Silhouette 24no3

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Dear Guest,

Welcome on board!

I am thrilled to announce that Air Seychelles soared in the recent Skytrax

rankings. We are now ranked the number two airline in Africa, up eight places

from our previous ranking of 10 last year, and we hold the number three spot

for Best Airline Staff in Africa, a category in which we held no ranking last year.

This is a significant achievement for us – to climb so quickly in such a short time

– and is evidence of our team’s determination to be the best airline in the region.

And part of being the best means providing new travel opportunities. To that

end, I’m very pleased to welcome South African Airways and Czech Airlines as

our new codeshare partners. With South African Airways, we have expanded our

access to Africa, and North and South America via our three-per-week services

to Johannesburg. Our partnership with Czech Airlines adds the beautiful city of

Prague to our codeshare network, deepening our presence in Europe.

We have also created more travel options to Europe by extending our

codeshare agreement with airberlin. Our agreement now includes services to

two Scandinavian cities – Copenhagen and Stockholm – in addition to existing

services to Düsseldorf and Berlin.

With our equity partner Etihad Airways, we have expanded our codeshare

agreement to include Dublin, Kuwait, Melbourne and Sydney, bringing the total

number of destinations we share to 20.

Air Seychelles now flies to four continents, seamlessly connecting Seychelles to

13 cities in Europe, 24 cities in Asia, 26 cities in Africa, and three cities in Australia.

We will continue to expand our network in cooperation with our partners,

bringing more opportunities for travellers around the world to experience the

beauty and culture of our home, the Seychelles, and for our local residents to

visit the world.

Our thrice-weekly service to Hong Kong has been a success, and the unique

Creole warmth of our famous inflight service has made us the carrier of choice

for several Asian celebrities, including Miss Hong Kong, Alan Tam and Miss China,

who spent her honeymoon in Seychelles.

I’m also delighted to announce that we have enhanced our inflight menu

on each route: you can now savour pain au chocolat and Danish pastries on

the inbound route, while the Seychelles’ famous octopus curry has been

introduced in Business Class on our outbound route. Carolina Herrera’s Eau de

Parfum Sublime is the new fragrance on board. In addition, our on-demand

inflight entertainment has been expanded to include 40 movies, 60 television

programmes, 7 radio channels, 50 CDs, and 20 games. New blockbuster movies

such as Les Miserables, A Good Day To Die Hard and Snitch are now available,

and on the audio channel, DJ Owen introduces a new Creole mix featuring

veteran artist Francois Havelock. Local products, such as Seychelles’ famous

Takamaka Rum, are also now available for purchase inflight.

We continue to energise our product to ensure you have the most comfortable

flight to your destination of choice.

Thank you for flying with Air Seychelles. We hope you enjoy your flight today

and we look forward to welcoming you on board again soon.

Cher client,

Bienvenue à bord!

Je suis ravi de vous annoncer qu’Air Seychelles a pris un formidable envol lors des derniers

classements de Skytrax. Actuellement, nous sommes devenus la deuxième meilleure

compagnie aérienne en Afrique, en faisant ainsi un bond de huit places au niveau de notre

classement durant ces dix dernières années. Nous occupons également la troisième place

dans le classement du meilleur équipage en Afrique – catégorie dans laquelle nous n’étions pas

classés l’année dernière.

Cela représente évidemment un grand succès pour notre compagnie – le fait de monter si

vite en si peu de temps témoigne de la détermination de notre équipe à devenir la meilleure

compagnie aérienne dans la région.

Et nous visons aussi l’excellence afin d’être en mesure d’offrir de nouvelles possibilités de

voyage. Avec cet objectif dans notre ligne de mire, je suis très heureux d’accueillir le South

African Airways et le Czech Airlines comme nos nouveaux partenaires en partage de code.

En collaboration avec South African Airways, nous avons étendu notre accès vers l’Afrique du

Nord et l’Amérique du Sud grâce à nos trois services hebdomadaires sur Johannesburg. Notre

partenariat avec Czech Airlines nous permet d’ajouter la belle ville de Prague à notre réseau de

partage de code tout en affirmant davantage notre présence en Europe.

Nous avons également créé plus d’options de voyages vers l’Europe avec l’extension de

notre accord de partage de code avec airberlin. Notre accord inclut maintenant des services

vers deux villes scandinaves – Copenhague et Stockholm – en plus des services existants sur

Düsseldorf et Berlin.

Avec notre partenaire Etihad Airways, nous avons élargi notre partage de code pour inclure

Dublin, le Koweït, Melbourne et Sydney, ce qui porte à 20 le nombre total de destinations que

nous partageons désormais.

Air Seychelles dessert aujourd’hui quatre continents et relie les Seychelles à 13 villes en

Europe, 24 villes en Asie, 26 villes en Afrique, et trois villes en Australie en voyage continu.

Nous allons continuer à étendre notre réseau en collaboration avec nos partenaires afin

d’offrir davantage de possibilités aux voyageurs du monde entier pour qu’ils puissent venir

découvrir la beauté et la culture de notre pays – les Seychelles – et de permettre à nos résidents

locaux de visiter le monde entier.

Nos trois vols hebdomadaires sur Hong Kong ont connu un vif succès, et l’unique et

chaleureux accueil créole de notre service à bord a fait de nous le transporteur préféré de

plusieurs célébrités asiatiques, y compris Miss Hong Kong, Alan Tam et Miss Chine. Cette

dernière a récemment passé sa lune de miel aux Seychelles.

Je suis également ravi d’annoncer que nous avons amélioré nos menus à bord sur chaque

desserte: maintenant vous pouvez aussi savourer du pain au chocolat et des pâtisseries

danoises lors des trajets vers les Seychelles, tandis que le célèbre curry de poulpe des Seychelles

a été introduit en classe affaires sur tous nos vols au départ des Seychelles. L’Eau de Parfum

Sublime de Carolina Herrera est le nouvel arome utilisé à bord. En outre, notre palette de

divertissements à la demande à bord a été élargie pour inclure 40 films, 60 programmes

de télévision, 7 stations de radio, 50 CDs et 20 jeux. De nouveaux films à succès tels que

«Les Misérables», «A Good Day To Die Hard» et «Snitch» sont maintenant disponibles et sur

le canal audio, DJ Owen a introduit une nouvelle gamme de musiques créoles avec le chanteur

vétéran François Havelock. Des produits locaux, tels que le célèbre Rhum Takamaka des

Seychelles, sont maintenant disponibles pour vos achats à bord.

Nous continuons de dynamiser notre produit afin de vous assurer un vol plus confortable

vers la destination de votre choix.

Merci de voyager avec Air Seychelles. Nous espérons que vous apprécierez ce vol aujourd’hui

et nous serons très heureux de vous accueillir à bord pour un autre voyage avec nous.

Cramer Ball

Chief Executive Officer

Directeur Général

Bon Voyage

Founding Publisher: Mohamed Amin

Editorial Director: Rukhsana Haq

Editor: Roger Barnard

Editorial Assistant: Cecilia Wanjiku

Creative Designer: Charles Kamau

Production Manager: Azra Chaudhry, London

Production Assistants: Rachel Musyimi, Rose Judha

Editorial Board: Rukhsana Haq

Adrian Skerrett

Silhouette is published

three times a year for Air Seychelles

PO Box 386, Mahé, Seychelles

Telephone: (248) 4391000

Fax: (248) 4224305

E-mail: [email protected]

By Camerapix Magazines Limited,

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Printed in: Dubai

© 2013 CAMERAPIX MAGAZINES LTD.

All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced by any means without permission in writing from the publisher.

Co ve rGolf Pro at the Constance Lémuria Seychelles.

C o n t e n t sPhoto © Constance Lémuria Seychelles,18-hole championship golf course.

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10 Seychelles Tourism: a 20-years Retrospective Today, the tourism landscape is different indeed from what it was 20 years ago and is evolving still.

38 Golf in the Indian Ocean The Indian Ocean is rapidly gaining a reputation as one of the world’s best destinations for golfers. And why not?

42 Adventure in the Desert: Dubai’s Spectacular Theme Parks Amid the man-made islands and ever more monumental architecture of Dubai, this remarkable city is set to become the theme park capital of the world.

48 The Oldest Building in the Seychelles For over a century the building has asserted its cold and venerable – and perhaps also foreboding – presence, here in its corner of Victoria.

• 1 CEO Message • 4 Welcome Aboard • 8 News

• 14 Discover Seychelles • 69 Map of Mahé • 70 International Route Map

• 72 Worldwide Offices • 74 Travel Facts • 76 Dining Out

• 78 English - Creole • 79 Children’s Page • 80 Crossword

© 2013 CAMERAPIX MAGAZINES LTD.

All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced by any means without permission in writing from the publisher.

Re g u l a r s

50 The Amirantes Why not discover one of the Indian Ocean’s hidden secrets and chart a course

for the glorious Amirantes, where nature still reigns supreme?

54 Seychelles’ Coconut Oil Industry: The Gold of the Indian Ocean It was as long ago as 1786 that the commercial importance of coconuts began to be exploited and its legacy will remain for many years to come.

58 Earthenware Jars of History Produced using traditional techniques, Shaoxing rice wine has remained very close to its roots in China’s dynastic times.

61 Seychelles Green Corner Can we maintain the natural splendour of the islands of Seychelles?

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

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

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

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

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

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

SmokingSmoking is not permitted on all Air Seychelles flights.

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

UNRULY/DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOUR ONBOARD AIR SEYCHELLES’ OWNED/OPERATED AIRCRAFT

In terms of International Civil Aviation legislation and regulations, it is an offence for any person to:

• Constitute any action that jeopardises or may jeopardise the safety of an aircraft, passenger and/or crew

• Disobey valid instruction from a crew member (safety officer)*

• Interfere with the normal operation of the aircraft

• Assault or wilfully interfere with any member of the crew of the aircraft in the performance of his/her duties

• Ignore warning signs and/or safety signs within the cabin of the aircraft

• Wilfully cause damage to an aircraft which renders it incapable of flight or which is likely to endanger its safety in flight

• Communicate any information which he/she knows to be false, thereby endangering the safety of an aircraft in service

• Commit any nuisance or any disorderly or indecent act or to be in a state of intoxication or behave in a violent or offensive manner to the annoyance of any other person on the aircraft, or use abusive, indecent or offensive language.

In terms of Seychelles legislation it is an offence to smoke on any Seychelles registered aircraft. Smoking in the toilet compartments of an aircraft is deemed a safety risk and is lawfully punishable.

Any person committing any of these offences while on board an Air Seychelles flight may be arrested at his/her point of arrival and prosecuted in accordance with the applicable Civil Aviation legislation. Such prosecution may result in the imposition of a fine and/or imprisonment.

It is the policy of Air Seychelles, in the interest of the safety of the travelling public and our employees, to lay the necessary criminal charges against unruly passengers and to aggressively pursue the successful prosecution of such persons.

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

We l c o m e A b o a rd

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

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

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

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

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

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

Please note:In terms of International Civil Aviation legislation, the Commander (Captain) of the aircraft is authorised/empowered to take any action deemed necessary, including restraint, of any person who jeopardises the safety of the aircraft or of persons or property on board. In terms of this authority the commander may request and/or authorise any member of the crew to render assistance in terms of restraint or action against such offenders.

In terms of Air Seychelles’ right of refusal of carriage, Air Seychelles reserves the right to refuse boarding to any person who is intoxicated or who, under reasonable grounds, is believed to pose a potential danger to the safety and/or good order and discipline on board its aircraft.

The primary function of a crew member is to act as a safety officer on board an aircraft. All Air Seychelles crew members are trained and licensed as safety officers in terms of International Civil Aviation regulations.

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

Air Seychelles est heureuse de vous accueillir à bord et espère que vous serez satisfaits de nos services. Notre équipage de bord fera son possible pour rendre votre voyage agréa-

ble. Pour tout renseignement ou aide, n’hésitez pas à appeler les membres de l’équipage en pressant le bouton situé sur l’accoudoir de votre siège.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

B i e nv e n u e á b o rd

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

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

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

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

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

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

Veuillez également noter que: D’après les règles de l’Aviation Civile Internationale (OACI), le Commandant de Bord est habilité et a le pouvoir de prendre toutes les mesures nécessaires pour assurer la sécurité des personnes et de leurs biens ainsi que celle de l’appareil, y compris la privation de mouvement pour quiconque pourrait menacer cette sécurité. Dans le cadre de ses fonctions, le Commandant de Bord peut demander à un ou plusieurs membres d’équipage de l’assister dans cette tâche, voire la déléguer pour neutraliser ceux qui commettraient des infractions.

Air Seychelles s’octroie également le droit, conformément à ses conditions générales de transport de refuser l’embarquement à toute personne qui serait sous l’emprise de la drogue et/ou de l’alcool, ou qui représente un danger pour la sécurité, l’ordre et la discipline à bord.

La première fonction des navigants est d’agir comme «officier de sécurité» à bord. Tous les membres d’ équipages d’Air Seychelles sont formés et certifiés «officier de sécurité» au sens des règlements de l’Organisation Internationale e l’Aviation Civile.

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

P RÉ VE NTIO N D ES CO MPO RTEMEN T S PERTURBATEURS ET DES INDISCIPLINES À BORD DES AÉRONEFS APPARTENANT À AIR SEYCHELLES OU EXPLOITÉS PAR AIR SEYCHELLES.

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

• Entreprend une action qui met ou est susceptible de mettre en danger les passagers, l’équipage et/ou l’appareil

• Refuse de se conformer à une injonction d’un membre de l’équipage (officier de sécurité)

• Perturbe le déroulement normal du vol

• Agresse un membre d’équipage

• Perturbe sciemment le travail de l’équipage

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

• Cause volontairement des dommages à l’appareil qui le rendent inexploitable ou qui mettent à risque la sécurité du vol

• Communique sciemment des informations fausses, mettant ainsi en danger un vol, son équipage et ses passagers.

• A un comportement gênant, perturbateur, indécent, fait preuve de violence à l’égard d’autres personnes, profère des insultes ou des obscénités.

Commet une infraction passible de poursuites. Le règlement de l’Aviation Civile Seychelloise stipule qu’il est interdit de fumer à bord de tout avion immatriculé aux Seychelles. Fumer dans les toilettes constitue un risque pour la sécurité et est puni par la loi.

Quiconque commettra l’une ou plusieurs de ces infractions sera arrêté à destination et poursuivi en vertu des règles de l’aviation civile concernée et du règlement du transporteur. Ces poursuites peuvent conduire à une amende ou une peine de prison, voire les deux.

La politique d’Air Seychelles, dans l’intérêt de ses passagers et de ses employés est de porter systématiquement devant la justice les cas de passagers perturbateurs et d’obtenir leur condamnation.

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

exploring new horizons

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Available at: Kenwyn House,Victoria • Mahe International Airport • Praslin Domestic Airport • Ephelia Resort & Spa • Vallee De Mai, Praslin • North Island • Fregate Island Private • Kempinski Resort & Spa • Eden Island Commercial Centre. www.islandjouel.com • tel: +248 4224440 • fax: +248 4224430

Silhouette Double spread.indd 2-3 29/04/13 2:56 PM

N e w s

Air Seychelles Partners with South African Airways Air Seychelles and South African Airways (SAA), the national airline

of the Republic of South Africa, have entered into a codeshare

agreement allowing South African Airways to place its ‘SA’ code

on Air Seychelles’ non-stop flights between Johannesburg and

Seychelles and between the two largest islands of Seychelles,

Mahé and Praslin.

With this codeshare agreement, guests are now able to purchase

flights from South African Airways destinations onwards to the

Seychelles on one ticket, making for a simpler and seamless journey.

In March 2013, Air Seychelles introduced an enhanced schedule and

additional weekly service on its Johannesburg route, bringing the

flights to three return services per week with daytime departures

and arrivals. The new schedule greatly enhances leisure and business

travellers’ ability to connect seamlessly on both airlines across Africa

and South Africa, particularly to Cape Town and Durban.

Air Seychelles Soars High in Skytrax Ranking In the recent Skytrax rankings, which were released at the Skytrax World

Airline Awards at the Paris Air Show, Air Seychelles is now ranked the

number two airline in Africa, up eight places from its previous ranking of

10 last year, and now holds the number three spot for Best Airline Staff

in Africa, a category in which the airline held no ranking last year.

Air Seychelles is also ranked fourth globally in the Most Improved

Airline category. Our overall ranking this year is 56, up from 133 last

year and the highest in its history.

“This is a significant achievement for our airline”, said Air Seychelles’

Chief Executive Officer, Cramer Ball, “and it further confirms that we

are moving in the right direction. This result demonstrates not only our

hard work and dedication as a workforce, but also our commitment

to training, our investment in people and our product. It further

demonstrates the value of our partnership with Etihad Airways, our

equity alliance partner. The whole Seychellois community should be

proud of our national airline for this achievement,” added Mr. Ball.

Cramer Ball, Air Seychelles’ Chief Executive Officer and Wolfgang Prock-Schauer, Chief Executive Officer of airberlin at the original signing ceremony,

flanked by cabin crew from both airlines.

Cramer Ball, Air Seychelles’ Chief Executive Officer shake hands with Philippe Moreels, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Czech Airlines.

Partnership with Czech AirlinesAir Seychelles and Czech Airlines, the flag carrier of the Czech Republic,

have recently signed a codeshare agreement to link Prague and the

Seychelles, allowing passengers of both airlines to book and travel between

Prague and the Seychelles on one ticket, connecting in Abu Dhabi.

With this agreement, Air Seychelles places its ‘HM’ code on three of Czech

Airlines’ flights per week between Prague and Abu Dhabi. Czech Airlines

similarly places its ‘OK’ code on three of Air Seychelles’ flights per week

between the Seychelles and Abu Dhabi.

Tickets can be purchased online via www.airseychelles.com or

www.czechairlines.com. Alternatively, tickets can be booked through

the Czech Airlines Contact Center at 800 31 310 (within Czech Republic)

or +420 239 007 007, the Air Seychelles Call Center at +248 4 38 10 13,

by visiting the airlines’ sales offices, or through a travel agent.

airberlin Codeshare ExpansionAir Seychelles has recently expanded its codeshare network with airberlin, Europe’s seventh largest carrier, to cover Praslin and two new destinations in Europe: Stockholm and Copenhagen.

With this agreement, Air Seychelles places its ‘HM’ code on six airberlin flights per week between Berlin and Stockholm, and seven airberlin flights per week between Berlin and Copenhagen. airberlin places its ‘AB’ code on eight Air Seychelles flights per week between Mahé and Praslin.

Cramer Ball, Air Seychelles’ Chief Executive Officer, said: “Our codeshare partnership with airberlin has been a commercial success, with a record surge in arrivals from Germany contributing to our bottom line. With the addition of Stockholm and Copenhagen, we will bolster our position in Scandinavia, one of the fastest growing source markets to Seychelles.”

The new codeshare flights can be booked online at www.airseychelles.com, through the airline’s Call Centre on +248 4 38 10 13 (local rates apply), the airline’s sales offices, or a travel agency.

• Silhouette • Vol 24 No 3 •8

Etihad Airways Connects Seychelles with Australia Air Seychelles, has extended its codeshare agreement with equity alliance partner Etihad Airways, offering seamless connections to Seychelles from Melbourne and Sydney in Australia, operated via Abu Dhabi.

Flights from Melbourne offer daily connections. Ten flights per week from Sydney offer daily connections to Seychelles. Guests can now enjoy three weekly return connections from Seychelles to Melbourne and Sydney. This agreement offers more opportunities for Australian business and leisure travellers to come to Seychelles, but it also introduces a simple and appealing travel option for Seychellois travelling to Sydney and Melbourne.

Australia hosts the largest Seychellois diaspora in the world.

The flights can be booked online at www.airseychelles.com, through the Air Seychelles’ sales office in Victoria, by calling the airline’s Call Centre on +248 4 38 10 13 (local rates apply), or through a travel agent.

Air Seychelles and Etihad Airways Expand Codeshare Agreement to KuwaitAir Seychelles has expanded its codeshare agreement with its equity partner Etihad Airways for travel to Kuwait over Abu Dhabi. Air Seychelles and Etihad Airways now offer 10 seamless return flights per week from Kuwait to the Seychelles, including a daily service. Through this agreement, Air Seychelles places its ‘HM’ code on Etihad Airways flights between Kuwait and Abu Dhabi. Cramer Ball, Air Seychelles Chief Executive Officer, said: ‘Visitor arrivals from the Gulf are up 23 per cent from last year, so it is natural we should target the region for expansion. We are confident these new flights, with sub-two hour connectivity over Abu Dhabi, will stimulate further growth from the region, providing a new source of revenue for the airline as well as the local tourist economy.’

New Etihad Travel Mall Opens in DubaiThe recently opened Etihad Travel Mall, located on Sheikh Zayed Road, is our premier airport check-in terminal in Dubai. Check in, collect your boarding pass and drop off your luggage up to 24 hours in advance of your flight.

Jump onboard one of the 20 free daily coach services to and from Abu Dhabi Airport. You can even book your flights, holidays, sort out a visa, hire a car and buy tickets for tours and attractions in Abu Dhabi.

So, before you travel for either business or pleasure, be our guest in our new home on Sheikh Zayed Road opposite the Noor Islamic Bank Metro Station.

