER THAN NOTHING.

AUGUST 2013 | POTPOURRI

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.

icture the scene. You’re on Death Row and your final stay of execution plea has just been denied. It’s admittedly a pretty bleak prospect but there is one consolation. Your last meal. A final opportunity to savour culinary excellence before you meet your maker. A plate of your favourite food, cooked to perfection, may not quite offset the prospect of imminent death, but it’s better than nothing. At the risk of sounding like a typical alpha male carnivore, my choice would have to be a steak. Nothing else seems to quite compare to this sliver of food heaven. My preference is to cook my own as it is such an enjoyable and cathartic activity but the prison chef might have other

ideas. I’m equally happy with rump or sirloin but I find the T-bone cut a bit too intimidating a prospect in terms of sheer size. Ensure that your steak has a generous amount of marbling throughout as this will melt away during the cooking process leaving it juicy, tender and gorgeous. Always take the steak out of the fridge and allow it to get to room temperature before cooking otherwise it can end up being rather tough. Massage a modest amount of olive oil into the meat and then season with salt and pepper. Ideally using a heavy, ridged pan, get it nice and hot before placing the steak on it. Don’t start turning it until some pronounced, seared markings are visible. If you’re also a fan of your steak cooked medium rare give it a good 2 minutes on each side and then allow it to rest for a short while so that the juices are able to relax back into the meat, making it lovely and succulent. If you’ve got it just right then both sides will be nice and charred on the outside and it will look as if someone has drawn a line right through the middle with a pink felt tip pen. A steak is dense and filling on its own so I prefer mine without chips or fries and usually go for a mixture of sautéed red onion and mushrooms instead. I’d also have a light side dish of a few salad leaves with some slices of the local avocadoes, accompanied by a Dijon mustard vinaigrette. There’s nothing worse than having a lovely meal but overeating and ending up feeling really bloated – except perhaps death by electrocution or lethal injection. Alcohol and tobacco are generally forbidden in conjunction with an inmate’s final meal by most prison authorities but, seeing as this is a fictitious scenario where I can do exactly as I please, I would enjoy a bottle of the finest Barolo (a beautiful red wine from the Piedmont region in the north of Italy) with my meal, followed by a foot long cigar (I’m a confirmed non-smoker but employing this tactic would surely eke out my existence for a precious extra hour or so). While I’m at it, the bottle size would be a magnum. I may as well go out in a blaze of glory.

AUGUST 2014 | POTPOURRI

“RUMOURS AND GOSSIP BRING HARDSHIPS IN PEOPLE’S RELATIONSHIPS AND INTO THEIR PERSONAL LIVES WITHOUT US REALISING IT.” racial pejoratives and sexual pejoratives and all that ignorance. Don’t do that. Some day we’ll be able to measure the power of words. I think they are things. They get on the walls. They get in your wallpaper. They get in your rugs, in your upholstery, and in your clothes, and finally into you.”

The Power of Words By Alexandria Faure

Anyone remember the old saying “Sticks and stones can break my bones but words can never hurt me”? Well…my belief is that words are very, very powerful. And words can have positive or negative emotional effects on people and the world around us. Maya Angelou said it perfectly well: “Words are things, I’m convinced. You must be careful about the words you use. In the Old Testament, we are told in Genesis that in the beginning was the word. And the word was God and the word was with God. Words are things. You must be careful, careful about calling people out of their names, using

AUGUST 2014 | POTPOURRI

I’ll be truly honest and say that during my time in Seychelles I’ve heard the use of words that hurt others, more than heal them. Whether it’s through senseless gossip, harsh weight-related comments, comparison pokes or incessant questioning and probing into people’s lives. Rumours and gossip bring hardships in people’s relationships and into their personal lives without us realising it. It could be that we find ourselves in a position where we feel like we don’t have much control over what is going on in the world around us, but this doesn’t mean that we do not have control over the words that we use towards others. There are times that our words and our voices are used to say hateful things about people whom we disagree with, however wouldn’t it be better if we used our words to uplift ourselves and those around us – to remind us of our common humanity? But we should never forget the impacts of our words on the lives of others. Alexandria Faure has a degree in Drama and Theatre. She now resides in Abu Dhabi.

Femme, femmes, femmes !(par Georges Gravé) « A celles qui portent volontairement la burqa. Après que les plus hautes autorités religieuses musulmanes ont déclaré que les vêtements qui couvrent la totalité du corps et du visage ne relèvent pas du commandement religieux mais de la tradition, wahhabite (Arabie Saoudite) pour l’un, pachtoune (Afghanistan et Pakistan) pour l’autre, allez-vous continuer à cacher l’intégralité de votre visage ? Ainsi dissimulée au regard d’autrui, vous devez bien vous rendre compte que vous suscitez la défiance et la peur, des enfants comme des adultes. Sommes nous a ce point méprisables a vos yeux pour que vous nous refusiez tout contact, toute relation et jusqu’à la connivence d’un sourire ? Dans une démocratie moderne, ou l’on tente d’instaurer transparence et égalité des sexes, vous nous signifiez brutalement que tout ceci n’est pas votre affaire, que les relations avec les autres ne vous concernent pas et que nos combats ne sont pas les vôtres. Alors je m’interroge : pourquoi ne pas gagner les terres saoudiennes où afghanes où nul ne vous demandera de montrer votre visage, où vos filles seront voilées a leur tour, où votre époux pourra être polygame et vous répudier quand bon lui semble, ce qui fait tant souffrir nombre de femmes là-bas ? En vérité, vous utilisez les libertés démocratiques pour les retourner contre la démocratie. Subversion, provocation ou ignorance, le scandale est moins l’offense de votre rejet que la gifle que vous adressez a toutes vos sœurs opprimées qui, elles, risquent la mort pour jouir enfin des libertés que vous mépriser. C’est aujourd’hui votre choix, mais qui sait si demain vous ne serez pas heureuses de pouvoir en changer. Elles ne le peuvent pas…Pensez y. Elisabeth Badinter. » Merci chère Madame Badinter d’avoir partagé récemment dans un hebdomadaire français ce billet d’humeur. Il résume parfaitement mes propres pensées, c’est pourquoi je le partage à mon tour aujourd’hui. Ce sujet est d’ailleurs au cœur de l’actualité, puisque, saisie par une Française d’origine Pakistanaise, la cour européenne des droits de l’homme a estimé que la loi votée en 2010 (en France) poursuit un objectif légitime et qu’elle est «proportionnée au but poursuivi ». La France va donc pouvoir continuer d’interdire le voile islamique intégral. La loi n’est pas contraire aux droits de l’homme a tranché la cour européenne des droits de l’homme (CEDH) dans un arrêt définitif rejetant ainsi la requête d’une jeune musulmane. En tant qu’homme, il est difficile d’aborder ce délicat problème, car nous sommes immédiatement taxés de sexiste. J’ai eu l’occasion de voyager dans les pays que vous citer, Afghanistan et Pakistan et je dois avouer que ces pays sans femme me troublent profondément. Et jamais en croisant le non regard de ces « momies vivante » j’ai perçu le moindre souffle de bonheur et d’harmonie. Mais, je suis un homme me répond- on souvent et je ne peux pas connaitre la merveilleuse vie que les femmes ont entre elles lorsqu’elles déposent le voile !! Pourquoi pas, mais permettez moi d’en douter quand même.

A l’autre bout du monde, autre culture, autre mode de vie… Ici aux Seychelles, nous sommes à l’opposé et la « jeune » femme seychelloise ne cache pas son corps, bien au contraire ! Il y a quelques jours, j’assistais aux cérémonies de la fête nationale au stade de l’unité, et je dois dire que j’étais assez troublé en voyant ces dizaines de jeunes seychelloises déambuler dans des tenues vraiment très osées. Parfois même gêné n’osant regarder devant moi ces corps presque dénudés cachés uniquement par quelques centimètres de tissu. Il y a peut être un juste milieu à trouver, entre ces femmes cachées derrière la burqa recouverte des pieds a la tète, et les autres offrant sans aucune retenue et pudeur leur formes généreuses a tous les regards. Juillet/Aout, c’est le mois des vacances en Europe, la grande transhumance des touristes qui veulent découvrir le monde. Les voyages forment la jeunesse dit un vieux dicton. En fait de jeunesse, il modifie en profondeur notre vision du monde et de ses réalités. Découvrir de nouveaux horizons, être témoins d’autres façons de vivre, voir de survivre, échanger avec les locaux, partager des expériences, fouler de nouvelles terres, cela nous change et cela nous rend plus intelligents. A condition de le vouloir… Je me souviens d’une jeune espagnole stupide que j’ai aidé à sortir d’une émeute qu’elle avait provoquée en se promenant en mini-short dans la vielle ville de Téhéran. Sorti d’affaire, ses premiers mots avant de remercier quiconque avaient été avec un sourire niait « mais je suis en vacances quand même » Oui, tu es en vacances, mais pas chez toi idiote !! Deux autres françaises, dans le sud de l’Inde qui se sont faites chassées a coup de grosses pierres par les femmes du village, car elles se baignaient nues dans la rivière… etc.…. La moindre des choses, avant de commencer le voyage est de se renseigner un peu sur les coutumes et les modes de vies de ses habitants. Cela éviterait tellement de problème !! Voyager, c’est avant tout respecter les autres…. Sinon il faut rester à la maison. Alors, si vous passer vos vacances dans un pays musulman, d’accord ou pas avec la condition féminine des locaux, prenez un pantalon pour couvrir vos jambes et un foulard pour mettre sur la tête. Et si par bonheur, vous avez la chance de venir sur les plages paradisiaques des Seychelles, et si vous voulez éviter des attroupements de curieux et bien mesdames, évitez tout simplement les seins nus. Cela s’appelle respecter les autres !!!! Bonnes vacances !!!

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

Étudiants Seychellois dans les Émirats Arabes Unis vêtus de vêtements traditionnels. (Sheryl Barra, Loraine Andre, Joel Bacharie and Sarah Sultan.) AUGUST 2014 | POTPOURRI

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS WITH

BE RNA R D GE ORGE S had only ordered half a ton, you are not likely to bring the pump attendant to court to get him to give you back the R200.00 or so extra gas he has pumped into your tank. Yet, the exact same principles apply to both cases. But, back to the plot. We are here in the territory of quasi-contracts. That is, things which have all the appearance of contracts, but are not quite contracts. The law has had to make provision for these, because they often are one-party transactions and not bilateral transactions. In other words, you are faced with a situation which you had not agreed to. The general rule is that the law will protect the innocent mistake and not take away the property of someone who has acted in good faith. Obviously, it all comes down to a question of proof, and the good faith or the mistake are subject to being proved to have been just that, a good faith mistake. If a person builds on my land knowing full well that what he is doing is wrong, then tough on him. The law will not give him the light of day. Similarly, the pump attendant who decides to pump more gas than was asked for simply to please his boss with his sales figures will have to bear the loss of the extra gas. On the other hand, if the bank has made a mistake in putting someone else’s money in your account, or the neighbor has built on your land, or planted a lovely ornamental bush on it, genuinely thinking he or she was doing it on their land, or the pump attendant genuinely heard you say

On two separate occasions my gas tank has been filled up far more than I had asked and I did not receive my change since I had to pay for the over-fill. The assistant insisted he had heard correctly and it’s my fault. If this happens a third time, what are my options in terms of taking it further? There is a simple answer, and a not-too-simple answer to this question. The simple answer, which may sound rude, is to stop going to that particular filling-station, or complain to the management. The other answer requires a bit of legal digging. What happens when someone does not carry out your specific orders, but instead does something from which you benefit? Or what do you do with money which is deposited into your account by mistake? If somebody builds on your land, do you get to keep the construction if you like it? Or somebody plants on your land; do you get to keep the crops? The answer to these questions is the same as the one the reader asks. Am I forced to accept a situation which I didn’t ask for? Before we get to answering the question, a parenthesis is required. Obviously, in some cases, it is just not worth pursuing a legal remedy. Although you have a right to seek an injunction to restrain your neighbour’s dog from its incessant barking which is keeping you awake at 3 o’clock in the morning, you are not likely to get a lawyer out of bed to draft an application, to get a judge out of bed, to get his clerk out of bed, to get the security to open the courthouse, to give you an injunction. You are just going to curse the neighbor and take it out on him the following morning. While you may be inclined to take a person to court to get back money which you have had to pay for a delivery of one ton of apples when you

AUGUST 2014 | POTPOURRI

“BUT THEN THE LAW IS RARELY BLACK OR WHITE. IT IS THE SAME LAW WHICH TEMPERS JUSTICE WITH MERCY. SOMETIMES WE ARE JUST REQUIRED TO SACRIFICE SMALL THINGS FOR THE GREATER ORDER OF SOCIETY.” ‘500’ when you actually said ‘300’, then you must return the money in your account, allow the neighbor to remove the construction or the plant (or keep it but pay for it) and pay for the gas because, after all, you will use it. What you are not allowed to do in each of these instances is to keep the benefit without paying for it. The law implies that, even if you didn’t specifically agree to the thing that was done, you are taken to have done so because you either have got a benefit, or you have got something you really had no right to have. That is why it is called a quasi-contract. Where the benefit is tangible (the gas in your tank), you must pay for it; when it is unexpected (the money in your account), you must return it. It is nothing more than basic justice in action. Granted, you didn’t ask for the thing, so why should you be forced to accept something you didn’t want, or couldn’t afford? You really needed the extra R200 for groceries and that was your last R500 that you gave to the pump attendant. It is a fair question. The answer lies in doing right. Why should the person who has given you a benefit, even one you didn’t ask or need, suffer? After all, you have obtained something, in this case the extra gas. This is a difficult branch of the law to comprehend. But then the law is rarely black or white. It is the same law which tempers justice with mercy. Sometimes we are just required to sacrifice small things for the greater order of society. That’s just the way the chips fall…or the gas is pumped.