Air Seychelles Hosts Manchester City Seychelles Soccer SchoolAir Seychelles was honoured to host Patrick Vieira, legendary player and Manchester City Football Club (MCFC) Football Development Executive, to the Seychelles this year.

Patrick, accompanied by a team of City coaches, arrived on May 3 for the Manchester City Seychelles Soccer School 2013, hosted by Air Seychelles and Etihad Airways.

A series of football clinics for Seychellois youths was organised in collaboration with the Seychelles Football Federation (SFF). The clinics targeted children aged seven to 16 years old on Mahé and Praslin. More than 500 school children participated in the programme which was deemed a great success.

Etihad Airways, Air Seychelles’ equity alliance partner, signed a 10-year partnership deal with MCFC in July 2011, which included naming rights for the club’s stadium and expansive surrounding grounds, known as Etihad Stadium and Etihad Campus, respectively, as well as an extension of the existing shirt sponsorship.

Cramer Ball, Air Seychelles’ Chief Executive Officer and Elvis Chetty, Chairman of the Seychelles Football Federation thank Patrick Vieira and the MCFC team.

Group photo of the Manchester City Seychelles Soccer School participants and the MCFC team.

• Silhouette • Vol 24 No 3 • 9


Seychelles’ tourism industry has evolved much

over the last 20 years. Two decades ago, tourism

was in the hands of the government’s Ministry

of Tourism and the landscape, both internal and

external, was very different from what it is today.

Up to that point (and for some time still to come),

promotion of the industry was very much undertaken in

traditional ways and there was little individual marketing

at a time when personal websites, individual marketing

aids and social media campaigns were still unheard of.

After a decline to 90,050 visitors in 1991 because of

the Persian Gulf War, the number of visitors rose to

more than 116,000 in 1993 as growth was restored

through the introduction of casinos, vigorous advertising

campaigns, and more competitive pricing. In 1991,

France was the leading source of tourists, followed by

the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, and South Africa.

Europe provided 80 per cent of the total tourists and Phot

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by Glynn Burridge.

Africa, mostly South Africa and Réunion, most of the

remainder with European tourists being considered the most

lucrative in terms of length of stay and per capita spending.

The highly popular early tourism slogan was Seychelles:

Unique by 1,000 miles. The steady growth of the national

carrier, Air Seychelles, throughout the 1980s saw the advent

of a new tool with which to bring a greater number of

tourists to the islands.

Gradually, during the watershed in the 90s the pace began

to quicken as government began encouraging foreign

investment to upgrade hotels and other services with the

incentives offered giving rise to an enormous amount of

investment in real estate projects and, over time, to new

resort properties and enhanced infrastructure.

One of the significant catalysts of change came in 1999

with the formation of Seychelles’ most concerted effort

yet to market Seychelles on the international scene: the

Seychelles Tourism Marketing Authority. Under its auspices


leadership of the private sector which now took a

more prominent role in directing the industry.

In mid-2010, President James Michel re-qualified

Seychelles’ brand of tourism as being more than

just ‘sun, sea & sand’, urging the industry to make

fuller use of the country’s many attributes to attract

tourists. This has launched Seychelles’ tourism into a

new phase in which a greater focus is being placed

on events such as the Carnaval International de

Victoria, SUBIOS, Miss Seychelles …another world,

Festival Kreol, Fet Afrik, La Fet La Digue, Seychelles

Eco-healing Marathon and the Seychelles Ball which

have all helped to raise Seychelles’ profile, as has the

islands’ highly successful hosting of the RETOSA, CAF

and ROUTES conferences.

Today, the tourism landscape

is different indeed from what

it was 20 years ago and is

evolving still. Seychelles has

been made accessible as

never before by the arrival of

such major global airlines as

Etihad, Emirates, Ethiopian,

Kenya (and soon Sri Lanka),

joining our very own Air

Seychelles, now in a vital new

equity partnership with Etihad

Airways which has already

seen the national airline post

its first profit of U.S. $1 million and play a key role in

the current surge in tourism arrivals to the islands as

2013 figures to date show a 13% increase on the just

over 200,000 who visited the islands in 2012.

Along with its suite of activities and new amenities

that includes marinas and a plush, new shopping mall,

Seychelles is also diversifying its tourism beyond its

valued, core European markets into the Middle-East,

Africa, the Americas and Far East, all of which are

experiencing promising growth as the islands continue

to maximise their enormous tourism potential - but

always with a weather eye on sustainability.

came the construction of a powerful, dedicated

tourism website to market Seychelles products and

a new suite of collateral materials and destination

videos with which to aggressively push the name of

Seychelles to the forefront of consumer conscience.

The highly-structured drive that followed featured the

targeted marketing of Seychelles, its attributes and

niche markets and was crowned by a brave campaign

featuring black and white imagery under the tagline

‘Seychelles ... as pure as it gets’. Seychelles was slowly

but surely beginning to breach the knowledge gap

about the islands and place itself squarely on the global

tourism map for all to see.

Compounding this dynamic, the intervening years

have witnessed the gradual appearance of new,

internationally recognised brands such

as Banyan Tree, Berjaya, Constance

Hotels, Le Méridien and Hilton and,

more recently, Four Seasons, Maia,

Raffles and the residential project

on Eden Island. Together, these have

signalled the birth of a new era in

Seychelles’ tourism and the arrival

of a new demographic of tourist

while the individual and collective

international marketing clout of these

establishments and similar entities

was always destined to slingshot the

name of the Seychelles Islands across

the globe as never before.

In 2006, a year after the formation of the Seychelles

Tourism Board as successor to the Seychelles Tourism

Marketing Authority, Seychelles rebranded again as

the ‘Seychelles Islands ... another world’, reverting to

colour in its imagery and stressing the ‘grand diversity’

of its tourism products - a phrase which has since

become one of the main pillars and highly effective

ingredients of Seychelles’ many tourism marketing

initiatives.

In 2009, to further consolidate the industry, the

Seychelles Tourism Board was restructured under the

Today, the tourism landscape is different indeed from what it was 20 years ago and is evolving still.

8286-A EIDC_Silhou_DPS 7/28/13 10:06 PM Page 3

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C M Y CM MY CY CMY K

Discover Seychelles The Islands14

Discover Seychelles

Far from any continental land mass, the islands of Seychelles have long been likened to a string of pearls set in the azure

waters of the Indian Ocean. No wonder that the slogan of this proud nation, one of the world’s prime holiday destinations,

is ‘Not just another place, another world ‘. And it is delivered with an invitation that no normal person can resist, an

invitation to ‘Discover the Islands’, which lie just four degrees south of the Equator and are literally 1,000 miles from anywhere.

As the world becomes ever smaller, Seychelles is becoming increasingly accessible to holiday-makers from around the globe.

With the greatest of ease, Air Seychelles whisks an ever increasing number of visitors from Europe, Africa, the Far East and the

Middle East to sample the many and varied delights of the islands. Within these few square kilometres is a land of colourful

contrasts; the bleached granite rocks, thrusting up from the sea like the peaks of a sunken mountain range lie in the shadow of

lush tropical vegetation clinging to steep mountain sides. In the middle of a beach of white coral sand, a sudden upthrust of

granite resembles a scene from the film 2001: A Space Odyssey.

The people of the islands reflect these same dramatic contrasts. A description of a typical Seychellois is impossible; their

ancestors include British and French seamen, freed African slaves, and Indian and Chinese merchants. Their skin tone can be fair or

dark, their hair blonde or black, their eyes blue or brown. But they all share a gentle and cheerful character, combined with a nature

as warm and welcoming as their island home.

15Discover Seychelles The Islands Discover Seychelles Les Îles

A la Découverte des les

Eloignées de toute masse continentale, les îles Seychelles ont longtemps été comparées à un chapelet de perles dans les eaux bleues

de l’océan indien. Pas étonnant que le slogan de cette fière nation, dont le pays est l’une des destinations de vacances les plus prisées

dans le monde, soit ‘Pas juste un autre endroit, un autre monde’. Et celui-ci s’accompagne d’une invitation à laquelle aucune personne

normalement constituée ne peut résister, une invitation ‘à la découverte des îles’, situées à seulement quatre degrés de latitude en dessous de

l’équateur et littéralement à mille lieues de tout autre endroit.

Au fur et à mesure que le monde rétrécit, les Seychelles deviennent de plus en plus accessibles aux agences de voyage et aux tours opérateurs

du monde entier. Air Seychelles emmène ainsi chaque année avec la plus grande facilité un nombre croissant de visiteurs d’Europe, d’Afrique, du

Proche Orient et de l’extrême Orient pour goûter aux délices nombreux et variés de ces îles. Parmi ces quelques kilomètres carrés de terres se

trouve un pays de contrastes colorés: les rochers de granite , surgissant de la mer comme les pics d’une chaîne de montagnes engloutie, gisent

dans l’ombre d’une végétation tropicale luxuriante s’accrochant jusqu’aux versants abrupts des montagnes. Au milieu d’une plage de sable

corallien blanc, la présence d’un monolithe de granite fait penser à une scène du célèbre film: 2001, Odyssée de l’Espace.

Les gens qui peuplent ces îles montrent un contraste tout aussi saisissant. Décrire un Seychellois typique est ainsi impossible, car leurs

ancêtres sont des marins français et britanniques, des esclaves africains affranchis, des marchands indiens et chinois. Le teint de peau des

Seychellois peut être aussi bien clair que foncé, leurs cheveux blonds ou bruns, leurs yeux bleus ou marrons. Mais ils partagent tous un même

caractère doux et gai, ainsi qu’une façon d’être aussi chaleureuse et accueillante que leurs îles natales.


in 1794. During the long revolutionary wars between Britain and France,

several British men-of-war called at Seychelles. Having no means of defence,

Quincy was forced to capitulate to the British seven times. These capitulations

were a form of ‘temporary surrender with honour’, with favourable terms for

Seychelles skillfully negotiated by Quincy.

At the end of the war Mauritius and Seychelles were ceded to the British

under the Treaty of Paris. The British recognised Quincy’s abilities and kept him

on as juge de paix of the colony until his death in 1827. He is buried in the

grounds of State House.

In 1903 Seychelles became a crown colony in its own right, detached from

Mauritius. From 1861, slaves liberated from Arab dhows off East Africa were

brought to Seychelles to begin new lives, swelling the population by nearly 3,000.

Two world wars during the 20th century touched Seychelles only lightly, but

times were changing fast. The embryo of the first political party, the Taxpayers’

Association, was formed in 1939.

In March 1975, a new constitution was drawn up and a coalition government

established ready for independence in June 1976, when James Mancham

became President and Albert René Prime Minister. Following a coup d’état

in 1977, Seychelles became a one-party state, with Albert René as president

and the Seychelles’ People’s Progressive Front as the ruling party. Multi-party

elections were restored in 1993, when René was again returned as President, with

Mancham (Democratic Party) leader of the opposition. René was re-elected in

1998, and also at the early elections called in 2001, where the opposition, led by

Wavel Ramkalawan (Seychelles National Party), obtained a high percentage. René

retired in April 2004 and handed over the presidency to his Vice President, James

Michel, who was re-elected in July 2006.

Seychelles has a population of about 85,000. Its people are descended from

the original French settlers, their African slaves, the liberated slaves rescued

from slavers in the 19th century, and some British settlers. This melting pot has

been enriched by traders from India and China, intermingling to produce an

almost unparalleled and multifaceted community, yet one that is completely

integrated.

The Seychelles’ rich racial blend is reflected in its varied culture and food.

Music brought to the islands by the European settlers and played on violins or

accordions has blended with the beat of the tomtom, the makalapo (a stringed

instrument with a tin for a sound box), the bom (a bowed instrument), and

the sez (a monochord sitar). A typical Seychelles dance is the moutias which

blends African and Malagasy rhythms in a popular communal dance usually

staged at night around a fire. European influences can be seen in the contre-

danse, which has its roots in the court of Louis XIV of France, the Sun King, and

the mazok and kosez, which are reminiscent of the waltz and the quadrille.

The main language of the islands is Creole, but most people speak English

and some French. Creole is a phonetic language, similar to that found in other

territories where there has been French influence, such as Mauritius and New

Orleans.

French words were given a harder pronunciation and syllables which were

not pronounced were dropped altogether. Thus Bonjour (Good morning)

becomes Bonzour and s’il vous plait (please) becomes sivouple.

The spiritual life of the Seychellois ranges from the centuries-old local

magic, called gris-gris, to the far reaching influence of the Roman Catholic

Church. Often these beliefs run alongside each other. Many local people still

consult their bonnomn dibwa, or medicine man, seeking spells or potions for

love, luck or revenge. However, the Seychellois are also avid church-goers and

consider church a particularly social occasion.

The Seychellois are never in a hurry. There is always time for a chat or a

smile. Their lifestyle is characterised by a warm, happy-go-lucky attitude that

foreign influences have been unable to dampen or disturb.

The history of Seychelles could have come straight out of a story

book: a tale of intrepid explorers, fearsome pirates and brutal battles

for the islands’ bountiful treasures. The first serious exploration took

place only in 1742, but early navigators, such as the Indonesians and Arabs,

probably arrived before this time in search of fresh water and food. These

visitors did not leave physical evidence of their passing, unless it was they

who introduced the casuarina tree and coconut palm. It is possible that Arab

merchants knew Seychelles as the source of the rare and valuable coco de

mer nuts and came here to collect them, keeping the location secret so that

they could sell them at inflated prices.

Vasco da Gama, the Portuguese explorer, sailed through the Amirantes

group in 1503, en route from India, and might also have sighted the granitic

islands. In 1506 another Portuguese navigator, Fernao Soares, recorded the

islands, which appear regularly on charts after this date as the ‘Seven Sisters’.

The British made their first appearance on Seychelles in 1609 when the

ships Ascension and Good Hope arrived at Mahé during an expedition for

the British East India Company. They made no claim to the islands, which

remained uninhabited, although they might have been used as a secret refuge

by pirates, who add a touch of drama and mystery to their story.

In 1742 the Frenchman, Lazare Picault, landed on Mahé at Anse Boileau

(not Baie Lazare, which now bears his name). He named the islands after

Mahé de Labourdonnais, the governor of Mauritius, who had sent him.

Fourteen years later, Mahé and the inner islands were formally claimed in

the name of the King of France. Mahé was named Isle Séchelles, which later

became the name of the group. The origin of the name is unclear; it might

have been in honour of Moreau de Séchelles, a former controller-general of

finance in France, but, as he was disgraced at the time, it seems more likely

to have been a tribute to members of his family who were related through

marriage to the governor of Mauritius. The Stone of Possession, which was set

above the entrance to the port, is now in the National Museum.

In 1768, the French also claimed Praslin, named after their marine

minister, the Duke of Praslin. La Digue and Curieuse were named after the

ships which visited the islands at this time. In 1770 settlers arrived on

St Anne from Mauritius. They later abandoned this settlement and moved

across to Mahé.

In 1772, Pierre Poivre sent spice plants to Seychelles, hoping to establish

them there and allow France to compete with the Dutch in the valuable spice

trade. Chevalier Quéau de Quincy was appointed administrator of Seychelles

History of Seychelles

Discover Seychelles The Islands

Panoramic Perspective by SunseekerThe Sunseeker 28 Metre Yacht

Sunseeker Seychelles Ltd: Eden Island Marina, Victoria, Mahe, Seychelles.Tel. +248 252 34 34 Fax. +248 434 61 66 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.sunseeker-seychelles.net

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23214 Air Seychelles ad prod_28MY.indd 1 23/07/2012 17:25


L ’histoire des Seychelles pourrait sortir tout droit d’un livre de

contes: un récit d’explorateurs intrépides, de pirates n’ayant

peur de rien, et de brutales batailles pour les nombreux trésors

de ces îles. La première exploration sérieuse prit place en 1742, mais

des navigateurs anciens tels que les Indonésiens ou les Arabes visitèrent

probablement les Seychelles bien avant en quête de nourriture et

d’eau douce. Ces visiteurs ne laissèrent pas de traces de leur passage,

bien qu’on leur attribue l’introduction du Casuarina et du Cocotier. Il

est possible que les marchands arabes aient visité régulièrement ces

îles pour y récolter les rares et précieux Coco-de -mer, et qu’ils aient

tenu leur emplacement secret afin de pouvoir vendre ces noix encore

plus cher.

Vasco de Gama, l’explorateur portugais qui navigua à travers l’archipel

des Amirantes en 1503 sur sa route vers l’Inde, a peut-être lui-aussi pu

voir les îles granitiques. En 1506, un autre navigateur portugais, Fernao

Soares, nota la présence de ces îles qui, après son passage, figurèrent

régulièrement sur les cartes comme ‘Les Sept Sœurs’.

Les Britanniques firent leur première apparition aux Seychelles en

1609, lorsque les bateaux Ascension et Good Hope (Bonne Espérance)

arrivèrent à Mahé au cours d’une expédition de la British East India

Company (Compagnie britannique des Indes orientales). Ils ne

revendiquèrent pas la propriété de ces îles, qui restèrent inhabitées, bien

qu’elles aient pu être utilisées comme refuge secret par certains pirates,

ce qui rajoute une touche de drame et de mystère à leur histoire.

En 1742, le Français Lazare Picault débarqua à Mahé à Anse Boileau

(et non pas Baie Lazare, qui aujourd’hui porte son nom). Il nomma l’île

d’après Mahé de Labourdonnais, gouverneur de l’Ile Maurice, qui l’avait

envoyé. Quatorze années plus tard, Mahé et les îles proches furent

officiellement revendiquées par le roi de France. Mahé fut nommée Isle

Séchelles, nom qui par la suite fut donné à l’archipel en entier. L’origine

de ce nom n’est pas claire. Il est possible qu’il ait été donné en honneur

de Moreau de Séchelles, un ancien contrôleur général des Finances en

France, mais vu que celui-ci était déjà tombé en disgrâce à cette époque,

il semble plus probable qu’il s’agisse d’un hommage à des membres de

sa famille devenus parents par mariage avec le gouverneur de Maurice.

La Pierre de Possession, qui fut érigée à l’entrée du port, est maintenant

exposée au Musée d’Histoire. En 1768, les Français revendiquèrent aussi

Praslin, nommée d’après le ministre de la marine de l’époque, le Duc

de Praslin. La Digue et Curieuse furent nommées d’après des navires

de l’époque qui visitèrent les îles. En 1770, les premiers colons en

provenance de l’Ile de France (aujourd’hui Maurice) débarquèrent à

Sainte Anne. Ils abandonnèrent ensuite ce premier établissement et

s’installèrent en face sur Mahé.

En 1772, Pierre Poivre envoya des plants d’épices aux Seychelles,

avec l’espoir de pouvoir les y faire pousser et faire ainsi la concurrence

aux Hollandais dans le commerce lucratif des épices. Le Chevalier

Quéau de Quincy fut nommé Administrateur des Seychelles en 1794.

Pendant les longues années de guerre de la période révolutionnaire

entre la Grande Bretagne et la France, plusieurs hommes de guerre

britanniques se présentèrent aux Seychelles. N’ayant aucun moyen

de défense, Quincy fut forcé de capituler devant les Anglais plusieurs

fois. Ces capitulations étaient une forme de ‘reddition temporaire avec

honneur’, et s’accompagnaient de conditions favorables aux Seychelles

habilement négociées par Quincy. A la fin de la guerre, les Seychelles

et Maurice furent cédées aux Britanniques par le Traité de Paris. Ces

derniers reconnurent les capacités de Quincy et le gardèrent comme

juge de paix de la colonie, jusqu’à sa mort en 1827. A partir de 1861, des

esclaves libérés des marchands arabes au large des côtes d’Afrique de

l’Est furent amenés aux Seychelles pour y commencer de nouvelles vies,

grossissant la population d’environ 3,000 personnes. Les deux guerres

mondiales du 20ème siècle n’affectèrent que peu les Seychelles, mais

les temps changeaient rapidement. Ainsi l’embryon du premier parti

politique, l’Association des Contribuables’, fut formé en 1939.

En mars 1975, une nouvelle constitution fut établie et un

gouvernement de coalition constitué afin de préparer l’indépendance

en 1976; James Mancham devint Président de la République et France

Albert René le Premier ministre. A la suite d’un coup d’Etat en 1977,

les Seychelles adoptèrent un système à parti unique avec Albert René

comme Président et le Front Progressiste du Peuple Seychellois comme

parti dirigeant. Le multipartisme fut ré-introduit avec les élections de

1993, où René fut élu président et Mancham devint chef de l’opposition.

René fut à nouveau réélu en 1998 ainsi qu’aux élections anticipées de

2001, où l’opposition conduite par Wavel Ramkalawan (Parti National

Seychellois) obtint un score élevé. René se retira en Avril 2004 et passa

le pouvoir à son vice-Président, James Michel, qui fut ensuite réélu en

Juillet 2006.

Les Seychelles ont une population d’environ 85,000 habitants, qui

sont les descendants des premiers colons français, de leurs esclaves

africains, des esclaves libérés des trafiquants au cours du 19ème siècle,

et de quelques colons britanniques. Ce creuset racial et culturel s’est

ensuite enrichi avec les apports de marchands venus d’Inde et de Chine, le

tout se mélangeant pour produire une communauté à multiples facettes

quasiment inégalée et complètement harmonieuse. Le riche mélange

racial des Seychelles est reflété par sa culture et sa cuisine diversifiée.

La musique amenée par les colons européens, jouée sur des violons

ou des accordéons s’est mêlée aux sons des tam-tams, du ‘makalapo’

(un instrument à cordes utilisant une boite de conserve comme caisse

de résonance), le ‘bom’ (un instrument arqué), et le ‘sez’ (une cithare

monocorde). La ‘Moutia’ est une danse typique des Seychelles, qui mêle

les rythmes africains et malgaches en une danse populaire de groupe

normalement pratiquée la nuit autour d’un feu. On ressent les influences

européennes dans la contredanse, qui puise ses racines à la cour du

roi français Louis XIV, le Roi Soleil, et dans le ‘mazok’ et la ‘kosez’, qui

rappellent la valse et le quadrille.

Le principal langage parlé dans les îles est le Créole, mais la plupart

des gens parlent aussi l’anglais et le français. Le Créole est une langue

phonétique, similaire à celle rencontré dans les autres territoires jadis

sous influence française, comme Maurice ou la Nouvelle-Orléans.

On a donné aux mots français une prononciation plus simplifiée et on

a laissé tomber les syllabes qui ne se prononçaient pas.

Ainsi Bonjour devient ‘Bonzour’ en Créole, et s’il vous plait ‘sivouple’.

La vie spirituelle des Seychellois s’étend de la magie locale séculaire,

appelée ‘gris-gris’, à l’influence dominante de l’Eglise Catholique.

Souvent ces croyances se côtoient. Beaucoup de personnes consultent

encore leur ‘Bonnonm dibwa’, ou sorcier, à la recherche de potions ou de

sorts pour l’amour, la chance ou la revanche. Cependant, les Seychellois

fréquentent assidûment les églises et considèrent le fait d’y aller comme

un évènement social important.

Les Seychellois ne sont jamais pressés. Il y a toujours du temps

pour parler ou pour un sourire. Leur style de vie est caractérisé par une

attitude insouciante et chaleureuse que les influences extérieures ont

été incapables d’abattre ou d’altérer.

L’histoire des Seychelles


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






www.takamakabay.com


Mahé

The main island of Seychelles is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful and impressive in the world. Each of its 70 beaches has a different character; the rock formations behind them are a dramatic contrast and a beautiful backdrop for the architectural elegance of the hotels.

Mahé covers roughly 150 square kilometres and is 27 kilometres long and seven kilometres wide. Considering its mountainous interior, covered with lush vegetation, it is small wonder that the island’s original name was Ile d’Abondance.

The highest point, Morne Seychellois, is 930 metres above sea level. Even high up in the interior the roads are good. There are plenty of opportunities for walks through winding paths to appreciate the lush flora and fauna at close quarters, especially in the Morne Seychellois National Park.

The airport, south of Victoria, is built on reclaimed land. Landing there is an interesting experience – offering stunning views of the verdant island and its coastline.

Victoria, the national capital with a population of some 20,000, is spread around a large bay at the foot of Morne Seychellois and the Trois Frères. This small town is the islands’ economic and administrative hub, as well as their only international port.

The clock tower in the city centre is a replica of the clock that stands at the junction of Victoria street and Vauxhall Bridge Road in central London. Erected as a memorial to Queen Victoria in 1903, the Seychelles clock tower is today more readily associated with the declaration that year of Seychelles as a Crown colony.

A more modern structure, just outside the old town centre, is a huge sculpture by Lorenzo Appiani – the Bicentennial Monument – representing the three continents from which the Seychelles people originate. If you want to arrange a meeting place, however, the locals tend to use the Pirate’s Arms on Independence Avenue, where one can have a drink or a meal. The first hotel in Seychelles was built not far away, at the intersection of Poudrière street and Francis Rachel street. While no one street is best

for souvenir shopping, there are clusters of shops and boutiques near the traffic lights and the taxi rank, and in the arcade on Francis Rachel street. There are also boutiques in the Temooljee building in the same street, near the Pirate’s Arms and at the foot of Independence Avenue. Local crafts can also be purchased at the kiosks on Francis Rachel street and on Market street. The new Sir Selwyn Selwyn Clarke Market, which was opened in 1999, is noted for its noisy and colourful atmosphere, especially on Saturday mornings. Red chillies, flavoured with garlic and ginger (mazavarou) will give a special ‘Creole touch’ to your dishes. There are two national museums in Victoria – the Natural History Museum, ‘guarded’ by a large cement crocodile and a dugong, on Independence Avenue, and the National History Museum, together with the National Library and Archives are located near Le Chantier roundabout while the Botanical Gardens are on the Mont Fleuri Road, next to the Hospital. Departure point for many of the island excursions is the Marine Charter Association wharf, next to the Yacht Club. There are two cathedrals (one Roman Catholic and one Anglican), one Hindu temple and a Mosque in Victoria.

Then there are the beaches, the glory of Seychelles. The east coast, on which the airport is situated, has long beaches such as Anse Marie-Louise, but there are also many small beaches, some of which you can call your own at times.

Those wishing to avoid crowds will also like Anse Intendance on the south coast, but caution should be observed here and at several other beaches because of strong currents. It is advisable to check on local conditions before swimming or snorkelling. Most beaches, however, are perfectly safe, such as Anse à la Mouche, a large palm-fringed bay with shallow waters, ideal for swimming and snorkelling. There are more interesting beaches, such as Barbarons and Port Glaud, Ile Thérèse, Port Launay Marine National Park or Anse Major (in the National Park near Bel Ombre). Care should be taken with strong currents when snorkelling off nearby Anse Takamaka. Slightly north is Baie Lazare, with its dramatic granite backdrop.

To many, the king of beaches is Beau Vallon, in the north of the island – a huge three kilometres (two miles) long curve of white sand with crystal-clear water that is especially calm and welcoming. Several hotels on Beau Vallon offer excellent watersports and diving facilities.

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MahéL’île principale des Seychelles est, sans aucun doute, l’une des plus belles îles du

monde avec ses 70 plages au caractère particulier. Les magnifiques formations

rocheuses, qui séparent les plages de l’intérieur de l’île, resemblent à un décor

de théâtre dans lequel se fond l’élégante architecture des hôtels.

Mahé couvre environ 150 kilomètres carrés, mesurant 27 kilomètres de

long et 7 kilomètres de large. L’abondante végétation qui recouvre son relief

montagneux lui a valu autrefois le nom d’Ile d’Abondance. Le point culminant

de cette île s’élève à 930 mètres au-dessus du niveau de la mer. Le réseau

routier est carrossable jusque dans les coins les plus reculés de l’intérieur. De

nombreux chemins de promenades à pied permettent d’admirer de près la flore

et la faune de l’île, en particulier dans le Parc National du Morne Seychellois.

Au sud de Victoria, la capitale, se trouve l’aéroport de Mahé. Le seul fait d’y

atterrir est une expérience inoubliable à cause de la vue magnifique que l’on a

de l’île verdoyante et de sa côte.

Victoria, avec sa population d’environ 20,000 habitants, s’étend le long d’une

baie au pied du Morne Seychellois et des Trois Frères. Cette ville minuscule est

le centre administratif et financier des Seychelles ainsi que le seul port de l’île.

La tour de l’horloge est une copie miniature de celle située à l’intersection de

Victoria Street et Vauxhall Bridge Road près de la gare Victoria à Londres. Elle fût

édifiée en 1903 en hommage à la reine Victoria. Mais aujourd’hui, elle est plutôt

considérée comme un symbole de l’élévation des Seychelles au rang de colonie

de la Couronne, indépendante de l’Ile Maurice.

La monumentale sculpture du bicentenaire de Lorenzo Appiani au centre de

la ville, représente les trois continents dont le peuple Seychellois est originaire:

l’Europe, l’Afrique et l’Asie. Le Pirates Arms, sur la place de l’Indépendance, est

un lieu de rencontre populaire où l’on peut boire et se restaurer. Bien qu’aucune

rue en particulier ne soit la meilleure pour l’achat de souvenirs il y a bon

nombre de boutiques au voisinage des uniques feux de circulation de l’île, près

de la station de taxis, et dans la rue Francis Rachel. Il y a aussi des boutiques

intéressantes dans l’édifice Temooljee situé dans la même rue, près du Pirates

Arms, et au début de l’avenue de l’Indépendance.

Le site du premier hôtel qui fut construit aux Seychelles se trouve à l’intersection

de la rue de la Poudrière et de la rue Francis Rachel.

Le “Marine Charter Association”, proche du cercle nautique, est le point de départ

de nombreuses excursions. La rue du Marché est fascinante avec ses étalages de

produits locaux et de souvenirs, son ambiance bruyante et colorée, en particulier les

samedis matins. Les piments rouges, assaisonnés d’ail et de gingembre (mazavarou),

en vente au marché (entièrement rénové en 1999), ne manqueront pas de relever

votre cuisine d’une touche créole. On trouve à Victoria deux cathédrales (une

catholique et une anglicane), un temple hindou et une mosquée.

Le Musée d’Histoire Naturelle, gardé par son crocodile et son Dugong en ciment,

se trouve dans l’avenue de l’Indépendance, tandis que le Musée National d’Histoire,

où est exposée la Pierre de Possession française, la Bibliothèque et les Archives

Nationales se situent dans la rue Francis Rachel, et le Jardin Botanique sur la route

de Mont-Fleuri, près de l’Hôpital.

Et puis, bien sûr, il y a les plages, la fierté de l’île. Sur la côte est, au Sud de

l’aéroport, s’étendent de grandes plages telle que l’Anse Marie Louise ainsi que

de plus petites plages souvent désertes. L’Anse Intendance, sur la côte sud, fait

parfaitement l’affaire de ceux qui préfèrent se tenir à l’écart des foules, quoique les

baignades y soient quelque peu dangereuses de mai à septembre. De même, il faut

être prudent lorsque l’on fait de la plongée ou du P.M.T. (Palme-Masque-Tuba) au

large de l’Anse Takamaka et plus généralement tout le long de la côte sud et ouest

de l’île, en raison des courants qui peuvent y être dangereux. Un peu plus au Nord, se

trouve Baie Lazare, avec son arrière-plan de granite tout à fait spectaculaire.

En remontant la côte ouest, il est conseillé d’accéder à la plage suivante, la

merveilleuse Anse Soleil, par un chemin pédestre, avant de se diriger vers Anse à

la Mouche, une grande plage bordée de palmiers dont l’eau peu profonde en fait

un lieu idéal pour la baignade ou le P.M.T. Il y a bien d’autres magnifiques plages,

dont Barbarons, Port Glaud, et l’Ile Thérèse, Port Launay ou Anse Major (à laquelle

on accède via Bel Ombre) qui sont des Parcs nationaux. La reine des plages, pour

beaucoup de personnes, c’est celle de Beau Vallon, au Nord de l’île. Celle-ci se

présente comme une longue promenade de trois kilomètres de sable blanc, caressée

par une eau claire particulièrement accueillante et calme. On trouvera là plusieurs

hôtels offrant tout l’équipement nécessaire aux sports nautiques.


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L’île aux CerfsCette île luxuriante se situe à 15 minutes de Mahé par bateau. Sa côte nord s’étend

le long du Parc Marin National de Ste Anne; elle est bordée d’un superbe récif de

corail, et est donc un endroit idéal pour la plongée sous-marine. L’intérieur de l’île

est le domicile de tortues et de roussettes (chauve-souris) géantes. Les restaurants

y servent une excellente cuisine créole.

Moyenne Island Parc NationalGrande de seulement 9 hectares, l’île Moyenne est un des plus petits parcs

nationaux. C’est une île privée, dans le parc national de St Anne, mais elle

demeure facilement accessible au public. Malgré sa petite taille, c’est un

véritable trésor. Plus de la moitie des plantes endémiques et uniques aux îles

granitiques y est présente. Moyenne est le seul endroit au monde en dehors

de la Vallée de Mai où poussent les six palmes uniques aux Seychelles.

Moyenne a une population de plus de 100 tortues géantes et environ

une vingtaine de tortues marines imbriquées qui viennent pondre sur ses

plages .Les premiers habitants de l’île étaient sans doute des pirates, ce

qui expliquerait les tombeaux qui s’y trouvent. Et aussi, il y a les fameuses

histoires de fantômes qui s’aventurent depuis lecimetière a minuit,

frappant aux portes et fenêtres, comme si bien raconté dans le livre ‘Un Grain

de Sable’!

CerfThis lush island is 15 minutes by boat from Mahé. Its north coast, which lies at the

edge of the marine park, has a superb coral reef, ideal for snorkelling or scuba-diving.

The interior is home to giant tortoises and flying foxes. Restaurants serve excellent

Créole food.

Moyenne Island National Park

At just nine hectares, Moyenne Island may be the world’s smallest National Park.

Owned by Moyenne Foundation, a private NGO, it lies within the St Anne Marine

National Park and is the only island of the group open to day visitors. Despite its

diminutive size, it is an environmental treasure trove. Some 40 endemic plants are

represented, more than half of those unique to the granitic islands. Moyenne is the

only place on earth other than Vallée de Mai where all six of the palms unique to

Seychelles can be seen.

Moyenne also has a population of more than 2,000 birds, 100 giant tortoises

and about 20 hawksbill turtles haul themselves ashore at Pirate Cove each

year. Perhaps pirates were the earliest human inhabitants and graves of

mysterious origin may date from this era. There are also tales of ghosts that

bang on windows and doors or trudge from the cemetery around midnight,

eloquently told in the book A Grain of Sand.

Eden IslandEden Island is a private residential marina development situated just off the

coast of Mahé. Featuring a range of 580 freehold title luxury apartments,

spacious maisons and private villas, each with its own mooring, it also offers

owners the opportunity to qualify for residency of the Seychelles.

The over 56 hectares of land and private waterways will host a myriad

of upmarket facilities. These include an international marina capable of

handling super-yachts up to 100 metres in size, a commercial precinct

as well as a clubhouse hosting a gym and a tennis court.

The overall style of the island is distinctly rooted in the Seychelles

vernacular, drawing inspiration from the islands’ French, Victorian and

Indian ancestry. For more information, contact Christopher Nel on

+248 43 46 000, visit the island yourself or visit www.edenisland.sc

Eden IslandEden Island est une marina résidentielle située proche de Mahé. Elle propose,

en pleine propriété, 580 appartements luxueux, maisons spacieuses et villas

de rêve indépendantes.

Chaque unité dispose de son propre point de mouillage et les propriétaires.

Eden Island développe 56 hectares de terrain et de voies navigables. Elle abrite

une marina internationale capable d’accueillir les Yachts jusqu’à 100 mètres et

bientôt un centre commercial ainsi qu’un club house avec salle de fitness et cours

de tennis.

L’architecture et le design de l’île s’inspirent des influences historiques

françaises, anglaises et indiennes dans le plus pur style seychellois. Pour plus

d’informations, contactez aux Seychelles Sandra Colas au +248 43 46 000

et en France la société Ter Cognita Jean-Philippe Aubert au +33 (0)1 48 25 93 33

ou visitez notre site internet www.edenisland.sc

25 Discover Seychelles Les Îles


CousinCousin Island, has been a nature reserve since 1968, when it was bought by the Royal Society for Nature Conservation and held in trust for the International Council for Bird Preservation as a haven for all types of birds including endangered species. It is a place of pilgrimage for dedicated ornithologists: there they can find the Seychelles warbler, Seychelles magpie-robin and Seychelles fody, which are found elsewhere only on a handful of rat-free islands. Madagascar turtle doves (possibly including the endemic form with the red head) and Seychelles sunbirds are also present. Seabirds abound on Cousin, with more than 250,000 birds coming to nest every year. These are brown noddies, lesser noddies, wedge-tailed shearwaters, Audubon’s shearwaters, bridled terns, as well as fairy terns, one of the symbols of Seychelles, seen on the livery of Air Seychelles. There are also interesting geckos, giant tortoises introduced from Aldabra, and hawksbill turtles which lay their eggs above the tideline of the beach. The reserve is open on certain days. Check with your hotel or tour operator.

The Seychelles government declared Cousin a Special Reserve in 1975. It is managed by Nature Seychelles. Visitors may not have picnics or collect shells. Even smoking is forbidden. A popular day trip leaves Praslin around 0900 hours from Maison des Palmes, taking in Curieuse as well, with time for a barbecue there, and later some snorkelling at St Pierre, arriving back at Praslin at around 1600 hours.

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

CousinCousin est une réserve naturelle depuis 1968, date à laquelle cette île fut achetée par la Royal Society for Nature Conservation pour le compte du et le Conseil International pour la Protection des Oiseaux qui en fît un refuge pour oiseaux de toutes espèces mais particulièrement pour les espèces menacées d’extinction. Ces dernières étant particulièrement rares, Cousin est devenu un lieu de pèlerinage pour ornithologues. Ils trouvent là la Rousserole des Seychelles, le Fody (Tok-Tok en Créole) des Seychelles et la Pie chanteuse des Seychelles, espèces survivant seulement sur quelques îles sans rats. Des Tourterelles de Madagascar (dont la forme endémique des Seychelles à tête rouge) et des Souimangas des Seychelles s’y trouvent également. Les oiseaux marins y sont quant-à-eux très nombreux, avec plus de 250,000 d’entre eux qui viennent y nicher chaque année. Il y a là des Noddis bruns, des Noddis à bec grêle, des Puffins du Pacifique et des Puffins d’Audubon, des Sternes bridées, ainsi que des Sternes Blanches, un des symboles des Seychelles qui fut incorporé dans le logotype d’Air Seychelles.

On y trouve également beaucoup de reptiles intéressants, tels que des geckos, des tortues géantes qui furent importées de l’île d’Aldabra, et des tortues marines qui viennent pondre sur les plages, au-dessus de la ligne de marée haute. La réserve n’est pas ouverte au public tous les jours; il est donc prudent de s’informer auprès de votre hôtel ou tour opérateur avant d’y projeter une visite. En 1975, le gouvernement Seychellois classa Cousin «Réserve Spéciale». L’île éstt aujourd’hui gérée par Nature Seychelles, représentant local de BirdLife International. Le ramassage des coquillages et les pique-niques sont interdits à Cousin et les visiteurs ne sont pas non plus autorisés à fumer. Une excursion intéressante part le matin de Praslin vers 09h00, visite ensuite Curieuse, où est organisé un barbecue sur la plage, avant de reprendre la mer pour St Pierre pour un P.M.T. et de rentrer ensuite à Praslin vers 16h00.

Ste Anne and its Marine National ParkThe smaller islands that are most accessible from Mahé for half-day or full-day trips are Cerf, Moyenne, Round and Ste Anne. The best way to appreciate the wonders of the ocean is to make the trip by glass-bottomed boat, through which you can see shoals of colourful fish. Unfortunately large sections of coral have suffered from a rise in sea temperatures (attributed to climate change), although some are showing signs of recovery.

Constituted in 1973, the Ste Anne Marine National Park was one of the first Marine National Parks in the Indian Ocean. It now protects over 150 types of fish. Naturally, fishing is forbidden, as is collecting shells and coral. As the notice says, “Take away nothing but photographs and memories.”

With the new five-star hotel, Sainte Anne Resort, (managed by the International Company Beachcomber) the island is now a holiday paradise for visitors.

Sainte Anne et le Parc Marin NationalDes excursions d’une journée ou d’une demi-journée peuvent être facilement organisées sur les îles Cerf, Moyenne, Ronde, et Sainte Anne, au large de Mahé. Le meilleur moyen d’apprécier les merveilles de l’océan est de s’offrir une traversée en bateau à fond de verre vers l’une de ces îles. Car cela permet d’admirer les innombrables bancs de poissons. Malheureusement, les formations coralliennes ont souffert du réchauffement de l’eau, phénomène attribué au changement du climat, mais montrent des signes de récupération.

Le Parc Marin National de Ste Anne, qui fut constitué en 1973, est l’un des premiers de l’océan indien. Il abrite aujourd’hui plus de 150 espèces de poissons. La pêche et le ramassage du corail y sont strictement interdits. Comme le dit si bien la brochure touristique: “N’emportez rien sauf des photos, ne laissez rien sauf des traces de pas.”

Avec le nouveau complexe hôtelier cinq étoiles de Sainte-Anne, (géré par la compagnie internationale Beachcomber) l’île est maintenant devenue une destination touristique paradisiaque.

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

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Start your forever today when you fly to one of our Island’s most idyllic and charming location - Praslin. Say “I do” to getting there faster with over 20* daily departures.

Charter services are also available upon request.

For more information and bookings call+248 439 13 66 or contact your travel agent.

Your garden of Eden

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PraslinThe second-largest granite island of Seychelles is Praslin, about 40 kilometres from Mahé. It is 15 minutes by Air Seychelles service, which offers many scheduled flights a day. By boat, it takes about one hour with the powerful catamarans that make 3 to 4 round trips rotations per day. The island has a population of about 7,000. There are several excellent hotels, including the Lemuria Resort and Château de Feuilles. Praslin is not as mountainous as Mahé – the highest point being 330 metres – but it has similarly great granite outcrops surrounded by beautiful beaches, and a coral reef enclosing the crystal-clear waters which are so typical of Seychelles.

The majestic bays and beaches alternate with smaller ones on which, even in the busy season, you could believe you were the only person on the island.