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.

‘Putting education first with Barclays’

Children and education have always been a passion for Mrs Charline Jean. She had been a teacher for more than a decade when she finally decided it was time for her to start her own business. During her career as a teacher, first at the International School then later at the Independent School, she had been both surprised and appalled by the lack of structure in some day care facilities. “I felt that the concept of these facilities did not help the children grow: the parents drop off their kids in the morning, the attendant would sit them in front of a television screen and that would be it for the day,” she says.

the best possible tools, but these come at cost. Moreover, they are only available for sale in either South Africa or Dubai. Barclays helped me a lot in this regard; I even remember one instance where I required help while already in Dubai, and they were there for me. Mrs Pascalina Monty, the Head of the Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) department of Barclays, personally followed our case and I was already in Dubai when the money for the loan was disbursed. She called me to tell me about it and made sure I could move forward with my acquisitions. With Barclays, the level of service is very high,” states the entrepreneur.

Feeling the need for quality day care centres in Seychelles, she decided to start her own facility in 2007. On the 2nd of May of that year, Count and Read Day Care officially opened its doors at Ma Constance. Since then, her small business has grown exponentially, employing today more than 20 staff, and caring for more than 120 kids.

A Partner she can rely on

“I believe that attending a day care is an essential part of a child’s development. The time they spend here at Count and Read Day Care is not only spent on academics, but also on their social skills and emotional development. The interaction of these children with one another is the basis of all their future interactions,” explains Charline. While she had turned to her family for financial help when starting her business in 2007, Barclays Bank Seychelles became her financial partner soon after. She opened her first account with the bank in 2007 and a few months later, in 2008, she applied for her first loan. With Barclays help, she bought the educational materials and toys required for her day care centre, and was able to cater for the needs of her wards. “I decided right away that I wanted to have high quality educational materials and toys. I wanted the kids to be safe and to learn with

In 2009, Charline acquired an existing day care and moved her facility from Ma Constance to Union Vale. Once again, Barclays helped her with the loan, but also advised her on her financial choices. “I have nothing but praise about the level of service I have received to date. The staff at the SME department have always been supportive, and I always felt that they cared about helping me grow my business. I could always count on them for advice on what I should do next, business-wise, and they have helped the day care grow into what it is today. Our success is such that our waiting-list for children is extremely long. This is why we had to move again this year, relocating to Sans Souci. With this bigger day care facility, we will be able to welcome more children and will soon be recruiting more staff,” reveals Charline. With her family business going at full speed, the entrepreneur is sure that the she will keep growing in the coming years. A selfprofessed perfectionist, Charline believes that you should always aim higher. She is always on the lookout for the best educational materials, and knows that with Barclays, she has a partner she can always rely on.

Incentive Scheme for Small and Medium Enterprises In July 2013, the Government of Seychelles signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Commercial Banks, in order to facilitate the Incentive Scheme for Small and Medium Enterprises. The new scheme is aimed at boosting local entrepreneurial growth and economic development. The scheme covers all businesses with the exception of retail and wholesale. Criteria to be eligible for the loans: • • • • • • •

Business has to have an annual turnover below SCR 5 million Maximum loan amount of SCR 3 million Repayment over 5 - 7 years Interest rate payable is a two-tier rate structure - 5% on the first SCR 1 million and 7% on the next SCR 2 million Maximum arrangement fee is not more than 0.25 % of the loan amount 2.5% personal contribution (except for property projects which is 20% equity) Security: Mortgage which is backed by Government Guarantee

To accelerate the loan request, the borrower needs to prepare a detailed business plan, following which they can book an appointment with the Commercial staff (located on Market Street) to discuss the application. Credit approval and disbursement of loan will be made within reasonable length of time once the Bank has received all required documents from the borrower. For more information, please visit our branches or contact our Call Centre on 438 3939 or email sez.customerservices@barclays.com. Terms and conditions apply

CONSUMER AWARENESS

The Gadget World

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

INSTANT MOBILE PRINTER

Most people have thousands of photos piled up on their digital camera or mobile phone and we totally forget about them since we take new photos almost every day. The Polaroid GL10 High Quality Instant Mobile Printer is a one of a kind piece of technology, small and light enough to carry around without much effort since it weighs only 15-ounces. It is compatible with a wide range of smart phones including Blackberry, Android and Windows phones, laptops and digital cameras via Bluetooth technology or mini USB cable. The Printer has a simple black and-silver palette finish and a rubberized finish, making it easier to hold the device. Designed by Lady Gaga, the GL10 uses a 2nd generation ZINK Zero Ink printing technology allowing it to print High quality 3-inch by 4-inch full color pictures in less than 1-minute. The GL10 Zink Imaging provides inkless printing by embedding color into the paper; no ink cartridges or ribbons are needed! To start printing all you need is to install a pack of ZINK paper. This requires opening a lid on the top of the printer and sliding in the ZINK paper and you are ready to start printing all those great memories trapped on your phone or camera. The GL10 comes with a rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery that should last up to 35 prints; that’s pretty decent if you’re looking to capture the highlights of a party or night out with friends. If you are looking for a bit of print-as-you-go fun or like to make the most of those special moments you capture you should definitely give the Polaroid GL10 a try.

HOTEL INSURANCE √ 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

AUGUST 2014 | POTPOURRI

CONSUMER AWARENESS

Know Your Wine by Kreol Wines (Eden Plaza) Vinalba Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet sauvignon is a medieval hybrid of red grape variety cabernet franc and the white variety sauvignon blanc. It grows particularly well in Argentina, which has gained a well-earned reputation for producing other luscious, full-bodied reds such as bonarda, merlot and Argentina’s signature red grape – malbec. The winery, Vinalba, is located in the Lujan de Cuyo region of the Mendoza Valley, the most renowned wine growing area in the country although it also owns vineyards located further south in the Patagonia region, which has cooler climatic conditions. It is owned by Herve Joyaux Fabre and his wife Diane, who originally hail from Bordeaux in France. Since 2008, Vinalba has produced outstanding quality, well-priced wines that consistently win a host of prestigious international awards across the full spectrum of their range – a surefire sign of a class outfit. Fruit; A big, juicy hit of blackcurrant dominates the palate, followed by toasty vanilla oak. Oak; 60% aged in French oak for 12 months. Tannin; High Acidity; Medium Ageability; Ready to drink now but will improve further over the next several years. Recommended dishes – Sumptuous with roast lamb, studded with garlic and flecked with rosemary. Also pairs well with pizza and tomato-based pasta dishes. Tip; On a hot day, avoid the temptation to plunge a tannic red wine such as a cabernet sauvignon in an ice bucket or place into the fridge overnight. This will only accentuate the already high tannin content in the wine and will do it no favours. Lightly chilling in the fridge for 10 minutes will suffice. Price; Rs 245 – Kreol Wines

AUGUST 2014 | POTPOURRI

EXPLORING EDEN

or New Nature f Praslin Islalubnodf Seychelles” ith Wildlife C

“Nature Trails w

under progress trail features is re tu na Wildlife ith w aslin’ and the ism project Matelot de Pr A new eco-tour ‘Le e or th at m er fro op t or tourism O with supp on Praslin by a ). The hich is an E-NG w SS ) RA CS (T s (W s lle lle he ems Clubs Seyche Society of Seyc agement Syst oration Action r the “Joint Man de tion Terrestrial Rest un va d er te ns en Co g implem Biodiversity project is bein developed for DP/GEF s or UN at S/ er GO op e th ism s” by involving tour s in Seychelle Sensitive Area in Ecologically , Praslin. nating Unit. Anse La Blague Project Coordi Fond Diable at cal name in lo rd e Ja th e by th d is ea Diable; inspire The project ar nd Fo ying in dr rd d Ja an e the nam ed for salting The site bears rently once us pa ap as w ch hi l for the site, w ast, the coasta e site’s rocky co th rays. on t en en be es bitats pr itself have The various ha g with the site recent land forest alon according to a up ty e au th d be l an ra st tu na fore g main in e nd Th ta g. ts in e of ou GEF fund Viewpoint identified as on this conducted with of ey rv ng ki su t rta po de ts un e th r fo e en th os biodiversity ho in ch odiversity is site has been with limited bi reason why th ed eco-system ad . gr st de pa e to th e in project is du the habitats at ust have been t is to restore ec d to what it m oj re pr pa m ism co ur l education ea ar eco-to environmenta tention of the o-tourism and ived ec ce t The overall in re or ve pp su ha ague site to d the owners the Anse La Bl ation which ea 18 acres, an er ar op an ism rs ur ve to co site all econt activities. The lop it into a sm small restaura ission to deve ring chalets, a te sity and ca er lfiv se planning perm od y bi dl l featuring loca veral eco-frien s se en de rd clu ga in d ill an w ils l menu, and tra featuring a loca n of the trail s. ie for the creatio heritage spec being planned is e species and es tiv iti na tiv g ac tin of moval, replan re A wide-range s ie ens, setting ec rd sp e ga n des invasiv demonstratio e ag rit and this inclu he interpretive e ng re tablishing th and developi es ns g, sig in l ak na m io ilat tra educ and putting up ctives up a nursery, ing their obje rms of promot te habitats in e s or er st brochures. rtn re t will also help ill benefit all pa w bu t n, ec io oj at pr uc e Th and ed n, ecotourism lin. for conservatio sity site on Pras er iv od bi nt aslinois, in an importa able forest. Pr ng the Fond Di di firewood un ng rro hi tc su s fe e mysterie rd noises while ei w g other in An There are som ar . he Anse La Blague e, confesses to who used as a resident of Joyce Adrienn d ys an da le od ab Di ho s child e at Fond and water in hi who used to liv ... s about a lady n fanm dibwa) on (B t af cr h Praslinois, talk itc w ed tic ac pr and herbal plants

Bwa Rou

the eco-tourism of n io nt te in l al er ov e Th itats at the ab h e th e or st re to is project support eco-tourism to te si e gu la B a L e Ans ion activities. at uc ed l ta en nm ro vi en and

Coastal Walk

Seych

elles

Sun B

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Wild Vanilla

Land Degradation

AUGUST 2014 | POTPOURRI

resort experience in Seychelles A MAGICAL PLACE TO REVIVE THE SENSES Set within a natural park of 296 acres, the Resort offers an exclusive holiday experience. A combination of beaches, sun, nature, hospitality, good food - and all that with a smile. Begin the U-experience: call (230) 402 2772/73 or visit us at www.constancehotels.com