Anse Volbert, or Côte d’Or, to the east of the island, is particularly beautiful, with its pure white sand. Hotels such as Berjaya Praslin Beach offer a wide variety of watersports facilities.

Fantastic granite masses form striking backgrounds to the beaches of Anse Bois de Rose, Anse Boudin and Anse Kerlan, where the five-star Lemuria Resort has an 18-hole championship golf course. At the northernmost tip of the island, Anse Lazio is excellent for both swimming and snorkelling. Grand Anse, on the west coast, has an equally beautiful beach for lazing about, but the waters are sometimes heavy with seaweed and, because it is very shallow over the coral, swimming is difficult at low tide.

Baie Pasquière and Anse Volbert to the north and Baie St Anne to the south have natural harbours which are best appreciated if you opt to make your trip from Mahé to Praslin by boat; the view as you sail in is striking. In Baie St. Anne, you will see Baie St Anne village, where there is a bank, shops and a church, same as at Grande Anse village on the opposite side of the island.

One of the eternal symbols of Seychelles, the huge coco de mer nut, grows in the Vallée de Mai forest of Praslin, also home to one of the world’s rarest birds, the black parrot. The Vallée, a World Heritage Site, is open from 0830 to 1630 hours and the entrance can be found on the road from Grand Anse to Baie St Anne. This area is heavily protected and is being allowed to return to its natural state following ill-founded attempts to introduce non-native plants there in the 1930s and 1940s.

Paths are well-maintained and clearly marked, and a nature trail leads you to all the interesting botanical species. You can find leaflets and information at the entrance of the reserve, managed by the Seychelles Islands Foundation. To walk through the Vallée is to step back in time into a primeval forest, canopied by thick palm fronds that block out the sun. The silence is broken only by the call of the black parrot and the clatter of huge sturdy leaves as the wind blows through the trees.

In streams, freshwater crayfish and crabs can be seen, and the plants around you include the coco de mer, bois rouge, ferns, lataniers, coco marron, screwpines and orchids, all growing around the granite mass. Fruit bats, blue pigeons, bulbuls, lizards, geckos, chameleons, snails and insects can also be observed in the Vallée de Mai. Praslin is perfect to explore on foot and is covered by a network of walkways. There is no danger of getting lost as the island is so small that one needs only an hour or less to cross it width wise.

There is only a limited number of cars for hire, so if you wish to drive it is wise to book ahead, particularly during the busy seasons from December to January and July to August. Petrol stations can be found at Grand Anse and Baie St Anne. There are taxi ranks at the airport. Taxis can be called by telephone from most hotels and the airport (tel: 4284666). Fares increase slightly at night.

A bus service runs between 0530 and 1900 hours, with a special Sunday service. You can also take a bus that passes the Vallée de Mai entrance. For souvenir shopping, there are boutiques in all the main hotels. Barclays Bank is at Baie St Anne (tel: 4232218), with a branch at Grande Anse open Mondays to Fridays from 0830 to1230 hours.

There are regular boat excursions to smaller islands such as St Pierre, a tiny rock island that is popular for its rich coral reef. The area is particularly favourable for underwater photography. You can organise a boat from Praslin to take you out in the morning and pick you up again in the evening. Coco is also another attractive destination for tourists; it is a deserted tiny island of rocks and boulders with a few palm trees and an exceptional marine life.

There are good restaurants on Praslin if you wish to have a meal away from your hotel.

PraslinSituée à 40 kilomètres à l’Est de Mahé, Praslin est la deuxième plus grande île des Seychelles. Elle a une population d’environ 7,000 habitants. Les deux îles sont reliées par un service régulier d’Air Seychelles qui assure beaucoup de une quinzaine devols journaliers d’une durée de 15 minutes chacun. Le trajet par bateau (trois ou quatre aller-retours par jour) dure environ une heure .

Plusieurs hôtels de grande qualité sont installés à Praslin, parmi lesquels le Lémuria et le Château de Feuilles.

Le relief de Praslin, dont le sommet le plus haut n’atteint que 330 mètres, n’est pas aussi accidenté que celui de Mahé mais il comporte des formations granitiques semblables, entourées de plages merveilleuses et d’une barrière de corail aux eaux cristallines qui font la gloire des Seychelles.

Baies et plages majestueuses alternent avec de plus petites baies dans lesquelles, même en pleine saison touristique, on a l’impression d’être seul.

L’Anse Volbert, ou Côte d’or, sur la côte est, est particulièrement belle avec ses plages d’une blancheur éclatante. Les hôtels, tels que le Berjaya Praslin Beach offrent une grande variété de sports nautiques.

Des masses granitiques spectaculaires forment un arrière-plan qui contraste avec les plages de l’Anse Bois de Rose, l’Anse Boudin et l’Anse Kerlan où se trouve le nouvel Hôtel cinq étoiles Lémuria. Un golf de 18 trous y a également été construit. Au point le plus septentrional de l’île se trouve Anse Lazio, une magnifique plage excellente pour la baignade et le P.M.T. Sur la côte ouest, la plage de Grand Anse est parfaite pour les bains de soleil matinaux; cependant, la baignade y est difficile à marée basse en raison d’une eau peu profonde au-dessus des bancs de corail, parfois recouverts d’algues jusqu’au bord du rivage.

La Baie Pasquière et l’Anse Volbert au Nord, et la Baie Ste Anne au sud sont des ports naturels qui offrent un spectacle pittoresque à ceux qui ont opté pour la traversée en bateau depuis Mahé. On peut apercevoir de cette baie le village principal avec son monument au coco de mer, la banque, les kiosques et l’église. Banques, boutiques et église sont aussi présentes à Grand Anse Village, de l’autre coté de l’île. Le coco de mer (vulgairement appelé Coco-fesses) est le symbole éternel des Seychelles. Il croît dans les forêts de la Vallée de Mai, à Praslin, où niche l’un des oiseaux les plus rares au monde: le Perroquet noir des Seychelles.

Cette vallée, qui fait partie du Patrimoine Mondialde l’humanité, est ouverte de 8h30 à 16h30 aux visiteurs qui peuvent la traverser en voiture sur la seule route goudronnée de l’île. C’est un site protégé que l’on espère voir retourner à son état primitif, malheureusement bouleversé dans les années trente et quarante par des tentatives mal fondées d’y introduire des plantes exotiques.

Les sentiers, qui serpentent à travers une nature bien fournie en espèces botaniques intéressantes, sont régulièrement entretenus et clairement indiqués. Une brochure est mise à la disposition du public à l’entrée de la réserve, gérée par la Fondation des Iles Seychelles.

Se promener dans cette vallée équivaut à remonter le temps dans un décor de forêt vierge au toit formé d’épaisses feuilles de palmier qui empêchent le soleil de pénétrer. Le silence est y impressionnant, interrompu seulement par les cris du Perroquet noir et le bruissement des palmes agitées par le vent. Ecrevisses et crabes d’eau douce vivent paisiblement dans tous les ruisseaux, et parmi les plantes environnantes figurent Cocos-de-mer, fougères, lataniers, Bois rouge, vacoas, Cocos marrons et orchidées, qui poussent entre les masses de granit. Roussettes, Pigeons bleus, bulbuls, lézards, geckos, caméléons, escargots et insectes divers peuvent aussi être observés dans la Vallée de Mai.

L’île de Praslin se prête parfaitement à l’exploration pédestre avec un réseau de sentiers et de chemins agréables. Pas de crainte de se perdre car l’île est si petite qu’il faut moins d’une heure pour la traverser dans sa largeur. Mais si vous préférez vous déplacer en voiture, il vaut mieux faire des réservations à l’avance car le nombre de véhicules de location est limité, surtout pendant les hautes saisons de décembre-janvier et de juillet-août. Les deux stations-service se trouvent à Grand Anse et à Baie Ste Anne. Il existe une station de taxis en face de l’aéroport. Ceux-ci peuvent être appelés par téléphone depuis l’aéroport (tel: 4284666) ou depuis les différents hôtels de l’île.

Le prix des courses est légèrement majoré la nuit. Il existe aussi un service de bus entre 5h30 et 19h00 sur les quatre routes principales avec service spécial le dimanche. On peut ainsi se rendre à la Vallée de mai en bus.

Vous trouverez des souvenirs dans toutes les boutiques d’hôtels. La banque Barclays est à Baie Ste Anne (tel: 4232218) avec une succursale à Grand Anse, ouverte du lundi au vendredi, de 8h30 à 12h30.

Des excursions partent régulièrement par bateau de Praslin à destination des petites îles avoisinantes, telles que St Pierre, un îlot rocheux très connu pour sa barrière de corail fourmillant d’une vie marine multicolore. Il est possible de s’arranger pour qu’une embarcation vous dépose le matin avec un panier pique-nique, et vienne vous rechercher le soir. L’Ile Coco est une autre destination très prisée des touristes; il s’agit d’une petite île déserte et rocheuse sur laquelle poussent quelques palmiers, et où la vie sous-marine est exceptionnelle. Les amateurs de photos sous-marines y trouveront un cadre idéal.

Plusieurs restaurants permettent de déjeuner ou de dîner hors de l’hôtel.


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

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

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

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

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

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


La DigueThis is the third largest granite island in Seychelles in terms of population, housing about 2,500 people. It is a half-hour trip from Praslin, or three hours by schooner from Mahé. However, visitors with a tight schedule may prefer to take the 20-minute flight with Helicopter Seychelles (tel: 4385858).

The pace of life is slow, about the same speed as its traditional way of transport – the ox cart. Very few cars are allowed on the island and bicycles are popular. They can be hired from various bicycle rentals at Anse Réunion or La Passe harbour on arrival. At l’Union a fine old traditional planter’s house has been carefully restored. It used to be the centre of a vanilla plantation of which the treatment factory can still be seen. Further inland, Château Saint Cloud, built under Napoleon’s regime, is another impressive restored plantation house. On the agricultural estate, you can see furnace-dried coconuts, or copra, being turned into oil. Also of historical interest, at Pointe Cap Barbi, there are graves of early colonists from Bourbon Island (today’s Réunion). The old cemetery at l’Union is also an attraction.

La Digue is noted for its superb beaches, and snorkelling (particularly in front of La Digue Island Lodge).

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

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

La DigueLa Digue, avec une population de 2,500 habitants, est la quatrième île des Seychelles par sa taille. La traversée depuis Praslin se fait en une demi-heure, et celle depuis Mahé en trois heures. Les visiteurs ayant un emploi du temps serré préfèreront s’y rendre par le vol de 20 minutes d’Helicopter Seychelles (tel: 4385858). Le rythme de vie ici est aussi lent que le moyen de transport traditionnel: le char à bœufs. Très peu de voitures sont autorisées sur l’île, par conséquent les vélos ont beaucoup de succès, et peuvent se louer à Anse Réunion ou au débarcadère du port de La Passe.

Une belle maison traditionnelle de planteurs a été restaurée à l’Union, celle-çi a servi au tournage du film ‘Emmanuelle aux Seychelles’. Elle est située au centre d’une plantation de vanille dont on peut visiter l’usine de traitement. L’usine d’huile de copra (noix de coco séchées) peut être aussi visitée sur ce domaine. Plus à l’intérieur, se trouve l’impressionnant Château St Cloud, une autre maison de planteur qui fût construite au temps des conquêtes napoléoniennes. Les tombes des premiers colons venus de l’Ile Bourbon (aujourd’hui l’Ile de la Réunion) s’élèvent au nord de l’île, à la Pointe Cap Barbi, ainsi qu’au vieux cimetière à l’Union.

La Digue est renommée pour ses plages superbes et ses sites spectaculaires pour le P.M.T (snorkelling) et la plongée sous-marine (en particulier en face de La Digue Island Lodge). On peut y admirer les formations granitiques sculptées par le vent et la mer au cours de millions d’années.

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

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

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33Discover Seychelles The Islands Discover Seychelles Les Îles

Ile Denis3°48’ Sud - 55°40’ Est, une perle corallienne au nord de Mahé. Bercée par le flot des vagues, Denis Island trône sereinement au bord des grandes profondeurs de l’Océan Indien. Havr e de paix et de sérénité, « l’Ile des gens heureux » découverte par Denis de Trobiant en 1773 à bord de son bateau l’Etoile, semble n’avoir jamais cédé à l’empreinte de l’homme. Protégées par une longue barrière de corail, l’île de 152 hectares et sa plage de sable blanc bordent un extraordinaire lagon bleu turquoise où se côtoient d’infinies variétés de poissons, coquillages, coraux, tortues… Sur terre, la nature préservée et exubérante laisse échapper une symphonie douce et mélodieuse d’oiseaux marins, que seul peut interrompre le mouvement saccadé des crabes ou celui plus langoureux des tortues géantes.

Depuis plusieurs années, un important programme de conservation mobilise les énergies. Sur 50 hectares de forêt, des scientifiques travaillent à la réhabilitation de l’habitat originel afin d’introduire des espèces menacées d’oiseaux endémiques à l’archipel. Un pari sur le futur qui renforce chaque jour le caractère unique de l’Ile. Enfin, au fil des sentiers, Denis Island dévoile progressivement ses richesses, un vieux cimetière marin, son phare, sa chapelle œcuménique, sa ferme, ses projets de développement de tourisme durable.…

Familiale, romantique et amicale, Denis Island est avant tout une expérience unique, une symphonie harmonieuse entre luxe, calme et volupté. L’hôtel s’étend sur la pointe nord-ouest de l’île, les 25 villas et cottages sont dispersés le long de la plage.

DenisDiscovered in 1773, this croissant shaped coral hideaway of 152 hectares (375 acres) is a small green jewel perched on the north easterly edge of the Seychelles bank, idyllic white beaches surround the island; its sheltered lagoon provides unrivalled swimming opportunities and the crystal-clear waters harbour turtles and exotic marine life, the house reef is perfect for snorkelling. The deep waters outside the reef allow for excellent diving, game, bottom and fly fishing.

Denis is undertaking unprecedented conservation and sustainable development projects. Over 50 hectares of woodland have been rehabilitated and the dense forested interior is a haven for the recently introduced endemic endangered avian species such as the Seychelles Fody, the brush warbler, the Seychelles magpie robin and most recently the Paradise Fly-Catcher previously only found on La Digue. Other endemic species such as Seychelles blue pigeon abound. The island’s vegetable and livestock farm and surrounding seas supply the hotel’s kitchen’s requirements.

The island is accessible by a 30-minute flight. Twenty-five tasteful, elegant and secluded cottages each with its own private beachfront provide comfort and laid-back luxury.

Alphonse & St Francois Atoll

Alphonse is the most remote island with a hotel, 400 kilometres southwest of Mahé. Its attractions include some of the best diving in the Indian Ocean, with forests of Gorgonian fan corals, huge schools of pelagic fish and many colourful reef fish. Once a productive coconut plantation, little remains as a reminder of these days save for a few old buildings and the island’s cemetery near to Pointe Huto. Conservation is a high priority and a team of full time scientists and rangers from the Island Conservation Society are employed on rehabilitation and monitoring programmes

A short stretch of ocean, ominously named as Canal de Mort, separates Alphonse from picture perfect Bijoutier and the lagoon of St Francois, world famous for its fly-fishing, opportunities. A feature of St Francois is the number of shipwrecks, standing as grim reminders of the perils of the sea.

Les atolls d’Alphonse et de St François

Située à 400 km au sud-ouest de Mahé, Alphonse est l’île la plus éloignée avec un hôtel. On y trouve quelques-uns uns des meilleurs sites de plongée de l’océan indien, avec des forêts de Gorgones éventail géantes, d’immenses bancs de poissons pélagiques et beaucoup de poissons de récifs colorés. Jadis une plantation de cocotiers productive, peu de choses sont restées de ce temps révolu à l’exception de quelques vieux bâtiments et le cimetière de l’île près de la Pointe Huto. La conservation de la nature est une priorité et plusieurs scientifiques et gardes de la Fondation pour la Conservation des Iles (Island Conservation Society) y sont employés à plein temps sur des programmes de suivi et de réhabilitation de l’écosystème.

Un bras de mer étroit, dont le nom (de mauvaise augure) est ‘Canal de Mort’ sépare Alphonse de l’îlot de carte postale Bijoutier, et du lagon de St François mondialement célèbre pour la pêche à la mouche. Une caractéristique de St François est le nombre d’épaves de bateaux naufragés, dressés comme des sinistres rappels des périls de la mer.


SilhouetteSilhouette lies 20 km northwest of Mahé. It is the third largest granitic island, yet the human impact is minimal. Mount Dauban rises to 740 metres and is the second highest summit in Seychelles. Though superficially similar to neighbouring islands, much of Silhouette is made up of younger rock called syenite and dated from 63 million years ago. Between Point Ramasse Tout and Point Zeng Zeng lies the only surface volcanic ash in Seychelles. Silhouette was named for Etienne de Silhouette (1709-1767) who was the Controller General of Finances in France in the reign of Louis XV. His watchword was austerity and wags of the day commented that his financial strictures had reduced them to mere ‘silhouettes’ of themselves.

In 1987 a Marine National Park was declared around the island and in 2010, Silhouette National Park was created protecting 93 percent of the landmass. About 2,000 species of plants and animals have been recorded on Silhouette, including the Critically Endangered sheath-tailed bat, possibly the rarest mammal on earth. Most of the 75 or so endemic plants of the granitic islands are found on Silhouette. The Island Conservation Society runs a centre on the island, protecting the flora and fauna and conducting nature tours.

The crew of an English East India Company vessel, the Ascension were the first to step ashore on Silhouette in 1609. Graves discovered at Anse Lascars were thought to be those from an earlier Arab settlement but date to around 1800, possibly those of slaves who escaped the plantations of their owners on Mahé and created a new life for themselves on Silhouette, becoming the island’s first permanent inhabitants.

The first landowner about whom we have any background was Jean-Francois Hodoul, a French corsair in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. He is rumoured to have buried his fortune somewhere in the dark mountain forest. The Daubans bought the island in 1860 and owned it for a hundred years. They were plantation owners of French extraction and made real efforts towards profitable farming, clearing forest on the flat land in order to plant coconut palms and fruit trees, and building the necessary supporting infrastructure. The Dauban era came to an end when Henri Dauban sold the island to a French group, and it was acquired by the government in 1983, when management of the island passed to the Island Development Company. Nowadays Silhouette Island is home to 5 star resort Hilton Seychelles Labriz Resort & Spa, the only hotel on the island.

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

SilhouetteSilhouette se trouve à 20 km au nord-ouest de Mahé. Il s’agit de la troisième plus grande île granitique, mais l’impact de l’activité humaine est minime. Le Mont Dauban se dresse à 740 mètres, soit le deuxième plus haut sommet des Seychelles. Bien que superficiellement semblable aux îles voisines, Silhouette est essentiellement composée d’un jeune rocher appelé syénite et daté de 63 millions d’années. Entre la Pointe Ramasse Tout et la Pointe Zeng Zeng se trouvent les seuls cendres volcaniques de surface aux Seychelles. Silhouette doit son appellation à Étienne de Silhouette (1709-1767) qui était contrôleur général des finances en France sous le règne de Louis XV. Son maitre mot était l’austérité et les commentateurs de cette époque disaient que ses mesures financières contraignantes les avaient réduits à de simples «silhouettes» d’eux-mêmes.

En 1987, un parc national marin a été déclaré autour de l’île et, en 2010, le parc national de Silhouette a été créé, protégeant 93% de la masse terrestre. Environ 2.000 espèces de plantes et d’animaux ont été enregistrées à Silhouette, y compris la chauve-souris à queue en fourreau gravement menacée d’extinction, probablement le mammifère le plus rare sur terre. La plupart des quelques 75 espèces de plantes endémiques des îles granitiques se trouvent à Silhouette. La Société pour la conservation des iles gère un centre sur l’île en vue de la protection de la flore et de la faune, et l’organisation des excursions dans la nature.

Les membres d’équipage d’un navire de la British East India Company, Ascension, ont été les premiers à débarquer à Silhouette en 1609. On pensait que les tombes découvertes à Anse Lascars étaient celles des habitants arabes qui occupaient l’ île avant, mais elles datent de 1800 environ, et pourraient être celles des esclaves qui s’étaient échappés des plantations de leurs propriétaires à Mahé pour commencer une nouvelle vie à Silhouette, devenant ainsi les premiers habitants permanents de l’île.

Le premier propriétaire foncier pour qui nous disposons des informations est Jean-François Hodoul, un corsaire français de la fin du XVIIIème et début du XIXème siècle. Il semblerait qu’il aurait enterré sa fortune quelque part dans la forêt de montagne sombre. Les Dauban ont acheté l’île en 1860 et l’ont détenue pendant une centaine d’années. D’origine française, ils étaient propriétaires de plantations et se sont réellement efforcés à entreprendre une agriculture rentable en défrichant la forêt sur les terres plates pour planter des cocotiers et des arbres fruitiers, et construire les infrastructures nécessaires d’appui. L’ère Dauban prit fin lorsqu’Henri Dauban vendit l’île à un groupe français. Elle fut reprise par le gouvernement en 1983, sa direction passant à la Islands Development Company. Aujourd’hui, l’ile Silhouette abrite l’hôtel à 5 étoiles Hilton Seychelles Labriz Resort & Spa, le seul établissement hôtelier sur l’île.

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

Depuis 2009, une équipe de scientifiques et de gardes de la Fondation pour la Conservation des Iles (Island Conservation Society) y est employée à plein temps pour assurer le suivi et la protection des espèces et des écosystèmes terrestres et marins.


FrégateThis, the most isolated of the granite islands, is only 12 minutes from Mahé by Air Seychelles. Of all the islands, it has the most romantic associations with the world of pirates and hidden treasure. Some relics on the island suggest that it was a refuge for pirates in the 17th and 18th centuries. Ian Fleming, who created James Bond, was persuaded from ancient maps he discovered here, that a treasure was hidden somewhere on the island.

More obvious treasures are the abundant flora and fauna. Frégate is the stronghold of the critically endangered Seychelles magpie-robin (less than 200 birds in the world), saved from extinction by the intervention of BirdLife International. Recently the Ministry of Environment established successfully on Frégate another highly threatened endemic bird, the Seychelles white-eye (500 individuals in the world). The island boasts the world’s only population of giant tenebrionid beetle, as well as numerous giant tortoises. Despite the abundance of exotic vegetation and planted coconut palms, tens of thousands of native trees have been propagated and replanted since 1995, totaling several dozens of hectares restored. There are superb beaches, such as Anse Victorin, which some say is the prettiest in Seychelles. It is also a walker’s paradise, with wooded paths leading through plantations and groves. With the five-star Frégate Island Private Resort, the island is a holiday preserve for guests.

ArideThis is the most northerly island of the granitic Seychelles. It was bought by the Royal Society for Nature Conservation in 1973 and today is owned and managed by the Island Conservation Society. It is second only to Aldabra in importance as a nature reserve in Seychelles. On Aride there are more breeding species of sea birds than on any other island in the region, together with the only breeding sites in the granitic islands for red-tailed tropicbirds, roseate terns and the world’s only sooty tern colony in tall woodland.

The island’s warden will guide you to the breathtaking clifftops, where hundreds of huge frigatebirds soar above the turquoise sea. If you are lucky, you will glimpse hawksbill turtles and dolphins in the waters below. Seychelles warblers, 29 of which were introduced from Cousin in September 1988, have multiplied to more than 2,000.

Aride is also a botanical treasure house, being the world’s only site for the beautiful Wright’s Gardenia, or bwa sitron, and a species of ‘peponium’ that might also be endemic to the island. Visits can be arranged from most Praslin hotels, but landings can sometimes be difficult during the south-east monsoon.

The world’s largest colony of lesser noddies and tropical shearwaters further enhance Aride’s reputation as the seabird citadel of the Indian Ocean. Aride is also home to five endemic land birds including the Seychelles magpie-robin, Seychelles warbler and Seychelles fody, each found only on a few other islands.

FrégateFrégate, la plus isolée des îles granitiques est à 12 minutes de Mahé par un vol Air Seychelles. De toutes les îles, c’est celle qui est le plus souvent associée au monde des pirates et des trésors cachés au cours des dix-septième et dix-huitième siècles. Ian Fleming, le créateur de James Bond, était convaincu, au vu d’anciennes cartes qu’il avait découvertes ici, que l’île cachait un trésor quelque part.

Mais les trésors visibles à l’œil nu sont la flore et la faune de l’île. Frégate est le bastion du Dyal ou Pie chanteuse des Seychelles (environ 200 individus dans le monde), qui après avoir frôlé l’extinction se multiplie grâce aux efforts de BirdLife International. Récemment, le ministère de l’Environnement y a implanté avec succès une autre espèce gravement menacée, l’Oiseau-lunettes des Seychelles (environ 500 individus dans le monde). Frégate abrite également toute la population mondiale d’un scarabée ténébrionide endémique, et possède de nombreuses Tortues géantes à l’état sauvage. Malgré une abondante végétation exotique et la persistance d’une vaste cocoteraie, des dizaines de milliers d’arbres natives y ont été multipliés et replantés depuis 1995, totalisant plusieurs dizaines d’hectares restaurés. Il y a de superbes plages, comme Anse Victorin, considérée par certains comme la plus belle du pays. C’est aussi le paradis du promeneur, avec un réseau de sentiers traversant forêts, cultures et vergers. L’île est réservée depuis 1999 aux clients de Frégate Island Private, un luxueux hôtel 5 étoiles.

ArideAride, la plus septentrionale des îles granitiques seychelloises, fut achetée en 1973 par la Royal Society for Nature Conservation et appartient aujourd’hui à la Fondation pour la Conservation de Iles (Island Conservation Society) qui la gère. Elle constitue la deuxième réserve naturelle la plus importante du pays après Aldabra. Il y a plus d’espèces d’oiseaux marins qui se reproduisent sur Aride que sur n’importe quelle autre île de la région. Outre toutes les espèces qu’on trouve sur Cousin, Aride héberge les seuls sites de reproduction des îles granitiques du Paille-en-queue à brins rouges et de la Sterne de Dougall, ainsi que la seule colonie au monde de sternes fuligineuses sous une forêt.

Là, un gardien-guide vous emmènera au bord des falaises époustouflantes d’où l’on peut voir des centaines d’immenses frégates planant au-dessus d’une mer bleu turquoise. Avec un peu de chance, il est possible d’apercevoir les tortues marines et les dauphins qui vivent dans les eaux environnantes. Les 29 Rousserolles des Seychelles qui furent importées de Cousin en septembre 1988 se sont reproduites et leur nombre a déjà dépassé deux milliers. La réputation de citadelle des oiseaux marins de l’océan indien que possède Aride est attestée par la présence de la plus grande colonie au monde de Noddis marianne, et peut-être de Puffins d’Audubon.

Aride est aussi un trésor sur le plan botanique, et le seul endroit au monde où poussent les magnifiques Gardénias de Wright, ou ‘Bois citron’, ainsi qu’une espèce de concombre sauvage qui pourrait être elle aussi endémique de cette île.

Aride abrite les plus grandes colonies du monde de Noddis Marianne et de Puffins de Baillon, ce qui renforce sa renommée de bastion des oiseaux marins de l’océan indien. Aride accueille aussi cinq espèces d’oiseaux terrestres endémiques dont la pie chanteuse ou dyal, la Rousserolle et le Foudi des Seychelles, qui n’existent que sur une poignée d’îles.


With the exception of the Caribbean,

where else in the world could you

play golf on great courses, in lush

tropical surroundings and beautiful

weather, and then cool off by snorkelling or diving in

crystal clear waters and gazing in awe at the beautiful

coral and amazing variety of sea life? And all whilst

staying in a luxury resort.

The best place to enjoy all this in the Indian Ocean is

the Constance Lémuria Seychelles on Praslin Island in

the Seychelles. The golf course here is both stunningly

beautiful and extraordinarily challenging, with the

record for number of balls lost in one round currently

standing at 40. This is largely due to the narrowness

of many of the fairways, which can be daunting when

seen from the tee, and the impenetrable lush jungle,

or water that awaits should you miss the fairway on

most holes. But this should not put you off playing

the Lemuria course which is one of the most beautiful

courses I’ve ever played anywhere in the world.

The course is quite short, measuring just 5,827 yards,

par 70, so there’s no need to use a driver off every tee

and golfers can use whichever club they feel gives them

the best chance of hitting the fairways. Designed by

Rodney Wright and Marc Farry, and opened in 2000,

the first 12 holes play through narrow palm-lined

fairways beside the resort itself with picturesque lakes

and plenty of bunkers just waiting for wayward shots.

Then the remaining six holes rise up into the island’s

hills, providing breathtakingly panoramic views across

the course, the island, and other islands in the distance,

with the 14th, 15th and 18th tees in particular providing

spectacular photo opportunities. So please make sure

you take your camera with you if you’re playing all 18.

On a course, it’s difficult to pick out certain holes

because almost every hole is a work of art but I

think two that are worthy of special mention are the

signature par three 15th, a hole that measures 166

yards in distance yet also drops an astonishing 55 yards

to the green lying in the valley below. If you’re in need

of cooling off when you finish this gem the beautiful

white sand of Anse Georgette beach and the crystal

blue waters of the Indian Ocean lie just to the left of

the green, accessible by a path across a small mangrove

marsh.

My other pick of these great holes would be Lemuria’s

18th: a 520 yard par five that drops another 50 yards or

so from tee to fairway and which requires a carry from

the tee of almost 200 yards over thick jungle before

your ball reaches the safety of the fairway. From there

you’re faced with a dogleg right, wrapped around a

large lake. A well struck and properly placed tee shot

will be in excellent position for a player to go for the

The Indian Ocean is rapidly gaining a reputation as one of the world’s best destinations for golfers. And why not? Tony Smart explains.

Below: Golf pro at Constance Lémuria Seychelles.

Opposite top: Mauritius - Le Touessrok golf course 6th hole.

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Photo © Constance Lémuria Seychelles


vetiver grass surrounding many fairways and mango,

papaya and palm tree filled jungle lining many other

holes, just waiting to swallow up any wayward shots.

A few kilometres further up the coast from the Heritage

is the 6,437 yard, par 72 layout at the Paradis Golf Club

on the Le Morne peninsula. The Paradis course is possibly

the most scenic in Mauritius as it’s played in the shadow

of the magnificent Le Morne mountain, a UNESCO

(United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural

Organization) World Heritage Site, with four holes on the

back nine played right beside an inlet of the Indian Ocean.

Although not quite as challenging as some other courses

on Mauritius the Paradis Golf Club is nevertheless a very

enjoyable round and the par five 16th and par three 17th,

played on a windswept peninsula that juts out into the

ocean, are two truly great holes.

Another breathtakingly beautiful course on Mauritius

is the Le Touessrok course, situated on its own island at

Ile Aux Cerfs on Mauritius’ east coast, and the only golf

course I’ve ever played that is not reachable by road, only

by boat or helicopter.

green in two. For those players seeking a safer route

home, the option is to take the long way around the lake

and the large stand of Takamaka trees by the lake about

100 yards from the green, which is protected on the left

by three sand bunkers at the front and on the other three

sides by the lake. Truly a great finishing hole.

From the 18th green it’s a short journey to the clubhouse

where you can relax with a refreshing cold drink. And

at Lemuria you can relax in many other ways, with

a soothing massage at the Spa de Constance or the

Shiseido Spa; kayaking, windsurfing, diving, deep sea

fishing or parasailing in the Indian Ocean; soaking up the

sun on one of the three magnificent beaches; walking

lazily through the Seychellois gardens; or eating at one

of Lémuria’s three world class restaurants, or enjoying the

sunset with a cocktail at one of the four bars.

With luxury every step of the way, including the fully

equipped and sumptuous suites and villas that make up

the resort’s accommodation Lémuria is the only place to

start a golf vacation in the Indian Ocean.

From here dedicated golfers may want to try out the

Seychelles only other golf course, a nine hole layout called

the Seychelles Golf Club located on the south-eastern

coast of the main island, Mahé, before flying out from

Mahé to Mauritius, the Indian Ocean’s other golfing jewel.

At present seven stunningly beautiful championship golf

courses can be found on Mauritius’ east, south and west

coast, and the best of them, in my opinion, is the Peter

Matkovich designed Heritage Golf Club course (previously

known as Golf du Chateau), which measures over 7,000

yards, par 72 from the back tees. With majestic views of

the Indian Ocean shimmering in the sunshine available

from 10 holes, which rise up into the foothills of Bel

Ombre in the south-west of Mauritius, and beautiful

lakes that test the golfer on five other holes the course

is spectacular. It’s also extremely challenging with lush

Below: Mauritius - Paradis 12th green.

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This incredible Bernhard Langer designed course measures

7,115 yards, par 72 (from the back tees) and is a layout that has

to be played to be believed. With several holes that run right

beside the white sand beaches and turquoise blue waters of the

Indian Ocean the whole course is a feast for the eyes, featuring

a wide variety of exotic flora and fauna, including scarlet

coloured cardinal birds that flit around the golf course. Whilst

very beautiful, the Le Touessrok course is also an extremely

tough one with black volcanic rock outcrops coming into play

on several holes, mangrove swamps featuring on many others,

water hazards to test your accuracy on 13 holes and strategic

bunkering on many more.

Also on the east coast are two courses at the Belle Mare

Plage Resort: the Legend, which hosts the MCB Tour

Championship on the European Seniors Tour, and the

Links. Unfortunately the Legend course is only available

to guests of the resort and the neighbouring Le Prince

Maurice hotel. But their other course, the Peter Alliss/

Rodney Wright designed Links layout is open to anyone

and is a challenging test. The resort itself provides golfers

with luxurious accommodation, great food and drink, Spas

and a host of other facilities.

Completing the east coast’s golf is the great Ernie Els

designed course at the Anahita Resort, close to Le

Touessrok. The 2012 Open champion has created a

great course here that measures 7,467 yards, par 72

from the back tees. But, as with most courses today,

a variety of tees make the layout accessible to golfers

of all levels. The Anahita course is always in superb

condition and the six spectacular oceanside holes,

particularly the finishing three which give Anahita

possibly the best finish on the island, make it yet

another enchanting Mauritian golf course.

The final heavenly golf course on Mauritius is on

the island’s west coast, at the Tamarina Hotel,

Beach, Golf & Spa resort, featuring a Rodney Wright

designed layout that measures a whopping 7,512

yards, par 72 from the back tees though again there

is a variety of other tees to choose from to suit all

standards of golf. With fairways framed by seeming

acres of purple pampas grass and lemongrass, views

of the spectacular Rempart Mountain (resembling a

mini-Matterhorn) available from most holes, and a

magnificent signature hole, the par three 13th which

drops almost 30 metres (100 feet) from the tee to a

green surrounded by bunkers and a tidal pool on the

left hand side, Tamarina is a cracker of a golf course.

For those golfers who would like to do a complete

tour of all the 18-hole courses in the Indian Ocean

there is also Golf du Rova in Madagascar and Golf

de Bourbon and Golf du Bassin Bleu on the island of

Reunion.

With the exception of

the Caribbean, where else

in the world could you play golf on great courses ...?

Further information on all these great courses

can be found at www.lemuriaresort.com, www.

seychellesgolfclub.com, http://golf-in-mauritius.

com, and at www.golftoday.co.uk/clubhouse/

coursedir/africa.html.


DestinationDubai


by Rosemary Holthusen.

Dubai’s Spectacular Theme Parks

In this context, Sheikh Mohammed affirmed that the

UAE in general and Dubai in particular are among the

destinations most favoured by tourists regionally and

globally, adding that the country seeks to be number

one in the field of family tourism. Of the spectacular

theme parks already in existence, here are five of the

finest ...

AQUAVENTURE WATERPARK

www.atlantisthepalm.com

The largest and most popular water theme park in

the world is located at Atlantis, The Palm, the first

entertainment resort destination in the region and

located at the centre of the crescent of The Palm

in Dubai. Opened in September 2008, this unique

ocean-themed resort features a variety of marine and

entertainment attractions, as well as 17 hectares of

waterscape amusement at Aquaventure Waterpark, all

within a 46 hectare site.

It is home to one of the largest open-air marine

habitats in the world, with over 65,000 marine

animals in lagoons and displays including The Lost

Chambers Aquarium, a maze of underwater corridors

and passageways providing a journey through the

ancient city of Atlantis.

The Ziggurat is the centrepiece of the Aquaventure

Waterpark, reaching 30m (metres) into the sky and

visible from the fronds of The Palm as well as from

Dubai’s mainland. The Mesopotamian-styled tower

features seven heart-pumping waterslides including

the Leap of Faith, with its daring 27.5 metre near-

vertical drop propelling body surfers through a clear

acrylic tunnel submerged in a shark-filled lagoon and

ultimately out into the sunshine and plunge pool

below.

Surrounding the Ziggurat is a complex river ride

system with waves pushing inner tube riders through

a lush, sub-tropical landscape. The river loop, called

I consider myself very fortunate for having lived

and travelled in the Arabian Gulf at a time when

the way of life there was much the same as it had

always been, little changed since its place names

first began to appear on scantily filled maps.

Its harsh environment was supportive of only a small

population, ranking it as one of the lowest densities in

the world and surviving at little more than a minimum

subsistence level. From the air, much of the region

resembled a moonscape, its tortured topography

forsaken and devoid of life. But civilised life there was

and great change was just over the horizon.

At first it came in small ripples from the fast-

developing oil states higher up the Gulf to which

many people had been drawn in search of work, and

finally it culminated in the overwhelming, seemingly

breathtaking development that followed the discovery

of oil.

Amid the man-made islands and ever more

monumental architecture of Dubai, this remarkable

city is building for the future of the United Arab

Emirates at warp speed, and is set to become the

theme park capital of the world.

Many people consider the whole of Dubai to be an

amusement park, and they may well be right! But the

city already boasts some world-class theme parks,

endless water slides, true-to-life film studios, camel

racing and even indoor skiing.

Dubai’s ruler, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin

Rashid Al Maktoum, recently approved plans to further

develop the city’s tourism sector with a multi-million

dollar investment that will include the construction

of even more theme parks. By 2020, Dubai will

welcome 20 million visitors per year, and the annual

contribution made by tourism to the city’s economy

will triple.

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By 2020, Dubai will welcome

20 million visitors per year, and

the annual contribution

made by tourism to the city’s economy

will triple.

Opposite: Aquaventure Waterpark.


Amid the man-made islands

and ever more monumental architecture of Dubai, this

remarkable city is building for the future of

the United Arab Emirates at warp

speed, and is set to become the theme park capital of the

world.

the Rapids, is a 1.6 kilometre river adventure using 15

million litres of fresh water to propel guests through a

series of high-intensity rapids, thrilling waterslides, wave

surges and tidal pools that circumnavigate the complex.

Atlantis, The Palm continues to wow guests and give

them the chance to discover something new with the

recent expansion of Aquaventure. In this new phase

of development, a 40 metre high waterslide tower

will loom over the existing Ziggurat, as well as the

expansive lagoons of Dolphin Bay, the unparalleled

dolphin conservation and education habitat, which

was created to provide guests a once-in-a-lifetime

opportunity to learn more about one of nature’s most

graceful mammals.

SEGA REPUBLIC

www.segarepublic.com

An exciting new wave of high-adrenaline gaming leisure

in Dubai is offered by SEGA Republic, a revolutionary

indoor theme park focused on action, adventure and

entertainment. The two-level, 7,061 square metres

leisure complex has been developed by Emaar Retail LLC

in partnership with the Tokyo-based SEGA Corporation,

Japan’s leading indoor theme park developer.

SEGA Republic offers visitors of all ages thrilling

adventures and amusement games, and has five

themed zones – Wild Adventure, Speed Zone, Cyberpop

Zone, Sports Zone and Redemption Zone. With over

250 amusement games, from virtual reality and arcade

games to simulation activities and physical sports

games, SEGA Republic will thrill all visitors.

Building on the success of the region’s first SEGA

Republic at The Dubai Mall, Emaar Retail opened a

335 square metres SEGA Republic Game Zone in

Dubai Marina Mall. With a colourful ambience that will

particularly appeal to children, the leisure destination

offers a rich selection of amusement games including

numerous redemption games.

WILD WADI WATERPARK

www.jumeirah.com

One of the most famous attractions in Dubai is the

Wild Wadi Waterpark, situated between the iconic

sister properties of the Burj Al Arab and Jumeirah Beach

Hotel, a leisurely half-hour drive from the city centre

and Dubai International Airport.

The Wild Wadi Waterpark is designed around a tale

from Arabian folklore featuring Juha and his seafaring

friend, Sinbad the Sailor. The main attractions include

eight gravity-defying Master Blasters that operate on a

series of high-powered water jets, taking guests on an

aquatic roller coaster ride.

Above: Sega Republic.

A small hotel with a big heart

The Coco D’or Hotel, is built on 3 hectares of lush tropical land, on the north west coast of Mahé. The hotel is a mere four minutes walk from Beau Vallon, one of the island’s most beautiful beaches. The Coco D’or sets itself apart from other hotels in Seychelles by virtue of its location, amenities and unparalled service philosophy.

27 appointed rooms and suites, each with a private bath, balcony, terrace and/or living room are divided into two categories:-

Standard room 24 rooms with a verandah and tropical garden, 6 rooms with a terrace and 2 with a lounge.Deluxe suites 3 rooms with a private patio terrace and mountain and garden view, two bathrooms, a kitchen- ette and a separate living room.

Coco D’or Hotel & Restaurant • T/A Nalini R. Properties (Pty) LtdBeau Vallon, Mahé, Seychelles • P.O. Box 526 Victoria, Mahé, Seychelles

Phone: +248 4247331 • Fax: +248 4247454 • E-mail: [email protected]


Wild Wadi offers no less than 24 waterslides, upward

streams and the most intense wild water rides, some

of which are over 30 metres high and reach speeds

in excess of 80 kilometres an hour. For the less

adventurous, Juha’s Journey, or the ‘Lazy River’ ride

is a relaxing flow of water 360 metres long and four

metres wide, which offers guests the opportunity to

enjoy a leisurely swim or sunbathe in an inflatable

ring as they drift down the river course.

There are seven ring rides available at Wild Wadi;

six of them are open to the elements. The Tunnel of

Doom is a pitch black ride, longer and faster than any

of its kind and guests braving this ride will travel in

total darkness in an underground ring ride of sudden

twists and turns before plunging into the Lazy River.