AUGUST 2014 | POTPOURRI

La Fondation pour la Conservation des Iles ; un acteur incontournable dans la création d’aires protégées des îles éloignées Les Seychelles se sont engagées jusqu’en 2018 dans un projet d’aires protégées d’envergure qui, pour la première fois, s’adresse aux îles éloignées. Ce projet est intitulé ‘’Expansion et renforcement du réseau d’aires protégées des îles éloignées des Seychelles, intégration au paysage terrestre et marin’’. Il vise à réduire la perte de la biodiversité et à promouvoir l’utilisation durable des ressources des îles coralliennes à travers un renforcement de la gestion et d’un élargissement de réseau d’aires protégées. Il est subventionné par le Fonds pour l’Environnement Mondial (FEM), et mis en place par le Ministère de l’Environnement en collaboration avec des entreprises du secteur privé et des ONG environnementales. Par leur isolement, les îles éloignées ont gardé une richesse naturelle remarquable et particulière à chacune. Aussi, certaines contribuent à la prospérité nationale à travers l’exploitation des ressources marines et le tourisme. Afin d’éviter la dégradation de ces milieux et la surexploitation des ressources, il est important d’intégrer de bonnes pratiques de gestion. Le succès du projet est lié à l’approfondissement des connaissances de ces milieux naturels, qui déterminera le degré de protection à leur attribuer. Les aires protégées sont en effet des outils de gestion, elles sont classées par catégorie en fonction de leur valeur écologique et des services environnementaux qu’elles rendent aux populations. La Fondation pour la Conservation des Iles ou Island Conservation Society (ICS) a été identifiée en tant que partenaire majeur et essentiel dans cette initiative par le Ministère de l’Environnement et

PAR LEUR ISOLEMENT, LES ÎLES ÉLOIGNÉES ONT GARDÉ UNE RICHESSE NATURELLE REMARQUABLE ET PARTICULIÈRE À CHACUNE.

de l’Energie. ICS fait partie des acteurs clés de gestion des ressources et des espaces naturels seychellois qui ont pris part au projet et qui travailleront ensemble au renforcement et au partage des connaissances scientifiques. ICS est une ONG locale réputée pour sa gestion de la réserve naturelle de l’île Aride, mais elle est aussi l’organisme environnemental le mieux représenté dans les îles éloignées : déjà implantée sur Desroches et Alphonse, elle sera présente à Poivre et Farquhar très prochainement. Sur ces îles des équipes participent quotidiennement à la protection des écosystèmes à travers des programmes de conservation de la biodiversité et de restauration des milieux dégradés. Grâce à ce projet d’aires protégées, ICS renforcera dés Juin 2014 ses moyens d’études scientifiques. Son objectif est d’inscrire St François et Bijoutier (groupe Alphonse) et les Iles Goëlettes et Banc de Sable (atoll de Farquhar) en réserve naturelle intégrale; Desroches et Alphonse en aire protégée avec utilisation durable des ressources naturelles et la partie sud de Farquhar en parc national. Actuellement, sur 74 îles coralliennes, seuls l’atoll d’Aldabra et les Bancs Africains sont reconnus aires protégées par l’Union Internationale pour la Conservation de la Nature (UICN). Aurélie Duhec Fondation pour la Conservation des Iles (ICS) www.islandconservationseychelles.com

Photo aérienne de l’atoll St François composé de l’île Bijoutier au premier plan et de l’île St François en arrière plan. La valeur écologique de ces sites sera évaluée par ICS afin d’obtenir le statut de ‘réserves naturelles intégrales’.

Evènements culturels culturels

Cours de français

Ateliers créatifs

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

AUGUST 2014 | POTPOURRI

BEHIND THE BUSINESS

SAN POU SAN Sertifye The Brand and Buzz of Orizinal Kreol

Brand names are nothing new to Seychellois. An internationally connected society has made sure of that, and fledgling businesses are all too eager to find the next big international brand to peddle on the local market. By contrast, local brands are few and far between, and are often seen as inferior, but for 31-year-old Albert Duncan, that was all the opportunity he needed to create a brand that, through the innovative use of new media, has evolved from a straightforward clothing line into one that’s making a statement about Seychellois identity. POTPOURRI caught up with Albert to uncover his thoughts on the fame game, juggling multiple work commitments, and the whole idea behind Orizinal Kreol. You studied social policy through the Manchester Twinning programme and started your career at the Ministry of Social Affairs before moving into the marketing field with Cable & Wireless. How has the switch in career been for you? It has been different, but at the same time it is quite the same. Social policy revolves around the people and when you consider marketing, it also boils down to the people and what they want. I am a product executive – I started with mobile products but now I am working with the [Internet Protocol TV] field which is coming out soon, as well as Cable Tunes, which was my initial project. What was the inspiration that encouraged you to create Orizinal Kreol? I have always been interested in fashion and through Cable Tunes I have come into contact with a lot of Seychellois artists. Growing up I saw artists around the world creating their own line of clothing – when they reach a point of climax in their career and become famous – which is basically an expression of their culture and who they are as an artist. But when I considered our local artists, it felt like they lacked something expressive, a spark that represented who they were as Seychellois artists. I saw that there was a gap in the market, and with our creative minds and the large number of young people we have in the music industry, I thought that we had everything we needed to create our own brand and give artists something to be proud of. What makes your clothing line different and unique? We are targeting the typical Seychellois. It doesn’t matter who you are – if you are part of the Creole culture then this brand represents you, not only on a fashion level, but a personal level as well. We are a mixture of different cultures, but the

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way all these different cultures come together – it makes us unique. In a way the Creole culture and the clothing line are a sort of walking contradiction. Orizinal Kreol is a creation of different arts just as we are a mixture of different cultures, however to be unique is to be original. But when you put them all together it symbolises exactly who we are as a people, and it’s the same for Orizinal Kreol –the mixture of different arts creates and represents it.

How Creolized do you think your products are? When we think of Creole culture being spread across clothing lines, a lot of people have the misconception that it should only involve our having a logo of a vye marmit or the Coco-de-Mer, or one of our protected species on it. But the Creole generation has evolved and a lot of us prefer modern things. With our logo we use a lot of tropical colours, we have incorporated palm trees on the logo as well, and I feel as if this symbolises the Creole spirit as something trendy and cool that young people are proud to wear. There is nothing like that on the market! There is so much more behind Orizinal Kreol. Can you tell our readers more about what else you have been doing? Orizinal Kreol is more a clothing line than anything else, though at the same time we like to think of it as a movement. The brand value that we are promoting is to be unique, creative and having the art of doing things differently rather than imitating other people. It is about pushing our culture forward and making a difference in the region. We do a number of things as a team, in fact we recently started a short TV series called MENAS. We’ve just released our third episode.

If you were to describe your collection in a few words, how would you describe it? It is vibrant, it is cool and it represents exactly who we are! Where can one view your products? We do not have our own shop at the moment as we do not have enough products to be able to have our own outlet, but everything can be viewed in a shop at Quincy Super. We have T-shirts, wrist bands and the recently introduced boxer shorts on sale right now. We are looking into moving into other products as well in the future like tank tops and bikinis for girls and flip flops – we are taking baby steps. How would you advise other young entrepreneurs like yourself? Have a good vision, pay attention to details and have a good start up plan. A good idea can easily evaporate and you will get frustrated if you have not planned things out fully. You have to have a clear vision of your plan, what you stand for and how you are going to deliver it. MENAS has reached over 13,000 clicks online and received over 500 views on YouTube and is still a click away for those who have not had the opportunity to view it. Make it a must, if you support what Orizinal Kreol is all about. Follow Orizinal Kreol on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OrizinalKreol By Elaine Lafortune

How did the idea for MENAS come about? We wanted a platform for marketing our T-shirts, and did not want to resort to the same technique like going to the media for TV press and adverts. We have a lot of young creative people, talented singers and actors who are not being given a chance to showcase their talents and through this TV series – which is explicitly in Creole and play-acted by Seychellois actors alone – we reckoned it would be the most suited to advertise our clothing line, and that is where it all kicked off. To the conservative eye, the mini-series may seem slightly violent in terms of script. Are all the upcoming series going to follow along this line? Seeing my experience as a social policy developer, I have worked on a number of programmes sensitizing people about the dangers of drugs. There are programmes which feature a simple “SAY NO TO DRUGS” along with smiley faces. This never works because people who are at risk do not relate to it. What we are trying to do with this programme is to show the harsh reality so people do not think that we are taking them on this fancy ride. This is not all for show; there is a message behind it. We are not glorifying violence or drug use. All these will be revealed during the course of the series. It is about seeing what life can turn into when you go down the wrong path; we are trying to put it in a realistic way so people can relate to it and take it seriously. We want to spark that thought that, “If I do that, this could very well happen to me,” and the best way to do that is to be realistic about the negative results of a person’s actions. How many more episodes do we have to look forward to? There are two or three more on the way. We are trying to make it sustainable in that if people want to advertise their business, we can feature it in the series, because at the moment, Orizinal Kreol is bearing all the cost and it is not something that we will be able to maintain unless we can generate enough money to produce it. We have an agreement for the mini-series to be aired in Mauritius and Reunion soon. We are still looking for partners who want to advertise in it and if we do get them, then the sky is the limit.

Artists Reggie (above) and Champion (below) wearing Orizinal Kreol T-Shirts.

What have been your setbacks? Even if we are a local brand that has become quite successful, we find that other local businesses are reluctant when you approach them to sell the T-shirts or even to advertise in MENAS. The reach is there, but the people are a bit hesitant, and because of this there is a lack of belief that it will work and that makes it slightly harder to convince people, but that is okay. We still give it our best. How confident were you that this would prove fruitful when you first started? I was pretty confident that it was going to take off, having utilised my experience in marketing to develop the idea. Besides, I also have complete confidence in the team of professionals I work with. It was just a matter of getting the right people together. If you could go back in time, would you have tackled anything differently? In hindsight there are always some things you want to change. Perhaps with the distribution of our T-shirts, I would have gone about it in another way. And probably I would have tried to get more retailers to sell our products.

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BEHIND THE BUSINESS

“Orizinal kreol is more a clothing line than anything else, though at the same time we like to think of it as a movement. The brand value that we are promoting is to be unique, creative and having the art of doing things differently rather than imitating other people.”

FEATURED ARTIST

The Lowdown on Alahna Meet the voice behind “Butterfly”

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At nineteen 19 years old, sheAlahna Payet has accomplished more than manymost her age who dare to dream about, let alone actually doat thatage have. Her song “Butterfly” must now be on every Seychellois’ playlist, and is without a doubt one of the most requested songs in every nightclub in the country. Rumor has it that one little fan requested the song three times at her birthday party (OKok, guilty as charged). All that aside though, tThe song is engraved in the hearts of any hopeless romantic, for the simple reason that the words seem to have been written by every person who’s ever been in love, though it was . It was actually another local artist, Elijah, who is behindput pen to paper for the lyrics. I think none of us could disagreethough – he could not have chosen a better contender to not only be the voice, but the heart and soul, behind Butterfly. Here’s Alahna, in her own words:

Elijah approached me and asked if I could sing a song he wrote. You cannot imagine the butterflies I felt while recording – kind of fitting now that I think about it! “My feet firmly on the ground” My life as an artist has really been amazing. People here have received me so well and I have received a lot of positive feedback from everyone, even people recognizing me on the street. It’s been very encouraging as I do hope to be able to compile an album in the future. But for now, there is only one priority -and that’s my studies. I’m about to complete my three-year course in Business Studies and Accounting at the Seychelles Polytechnic, and that’s what I’m choosing to concentrate on for the moment. I would like to continue studying in the future as well. One can never be too educated in my opinion. Times are changing, life becomes more demanding, which requires you to work harder for what you want. To me, the most important thing is to have something in your hands. Everything else comes after. I am not letting the fame get to me, nor am I letting it get in the way of what matters most to me.

A family of music My family has always been involved in the music industry. My uncles were the voices and faces behind the band “Equinox”. Needless to say, they have been a huge source of support from the beginning, pushing me to not let my talent go to waste. I have been singing from a very young age actually – -I was part of the children’s choir up until lsSecondary sSchool, and have been singing here and there ever since.