Breaker’s Bay, one of the region’s largest wave pools

can also be found here and is fringed by a bank of

palm trees creating waves of up to 1.5 metres in four

different configurations. An interactive play structure

aimed at younger children, Juha’s Dhow and Lagoon

contains over 100 games including five vibrant and

colourful body slides, a huge dumping bucket of

water, a pair of fully-enclosed racing slides and water

guns.

For the ultimate adrenaline rush, test your mettle

against Jumeirah Sceirah, their newest attraction. Drop

through the trap door from a height of 32 metres into

the waiting water tunnel and race down the slide at 80

kilometres per hour.

KIDZANIA

www.kidzania.com

One of the most exciting theme parks to emerge in

Dubai in recent years is KidZania, an award-winning

children’s ‘edutainment’ concept that has been

introduced to the region through a partnership with

Emaar Retail, the same corporation behind SEGA

Republic. The KidZania complex is an 7,432 square

metres interactive mini-city, that combines play with

learning through a fun and innovative approach.

KidZania provides a safe, unique and realistic

educational environment that allows children to

do what comes naturally to them: role-playing by

mimicking traditionally ‘adult’ activities. As in the

real world, children perform ‘jobs’ and are either

paid for their work or pay to shop or be entertained.

There are over 80 different roles to choose from

including surgeons, airline pilots, chefs, engineers,

firefighters, and more. The indoor theme park is built

Opposite: Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo.

Below: Wild Wadi Waterpark.


Dubai Tourism Board: www.dubaitourism.ae

LOCATION: Located 126 kilometres (78

miles) northeast of Abu Dhabi, along the

coast of the Persian Gulf. Dubai is the

second largest emirate in the United Arab

Emirates by GDP and land, after Abu Dhabi.

LAND AREA: Dubai has a total topographical

land area of 4,114 square kilometres, with

72 kilometres of natural coastline.

POPULATION: 2.106 million (2013)

CAPITAL: Dubai City, 1,750,000 inhabitants.

LANGUAGES: Arabic is the official language,

although English is widely spoken.

TIME: GMT+3

CURRENCY: The official currency of the

United Arab Emirates is the Dirham (AED)

international. Each Dirham is comprised of

100 Fils (1 AED = 100 Fils), which are the

smaller denomination coins.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: Passports for all

visitors must be valid for at least 6 months.

Citizens of the Gulf Cooperation Council

(GCC) nations do not require a visa. Most

other nationals will be issued with a 30-day

visit visa free of charge upon arrival.

HEALTH: It is advisable to contact your

physician before travelling to any country.

The UAE is an exceptionally clean and

healthy country, although routine vaccines

such as typhoid and hepatitis A are

recommended.

RELIGION: Islam is the official religion of

the UAE.

WHEN TO GO: The climate of the UAE is

subtropical and arid, with extremely hot

summers and warm winters. The hottest

months are July and August, when average

temperatures can reach well above 40˚C

(104.0˚F) on the coastal plain.

NOT TO BE MISSED: A visit to the

spectacular Burj Khalifa, the tallest man-

made structure in the world. At 829.8

metres (2,722 feet) and more than 160

stories, this record-breaking building is

Dubai’s latest urban masterpiece.

BEST MEAL: Samak Mashwi, a mouth-

watering Gulf dish of barbecued fish with

dates cooked under the stars in a traditional

cut-away, dome-shaped clay oven with

glowing coals in the base.

to scale for children, and accurately reflects the

working environment of a typical city through

paved streets, vehicles, a functioning economy,

and recognisable destinations in the form of

‘establishments’.

KidZania is highly sought-after for school field trips

due to the high educational content provided in

the activities. Birthday parties and summer camps

at KidZania are also extremely popular with the

young ones. The winner of the Superbrands 2011

laurel, KidZania Dubai was ‘Highly Commended’

at the recent Global Retail & Leisure International

(RLI) Awards in the ‘Most Innovative Retail and

Leisure Concept of the Year Award’ category.

DUBAI AQUARIUM and UNDERWATER ZOO

www.thedubaiaquarium.com

Located at the centre of The Dubai Mall, the Dubai

Aquarium is one of the largest indoor aquariums

of its kind in the world at 51m x 20m x 11m in

size and holds the Guinness World Record for ‘The

World’s Single Largest Acrylic Panel’ at a staggering

32.88m long x 8.3m high. Dubai Aquarium &

Underwater Zoo has tens of thousands of aquatic

animals, representing more than 330 species,

including sharks and stingrays.

The Underwater Zoo, located on Level 2 takes

visitors through various aquatic environments

and individual aquatic displays, while offering an

interactive approach to educating children and

visitors on the ecology and sustainability of marine

life. The journey consists of three ecological zones:

Rainforest, Rocky Shore, and Living Ocean, where

a variety of aquatic animals are featured including

penguins, crocodiles, piranhas, giant spider crabs,

water rats, and jellyfish, amongst others.

This spectacular aquarium also has a floor

dedicated to Creepy Crawlies, featuring various

species of snakes, insects, geckos, lizards,

iguanas and amphibians. Spread over an area of

200 square metres on the mezzanine floor of

the Underwater Zoo, Creepy Crawlies has five

main exhibits – an Insect Wall featuring spiders,

scorpions, millipedes, beetles and cockroaches;

the Wall Mounted Glass Exhibits comprising

stick insects, geckos, frogs, lizards and toads;

the Iguana Enclosure; the Burmese Python

Enclosure and the Tree Snake Enclosure. It offers

visitors, especially children, a thorough insight

into natural diversity with interesting facts and

trivia.

The Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo also

offers exciting Shark Dives for the public – both

experienced divers and novices; Specialty Dives;

Shark Walker & Cage Snorkelling Experiences;

Glass-bottom Boat rides; The Aquarist

Programme for children; Summer camps and

educational programmes for schools through

The Ocean School Education Programme. The

aquarium recently launched a Membership Card

for aquatic enthusiasts offering them a world of

privileges including access to behind the scenes

activities at the leisure destination.

With the Marvel City Theme Park dedicated to

the comic book superheroes Iron Man, Spider-

Man and the Hulk scheduled to open later this

year, and the IMG Group’s long-awaited Jurassic

Park style theme park - The Lost City - nearing

completion at Dubailand (which will eventually

be the world’s largest amusement park), Dubai

is certain to earn its laurels as the theme park

capital of the world.


Even though the passage of time has transformed the capital town of Victoria from a small colonial outpost to an important administrative township with modern amenities, one building has remained virtually unchanged. Tony Mathiot tells the story of one of Seychelles’ most cherished architectural features.

The Oldest Building in the

Seychelles}}

It was built during the time when Seychelles was

a dependency of Mauritius, and the population

was around 14,000 inhabitants. It existed long

before Seychelles exported cinnamon for the

first time. The oldest building in the Seychelles stands

approximately a dozen yards from the Victoria Clock

Tower. It is the Supreme Court Building but it was not

built purposely for the Justice Department.

This somewhat glum, rectangular one-storied

structure was erected in 1885 during the time of Civil

Commissioner, Arthur Cecil Stuart Barkly to provide

accommodation for the New Oriental Company which

wanted to open a branch in the Seychelles. This was the

last gasp of an ailing financial institution that wanted

to exploit the Indian Ocean trade and commerce of

the late 19th century. The bank was created in 1842

in Bombay, India, and was called the Bank of

Western India. In 1845, the headquarters

was moved to London and the name was

changed to Oriental Bank Corporation.

The bank’s prosperity during its first

decade brought rapid expansion by the

opening of branches in Hong Kong,

Japan, India, Mauritius, South

Africa and Chinese

Treaty ports. Evidently, it asserted its position across

the entire oriental market. Unfortunately, its prosperity

would not last until the end of the 19th century

because its finances suffered greatly in the late 1870s

when the vast coffee plantations in Ceylon (now Sri

Lanka) in which the company had invested so much,

were devastated by disease. In 1884, the year before

it considered the prospects of establishing a branch in

the Seychelles, the bank was reconstituted as the New

Oriental Bank Corporation.

It was the company itself which undertook the erection

of their building. The small capital town of Victoria

consisted mostly of timber and coral limestone

dwellings and shops with pitched corrugated iron roofs:

the old post office of 1861, the old Government House,

the Anglican Church built in 1859, the old Courthouse

at Royal Street, the rather impressive Catholic Church,

the educational institution of St. Louis College which

was run by the Mariste Brothers and the St. Joseph

Convent school for girls run by the sisters of St. Joseph

de Cluny. The Gordon Square (the actual Freedom

Square) was surrounded by water on three sides, and a

Customs house and a Coal house were located at the

jetty. There was hardly any space where the building of

such a reputable financial company could be located, so


a large portion of the sea on the south west coast had to be reclaimed.

It must have been a long and laborious task. Eventually, the extent of

land reclaimed by the filling of the foreshore was 136 metres (447

feet) long, 89 metres (292 feet) broad at the wide end, and 34 metres

(113 feet) broad at the narrow end.

Apparently, there was no question of allowing the reclaimed land time

to settle before starting the construction. Work started immediately.

The Government had no influence pertaining to the size or the design

of the building. Gradually, the structure began to rise as hardwood

timber from the forested mountains of Mahé and limestone corals

from the coastal reefs were collected and brought all the way to the

newly-created land in Victoria. As months went by, the structure grew

and expanded to the curious admiration of the town’s inhabitants

who must have been awed by the sight of such an unprecedented

construction development. The balustrade consisted of wrought-iron,

the pillars of the gallery were of iron, and the roof was covered with

red tiles. A quaint feature of the building was the iron spiral staircase

that gave access to the second floor. Eventually, at the end of 1886,

the building flaunted its distinctive appearance without being an

affront to the slatternly dwellings over which it towered.

It was indisputably the first modern building to be erected on Mahé

and without doubt, set a certain standard with which the construction

of other government buildings in the early 20th century strove to

match, such as the Governor’s chamber and Council building in 1903

or the Carnegie building in 1910. Its estimated cost was SEZ Rupeez

120,000. A stipulation in the lease agreement was that the bank paid

the Government a nominal rent of SEZ Rupeez 50 per annum.

In mid-1887, the New Oriental Bank moved into the new building

which a shareholder of the company considered “too large for the

present or possibly any future requirements of a banking institution…”

However, the company did not enjoy the relative modern luxury

of their premises for long because less than five years later, on 17

June 1892, it closed. The sudden collapse was not attributed to any

local circumstances. It appeared that its main branch abroad could

not survive the growing competition from its rivals, the Hong Kong

and Shanghai Banking Corporation and the Charted Bank of India,

Australia and China. Moreover, it could have been an early victim of

the impending financial panic of 1893. The Government’s balance in

the bank amounted to SEZ Rupeez 23,232.18 cts. The land reverted

to the government and the building which the bank was entitled to

demolish was sold to the Government for SEZ Rupeez 30,000.

In 1893, during the administration of Thomas Risely Griffith, the

Eastern Telegraph Company rented a section of the building to use as

offices until August 1894. The company was laying submarine cables

to connect Seychelles with Mauritius and Zanzibar. Late in 1894, the

Treasury and Customs Department Offices were transferred to the

ground floor of the right wing of the building. It was also at that time

that the Judicial Department decided to abandon the old courthouse

at Royal Street and avail itself of the comfort and convenience of the

relatively new, large and modern building. Initially, it occupied the

entire upper portion of the building. This consisted of the Judge’s

court, the Judge’s chambers and the Magistrate’s court. The Police

Department was located beneath, on the ground floor of the left wing.


In order to adapt the premises to the new requirements,

certain alterations were effected. Wooden partitions

which divided the upper portion were removed and

glass doors were installed to all the upper external

openings of the courts and offices. A major additional

feature was a stone staircase at the back of the building

to form the entrance to the Judicial Department. For

these alterations and modifications, the Legislative

council approved a special vote of SEZ Rupeez 2,500.

Thus, began the long residency of the Judiciary in the

building.

In 1903, when Seychelles achieved its status of a

separated colony, the Judicial Establishment saw

its major transformation. This came about with the

Seychelles Judicature order in council 1903 that

created the Supreme Court of Seychelles. The first Chief

Justice to wield the gavel in that building was Furcy

Alfred Herchenroder a Mauritian. The most notable

historical moment that the building has witnessed

during its existence was when, on 9 November 1903,

Ernest Bickham Sweet-Escott took his oath of office as

the first Governor of the Seychelles.

For over a century the building has asserted its cold and

venerable – and perhaps also foreboding – presence,

here in its corner of Victoria. During the decades of the

20th century it has seen modern edifices of all kinds

sprout up all around: the Carnegie Building in 1910,

Queen’s Building in 1953, Victoria House Complex

Building in 1976… and yet amidst all this construction

development it has retained its distinctive presence in

the architectural panorama of the expanding town.

By the 1970s the vagaries of time and climate had

began to take their toll. It was the second Seychellois

Chief Justice Sir Louis Georges Souyave who expressed

his indignant concern for a new courthouse for the

Judiciary. Addressing members of the legal profession

at the formal re-opening of the Supreme Court on

Wednesday 1 May 1974, he made it a point to say that

“In welcoming you all to this ceremony, I must at the

same time apologise for receiving you in this decrepit,

dilapidated and unsuitable court building. Apart from

its infirmities due to old age and its rotten leaking roof

which is beyond repair, this building is subjected to noise

and dust from vehicular traffic and is too small to meet

the requirements of the supreme court…”

However, the Judicial Department remained installed

in the ‘decrepit, dilapidated’ building for the following

four decades, almost. The last case was heard on 7

June 2013. So it has served its noble purpose well over

a century. It has known 20 Chief Justices, scores of

Judges, thousands and thousands of court cases and ...

sentences. That’s quite a record for the oldest building

in the Seychelles.

For over a century the building has asserted its

cold and venerable

– and perhaps also foreboding – presence, here in its corner of Victoria.

Opposite page: (Left) Supreme Court Building in the late 1930s.

(Far left) The first Chief Justice of Seychelles Furcy Alfred Herchenroder (1865-1932).


Phot

o ©

Pet

er H

olth

usen


Why not discover one of the Indian Ocean’s hidden secrets and chart a course for the glorious Amirantes, where nature still reigns supreme? says Peter Holthusen.

The AMIRANTES

It is sunrise over the Indian Ocean and on the ivory

white sand a solitary figure is greeting the new

dawn. He slowly lifts his fishing nets out of the

water and hangs them out to dry. Then something

moves. As if from nowhere a tiny pink crab appears,

scuttling sideways across the beach. It skims the

surface, barely making an impression in the wet sand.

Then they are gone and once more the beach is totally

deserted, proof that in a crowded world there are still

some places that remain unspoilt; but then this is the

Amirante Islands.

There could scarcely be a corner of the world further

removed in both distance and spirit from the everyday

than these remote Indian Ocean islands. The Amirantes

are part of the Outer Island Group of Seychelles. They

stretch about 155 kilometres from the African Banks

in the north to Île Desnoeufs in the south, all of which

lie on the shallow Amirantes Bank (Amirantes Plateau,

with depths of mostly 25 to 70 metres), except the

main island of Desroches in the east, and Lady Denison-

Pender Shoal at the northern end.

It would appear that the Amirantes were the first of

the Seychelles’ islands to have been discovered by

Europeans in the 16th century, when the Portuguese

explorer, Vasco da Gama, on his second voyage of

exploration in 1502, named them Ilhas do Almirante

(the Admiral Islands). They were almost certainly

known to early Indian and Arab traders in search of

fresh water and food.

It is not known who were the first visitors to the islands

of the Amirantes. The main granite islands of the

Seychelles archipelago were first visited by the British

in 1609 when the ships Ascension and Good Hope

sighted Silhouette and then arrived at North Island during

an expedition for the English East India Company. They

made no claim to the islands, which remained largely

uninhabited. That was until 1742 when the Frenchman,

Lazare Picault, landed on Mahé at Anse Boileau and

claimed Seychelles for France. Formal possession was

asserted in 1756. By the time of the Treaty of Paris in

1814, the islands were passed officially to the British, as a

part of Mauritius. In 1903, Seychelles became a separate

British Crown Colony, thereby including the Amirantes.

The Amirantes Islands consist of 11 main islands as well

as numerous shoals, sand cays and low lying coral atolls.

The total population of the island group is about 110,

and the main settlement is on the island of Desroches,

with a resident population of around 50.

Of the outlying islands, Lady Denison-Pender Shoal is

submerged, African Banks is a sand cay and Remire Reef

is a drying reef, and all are uninhabited. Remire Island,

which is an uplifted sand cay, has a small coconut

plantation.

African Banks is regularly visited by people with charter

yachts, and over the years the island has been exploited

by poachers for nesting birds and their eggs, particularly

Sooty Terns who once bred there in considerable

numbers. In 1995, there was a single coconut palm, but

other than that, the island is treeless. There is a derelict

automated lighthouse at the north-eastern end: North

Island Lighthouse. African Banks used to have a second

islet, Île du Sud (South Island), 2.9 kilometres south of

North Island, but that eroded in 1976, leaving a small

sandstone ridge exposed only at low tide. The closest

island to African Banks is Remire Island, about 25

kilometres to the south.

Phot

os ©

Cam

erap

ix M

agaz

ines

Opposite top: The Amirantes consist of 11 main islands as well as numerous shoals, sand cays and low lying coral atolls, where nature still prevails phenomenal.

Opposite: The island of Desroches is 230 kilometres south west of Mahé, and it takes about 45 minutes to fly there. It lies on the southern edge of a coral reef of atoll character.


unpaved airstrip 975 metres long which bisects the

island into two parts. There are no regular flights to

D’Arros, but some flights divert to the airstrip from

nearby Desroches.

Saint Joseph Atoll is located at the eastern edge of

the Amirantes Bank and has 14 sandy islets: the three

larger ones along the northeast and east shore, which

are covered by coconut plantations, and the remaining

ones to the south. The lagoon is completely enclosed

by the surrounding reef and has a huge population of

stingrays as well as giant blue mud crabs that live in

its depths and rise to the flats at high tide. There is

also a large population of bonefish, grouper and rock

lobster. An abundance of colourful reef fish can also

be found there, along with Oysters which can be seen

in considerable numbers clinging to the seaweed and

feeding on coralline algae.

There was once a small settlement at the western end

of Saint Joseph Atoll, now abandoned to the seabirds,

such as Lesser Frigatebirds, which have a large colony

on the island. Other breeding birds include Sooty Terns,

numerous Purple Herons, the Madagascar Fody, Lesser

Crested Terns, Brown Booby, Whimbrel and the curious

Crab Plover.

Desroches, or Île Desroches is the largest and main

island of the Amirantes group, with a resident

population of about 50 people. It is located 36 km east

of the Amirantes Bank, and is separated from it by a

stretch of ocean over 1,300 metres deep, making it the

easternmost island of the chain. It has a splendid hotel

– the exclusive Desroches Island Resort – and a paved

airstrip that is 1,372 metres in length. The island is 230

km south west of Mahé, and it takes about 45 minutes

to fly there.

It lies on the southern edge of a coral reef of atoll

character. At the northern edge of the atoll are the

Remire, or ‘Eagle’ Island has trees over 15 metres high

and a small paved airstrip. The British adventurer and

businessman Mark Veevers-Carter and his American

wife, Wendy (Day) Veevers-Carter, who was the

daughter of American author Clarence Day (Life with

Father), lived on the island with their family for some

years where they founded and operated a successful

copra plantation before it was taken over by the

Government-owned Islands Development Company.

The island has rich deposits of guano that were mined

after World War I, but today only a few workers live

there to keep the island clean and maintain the coconut

plantation and a small guesthouse on the island.

A variety of seabirds, including the Fairy Tern, Lesser

Noddy, Bridled Tern and Wedge-tailed Shearwater are

seen on Remire, but the number of birds has declined

over the years. In the early 1990s peacocks were

introduced to the island. It has also been a Presidential

retreat since the 1980s.

D’Arros, or Daros Island is an oval-shaped, flat coral

sand cay, and much of the island is covered by dense

vegetation. Once a thriving coconut plantation, the

trees are over 27 metres high and mainly coconut

palms and Casuarina equisetifolia. Until recently the

island was privately owned by an offshore company

which, sold D’Arros and the surrounding islets to a firm

affiliated to the Swiss-based ‘Save our Seas Foundation’

– a marine conservation group.

There are several colonies of seabirds on the island as

well as a small number of giant tortoises. The lagoon is

considered to be one of the most beautiful in the area

and sea turtles visit the island’s beaches for breeding

every year.

The island has a small hotel and is permanently

inhabited by the hotel staff only. There is also an

Desroches is famous among the

diving fraternity for the ‘Desroches

Drop’, with its fantastic caves,

underwater labyrinths, yawning fissures and deep

chasms.

Above: African Banks is regularly visited by people with charter yachts, nesting birds and their eggs, particularly Sooty Terns whoonce bred there in considerable numbers.


Shark Rocks, with least depths between three and six metres. There is also a lighthouse on the

northeast end of Desroches, which is a very popular tourist attraction.

Desroches was named after the flamboyant Chevalier des Roches, the Governor of Île de France

(Mauritius) and Réunion (then Île Bourbon) from 1767 to 1772. Along with the remaining

Amirante Islands, Desroches has been part of the Seychelles since it became an official British

Crown Colony in 1903.