How I was discovered That’s This is actually the biggest reason I believe life is full of surprises. It was late last year, during the visit of “Mister Vegas” visit for his performance in Seychelles. I was with some friends at Upgrade nightclub, simply being teenage girls, really. We were singing, and easily as that, I was noticed. I guess I was lucky like that. Elijah approached me and asked if I could sing a song he wrote. You cannot imagine the butterflies I felt while recording – -kind of fsuitting now that I think about it! I remember having a little trouble singing round the second verse, as I was unwell at the time, but we pulled through and managed to bear a hit. Again, I never would have expected the song doing as well as it has. Other than “Butterfly,” , I have provided backup for a few other songs, as well as doing collaborations with other artists like Elijah, Jakim, Warm Base and Darryl. Performing is something I really love, and it’s something that’s simpley a part of me. I love every part of it. Yes, it’s very demanding and can be tiring at times but it’s all worth it. To me, it’s been a great honour giving the fans the pleasure of what my music has offered.

One day at a time. I definitely plan on getting an album together in the future. But like I said, right now, focus is definitely on my studies. Being a performing artist and a student at the same time is extremely demanding. In order to deliver, I’d like to focus all my energy on one thing at a time. I believe everything in life should have its time. As the saying goes, “God has made everything beautiful in its own time.”. Right now, I’m in no rush to get anywhere, and have faith that things will work out the way they are meant to. It’s been an amazing journey so far.

Take that first step One thing I get asked a lot is hHow I did it -– how I managed to make it to where I am. My answer is simple: -everything you do begins with one single step. I happen to see an abundance of young talent here in Seychelles. The problem is being young they often lack the confidence to come out of their shell. If I could share any piece of advice with them it would be to chase your dream. Just go for it. God has given you a gift to share with the world, don’t let it go to waste by not taking that first step. You’ll be surprised what you can achieve with a little determination. The best thing you can ever do for yourself is believe in all that you are.

The chance of a lifetime As I’ve grown, I’ve come to learn that life is constantly changing, and not everything goes according to how you plan. So I’ve taught myself to live for the moment, and expect the unexpected. As the popular saying goes, you only live once, so might as well make it a good experience. The best way to live is by giving all of yourself to whatever you’re doing; it’s the only way you can love what you do. Above everything else, I think the most important thing is to always stay true to yourself in a world that can easily change you into something that you’re not. Turn to God when all else fails. He is always bye your side and will guide you through the darkest of moments.

One last thing To my fans, to everyone who has ever believed in me and pushed me to be something: you are all the reason I’m here today. So my biggest thank you goes to YOU. I am grateful for this gift and honored to be able to share it with you. Alahna, I think I speak on behalf of all your fans: the thank you goes to you for music that makes you want to fall in love again every single day. It’s been a pleasure meeting you, and hHere’s to a future of success and amazing music. By Martine Gontier

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FEATURED ARTIST

Life is full of surprises. That, as we all know, is most probably the only constant in life. As I sat with the voice behind “Butterfly,” the song that above everything else has been a roaring hit in the music scene recently, the topic of this was thethe unexpected came up time and time againmaintopic of interest between us two.This month I give to you the gift of a voicethat has everyone listening-meet Alana Payet.

DULUX, let’s colour! The trend & inspiration of colours With Elaine LaFortune It is common practice in Seychelles thatfor most homes and offices to beare painted of the same colour on all four walls. This is believed to be due to the lack of colour choices in the past. For this reason, painters were not necessarily exposed to modern colour trends. Explore paint colours and colour schemes… With the introduction of the Dulux Paint Centre in Seychelles, customerscan now have the choice of over 4,000 different coloursthat flow well together.With the Dulux paint, it is just divineto see how everyone and everything interacts. Many people love to be surrounded by beautiful things because they bring joy in these turbulent times. By introducing gentle and soothing tones of colours into your homes, offices or other work places, they are bound to enhance your passion about life and work to restore your sense of wonder. Soothing colours willin no doubt uplift your spirit and help you reconnect with the things that sometimes you sometimes take for granted. Looking for colour? Get inspired. At the Dulux Paint Centre, situated at Rue de Quinssy, Providence, there is a dedicated and passionate team of sales personnel that will guide you through the modern way of paintingmodern painting essentials and assist you in choosing any colour of your choicethe colours right for you. Colours that are not ready-made can be mixed in less than five5 minutes. This is due to the advanced computerised tinting machine that can guarantee consistency of colours all the timeevery time. Remember, only Dulux Bases are formulated for tinting to the exact Dulux colour you select. We keep records of all customers and their colours of paint made so that when you come back, say 10 years later, we would be able to provide you with the same high quality and colour of paint that you would haveoriginally purchased. This is why we are different and better than the rest. Discover different colour combinations without lifting a brush. We have spoken and written about different kinds and types of Dulux paints in previous editorials. This is because we go beyond simply

supplying paints for Interior and Exterior surfaces. We go far beyond that. Our sales team is trained to guide any customer in choosing the appropriate paint to best suit the wide range of applications with particular attention to where your building is located. For example, if your house or building is located at an elevated area or uphill, close to lots of high vegetation and humidity, we would recommend the Dulux wall-guard because of its added fungicide that arrests growth and development of the common pinkish to yellowing fungus growth. Create a stir in your home with Dulux Paint Why not bring together colours that complement each other perfectly? What was once impossible with other paint brands is now possible with Dulux. Colour scheming is the first step to successful design. It’s about selecting the colours that work well together - and well for you. At the Dulux Paint Centre, we know just how to help you with that. Not sure what colour you need? Colours are generally seen in the context of other colours, which means that how you combine them is important. At the Dulux Paint Centre, we are able to provide you with the colours you can use that work well together to create balance and reflect your personal style. By using the colour chart or fandeck, you can see how colours work together and produce coordinating schemes for your home. What is your colour mood? Colour is a language with many moods. The colour palette you choose should be one that pleases you - so you have all the time you need to look at your space, and think about the type of feeling you want to create for you and for your office or home. Make any room brighter and more spacious If you’ve ever admired someone else’s interior decorating, but haven’t quite had the know-how to try it yourself, then a Dulux Colour Consultant at the Dulux Paint Centre can assist you. We are fully qualified with the experience to help you achieve your dream home make-over with confidence. For more information, pay us a quick visit at the Dulux Paint Centre, Providence or give us a call on 4374919. Be inspired and keep up with the trends.

Photo credit; http://www.dulux.com.au

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FASHION 44

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Line Mancienne | 26 A definite NO-NO is?

I stick to my one fashion rule of no over-accessorizing.

A brief description of your fashion style would be:

I would describe it as random. For me it’s having fun while looking effortlessly good.

A good fashion sense means?

Dressing the way you like and wearing what makes you look good and feel fabulous about yourself.

Her Shoes

What’s your number one fashion rule?

No over-accessorizing. Accessories should compliment an outfit, accentuating your overall look, not overwhelming it.

Which celebrity would top your ‘best dressed’ list? I don’t follow celebrity fashion, thus I can’t really name one.

What’s your favourite item in your wardrobe? My shoes, more specifically my high heels.

Do you have something from when you were 15 in your wardrobe? No, nothing that I can think of.

What colour is dominant in your wardrobe?

It’s more of a balance between black for evening wear, and a myriad of colours in casual wear.

Your favourite place to shop?

I don’t have a favourite place as such. It’s wherever I see something I like. That can either be here or overseas.

Are you a high heels/flats or sneakers girl?

They say, “give a girl the right shoes, and she can conquer the world,” and for me that’s high heels. There’s nothing more stylish than a gorgeous pair of high heels!

Your favourite designer?

I’m not too brand-minded; sure I like a nice designer watch and shades for their quality, but I won’t let myself be defined by labels.

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FASHION

Get Her Look Vanessa Hudgens is known for her role as Gabriella Montez in the Disney movie High School Musical. Now, however, she is well on her way to being a Hollywood fashion icon due to her ‘bohemian chic’ style. Vanessa’s style is easy, earthy, comfortable and sometimes a little edgy. One thing for sure though, is that she definitely knows how to rock it! Here we have her in long maxi skirt with two slits on the front, this daring piece of clothing along with her heeled boots bring a little edge to her look, while her cute floppy hat brings a feminine touch to the outfit. Surprisingly these two aspects don’t clash; instead they form the perfect casual outfit. Skirt: D’s Fashion | SR495 Crochet Top: D’s Fashion | SR450 Necklace: Quatre Epices | SR300 Shoes: D’s Fashion | SR595 Floppy Hat: Forever Young | SR350 Handbag: D’s Fashion | SR295

with Ms Jules

EAR CUFFS

Ear cuffs are slowly making their way up the “must have” accessory list. This ear piece takes many different forms, made from silver, gold or stainless steel. This jewelry piece will definitely add an edge to your look.

Plain and simple, that’s exactly what a “wide” ear cuff is, nothing bold, or extravagant but still chic. The great thing about these simple ear cuffs is that you can wear other ear jewelry without it being too overwhelming and showy.

If you prefer something a little more edge but you don’t want to overdo it, then I suggest an ear cuff with a chain. These ear cuffs are more common than the rest. Usually with these types of ear cuffs you need a piercing– as seen in the picture.

Want to make a statement? Instead of going for a necklace or a bracelet; try a jeweled ear cuff...add a little edge to that classic up do. Extravagant ear cuffs like these come in different styles, some include large coloured feathers while others are shaped to look like a dragon circling your ear. All I know is that these over the top ear pieces will definitely put your ears in the lime-light.

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www.pinterest.com

Vanessa Hudgens

Corinne Adolphe (20)

MAKE-OVER

Martin Hoarau’s Hairdressing Occupation: Student General hair routine: Very minimal with my school hours. Last trip to the hairdressers: A month before this make-over. Make-Up Routine: I wear make-up when I go out but I keep it very light. I need a make-over… to get over the exam stress! What I am expecting from it: To simply shine.

BEFORE

Hair (with Martin) “I will keep Corinne’s length but the back will be heavily layered with short layers. An asymmetric fringe will be thrown in the mix to keep things modern and hip.”

For booking, call Martin Hoarau Hairdressing on 4325186

for AFTER photo go to page 53

Make up (with Sophie) “Corinne’s flawless skin only needed some foundation to even out the tone. Concealer was not necessary. I mixed some pink tones and a dark purple for her eyes. A dash of pal lipgloss finished off the youthful vibe of her make-up”.

For booking, call Sophie on 2793300

The Team

1. Hair: Martin Hoarau | 2. Make Up: Sophie Pool | 3. Photography: Alvin Abel AUGUST 2014 | POTPOURRI

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Foundation perfects and protects the skin and with the right formula and shade, anyone can have a smooth complexion that looks naturally healthy and flawless.

Choosing the right formula

Foundations come in various formulas and finishes designed to suit different skin types and personal preferences. Ideally, choose your foundation to match your skin type.

For dull, dry or more mature skin look for a hydrating foundation to moisturise the skin and keep it looking dewy and soft. For a sheer coverage choose a tinted moisturiser and for medium to full coverage opt for a creamy, liquid or mousse-like formula. Do not pick a powder or matte finish as the skin will end up looking older, drier and chalky. For oily skins needing a smoother matte complexion, choose a

foundation with oil absorbing formulation. Opt for oil free or mattifying foundations which can help control excess sebum and keep complexions shine free.

Choosing the right shade

The perfect foundation should look like you are not wearing any! If your shade is too dark, your skin will look orange and if it’s too light, you will appear washed out. The right shade means the shade that matches perfectly to your own skin colour, not to look more tanned. Try a foundation with a yellow undertone as this tends to work best for most skins. Pink or peach undertones though still widely available can look old fashioned and unnatural. The best way to select the perfect shade is to select 3 colours from the same range closest to your skin tone. Apply a small strip of each of the 3 shades from the lower cheek to the jaw line [not your wrist or the back

BEAUTY

F o u s n s e d l a w ti o n a l

of your hand!] Blend the strips lightly into the skin and check in natural daylight. The shade which seems to disappear into your own skin is the best one for you. Stepping out of a shop and artificial lighting with a small hand mirror before you make your final choice, may well save you a costly mistake.

Application

Apply foundation on clean, smooth and moisturised skin. Foundation does not look great on dry, flaky skin so ensure that you exfoliate regularly to help ensure a smooth, professional finish. Apply foundation with fingers, soft sponge or a brush and use it sparingly so the skin does not end up looking cakey in texture.

Tip

In hot humid climates, whatever your skin type, the use of a primer over your moisturiser and under your foundation will help to control shine and ensure that your make up stays put and looks polished for longer.

What about BB creams?

Can foundation be replaced with a BB cream? The much hyped BB [blemish balm or beauty balm] is a multi function wonder product which will moisturise and even out the complexion like a tinted moisturiser as well as cover minor imperfections and redness like a concealer and protect with an SPF. The BB cream does not offer the same coverage as a foundation but it is definitely worth a try for women who still regard foundation as too “heavy” for their skin especially in the heat but would still like some light coverage. It’s also a great choice for younger women and teenagers who probably have near perfect skin anyway but wish to even out their skin tone, control shine and have the benefit of an SPF in one convenient product. Although available for various skin types, the biggest disadvantage to date is that the shades on offer are very limited, namely light, medium or dark and these may not look natural on all skin tones.

What our readers love Black Up Fluid Foundation. It works perfectly with a touch of powder. I also use a CC cream from the same brand when I wish to have lighter coverage. Maryse P. MAC Prep and Prime Cream Beauty Balm SPF 35 for a flawless finish. I opt for MAC Studio Fix powder for a quick fix. Aisha R. MAC moisturising face cream followed by either Body Shop BB Cream (perfect for the hot humid weather and a natural finish) or Calvin Klein foundation (for the days you need some extra help!). Sarah L. Fashion Fair True Finish foundation. I love it because it’s mineral based, fragrance-free and it matches my skin tone perfectly. M-Angele T. Maybelline Mousse Cocoa does wonders, followed by Black-Up powder. Christy L. SLEEK luminous pressed powder SPF15. Audrey P. Younique. It’s awesome stuff and great for high humidity. Kim R.

The shade which seems to disappear into your own skin is the best one for you.

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

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HEALTH

VIEW FROM THE STATION

WHAT YOU RESIST PERSISTS ....while ACCEPTANCE sets you free By Jenny Gilbert There was a time in my life when I couldn’t get angry enough to express my sadness or frustration nor could I let go the conditions that were fuelling these feelings. During those times of strife it seemed that no matter what I did the problem escalated exponentially, day by day. Until I let go, and everything changed. I started seeing possibilities that were just not in my vision before, met people who could enlighten me in ways I could not imagine, and started breathing again, bathed in joy and rewarded by a freedom I had not believed possible. I still struggle at times because I’m human, but with age and direction

from some invaluable sources, I’m getting better and better at Acceptance which feels so much more comfortable than resistance. Provided by one of my mentors, “What you resist persists,” really is a very priceless and useful reminder to just let go of what I cannot change. When I apply the principle, when I stop the resistance, harmony flows. Every time. But there is a trick to Acceptance, as you will see if you read on. We live in a universe which is constantly changing, correcting, balancing and harmonizing. It must, because universal law dictates that we need opposites to survive. There is no way for us to be permanently happy.

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HEALTH

In this example how would we know we are happy if we do not know what unhappiness is? How could we detect what is cold if we haven’t experienced hot? What would our experience of life be if we didn’t know right from wrong, up from down? It is so easy to respond to unpalatable situations with non-acceptance mainly because it’s so tough to have to deal with unpleasantries. Feeling unworthy, unloved, misunderstood, unjustly treated, unappreciated and worse is not exactly what anyone wants or looks forward to experiencing. While it’s easy for others, not directly experiencing the situation, to glibly suggest for us to let go of whatever it is that is unsettling us, it isn’t always that simple. It can be quite challenging to accept that whatever has happened has already passed and there is really nothing at all we can do about it except to learn from it and take another direction. Incredibly we often want to hold onto situations that cause us pain and anxiety – but why? Imagine being on a journey and finding ourselves in a most unsavoury, horrible place. Would we stay just to prove that it is a dreadful place to be in? Hardly likely. So what makes us stick to our unpleasant experiences? What prohibits us from leaving them behind? What stops us from simply letting go in search of greener pastures or more meaningful experiences? I believe that Acceptance is all about first accepting that we create our experiences and until we acknowledge this simple truth, we may forever struggle to let go of what ails us. If one observes that letting go often uncovers some hidden jewel that is just waiting to be discovered, we understand that everything that happens in our lives is by our own design. This might not sit comfortably with some, however my work in this field over decades has never ceased to confirm this for me. I am constantly being informed, through my own experiences, that I am the master of my reality, the architect and driver on the journey. This then begs the question: why might we create situations that we won’t like? Well, if one doesn’t exactly plot a destination with all the details along the way, the subconscious (ego) automatically inserts its little bits of excitement or adventure from the database that it has to hand. It doesn’t discern what is nice or not, what is good or bad, what we might enjoy or won’t! Next time something doesn’t go just right for you, consider that your ego is doing everything it can to assist you to get to where you really want to be. The only difference here is that you probably have not been specific about the details along the way or perhaps you aren’t working diligently enough on a successful destination. Leaving anything up to the subconscious/ego to do the seeding of your dreams and aspirations is of course negligent so it shouldn’t surprise you that you’re growing weeds instead of cherries! In Acceptance, we are reminded that anything unpleasant must have a pleasant opposite. Whilst we might endeavour only to have wonderful things happen in our lives, this is a pretty impossible feat and besides, we would stop experiencing and learning anything were this our reality.

Accepting our responsibility as creator of our reality opens doorways for growth and discovery of new territories for us to venture into, in which disappointments can be seen as opportunities. When we are willing explore this as a means to perceive problems differently, we shift into Acceptance and start living life more fully. Let’s not forget that life is a journey that constantly provides us with opportunities to live in balance. Without doubt, and on a regular basis, we will find ourselves facing challenges that we’d rather not deal with but must in order to regain balance. By resisting what we don’t like, we multiply its effect, amplify its disturbance and allow it to reside with us – or rather allow ourselves to live with it. Therefore an integral part of embracing Acceptance is learning to be in Integrity with Gratitude, Humility and Grace in Abundance! When we become aware of our feelings, thoughts and actions according to these simple virtues, we automatically pass information to our subconscious mind that is new, fresh and informative and which helps our ego to create situations that are in line with our true values. When this new behaviour becomes habitual, we experience subtle shifts in our consciousness which allows us to more easily accept responsibility for the things that aren’t always perfect. Through the practice of this conscious thinking we find it much easier to go with the flow and allow people or situations to ‘float’ away by creating space for them to leave us. We start becoming more diligent in our constant thinking and more aware of how our thinking creates the very situations that we find ourselves resisting. Choosing to let go of whatever makes us feel uneasy is one of the quickest solutions to living in a state of Grace and Balance. In the Virtues system, once we accept that we are Abundant, naturally in Grace, able to act in Humility, allow Gratitude and Integrity to enrich our experiences and to help us create a life worth living according to our highest good, Acceptance flows more easily. By far more satisfying and harmonizing, Acceptance of any situation enables us to shift into a proactive, rather than reactive position and in this state of Grace, we find solutions to bring back Balance. Starting right now, identify what is happening in your life which does not feel good for you, which you’d rather let go of, or which you’d like to simply fade away. You got to this place by your own choice, and you can leave or let it go any time you wish to. Whatever it is that you are holding onto that causes you pain or anguish, that holds you back from truly thriving, thank yourself for creating this lesson (even if you don’t know what it is yet) and choose to move on. Soon it will become less prominent in your world and you will be surprised at what is just waiting in the wings to take its place.

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.

AUGUST 2014 | POTPOURRI

MAKE-OVER

R E T F A

Corinne says, ‘It’s different. It’s the first time I’m done up like this. I’m very happy with it.”

AUGUST 2014 | POTPOURRI

Better Living

With Célia Ponzo

THE JUDGE IN YOU... EVERYTHING IS RELATIVE AND EVERY ACTION TAKEN IS FOR A REASON. EVERY MISTAKE TEACHES US A LESSON AND IF WE OR OTHER PEOPLE DO NOT MAKE MISTAKES HOW ARE WE MEANT TO LEARN?

How many of you wear the judge’s hat once in a while? Can you count how many times a day you judge yourself and others?

What does it mean to judge?

met easily pour their heart out at me, I now realise it is because I am just someone who doesn’t judge and it is one of the qualities I can say I have and that people are constantly telling me about myself. Many of us are constantly wondering whether what we are doing is right or wrong. We may have an instinct to do something but we know it is wrong, so we do not do it and if we go for it then we feel guilty for doing it. Too often do we try and impose universal theories and situations to every situation we are in. We try and adapt what we believe is right or wrong in a completely different context and when we see it doesn’t happen the way it should we remain bitter, we judge and label someone in a particular category. Everything is relative and every action taken is for a reason. Every mistake teaches us a lesson and if we or other people do not make mistakes how are we meant to learn? Some reasons why you should think twice before you judge:

• Incomplete information Before judging someone, make sure that you know all facts about this person. Maybe you don’t know the whole story, that’s why it would be better not to make a judgment.

• Nobody is perfect Another main reason why we shouldn’t judge other people is that none of us is perfect. When you criticize someone’s behaviour, think over what this person has done that is really bad. You must also consider that maybe he or she has reasons to do what he or she has done.

• Tolerance Being more tolerant is a good feature to have. Maybe you don’t approve of what other people have done, but unless it’s really something awful, don’t judge them! Live and let live! Everyone makes mistakes, so accept.

• Appearances are often deceptive It is one of the most obvious reasons why we should not judge other people. We often think that we know what’s going on, but actually we don’t.

• Different tastes Essentially, to judge means to make a decision whether something is right or wrong. This If you don’t like it, you shouldn’t think that judgement is based on principles we grew up with and moral values we were taught as children. other people don’t like it too. We disapprove Other times, the environment we live in also contributes to shaping the way we judge a certain of things which we, ourselves, don’t like or situation. do. Even if we try and be open-minded and not judge others or ourselves it is nearly impossible to • You define yourself do so completely, we may not speak the words out loud, we may not show our judgement but When you judge other people, you don’t unconsciously we have already labelled a situation. We have been so well wired and intertwined all define them, you actually define yourself. these years with expectations, situations we see as right or wrong that to just let go of everything we consider as good or bad is just not simple. Next time before you label someone or a Some of us are more judgemental than others, we can acknowledge that and what we can do is situation think twice before doing so! take a moment to see things a little more objectively; in somewhat a detached manner. It is not easy and it takes practice to do so. Look at the people around you, your family, friends, loved ones I am sure you already know which ones you can turn to for anything in the world and which ones you simply do not even go to not because you love them less Célia is passionate to inspire happier and healthier lives by but simply because you know they may judge you in a way or another. sharing holistic tips to her public. Her background is in medical I have many very close friends, I love them all to the moon and back but anthropology and public health. She is currently working in there are only a couple of them which I will share absolutely everything the nutrition unit at the ministry of health. about me. I also know that most of my friends come to me to share things, not because I am their favourite but simply because I must send off my nonjudging energy to them. I sometimes wonder why people who I have just

AUGUST 2014 | POTPOURRI

Where is my Father? Q:

To Marry or Not Q:

Dear Annalisa My child was conceived out of an inappropriate love affair (which took me five seconds too late to realise). Financially, the father looks after her but our understanding is that she can never know about him. She is now 6 years old and her questions about ‘Daddy’ are more frequent and more pleading. I used to tell her that he simply didn’t exist but now she’s beginning to understand that she should have a ‘Daddy.’ How far do I stretch this lie? Molly, 28

Dear Annalisa, My partner and I have been together for 29 years and we have two teenage daughters. We both had previous short failed marriages which is why we decided never to get married. Our daughters are now pleading for us to get married. Do we do it for the kids? Micheline, 51

A: Dear Molly,

To wed or not to wed, for the kids? Or should I say for the family? I get the impression here, that you believe “marriage,” per se, to be the deal breaker in your previous relationships. I believe this is debatable considering all the other possible factors that could have been at play in your previous relationships? Some of which may have been age, maturity, level of commitment, interests, needs, communication, and many more. Where, for various reasons, you may be satisfied with the status of your relationship, your daughters may be wanting more, for various other reasons. Take this opportunity to find out what it means to them to have an unmarried couple as parents. Find out also what being married would mean to them. They could see it as creating more stability, more security, or of more permanence. Or they could really want to get all dressed up, feel really special as beautiful bridesmaids, and have a really big party. All good!!