The island has eight kilometres of white sand beaches and is covered with coconut trees. It is

surrounded by a protective reef that offers excellent scuba diving. Desroches is famous among

the diving fraternity for the ‘Desroches Drop’, with its fantastic caves, underwater labyrinths,

yawning fissures and deep chasms, which may be explored under the supervision of a PADI

dive-master from the hotel.

This is actually the only island in the Amirantes that offers accommodation. Forbes Magazine

recently described Desroches Island as one of the ‘Top 10 Remote Destinations in the World’.

There is even a small Creole Village with its copra drier, coconut oil press and lock-up – a

piquant reminder of the old plantation days.

Since 2009, a full-time team of scientists and rangers from the Island Conservation Society

(ICS) has been employed to monitor and protect the terrestrial and marine life on Desroches,

and earlier this year they united the island together to plant 350 new trees, with a further 410

saplings already growing in the island’s nursery.

Unlike most atolls where waters over the reef are shallow, Desroches is also a good spot

for swimming and snorkelling, and the beaches around the hotel have excellent facilities for

guests to enjoy sailing, cycling, canoeing, windsurfing and deep-sea fishing.

Poivre Atoll is named in honour of Pierre Poivre: botanist, philosopher, reformer, scientist and

nominated in 1767 as intendant, the king’s appointed representative in Mauritius. It is near

the eastern edge of the Amirantes Bank, and was one of the first places coconuts were grown

for commercial use in the Seychelles. There are three islets on the reef: Poivre Island to the

north, Florentin to the west and Île du Sud, to the south. A settlement stands on the eastern

side of Poivre Island, amid a clump of coconut palms. The island is bisected by an unpaved

airfield, about 1,100 metres long.

There are numerous other islands and cays, including Étoile Cay – an uninhabited circular coral

cay which is 4.6 metres high, and lies 29 km northeast of Boudeuse Cay. This island is treeless

and the only vegetation is grasses and low bushes, fringed by a steep sandy beach. Landing is

relatively easy during calm weather.

Boudeuse Cay is a sandstone platform island and the westernmost island in the Amirantes.

It has no trees, but it has a small beach and is considered one of the most pristine islands in

the chain because it has yet to be cultivated by humans. It has heavy breakers, even when the

weather is calm, so it is difficult to land on this cay.

Marie Louise Island is located at the southern end of the Amirantes chain and is a low sandy

coral cay. It is permanently inhabited with a population of about 15 agricultural workers and

beach fishermen based in a small settlement on the west coast. It is not easy to land a boat

here.

Île Desnoeufs is the southernmost island in the chain and has a central depression instead of

a lagoon. Most of the land is sandstone, exposed after the guano was exploited in the late

19th century. The island is still a base for the commercial exploitation of breeding seabirds,

especially the eggs of the Sooty Tern, who have established a colony here of more than

1,250,000 birds.


It was as long ago as 1786, when Louis Jean-Baptiste Philogène de Malavois first arrived in Seychelles on a mission for the French East India Company, that the commercial importance of coconuts began to be exploited, writes Peter Holthusen.

The Gold of theIndian Ocean

Oil IndustryCOCONUT


Philogène de Malavois was

born in 1748 in the Saint Brice

d’Ay diocese of Reims in the

Champagne-Ardenne region

of north-eastern France. Soon

after his arrival in Seychelles he

was appointed Lieutenant of the new French

settlement at Etablissement du Roi (Royal

Settlement), on the site of modern day Victoria.

He assumed command of the settlement on 16

December 1788.

The end of the Seven Years’ War between

England and France caused the decline of the

French East India Company which had formerly

controlled Mauritius. This settlement, and

thus Seychelles, now came under direct royal

authority of the French King, Louis XV. The new

Intendant of Mauritius at the time, Pierre Poivre,

was determined to break the Dutch monopoly

of the lucrative spice trade, and thought Mahé

would be perfect for spice cultivation.

In 1771, Poivre sent the horticulturalist Antoine

Gillot to Seychelles where he established a spice

garden at Anse Royale, successfully cultivating

nutmeg, cloves, cinnamon and pepper plants,

but when the British took possession of the

islands in the early 19th century, the plantations

Gillot had established were already in decline,

their soils exhausted by years of cultivation

without investment in renewing fertility.

When the British abolished slavery in 1835,

some plantation owners took their slaves and

left. The liberated slaves had no land, and most

were reduced to squatting on the estates they

had tended in bondage, and the colony entered

a period of stagnation. There were no exports,

and no money to pay for new infrastructure.

The situation was only improved when planters

realised they could grow coconuts with less

labour and more profit than the traditional

Coconuts grew abundantly on the coastal

plateaux of many of the Seychelles islands,

and initially small quantities of oil were made

for local consumption. Thanks largely to the

efforts of Antoine Gillot and the early plantation

owners, by 1840, some 30,000 velts (around

300,000 litres) of coconut oil were exported to

Mauritius.

Copra is the dried meat, or (kernel), of the

coconut from which the oil is extracted, making

it an important agricultural commodity for many

Making copra – removing the shell, breaking up and drying – is usually done where the

coconut palms grow.

crops of spices, cotton, sugar, rice, and maize.

Soon, they also had a source of virtually free

labour once again. The British took their anti-

slavery stance seriously, and operated patrols

along the East African coast, raiding Arab dhows

transporting slaves to the Middle East. Slaves

liberated south of the Equator were brought

to Seychelles, and apprenticed to coconut

plantation owners. They worked the land in

return for rations and wages. Over a period of

13 years from 1861 around 2,400 men, women

and children were brought to Seychelles.

Phot

os c

ourt

esy

of P

eter

Hol

thus

en

Right: Copra is the dried meat, or (kernel), of the coconut from which the oil is extracted, making it an important agricultural commodity for many coconut-producing countries.

Opposite: Coconut oil is an edible oil which provides the primary source of fat in the diets of millions of people for generations.


Coconut oil production is no longer a major industry of the Seychelles, but its legacy will

remain for many years.

Above: Coconut palms at St Joseph Atoll.

coconut-producing countries. It also yields coconut

cake which is mainly used as feed for livestock. Copra

was traditionally grated and ground, then boiled in

water to extract coconut oil. It was long used by Pacific

island cultures and became a valuable commercial

product for merchants in the South Seas, Indian Ocean

and South Asia in the 1860s. This 19th century copra

trading inspired Robert Louis Stevenson’s 1893 novella

The Beach of Falesa, based on his experiences in Samoa.

Nowadays, the process of coconut oil extraction is

done by crushing copra in a press to produce the oil

(70%); the by-product is known as copra cake or copra

meal (30%).

Once the oil is extracted, the remaining coconut cake

is 18-25 per cent protein but contains so much dietary

fibre it cannot be eaten in large quantities by humans.

Instead it is normally fed to ruminants.

Making copra – removing the shell, breaking up and

drying – is usually done where the coconut palms grow.

Copra can be made by smoke drying, sun drying, or

kiln drying. Sun drying requires little more than racks

and sufficient sunlight. Halved nuts are drained of

water, and left with the meat facing the sky; they can

be washed to remove mould-creating contaminants.

After two days the meat can be removed from the shell

with ease, and the drying is complete after three to five

more days (up to seven in total). Sun drying is often

combined with kiln drying, eight hours of exposure to

sunlight means the time spent in a kiln can be reduced

by a day and the hot air the shells are exposed to in

the kiln is more easily able to remove the remaining

moisture. This process can also be reversed, partially

drying the copra in the kiln and finishing the process

with sunlight.

In 1876, no less than 722,580 coconuts were exported

and by 1880, exports of coconut oil had risen to 18,993

hectolitres. By then, the landowners, who were mostly

descendants of the French settlers, had established vast

coconut estates on their properties.

These were to become the economic mainstay of

Seychelles for almost a century. Between 1911 and

1914 the number of coconuts harvested reached well

over 105 million nuts but with the outbreak of World

War 1 the islands suffered great hardship and the

industry declined. Ships could not bring in essential

goods, nor take away exports. Wages fell; prices soared

by 150 per cent.

Many turned to crime and the prisons were bursting.

Joining the radical Seychelles Labour Contingent,

formed at the request of General Jan Christiaan Smuts,

seemed to offer an escape, but it was no easy option.

The force, 800 strong, was sent to East Africa. After just

five months so many had died from dysentery, malaria

and beriberi that the corps was sent home. In all, 335

men lost their lives.

The coconut harvest for the year 1919 alone was

36,423,072 nuts. Between 1915 and 1919, a little

over 85 million nuts were converted into copra for the

export market. Almost overnight, copra had become

the gold of the Indian Ocean!


There was such an insatiable demand for copra on the European

market that up to the late 1960s copra production in Seychelles

injected millions of rupees into the economy.

Like many islands in the Seychelles archipelago in the heyday of the

coconut industry, the island of Denis which lies 95 kilometres north

of Mahé, and one of the most northerly of the group, was once home

to a thriving coconut plantation. Its population of between 70 and

100 people would spend their days producing copra, collecting guano

(decomposed seabird droppings) and fishing.

In 1975 Denis was purchased by the French paper magnate Pierre

Burkhardt, who transformed the island into a successful eco island

resort lodge. The indefatigable businessman promoted the island with

the marketing slogan “the island at the edge of the world”. However, in

the mid 1990s Denis was sold to Mason’s Travel, one of the Seychelles

first local ground handling operators.

Alongside neighbouring Bird Island, which lies 45 km to the west,

much of Denis’s history and buildings which date back to the 1890s

can still be observed today and are best seen by way of a privately

guided tour of the island, undertaken on a buggy. The tour will also

take guests past the Anglo-French lighthouse built in 1910 at the

northern edge of the island, which still warns passing ships against

the hazardous shoals and coral reefs. You will also see the old coconut

press, the island’s farm, the workshop, where much of the furniture for

the villas are made from the island’s trees, as well as the remnants of

a mysterious cemetery for which no known records exist. There is also

a small chapel named Chapel St. Denis, which is the only ecumenical

chapel on the archipelago.

Coconut oil production is no longer a major industry of the Seychelles,

but its legacy will remain for many years to come.

Queries on this tender should be immediately conveyed to:Seychelles Investment Board Tel: +248 4295500 Fax: +248 4225125 Email: [email protected]

You are invited to bid for a unique opportunity to realise the tourism project of your dream and share the growth of this ever prospering sector of the Seychelles economy.

Whether it is a Hotel, Medical Tourism Facility, Spa Resort, Retreat or Luxury Serviced Apartments, Luxury Marina Development, we welcome your proposals and look forward to sharing your dreams.

INVITATION TO TENDERTO REALIZE YOUR TOURISM DREAM PROJECT

ON ILE SOLEIL IN SEYCHELLES

Realiz ou Rev – Kree nou

INVITATION TO TENDER TO REALIZE YOUR TOURISM DREAM PROJECT

ON ILE SOLEIL IN SEYCHELLES

Queries on this tender should be immediately conveyed to:

Seychelles Investment Board Tel: +(248) 4 29 55 00 Fax: +(248) 4 22 51 25

Email: [email protected]

PHOTO 5

You are invited to bid for a unique opportuni-ty to realize the tour-ism project of your dream and share in the growth of this ever prospering sector of the Seychelles econo-my. Whether it is a hotel, medical tourism facili-ty, spa resort, retreat or luxury serviced apartment, luxury ma-rina development, we welcome your pro-posals and look for-ward to sharing your

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Produced using traditional techniques, Shaoxing rice wine has remained very close to its roots in China’s dynastic times, says Wang Yuanchang.

Jars of History Earthenware

Wine – grape wine – and beer are two

of the heavy hitters in the world of

alcoholic beverages. The third big

player, best known in Asia, is rice

wine, the earliest wine of China and around the world

– produced from the fermentation of glutinous rice

grains. Of this type there is one name that goes right

back to China’s dynastic period: Shaoxing rice wine,

approximately 6,500 years old. Rice wine is also called

yellow wine and, in Chinese, laojiu or huangjiu. It is

widely consumed and produced in the regions around

the Yangtze River as well as in coastal areas such as

Shanghai, Fujian, Guangdong and Taiwan. It is exported

to many countries in Asia, particularly Japan and Korea,

and also to Europe and North America.

The producers of Shaoxing rice wine still depend

on traditional artisanal techniques to make their

wine, thus retaining its distinctive, original character.

Aromatic and full-bodied are two of the words often

used to describe Shaoxing rice wine, and according

to craftsmen, the secret is in the water – specifically,

Jianhu Lake water. But how does it all come together?

There was only one way to find out.

A Journey in Time

After substantial preparations I decided to visit

the hometown of rice wine. Belying its worldwide

renown, Shaoxing is quite tiny: a pocket-sized town in

Zhejiang Province, located in the region south of the

Yangtze River. The city is wet and watered all year-


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round, thanks to the streams zig-zagging through it.

I immediately headed out to Guyue Longshan Wine

Factory, Shaoxing’s oldest and biggest, and famous for

its traditional brewing technique.

Before I even reached the factory, I could practically

taste the wine; the aroma tickled my nostrils and the

air felt a little stickier, wetter, and warmer. Before I was

allowed in I had to put on a uniform and mask. The

reason soon became apparent. Rice wine, I was told,

is like a newborn baby, especially during the brewing

process. Its environment should be germ-free as much

as possible, as contaminants will influence the flavour,

turning it just a bit acrid, or perhaps a touch too sweet.

Workers must take a full body shower before coming

into the workshops.

The factory was filled with dense vapours from the

steaming rice. It was buzzing with activity as well,

since this was the brewing season. The coming of

winter is their busiest time of the year, generally lasting

until March and April, depending on the weather and

temperatures.

Near to the workshop where rice is steamed, other

workers were busy with Kaipa – where the fermented

rice is stirred thoroughly with a wooden rake to aerate

it and cool the liquor, before covering it once again to

continue fermentation. The whole process is laborious

and intense; three or four strong men are required to

finish the task. I learnt that, from choosing the rice

grains to filling up the jars, over 20 processes are

involved. The rice is chosen, polished and washed. The

grains are separated to cool. The main mash is prepared

and readied for saccharification, where the starches are

converted into sugars. Partial fermented rice is stirred

and aerated, and then follows more fermentation,

filtration and purification and colouration of wine

using natural ingredients. At the end is pasteurization

until February or March, then storing and packaging. In

general the fermentation process lasts 90 days, divided

into pre-fermentation and secondary-fermentation.

When sealing the jars the worker adds some lotus and

Indicalamus leaves. The sun-dried leaves are used to

increase the liquor’s fragrance,

The entire cycle lasts about three months, and workers

are expected to be on their toes and vigilant 24 hours

a day. It’s hard slogging work, and it requires more than

ordinary skill to get the wine just right. There are only

about 10 wine craftsmen who are experts of traditional

winemaking techniques in Shaoxing, all working in

Guyue Longshan Wine factory, mostly aged more than

60 years old. The factory is doing its best to cultivate

more, but it will take time. It takes more than 10 to 20

years’ experience to be a good winemaker.

Just why wine brewed with Jianhu Lake water is the

best is a mystery. The miracle lies in the ingredients of

Rice wine, I was told, is like a newborn baby, especially during the brewing process.


Why did Zhuji jars become the favoured container for

rice wine? It boils down to the materials, particularly argil

and kaolin, which are known for their proofing properties,

and the process by which the jars are produced. Kaolin,

in particular, is the material of choice for making high-

temperature-proof pottery parts including those used in

aeroplanes and ships. Zhuji jars are fired in a Dragon kiln,

set on the hillside, with excellent firing power and rapid

heating and larger firing areas. Pine branches are used to

make the fire. The pine oil strengthens glazing and the jars

acquire a lustrous green glaze outside and a rufous color

inside. A skilled jar maker can judge the quality of the jar

by colour alone. Zhuji jars can enhance the fragrance of

the wine during storage by allowing the liquor to breathe

and to come in contact with a little air from outside, which

intensifies the aroma.

Huadiao Jars

A jar is a work of art that needs dozens of procedures to

complete. In the past, artists drew or painted patterns on

the surface of every jar to symbolise happiness and luck.

For a long time it has been a traditional culture and craft of

Shaoxing people, who experimented with different motifs

such as flowers, fairies and fish in three major colours: red,

gold and black. The Huadiao jar best represents the tradition

of making jars and is noted for its intricate carvings and

drawings.

Dating back more than 2,300 years, Huadiao jars originated

in the Spring and Autumn Period and bloomed during the

Ming and Qing Dynasties. It is said that in the Song Dynasty,

a ministry councillor brewed 20 big jars of rice wine to

prepare for his child’s birth. He buried the wine under an

osmanthus shrub in the garden, and dug them out when the

daughter got married. At once all his guests were enveloped

by a sweet and refreshing aroma. Since then, it has become

a custom to bury rice wine underground upon the birth of

a daughter, to be opened on her wedding day. For blessings,

happiness and good fortune, parents invite folk artists to

draw and carve colourful patterns on each jar. Hence, the

jars are called ‘daughter jars’, which was later changed to

Huadiao jars in the Qing Period.

Huadiao jars are still produced today. The outer designs

were predominantly colourful paintings until 20th century

craftsmen started changing things. Huang Ayuan and

Cai Abao were among those who combined traditional

Huadiao decoration with relief work, turning flat drawings

into three-dimensional scenes. Today, the Huadiao jar has

eight different shapes, 11 sizes and around 200 patterns.

The biggest Huadiao jar created so far is the Guyue

Longshan, which stands 4.5 metres high and weighs 27

tonnes. The smallest Huadiao jar fits into the palm of your

hand.

the lake. Jianhu Lake contains a lot of microelements and minerals, providing a favourable

environment in which yeast can ferment fully. Another key recipe is the brewing season:

the best wine comes after the winter solstice (21 to 23 December) when the coldest days

follow, water flows and slows down and the peat bed absorbs impurities, and water stays

at the most balanced degree of turbidity and limpidity. After aging for years or dozens of

years, the wine is said to have a moderate acridity and sweetness, with a silky and slippery

feel in the mouth, and it has an amber and lustrous colour.

Zhuji Jars, the best containers for Rice Wine.

In Chinese history, pottery, white and blue porcelain as well as bamboo ceramic jars were

used as rice wine containers, but Shaoxing rice wine has traditionally been stored and

aged only in Zhuji jars which are said to preserve the natural fragrance of the wine like

no other containers can. The pottery jars are sourced and produced in Zhuji Prefecture,

hence the name. There is a saying that goes: “Shaoxing rice wine and Zhuji pottery jars

are a good pair.”

Chinese pottery techniques go back to 11,700 years ago in the Neolithic Age, and more

than 6,500 years ago pottery techniques commenced in Shaoxing, nearly at the same

time as Shaoxing Rice wine, during Hemudu Period. Zhuji pottery jars date back 2,500

years when geologists discovered abundant deposits of good quality argil in Zhuji town.

People built kilns and started making pottery jars there. Kilns have been unearthed in Zhuji

and in some sites in Shaoxing and Zhejiang Province – some more than 2,000 years old.


Green Corner

by Seychelles Islands Foundation (SIF)

Ring-necked Parakeet

The Seychelles boasts some of the most magnificent

beaches in the world, bordered by lush forest and

towering granite peaks. This natural beauty attracts

thousands of tourists every year who come to soak up

the tropical sun and exquisite surroundings. But these paradise

islands are under attack. Since the islands were first colonised

in the 18th century people have been bringing alien species

into the Seychelles. These alien species are now threatening the

natural treasures of these islands: unique animals and plants

that are only found here.

Alien or introduced species are plants, animals or organisms

which are introduced by humans accidentally or intentionally

to an area outside their native range, for example: dogs, pigs,

goats, ornamental plants and many fruit trees. Invasive alien

species spread extremely fast and can completely take over

whole ecosystems. This is when the habitat of some of the very

rare Seychelles species such as the Seychelles Black Parrot or

the Coco de Mer palm tree is threatened. A local organisation,

the Seychelles Islands Foundation (SIF), has started a campaign

to combat these invasive species in the Seychelles.

SIF manages and protects the UNESCO (United Nations

Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) World

Heritage Sites of the Vallée de Mai on Praslin Island and Aldabra

Atoll in the far reaches of the Seychelles archipelago. Invasive

alien species pose a serious threat to both of these unique and

internationally renowned areas. With generous funding from

the European Union, SIF has embarked on a four-year project to

eliminate or control some of the invasive alien species that are

found in these sites, safeguarding their beauty and biological

diversity for the future.

Since 2011, SIF has secured many successes in their fight

against invasive alien species. After being present on Aldabra

for over 130 years, goats had caused untold damage to the

native vegetation and threatened the survival of the Aldabra

Giant Tortoise. In August 2012, the last goat was successfully

removed from the atoll by SIF, which was a huge achievement

and crucial to protecting the native plants and animals of the

island. Work is also ongoing on Assumption Island, which is the

closest island to Aldabra. Large populations of introduced birds

on Assumption pose a threat to the endemic birds of Aldabra.


• Ensure you declare all animal and plant products when entering

the Seychelles

• Visit the Vallée de Mai on Praslin island to learn about invasive species and

the work of SIF

• Support and promote the protection of native plants and animals both in

the Seychelles and at home

• If you see the Ring-necked Parakeet whilst you are here, particularly if they

are roosting or nesting, do not disturb the birds but report the sighting to

the Greenline (+248 272 2111) or to SIF (+248 252 3623).