On a day to day basis, we make and take decisions, some of which have profound effects (positive or negative) on our lives. Now in the ideal world with the ideal skills we would all do the ideal thing(s) of accepting all our parts in the decision and take on all our responsibilities that come with the situations. Unfortunately, the world and our ways are far from ideal. What we find, as adults, is that we sometimes make decisions that have profound effects on those more vulnerable, especially our children. The thing here (if you permit me to say bluntly) is the blatant lie to your child. How can she not have a “father” or that he “didn’t exist”? That is simply not possible. It is biologically impossible. Even your 6-year-old child knows that. Which is probably why she asks frequently, to the point of pleading; because she knows it cannot be. Therefore she searches for a more realistic explanation. If as two consenting adults, you have taken your decision and come to that agreement, that is fine for you. However, it doesn’t automatically translate to, “that is fine” by or for your daughter. Your daughter has her own emotional needs that require to be met with care, just as you both find it important to cater for her physical needs. This situation is obviously one that has created inconveniences for you, as adults. Having said that, does that mean that it can only be managed by the use of lies? What are you teaching and modeling to your daughter through this lie? Do you then turn around and expect her to be honest and not lie to you? As a 6-year old she knows it’s unrealistic to never have had a father. Your daughter is more likely to understand that her father does not live with her, and that her family is made up differently from most other families. I’m sure a little reassurance that she will have a better understanding of life and its circumstances as she gets older, will go a lot further than that lie. Here’s hoping you can choose to soften the truth rather than stretch this lie.

A: Dear Micheline,

“TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO FIND OUT WHAT IT MEANS TO THEM TO HAVE AN UNMARRIED COUPLE AS PARENTS”. The point being, that as parents you need to get to the core of the matter. The girls have a request that needs to be adequately explored. With greater insight into their needs you may provide the necessary reassurance to any unhelpful thinking or assumptions. The discussion will also allow you to provide your stance and opinions. In that case, everyone gets to talk, others get to listen. Everyone is heard on the matter. At which time you can make a final decision based on what seems best for your whole family. As a side remark, bear in mind that had your previous marriages not failed, you two may not have known a relationship spanning over 29 years with two (assumingly wonderful) teenage daughters. Happy deliberating, to wed or not to wed.

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.

AUGUST 2014 | POTPOURRI

AGONY AUNT

Dear Annalisa ......

PARENTING

My Daily Dose of Spirituality This year I decided to increase my soulfulness and spirituality practice with an altar. Some call it a shrine and some a meditation place, but don’t mistake it for your vanity dresser filled with all your favorite pretty things and people in vintage frames.

AUGUST 2014 | POTPOURRI

I was raised a Catholic, went to church every Sunday, was schooled by Irish nuns and went to confession, twice a week, until I was around eighteen18 years old. Then I left the nest. With this strong religious background I developed the solid foundations of ethics, love and kindness, taught at Sunday sschool Bible readings. I also learnt discipline from sitting still, learning my prayers and acknowledging from a young age that there is something greater and far more powerful working around us, and for us, as a human race. Ialso learnt how to speak to my inner guidance through prayers and rituals,; allowing that connection to what is going on inside (the body, the mind, the spirit). I now don’t practice a religion per seay., I respect and recognisze them and understand their place in this world. But now my religion is love, faith and kindness. A belief system that puts these three pillars first in each and every situation. Some may think I am a little ‘loony’ but it works., I have still christened my children and have started doing prayers before going to sleep. However instead of starting with “‘Dear God..” ’ we start with “Dear Universe”’ or “‘ To AAll the powers that be’” or “’ Dear Guides of the Highest Truth...”’ Will I put them in a Catholic school? I’m not sure. Will I make them go to mass every Sunday?, Tthat’s debatable. Will I ensure they know all the Bbible stories?, Yyes, I will. Just like if they wanted to read the QuKaran, The Jewish Torah, or The Hindu Vedas, to name a few, for their studies. It is not about choosing a religious discipline for them to follow but being a mentor for your own spirituality and then providing the opportunity for them to seek their own spiritual wisdom that they connect with, to start their journey. How can I do this for a three 3 year old, you say? Should we not be placing them in a spiritual routine to allow them to learn from one religion and then embrace young adulthood with some sort of foundation? Yes you may be right, but allowing them to know and research what is out there will sway them for being boxed in;, they will less likely develop prejudice, or a one level and structured way to see the many individual methods people want seek to see the powers beyond the physical. If they start with a neutral foundation they will more likely grow spiritually at a faster rate. This year I decided to increase my soulfulness and spirituality practice with an altar. Some call it a shrine and some a meditation place, but

4. UPKEEP

Make it beautiful, a reflection from the inside out, keeping it clean and fresh. Don’t allow it to become a dump for just anything. Keep car keys, shopping lists and other clutter away from it. Dust it often, each item. Change it as often as you like. Place and swap items. Dedicating that space solely to Sspirit is a powerful tool to remind YOU to keep your spirit clean as well. If you are neglecting your altar, ask yourself if you are also neglecting your sspiritual life.? Once you’ve created your own personal altar, use it! You might meditate in front of it, bring flowers to brighten it up, or just look at it on your way out the door for an extra lift, smile and prayer before you start your workday. I light an incense stick every morning and set my intention, letting the smoke into the air carry my intention into the universe. Nathalie Hodgson is Seychelloise living in Qatar. She is a yoga instructor, tourism consultant, freelance writer, Doterra oils wellness advocate and budding naturopath. Eager to spread as much love, joy and happiness to all that she meets and inspire endless possibilities for creation for a better more peaceful world. Get in contact with her on FB:EssentialoilsDoterraDoha

1. THE SPACE

Clear a dedicated area of your home, for example a room, a corner, a table, or the shelf of a bookcase, that willto be solely used for this spiritual purpose. Committing space symbolizes that you are allocating a percentage of space for Spirit, for growth. It will also help you to create the time within your life for Spirit as well, because you are committing to the idea behind it.

2. YOUR ITEMS

There are no wrong things to put on your altar. Take time, care and consideration when choosing them. Choose items which are important to you. On my altar for example I have my pendulum, Tibetan bells, malas, my crystals, a jade pendant with a snake that my parents gave me for my birthday from the gift shop of the largest Buddha statue in the world (in Hong Kong), a fan from Thailand with a picture of an elephant, some scented candles, and anm empty bottle of essential oil (to resemble my business and my love for oils), a fish incense stick holder, an statue of an elephant with a baby one inside its belly (motherhood). I also surround the table with lots of plants as I love nature (and live in the desert) so I miss the greenery very much. As an island girl I also treasure my homeland Seychelles so I have the Coco de Mer key ring and a sticker with the national flag. You could place pictures of gGods and gGurus, seeds, your favourite books, leafs, photos that make you smile, poems, letters…, the list goes on. It really is anything that inspires you or, touches your heart. Be creative, play and enjoy it:, it’s uniquely you.

3. ARRANGE YOUR ALTAR

Your altar doesn’t have to please anyone but you, so only choose what YOU like. Place everything with intention. Intend for each item to represent your spiritual realm, your beliefs and faith and for the altar itself to be a powerful, sacred place for you. Some keep their vision board on it. It should serve as a constant reminder of the values you are brining into your life every day.

NoahTurns Name: Noah, Angelo, Nel Almaze Birthday: 17th August From: Mum and Dad, (Marsha and Angelo) They say: “He is our angel, our gift from heaven and he has brought so much love and happiness in our lives. His million dollar smile reminds us that we have something perfect in our life; our very own prince charming.” ‘In collaboration with Chanterelle Bookshop’

AUGUST 2014 | POTPOURRI

PARENTING

don’t mistake it for your vanity dresser filled with all your favorite pretty things and people in vintage frames. Altars signify that you are serious about creating rituals, which are conscious actions that connect you more intimately with your belief system. The power of a ritual will turn your belief system into action (without you even knowing it). The altar will become a reflection of your unique values and higher purpose. Sounds spooky,? Wwell, it is. I have visited many yoga studios and master yogis’ homes and observed their shrines. I have watched my mentors online speak about the purpose of not only vocalising your values but making them real. Turning them into habits, to perform every day, allowing ourselves to grow spiritually. Walking into the room where you have created your altar will remind you of your clear decisions in life, giving you a visual focus, and it may even shift your mood. Starting your morning every day with positive intentions (through mediation) or just a passing thought, it may seem a little unorthodox, but it is the first step. My altar ultimately serves as my focal point for meditation, my sanctuary where I can go to for peace, serenity and connection. Not as a mum of two, wife, sister, daughter, yoga teacher or , writer but me, just me, where I can just BE. As Yogi Bhajan says: “The care you give the external environment, your altar, is a sign and symbol to the mind of your intention. The outer reflects the inner, if the place of meditation is sloppy, it usually means you do not value relating to that Infinite Self, or you value it, but do not believe in it or yourself. When traveling, you do your best to bring a sense of specialness with you to wherever you meditate.” So here is how I created mine and hope that this inspires you to do your own, so your children can learn from your spiritual practices to grow brighter each day.

The Smoothie Queen Hey all! The sun is in the sky and sunny days couldn’t be better…unless you add in some delicious summer smoothies! Whether you’re lazing in the garden or at a BBQ with friends, the right smoothie can feel like an angel on a hot day. These light and fun recipes will take you to your very own smoothie heaven anytime on a sunny day. Before you reach for those ice creams, try something new with these smoothies. They are super tasty and keep you hydrated. For a nice alternative to ice, you could add further flavour by pouring cranberry, orange or apple juice into ice trays and forming fruity ice cubes. When they melt they can also add an extra zest to the smoothie.

Mili’s Summer Pine Crush! ~ Sunny Madness~ Ingredients:

7 strawberries 2 slices of pineapple 1/2 orange 1/2 lemon 2 tablespoons of honey 1/2 cup natural Greek yoghurt Handful of basil leaves

Method:

Place strawberries, pineapple, honey, yoghurt and basil leaves into a blender. Squeeze juice from the 1/2 orange and 1/2 lemon into the blender, too, and process until silky smooth. Serve in a frosted glass with ice (or fruity ice)!

Mili’s Tropical Cooler! ~ Summer in a Glass~ Ingredients:

2 persimmons (a.k.a. kaki) 1 lemon 1/2 cup Natural Greek Yoghurt 1 tablespoon of honey

Method:

Place persimmons, yoghurt and honey into the blender. Squeeze the juice from your lemon into the blender with the rest of your ingredients and hit blend! Process until you get a smooth texture. For an extra smooth smoothie, pass it through a strainer to get rid of any thick pulp. Serve in a frosted glass with ice. 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.

AUGUST 2014 | POTPOURRI

Many people love to wear fragrances; they make us smell good and feel good. But underneath those beautiful scents lie the smell of danger! Fragrances are volatile compounds and are constantly released into the air, causing air pollution, particularly in closed indoor spaces. The synthetic nature of most fragrances is what makes them problematic – many of the human-made compounds found in any one product can cause negative side effects on the body, including irritability, allergies, mental vagueness, muscle pain, asthma, bloating, joint aches, sinus pain, fatigue, sore throat, and burning or itching skin irritations. Also most of the chemicals found in fragrances are derived from fossil fuels, which are harmful to the environment when being extracted and transported. Most perfumes contain toxic chemicals that are potent polluters as they have an uncanny ability to persist and accumulate in the environment. If these chemicals get into the environment through wastewater, sewage, or evaporation, they can be very dangerous to fish and contaminate the water supply that humans drink from. If they get into the drinking water supply, they can cause serious side effects. Because of these environmental risks, along with health risks, it is important to stay away from harmful perfumes to help preserve a healthy planet. Going without is always an alternative but here are a few other tips on how to change this reality:

1. Switch to essential oils

Essential oils carry the essence of the plants in such a potent form that a single drop of essential oil can equal multiple teaspoons of the dried herb. They are natural, and have less impact on the environment. As a word of caution, just make sure that the essential oil is being harvested sustainably, and that the oil does not come from a plant on the brink of extinction. For example, the commercial essential oil of rosewood (A. rosaeodora) comes from a tree at risk of extinction, so that will be one to avoid. Also, just because it is it natural, does not mean you cannot be allergic, so use with caution. Use only pure essential oils on your body; oils that have been extracted with a cold-press process, rather than solvents.

BECAUSE OF THESE ENVIRONMENTAL RISKS, ALONG WITH HEALTH RISKS, IT IS IMPORTANT TO STAY AWAY FROM HARMFUL PERFUMES TO HELP PRESERVE A HEALTHY PLANET. 2. Encourage fragrance-free/less-toxic workplaces and public buildings:

Some people are really sensitive to perfumes. Some people protect themselves by increasing ventilation, by wearing an activated charcoal filter mask, or by using a portable air filtration device. But all in all, controlling the pollution source is still preferable. Voluntary programs work the best, but sometimes, only a mandatory scent-free policy may come close to working.

4. Choose fragrance-free products

A variety of fragrance-free products are available in the market place; just make the effort and read the labels carefully. As a rule of thumb, if you cannot pronounce the ingredients, don’t buy it. Purchase truly fragrancefree and less-toxic products, and inform your grocer, pharmacist, and other vendors of your buying preference. Encourage friends, family, and colleagues to do the same.

5. Use Sparingly

If you’re addicted to a certain fragrance and just need to use it upon your body, use it very sparingly because you probably don’t know about all of the ingredients contained therein. That light use will help you keep your perfume around longer, as well as lowering your carbon footprint. As a final thought, choosing to go au natural, without any perfumes or fragrances, is always the best bet. Take a shower every day using an unscented soap, and you won’t need to wear the perfumes to quell your natural scents. Useful Web links: The effect of perfume on the environment http://kktbgreenliving.blogspot.com/2008/11/perfume-effect-environment. html Alternatives to synthetic perfumes http://www.jessainscough.com/2013/02/the-best-natural-perfumes/

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.

3. Simplicity

When picking out a fragrance, choose the one with the simplest and easiest to understand ingredients. If you don’t recognize the ingredient and don’t know what it does, maybe it shouldn’t be put on your skin. If you’re unsure of a perfume, take a look at EWG’s Safe Cosmetics Database to find the safest cosmetics to use (http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/).

AUGUST 2014 | POTPOURRI

CONSERVATION

Fragrances: A Growing Environmental Hazard

DINING

An evening at the Boathouse By Isabelle Houareau Boathouse is one of those icons on Beau Vallon beach that seems to have been around for as long as most people remember. It has also been a particularly faithful dining option when we have visiting friends over from abroad â&#x20AC;&#x201C; somewhere we know they will enjoy authentic creole food in a casual setting, and where they can happily sport their flips flops and sunburnt noses without feeling out of place. That said, now having dined at Boathouse with the intention of writing a magazine review, I discovered much more behind the island-style facade many people visualise when they think of Boathouse.

AUGUST 2014 | POTPOURRI

SERVICE

Traditionally an all-male service team, it was a pleasure to meet the ever so charismatic assistant manager, MoĂŻsette, who was kind enough to share with us some inside knowledge of her beloved place of work. Certainly ranking amongst the top three restaurants in Seychelles for service with a smile, as far as speed is concerned Boathouse does have the advantage of being a buffet restaurant at night. Upon arrival, once you have made your beverage order you are invited to help yourself as many times as your appetite allows. The boathouse service team consists of staff who have worked their way up from peeling garlic and chopping onions; they know the place and its operations like the back of their hand and they know what has gone into each dish.

DINING

“THE BOATHOUSE SERVICE TEAM CONSISTS OF STAFF WHO HAVE WORKED THEIR WAY UP FROM PEELING GARLIC AND CHOPPING ONIONS; THEY KNOW THE PLACE AND ITS OPERATIONS LIKE THE BACK OF THEIR HAND AND THEY KNOW WHAT HAS GONE INTO EACH DISH”. FOOD

The buffet is served on the restaurant’s signature Pirogue, the traditional Seychelles oar-powered longboat, embellished daily with fresh local foliage from one of the kitchen team’s own garden. The menu is consistent and local: a selection of seasonal fresh and cooked vegetables, salads and chutneys with a choice of dressings, coconut curries, fritters, whole grilled fish and tuna steaks. Aside from a minimal number of hardto-come by ingredients which are imported, the menu truly reflects what is naturally available on the island. The boathouse prides itself on using fresh coconuts despite the canned alternative now available locally. “The first thing you see as you walk into our [kitchen] store is a big pile of coconuts!” says Moïsette. “Whenever I am asked if there are any short-term vacancies, I say, ‘Sure, come grate some coconuts for us!’”

AMBIANCE

We felt relaxed and at home. We enjoyed seeing the chefs at work in their open plan kitchen.

NEW TWISTS

Moïsette, for the record, says she can grate 10 coconuts in 10 minutes. As for dessert, given that I am a self-confessed chocaholic I am afraid Boathouse’s selection is not down my street for a meal out. On the other hand, if you are looking to enjoy our national sweets, Boathouse serves fine specimens of most of them: ladob, nougat, gato lafarinn mai - they are all there.

Though it was strictly an evening buffet option for a number of years, Boathouse now is also open for a la carte lunch and cocktails during the day. We were also told of an interesting development on the horizon: breakfast as of 7am, a soon-to-open Italian deli on the ground floor, and an Asian fusion restaurant on the top floor. Watch this space!

DECOR

Boathouse has a rather contemporary feel with its mixed furniture, intentionally mismatched table linen and eclectic mix of art, not forgetting its twig tree centre piece. You could go as far as saying that its furniture tells a story; having started off with a sand floor and picnic tables and benches (currently stationed by the new cocktail bar), patrons now sit on locally crafted wooden chairs with cushions.

AUGUST 2014 | POTPOURRI

BON APPETIT

Yellow Fin Tuna with Palm heart salad dressed with a Passion fruit sauce

This month La Plaine St Andre is delighted to introduce you with a fresh & healthy starter, a perfect dish for an evening between girls! Serve this with a fresh glass of Archipelago Wine & Spirit’s recommendation Chateau Auzias Cabernet Rose. There’s also the option of a Golden Passion Fruit Tonic à la Takamaka Bay for a great moment of entertaining!

Serves 4.

INGREDIENTS

400g fresh yellow fin tuna loin 500g palm heart 200g chopped tomatoes 200g chopped onions 200g chopped cucumber 10g chopped herbs

PASSION FRUIT SAUCE 4 fresh blended passion fruits 200 ml olive oil A pinch of sugar A pinch of salt & pepper

DRESSING

2 lemon wedges A green bouquet

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DIRECTION

Finely slice the fresh tuna loin. Place it into a circular mold. Mix the palm heart with the chopped tomatoes, onions, cucumber and then add a portion of the passion fruit sauce.

Dress with lemon wedges & a green bouquet. Now you are ready to enjoy your work!

Use a sing to layer the tuna slices and the palm heart salad to form a tower. Start with the tuna, then alternate with the palm heart salad until it totally fills up the mold. Remove the mold. Display on a plate, use the left over passion fruit sauce to drizzle around your dish.

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

only at Archipelago Wine & Spirits

Versus sweet rose Type of wine: Rose Producer: Stellenboch Vinayards Country: South Africa Tasting notes: Easy drinking ripe cassis and strawberry fruit aromas with hints of sweet muscat for a crisp clean finish on the palate. Food Pairing: Enjoy on its own or with a fruit salad Price: RS 88.55 (10% discount per bottle)

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

BON APPETIT

The Wine

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

The Cocktail

Island Mama

Takamaka Bayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s coco & white rums shaken with tropical orange & pineapple and spiced with bitters.

YOU WILL NEED A highball glass and a cocktail shaker Cubed ice One shot each of Takamaka Bayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Coco & White Rum Two shots each of orange and pineapple juice A dash of Angostura bitters

WHAT TO DO

Carefully measure all ingredients into the shaker Add cubed ice to the shaker and give it a shake to mix the flavours Fill your glass with ice and pour your cocktail Garnish with a wedge of orange or pineapple If you need to sweeten your drink further add a splash of sugar syrup (two parts sugar to one part boiling water)

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

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WEDDINGS IN PARADISE 64

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WEDDINGS IN PARADISE

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DESTINATION

Go to Cape Town

As the city’s sightseeing buses proudly proclaim “You don’t need a holiday, you need Cape Town’; Elle Magazine’s Lynette Botha tells us why. 66

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Boat Trip to Robben Island Hop aboard a ferry for a three and a half hour lesson in Robben Island history. Trips to Robben Island are guided by former political prisoners from the Island – who better to give you insight into what life was like back when South Africa was still under Apartheid government? The tour includes viewing the Lime Quarry, the army and navy bunkers and the Maximum Security Prison (home to thousands of South Africa’s freedom fighters for years) and finally, a viewing of the cell where Nelson Mandela spent 27 years of his life. Apart from all the cultural history you will learn, the view from the boat is magnificent, and gives you a completely other outlook of the city’s mountains and scenery. www.robben-island.org.za/

SEVEN THINGS YOU MUST DO IN CAPE TOWN: A trip up the Table Mountain cable car You cannot visit the city without venturing up Table Mountain, so ensure that it’s number one on your to-do list. The cable car runs every day (weather permitting) and offers you a view you will never forget. www.tablemountain.net

Jazz Festival

A LITTLE TASTE OF EVERYTHING Main: If you’re short on time, take a City Sightseeing ‘Hop-on, Hop-off’, which offers various tours and one- or two-day passes, and will take you on a drive to see the best of the city in a snapshot – from the CBD to the beaches to the mountains, winelands and even a township tour. www.citysightseeing.co.za

Greenpoint Stadium

IF YOU LIKE ADVENTURE For those who like to get their pulse racing, there are many adventure activities you can try in and around the city. From abseiling off Table Mountain, paragliding, sky diving and jet-skiing, to shark-cage diving, sand boarding, motor racing, extreme surfing and horse-riding. There are also great hiking and mountain biking routes and indoor climbing walls.

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens A trip to the gardens may not sound all that exciting, but Kirstenbosch is acclaimed as one of the best botanical gardens in the world (and the most beautiful garden in Africa). There are over 7,000 plant species in the gardens, an abundance of bird life and other small creatures. But what is most exciting is the newly-launched Treetop Canopy walkway. The Walkway weaves through the trees, immersing you in nature, with little openings that offer breathtaking views out over Cape Town, the surrounding mountains and the remainder of the gardens. A definite must-do. You can also pack your own picnic basket and have lunch in the gardens or visit one of the restaurants or coffee shops. In summer, Sunday sunset concerts are hosted weekly, featuring top South African bands. www.sanbi.org/gardens/kirstenbosch

Table Mountain Cableway The Two Oceans Aquarium Cape Town is the meeting point of two of the world’s most powerful oceans, the warm Indian and the icy Atlantic, so it’s no surprise that there is a diverse selection of marine life to be found in these parts, most unfortunately remain unseen. But, a trip to the aquarium will ensure you get to see up to 3,000 living sea species, including sharks, penguins, a plethora of fish and also turtles. If you’re brave enough, you can even dive in one of the main tanks, with the sharks, for an additional fee. http:// www.aquarium.co.za

The Victoria & Alfred Waterfront If you’d prefer to pick up some designer labels on your trip rather than cultural artifacts, The V&A Waterfront is the place for you. Located in Cape Town’s working harbor, in the heart of the city, the V&A is more than just a mall – it offers over 80 eateries, over 450 retail outlets (including international stores like Zara and Topshop, big brand names like Louis Vuitton and Gucci as well as local favourites and general stores) and many things to see and do. There are markets, craft workshops, children’s entertainment areas, cinemas and much more. www.waterfront.co.za

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DESTINATION

Listed as the number one city to visit this year, by The New York Times, and also as the host city for World Design Capital 2014, Cape Town is definitely having its moment. It’s long been hailed as one of the most cosmopolitan cities to live in and offers an abundance of natural splendours, including Table Mountain, one of the new seven wonders of the world, and some of the most beautiful beaches in South Africa. It’s rich in cultural history; from Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for several years, to the apartheid museum and district six – both areas focused on previous oppression in our country, and showing how far we’ve come in the last 20 years. The food is phenomenal and restaurants offer diverse flavours for every palate, from local curries and delicacies to more modern interpretations of classics and meals inspired by the rest of the globe. Cape Town has also become a big film industry hub, thanks to the affordable costs of filming in the city and the beauty and diversity of the locations all in one place. This year alone the city was home to superstars like Taylor Swift, Meryl Streep, Sean Penn, Charlize Theron, Rihanna and many others. Due to a decreasing exchange rate, tourism is booming in South Africa and particularly Cape Town, as it is such an affordable destination with so much on offer!

DESTINATION

WORLD DESIGN CAPITAL 2014 If you visit in 2014, be sure to take in some of the events on offer as part of Cape Town’s Word Design Capital journey. All you need to know can be found here www.wdccapetown2014.com WHERE TO STAY There is no shortage of accommodation in Cape Town; from backpackers and selfcatering apartments to B&Bs and some of the world’s best luxury hotels. Some of the best include: The 12 Apostles Hotel & Spa – for laidback luxury at the base of the mountain, overlooking the ocean (a prime dolphin- and whale-spotting location). www.12apostleshotel.com The Arabella Hotel & Spa – located just under two hours from the city, in the beautiful Overberg area, this hotel is perfect for couples and families and offers something for everyone – children’s activities, a golf course, a beautiful spa and more. www.africanpridehotels.com/ hotels/pages/arabella-hotel-spa.aspx 15 on Orange Hotel – centrally located in the heart of Cape Town, it’s the best base for exploring what the city has to offer. www.africanpridehotels.com/.../africanpride-15-on-orange-hotel.aspx

Robben Island

Day Trip to the Winelands A trip to Cape Town is not complete without a trip into the winelands. The Western Cape has some of the best wine producers in the world – and you can enjoy them all, at the source, for local prices. Many wineries offer free tastings and sell wine produced on the farm for cost price (stock up before you head home!). The “winelands” is a loose term to sum up a huge area of the Western Cape; choose to go to the French-inspired town of Franschhoek, the cape Dutch area of Stellenbosch or venture further out to the Overberg. No matter the route you choose, you’re guaranteed an amazing day out. Sunset picnic on the beach Camps Bay beach has been voted as one of the ten best in the world. Enjoy a meal or sundowners at one of the very trendy beach bars and restaurants located along the beach strip or enjoy a more laidback experience by packing your own picnic basket, some wine and enjoying the most beautiful sunsets. Best beaches for sun-tanning: Clifton 1st to 4th Beach; best for families and to watch the surfers: Llandudno; best to avoid the crowds: Queen’s Beach. The world famous Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens

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The Dragon Boat Festival Regatta

Greenmarket Square - The ultimate flea market

An Argus Cycle Tour

Victoria & Alfred Waterfront at night

Tweede Nuwejaar; one of Cape Town’s longest-running street parties.

NEED TO KNOW: • Seychelles Rupee to South African Rand: 1 Rupee = R0.87. For comparison, a litre of milk costs about R12.50, a fast-food burger R20, a good bottle of wine R50, a good meal for two including drinks at a restaurant between R150 and R200. • Weather: Cape Town has a climate similar to that of California and the Mediterranean. Winter starts in May and ends in September and is generally a wet and windy season. Temperatures are cool and range between 7°C (45°F) and 17°C (63°F). Summer lasts from November to March and temperatures range between 19°C (66°F) and 35°C (95°F). The summer season is usually hot and sunny. It can be windy, but it doesn’t bring much rain. • Languages: South Africa has 11 official languages, though most people can speak English. Afrikaans and Xhosa are also widely spoken in Cape Town and the Western Cape.

FUN FACTS ABOUT CAPE TOWN (as provided by Cape Town Tourism) • Cape Town is the capital of the Western Cape. • The city’s motto is Spes Bona, which is Latin for “good hope.” • Cape Town is twinned with London, Buenos Aires, Nice, San Francisco and several other international cities. • The Cape Town Stadium was built ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup and hosted eight soccer matches during the tournament, including the semi-final between Uruguay and The Netherlands (The Netherlands won the game 3-2). • The world’s first heart transplant was performed by Dr Christiaan Barnard in Cape Town in 1967. • Famous Capetonians include Nobel literature laureate JM Coetzee, singer Brenda Fassie, swimmer Natalie du Toit and entrepreneur Mark Shuttleworth. • Cape Town is home to the world’s largest individually timed cycle race, the Cape Argus Cycle Tour. • Cape Town is sometimes called the “Tavern of the seas.”

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DESTINATION

Nightlife Cape Town offers a buzzing nightlife, with an array of options and venues, no matter your taste. From live music sets, stand-up comedy and theatre to beach bars complete with swimming pools and dance floors, and various nightclubs. Try Shimmy Beach Club, if you want to see and be seen; Deco Dance, to sing along to eighties music with a fun and outgoing crowd or laidback, but vibey Asoka for a more upmarket evening. To immerse yourself in a little bit of everything, take a stroll down Long Street in the CBD – here you’ll find everything from karaoke bars and open mic nights to jazz, hip hop and electro clubs.

REVIEWS

Top 5 rental releases

(sponsored by GR Video Rental)

Non-Stop starring Liam Neeson and Julianne Moore

As I see it, the people in this world can be divided into 2 categories; those who watch Liam Neeson movies, and those who don’t. I am, with the exception of Rob Roy and Taken, a member of the latter collective. I find few positives to take away from most of Mr Neeson’s performances and even fewer reasons to watch him revive the role of ‘Angry man whose daughter/mother/partner is in trouble’. Make no mistake, Non-Stop is a very Neeson-esque film but somehow, it seems fresh and exciting (as fight sequences on a commercial aeroplane usually do). Definitely worth a watch if high-wired action flicks are your thing. Definitely one to avoid if you have a fear of flying.

starring Julia Benson and Peter Benson

5. Pompeii

starring Kit Harington and Emily Browning

with Kur t Gilber t

I, Frankenstein starring Aaron Eckhart

and Bill Nighy

Death Do Us Part

Labor Day starring Josh Brolin and Kate Winslet

Film of the month How To Train Your Dragon 2 Starring Gerard Butler, Jonah Hill Dir. Dean DeBlois Parents loved the original How To Train Your Dragon as it not only made their kids smile across the board, but it’s actually enjoyable to watch if you’re older than 10, too. Kids loved it because like so many great animated movies, it managed to transport them from this world into another, where vikings and dragons live in a strangely tumultuous harmony. Anyone who’s seen the first film knows that the lead character, Hiccup, is a young boy who doesn’t boast the same super-human strength and grizzly-ness as his fellow vikings. However, Hiccup can communicate with dragons, which arguably makes him the strongest, most grizzly guy around. After the alliance between dragons and vikings in the first film, How To Train Your Dragon 2 sees Hiccup and his pet dragon Toothless trying to maintain the peace in their land after they find an outpost of undiscovered dragons, led by an enigmatic dragon rider. Fun, fast-paced and heart-wrenching, How To Train Your Dragon 2 definitely lives up to the standard set by its predecessor (which, by the way, has been named one of the top 500 films ever made...just so you know what you’re getting into), and succeeds in transporting viewers once again into a world unlike any other. In short, if you want that “Parent of the Year” coffee mug, you know what you have to do. If that’s not your thing: Catch Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum in the side-splitting 22 Jump Street.

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REVIEWS

Album of the month

D’Angelo – Voodoo Few artists are able to create works that stand the test of time, capturing the zeitgeist decade after decade. D’Angelo is definitely one of those artists. Off the hype of his first album, Brown Sugar (which, in its own right, is an immense contribution to music), D’Angelo garnered enough respect within the music industry to take his pick of musicians for a second album. Being a man of impeccable taste and intimidating talent, D’Angelo hand-picked a team of players for Voodoo that hasn’t been matched to this day; drummer Questlove, of Roots fame, bassist Pino Palladino (The Who, John Mayer), trumpeter Roy Hargove, who plays on 90 percent of the jazz and soul albums made in the last two decades, and the incomparable Spankey Alfred on guitar. Voodoo is, in a sentence, an album in which traditional African rhythms meet contemporary western Soul. D’angelo adorns each track with buttery layers of vocals, while his band lay down intricate yet beautifully simple backdrops to compliment his one-of-a-kind voice. Released in January 2000, Voodoo set such a high bar that D’Angelo himself has yet to release another album which he feels can live up to the standard he set for himself at the turn of the century. Perfect for late-night listening, solo road trips and pretty much any other occasion (weddings, funerals and bar mitzvahs included), Voodoo is an album unlike any you’ll ever hear. That, I can guarantee. If that’s not your thing: Be sure to listen to Transition by Ryan Leslie.

This time, 10 years ago... Collateral

OK, maybe I’m a bit biased on this because I believe that Michael Mann is the single greatest living film director. I could also be biased because I’m a huge Jamie Foxx fan. Then again, my natural desire to rate this film as one of the best I’ve ever seen just based on the credits is evened out by my deep-seated disliking of Tom Cruise. I’ve never liked little Tommy. I find him to be type-cast, boring and, when you throw all that Scientology stuff into the mix, a little bit crazy (in a bad way). With that being said, Collateral is a film that couldn’t have been made without Tom Cruise. His performance is, in my opinion, his most profound contribution to film to date. It feels so unnatural talking up Tom Cruise and leaving out Michael Mann and Jamie Foxx (who is, by any measure, the most talented man on the planet) but I have to give credit where credit is due and here, credit is most certainly due. Cruise’s portrayal of the suave, psychotic hit man Vincent will crush your cab-driving dreams before the 20-minute mark. If you haven’t seen it, endeavour to watch Collateral tonight. If you have seen it, endeavour to watch Collateral tonight.

August’s Book Highlight

Possessed by Niki Valentine

Emma’s lifelong dream has been to attend music school. Her skill is unparalleled and she plays with a mysterious ethereal passion. Now she finally has the opportunity of a lifetime but things aren’t exactly going to plan. After suffering a painful spell of homesickness, she is taken under the protective wings of the beautiful, talented and popular twins Sophie and Matilde, who give her a taste of the wild side of life. It’s never been in Emma’s nature to hang with the elite party girls but the twins have captured her in their web and they are unwilling to let her go. So, when delicate Matilde commits suicide and Sophie does not bat an eyelid, life gets even stranger. Emma begins to awaken in weird places, to lose her memory and to begin to doubt everyone around her, even Sophie. She’s never been one for superstitions, but one word floats around in her mind, ‘Possession’. “Is it you, my love? Of course it’s me, my darling dear” Niki Valentine ventures into the ideas of life after death and the essence of souls remaining in this world after they have died. She achieves this through the eyes of a young woman from a humble background with very strict views on the idea that what one cannot see, cannot possibly be real. So when her favorite of the twins dies, she cannot begin to understand how or why Matilde would use her as a connection to the living world. The twin that is left now is the one that puzzles her even more. What does Sophie want with her, and why won’t she let her leave? Could she be more dangerous than Emma could ever imagine? For those who have an undying passion for music, I have to say more on the classical side though, this book would

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definitively appeal to you, as you come to find out that the item which triggers the ghost, (if you can call it that) is the playing of a Rachmaninoff sonata, which I checked out on YouTube and it gave me goose bumps, no kidding! Written in a simple yet captivating manner, this book begs to be read. You know what? If you decide to take this book up, and you should, I suggest hearing the Rach piece first, because after I heard it, every scene in the book was intensified as I had that eerie tune at the back of my head! It’s a thrilling book, riddled with question unanswered until the very end. ‘Possessed’ will catch you by its intriguingly designed covers and won’t let go! Yours till the Hershey’s Kiss, TheMadBookBlogger www.madbookblogger.wordpress.com

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