How you can help prevent the spread of invasive species:

Further information:Please visit our website – www.sif.sc, or email us on [email protected].

In order to reduce this risk an eradication programme

was initiated and over 75 per cent of the invasive bird

population on Assumption has since been eradicated.

Closer to home on the main island of Mahé, activities

have also begun in the ancient palm forest of the Vallée

de Mai on Praslin. In 2012, an extensive plant survey

of the Vallée de Mai was completed. This enabled

researchers to identify the location and extent of

invasive plant species, such as the well-known Cinnamon

tree. Data collected in this survey will be used to make

future management decisions on the removal of these

plant species from the forest.

Some invasive alien species are so small that it is hard to

imagine the damage they could cause; Yellow Crazy Ants

are one such species. These yellow ants may be small

but have had devastating effects around the world. They

can easily overpower and threaten insects and animals

such as snails, slugs and reptiles that are found only in

Seychelles. Research so far has shown that although

the ants are present in the Vallée de Mai, they are not

spreading which should make it easier to control them.

Praslin is also home to the iconic Seychelles Black

Parrot, one of the 12 endemic bird species of the

Seychelles. The Seychelles Black Parrot is only found

on Praslin Island and is one of the rarest birds in the Seychelles archipelago. The parrot breeds

mainly in the mature palm forest of the Vallée de Mai and, interestingly, each breeding female

parrot has its own distinctive call. The parrot’s small population size and limited range make it

highly vulnerable to external pressures. One of the main threats to the parrots is the presence

of the introduced Ring-necked parakeet or Kato ver, on Mahé.

The Ring-necked Parakeet is the most widely found and successful parrot in the world. It

has a broad native range stretching across southern Asia and northern Africa and has been

introduced to more than 35 countries across five continents. A large green bird with a long

tail and an unmistakeable high-pitched squawk, the parakeet has caused many problems in

different countries. In Mauritius the parakeet transmitted a virus to endemic Echo Parakeets

which resulted in the deaths of many birds. In Australia, the Ring necked parakeet is now

considered a major agricultural pest, raiding a wide range of cereal, nut and fruit crops,

causing economic losses. In the UK, the Ring-necked Parakeet population has exploded and

now competes with nesting native birds, posing a threat to already declining species.

The parakeet was accidentally introduced in the Seychelles in 1996, when four captive birds

escaped. These birds quickly increased in number to the current population of around 300

birds. Although only currently found on Mahé there is a danger that the parakeets

could populate other islands in Seychelles. The establishment of parakeets on

Praslin would directly threaten the Black Parrots, as they would compete for

food and nesting sites, and transfer disease. An effort to limit this population of

destructive parakeets has been started by SIF to protect the national bird of the

Seychelles, the Black Parrot.

With the collaboration of international agencies, such as the European Union,

the Seychelles government, local organisations, international visitors and local

people, it is both possible and achievable to maintain the natural splendour of

these magical islands.


Air Seychelles showed its support for local

conservation as one of the sponsors for the

Seychelles Sea Turtle Festival, held from 9 to

10 August 2013, to celebrate marine turtles

and also raise public awareness about conservation

issues.

The event was organised by Global Vision International

(GVI) Seychelles and Marine Conservation Society

Seychelles (MCSS) in conjunction with the Ministry of

Education and the Seychelles Tourism Board.

Air Seychelles contributed flight tickets to Praslin

as prizes for winners of the writing and painting

competition held for children from local primary and

secondary schools to highlight the importance of

supporting turtle conservation.

During the festival, participants saw a special screening

of Turtle: The Incredible Journey at Victoria’s Deepam

cinema – a documentary film tracing the spectacular

journey of a young loggerhead turtle on the path of her

ancestors across the globe.

Air Seychelles

In addition to an exhibition of the primary and secondary

school children’s works of art depicting aspects of

conservation there were also displays covering the

grand diversity of Seychelles wildlife as well as details

of an array of conservation programmes run by the

NGOs (Non governmental organizations) present.

There was even the chance to do some snorkelling and

get up close and personal to the wonders beneath the

waves.

The Seychelles Sea Turtle Festival looks set to make

further appearances on the Seychelles’ events scene.

Supports Seychelles Sea Turtle Festival

• Silhouette • Vol 24 No 3 •64 • Silhouette • Vol 24 No 2 •64

Tips for Visitors to Seychelles


Seychelles is renowned for its natural beauty and unique geology and biodiversity.

This tiny island paradise has set aside almost 50 per cent of its 455 square

kilometres as national parks and nature reserves, more than any other country

on earth.

Islands like Seychelles make great holiday destinations, but behind the scenes

small island states have an uphill struggle in their journey towards environmental

sustainability as they try to grapple with issues like energy security, waste and pollution,

habitat loss, poaching, water shortages, food security and climate change.

For instance, although Seychelles now boasts a small wind farm, the islands are still

95 per cent reliant on imported fossil fuels to generate electricity. Solar energy seems

like the obvious solution but the technology is still prohibitively expensive for a small

island and most of its inhabitants.

Water is another critical issue. The main islands of Seychelles receive more than two

metres of rainfall each year but the country’s storage capacity is so limited that most

of it runs off into the sea! There is no land to spare for the construction of large dams

and reservoirs. During the months when rainfall is scarce, water is produced through

the energy-intensive desalination process and water rationing is the norm for residents

and businesses alike.

In terms of waste, Seychelles has very limited space for landfills, but with increased

development and tourism, the mountains of waste produced are increasing. Some

items like scrap metal, PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) plastic and aluminium cans

are now exported for recycling but this is not feasible for many other waste forms due

to the economies of scale and Seychelles’ distance from potential recycling markets.

Food security is another key issue for the islands. Land in Seychelles is always at a

premium and the flat coastal strip around the main islands is juggled between the

demands of housing, farming, industrial and tourism sectors. Over the last 20 years

much of Seychelles’ agricultural land has been converted to tourism establishments

and housing estates, making it tough for the country to produce all of the food needed

by the local population and tourism sector. Relying on imported foods makes the

islands vulnerable to fluctuations in prices and foreign exchange rates, and the quality

of imported items is not as fresh as local produce.

Climate change is a major challenge for all small island developing states (SIDS).

Seychelles has a small population and its carbon footprint is relatively tiny compared

to larger industrialised countries. Furthermore, the vegetation on land and in the sea

throughout the 1.14 million square kilometres exclusive economic zone, acts as a

significant sink or absorber of carbon dioxide. However, like other SIDS, Seychelles is

extremely vulnerable to the impacts of climate change which, for islands, include issues

such as sea level rise, coastal erosion, coral bleaching, changing migration patterns of

tuna and other pelagic fish stocks, heavy rains and flooding contrasted by periods of

drought.

Given all these challenges, it is remarkable that Seychelles is still as beautiful as it

is! This is not an accident but a result of a longstanding government commitment to

environmental protection coupled with the active engagement of many environmental

NGOs and, increasingly, the private sector.

Even tourists can lend a hand! While on holiday, there

are a number of things our guests can do to help island

states like Seychelles become more sustainable. Take

note of the eco-tips below and see how many of them

you can put into action during your stay …

1 Be energy wise - Try to conserve energy when possible – turning off lights and air conditioners when you leave your hotel room is a great way of making a difference.

2 Be water wise - Use water carefully – take short showers and turn the taps off when not in use. Use your towel for a few days to cut down on laundry use.

3 Watch your waste - Recycle your plastic bottles and drink cans. Buy a reusable bag to cut down on plastic bags. Take your batteries home with you. Ask your hotel if they are participating in local recycling programmes.

4 Eat local - Instead of eating what you can eat at home, try some of the local cuisine, cooked with fresh local fish, meat, vegetables and fruits, available in restaurants and at take-aways. For a snack, try out some of the delicious local crisps made from organic breadfruit, cassava or plantain bananas.

5 Participate in conservation activities - Ask your hotel what they are doing for the environment – what are they doing to save water, save energy, reduce waste, reduce their climate footprint and help local communities? Pressure from tourists will help encourage our tourism industry to go greener!

6 Discover Seychelles - Get out and explore all that Seychelles has to offer – marine parks, nature reserves, gardens, mountain trails, beaches, museums. Try exploring by bus (it is more eco-friendly than renting your own car and can be an interesting cultural experience!).

7 Support the local economy - Buy locally made crafts, music CDs and other souvenirs. Avoid buying shells, corals, shark jaws or other souvenirs that degrade natural ecosystems.

Seychelles, as you will soon discover, is a fantastic place

to have a holiday. We wish you a happy and ‘green’

vacation, one that will give you great pleasure and

memories and ensure that the Seychelles environment

is protected for future generations to enjoy.

Contributed by Sustainability for Seychelles (S4S), a local NGO whose mission is to promote sustainable living in Seychelles. For more info about our work. Contact us on: Email: [email protected] Tel. 422-4072 / 251-9135. Address: Suite A9 Arpent Vert, Mont Fleuri. Website: www.s4seychelles.com or find us on Facebook.

We wish you a happy and ‘green’ vacation, one that will give you great pleasure and memories and ensure that the Seychelles environment is protected for future generations to enjoy.

John DaviD Turner

1167 2695 6467

Valid Thru 05/2014

Seychelles Plus Joins Etihad Guests Loyalty Programme

Air Seychelles Plus rejoint le programme de fidélisation Etihad Guest

We are pleased to announce improved benefits, services and flexibility for our valued and loyal travellers. Since 16 June 2012, the Air Seychelles Plus Programme has been fully integrated into Etihad Guests, the award winning loyalty programme of Etihad Airways.

All members of the Air Seychelles Plus Programme have automatically become new Etihad Guest members, earning eight Etihad Guest Miles for every Seychelles Plus point in their account as at 15 June 2012.

Their current Seychelles Plus tier level has been carried over to their new Etihad Guest membership. For example, Air Seychelles Plus Gold Members have automatically been enrolled as Etihad Guest Gold members.

On becoming an Etihad Guest member, they now enjoy morebenefits and rewards, including:• Immediate rewards - with the 1

MileRedemption feature, fly once and enjoy instant rewards.

• No blackout periods - GuestSeats are available on all flights, and if a seat is available, the guests can book it.

• Anytime availability - all seats on a flight, including the very last seat, are available at any time. Redeem OpenSeats at a mileage

Nous sommes heureux d’annoncer une amélioration de prestations, de nos services et de la flexibilité pour notre fidèle clientèle. Depuis le 16 Juin 2012, le programme Air Seychelles Plus a été entièrement intégré dans celui d’Etihad Guest, le programme de fidélisation primé d’Etihad Airways.

Tous les membres du programme d’Air Seychelles Plus deviennent automatiquement des nouveaux membres d Etihad Guest, obtenant huit miles d’Etihad Guest pour chaque point sur leur compte au 15 Juin 2012.

Les membres d’Air Seychelles Plus conserveront le même statut dans le nouveau programme d’Etihad Guest. Par exemple, les membres Gold d’Air Seychelles ont été automatiquement inscrits comme membres d’Etihad Guest Gold.

En devenant membre d’Etihad Guest, ils vont maintenant bénéficier de plus d’avantages et de récompenses, y compris:• Des récompenses immédiates – avec

la formule 1MileRedemption, voyagez une fois et de profitez des récompenses immédiatement.

• Aucune période d’interdiction – les GuestSeats sont disponibles sur tous les vols, et si un siège est disponible, les clients pourront le réserver.

• Disponibilité à tout instant - tous les sièges sur un vol, y compris le dernier, sont

John DaviD Turner

1167 2695 6467

Valid Thru 05/2014

John DaviD Turner

1167 2695 6467

Valid Thru 05/2014

John DaviD Turner

1167 2695 6467

Valid Thru 05/2014

cost equivalent to the commercial price of the seat.

• The widest choice - redeem for flights, products or services using the exclusive Etihad Guest Reward Shop.

• Expanded network - redeem and earn points on over 3000 routes worldwide, with Etihad Airways and its partner airlines, including Air Berlin, Virgin Australia and American Airlines.

• Also, as Etihad Guest members, our Guests can automatically earn and redeem Etihad Guest Miles with the entire Etihad Guest Partner network worldwide, which includes international hotel chains, car hire companies and retailers as well as 1 5 airline partners.

Guest ProgrammeThis level enables the member to enjoy permanent membership to the programme after earning 500 miles.

Guest Enjoys• Earn Etihad Guest Tier Miles for

journey• Redeem Etihad Guest Miles for

journey/Upgrades/kilos• Seat selection upon availability

Silver Avantages• Liste d’attente prioritaire• 10 kg d’excédent de bagages• La sélection de sièges selon disponibilité• 25% de bonus sur les miles• Gagnez des miles pour chaque voyage• Echanges de miles contre des billets d’avion/ surclassement /kilos

Gold Avantages• Priorité au Check-In• Accès au Salon• Embarquement prioritaire• 50% de bonus sur les miles• Gagnez des miles pour chaque voyage• Echanges de miles contre des billets d’avion/ surclassement /kilos• Sélection de siège selon la disponibilité• 15 kg d’excédent de bagages

Gold Elite Avantages• Priorité au Check-In• Accès au Salon• Embarquement prioritaire• 50% de bonus sur les miles• Gagnez des miles pour chaque voyage• Echanges de miles contre des billets d’avion/surclassement /kilos• Sélection de siège selon la disponibilité• 20 kg d’excédent de bagages

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

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

Silver TierGuest Enjoys• Waitlist priority• 10 kg excess baggage• Earn Etihad Guest Tier Miles for journey• Redeem Etihad Guest Miles for journey/Upgrades/kilos• Seat selection upon availability• 25% Tier Bonus Miles

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

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

disponibles à tout moment. Échangez vos miles pour les OpenSeats à un coût équivalent au prix commercial du siège par kilométrique.

• Le plus grand choix – échangez vos miles contre des billets d’avion, des produits ou services en utilisant la boutique exclusive Etihad Guest Reward Shop.

• Un réseau étendu - échangez et accumulez des points sur plus de 3000 destinations à travers le monde, avec Etihad Airways et ses partenaires, dont Air Berlin, Virgin Australia et American Airlines.

• Par ailleurs, en tant que membres d’Etihad Guest, nos clients peuvent obtenir automatiquement et échanger leurs milles avec l’ensemble de ses partenaires à travers son réseau mondial qui comprend des chaînes hôtelières internationales, les compagnies de location de voitures et les boutiques, ainsi que 15 compagnies aériennes.

Guest ProgrammeCe statut permet de devenir membre permanent du programme après avoir obtenu 500 miles.

Avantages• Optenez des miles pour chaque voyage• Echanges de miles contre des billets

d’avion/surclassement /kilos

H e a l t hy Tra v e l l i n g

These gentle exercises, which you can carry out easily during your flight, will help blood circulation and reduce any tiredness

or stiffness that may result from sitting in one place for several hours. Check with your doctor first if you have any health

conditions which might be adversely affected by exercise.

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

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

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

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

Foot pumps: Start with both heels on the floor and point feet upward as high as you can. Then put both feet flat on the floor. Then lift heels high, keeping the balls of your feet on the floor. Continue cycle in 30-second intervals.

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

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

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

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

OTHER TIPS FOR A COMFORTABLE FLIGHT

• For your own comfort try and travel light.

• Wear loose clothing and elasticated stockings made of natural fibre.

• Increase your normal intake of water and only if need be, drink alcohol but in moderation.

• Use moisturising cream to keep your skin from drying out.

• Take off shoes in the plane to prevent your feet from swelling up or wear shoes that will cope with expanding ankles.

• Avoid heavy meals during the flight.

• Short walks once every two hours are excellent for circulation.

• Try to touch your toes when waiting in the aisle to stretch your hamstrings.

• On arrival at your destination, have a hot shower or a relaxing bath.

• On arrival a quick jog, brisk walk, or a vigorous scrub will help stimulate your circulation.

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

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

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Mauritius

ColomboBangkok

Air Seychelles Destinations

MAP KEY

Air Seychelles & Etihad Airways Codeshare Destinations

Air Seychelles & South African Airways Codeshare Destinations

ABU DHABI

LondonParis

Geneva Milan

Manchester

Brussels

Düsseldorf

Munich

SEYCHELLES

August 2013

Hong Kong

BerlinFrankfurt

Dublin

Air Seychelles & Air Berlin Codeshare Destinations

Air Seychelles & Czech Airlines Codeshare Destinations

Melbourne

Sydney

Prague

Copenhagen

Stockholm

NOTE: Graphics representation only. Not to scale. The actual flight paths may vary.

In te rna t iona l Route Map

Airbus A320 Wet-leased from Etihad AirwaysBusiness Class seats: 16Economy seats: 120

Mauritius route only

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

F l e e tMaximum Takeoff weight: 233,000 kgsMaximum Landing Weight: 182,000 kgsFuel Capacity: 139,000 ltsEngine thrust: 71,100 lbf

Seat ConfigurationTwo aisle passenger cabin Pearl class: 2-2-2 six abreastEconomy: 2-4-2 eight abreast

AIR SEYCHELLES LTD (Head Office) • PO Box 386, Mahé, Seychelles • Telephone: (248) 4391000 Fax: (248) 4224305 • E-mail: [email protected] • www.airseychelles.com

Johannesburg

BahrainKuwait

Muscat

Mauritius

ColomboBangkok

Air Seychelles Destinations

MAP KEY

Air Seychelles & Etihad Airways Codeshare Destinations

Air Seychelles & South African Airways Codeshare Destinations

ABU DHABI

LondonParis

Geneva Milan

Manchester

Brussels

Düsseldorf

Munich

SEYCHELLES

August 2013

Hong Kong

BerlinFrankfurt

Dublin

Air Seychelles & Air Berlin Codeshare Destinations

Air Seychelles & Czech Airlines Codeshare Destinations

Melbourne

Sydney

Prague

Copenhagen

Stockholm

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

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

Fregate Island

Bird Island

Mahé Island

Praslin Island

Desroches Island

Alphonse Island

D´Arros Island

Denis Island

Ai r seyche l l e s Domes t i c Route Ne twork

Chennai Ticketing and Reservation OfficeEmail: [email protected] Person: Mr. Amar Kumar PatroContact Number: +044 4295 9632

Coimbatore OfficeVincents Bldg., Door No.1420-A, T richy Rd., Coimbatore -641018.Tel: 0422 - 2302 265 / 272Email: [email protected]

Delhi Office303 - 304, Prakash Deep Bldg., 3rd Floor,7, Tolstoy Marg, New Delhi – 110 001Tel: 011 - 23737471 / +011 23737473Email: [email protected]

Global Air Transport Services Pvt. Ltd. (Southern India) Global House, 733 Anna Salai, Chennai – 600 006.Tel: +044 4295 9632 / 9696Email: [email protected] /[email protected] Person: Mrs. Vasumathi Jayaraman (Regional Director- South India), Mr. Amar Kumar Patro (Manager- passenger sales)

Goa OfficeAlcon Chambers, First Floor, Office No. 2, D. B. Marg, Panjim, Goa - 403 001Tel: 0832-2220364 / 2426584Email: [email protected]

Crescent Tower, 2nd Floor, 229,A.J.C.B. Road, Calcutta – 700020Tel: +91 33 22872550 / 22871230 / 2550Email: [email protected]

Head Office Global Air Transport Services Private Limited N.K.M.International House, 6th Floor, 178, Backbay Reclamation,B.M.Chinai Marg, Mumbai-400020Tel: 091 022 6620 5600 / 2282 9003 Fax: 091 022 6620 5656Email: mailto:[email protected]: www.globalaviationindia.comContact Person: Mrs. Padmaja Ashar – Marketing Head

O n l i n e O f f i c e s

Wo r l d w i d e O f f i c e s

South Africa

Mauritius

United Arab Emirates

HongKong

Capital: Port LouisLanguages: French, English, CreoleCurrency: RupeesArea: 2,040 km2

Population: 1,243,000

Capital: Abu DhabiLanguages: Arabic, EnglishCurrency: Emirati Dirham (AED)Area: 83,600 km2

Population: 8, 264,070 Air Seychelles destination: Abu Dhabi

Capital: HongkongIncola Air Services Ltd.Suite A,6/F, Wah Kit Comm. Centre300-302 Des Voeux Road CentralTel: (00852) 2866 8826/36Fax: (00852) 2527 7837Email: [email protected]

Walshe Group Suite 906, Orient Tower, 33 Lockhart Road, Wan chai, Hong Kong. Tel 00852 3979 3488 or 00852 3979 3489 Email: [email protected]

Air Seychelles destination: Plaisance Airport Rogers & Company Ltd Rogers House 5, President John Kennedy Street PO Box 60, Port LouisTel: (00230) 202 6671 Fax: (00230) 208 3540Sita: mrurrhm


Capital: PretoriaLanguages: English, AfrikaansCurrency: RandArea: 1,221,037 km2

Population: 45,919,000Air Seychelles destination: Johannesburg Lu Dowell Representations

Greenstone Hill Office ParkEmerald Boulevard, Building 1, Unit F4.Modderfontein, Edenvale South AfricaTel: (0027-11)-452-0244Fax: 0866578741 or (0027-11) 781-2144E-mail: [email protected]

THE CREOLE SPIRITPo Box 386 Victoria, MahéTel: (00248) 439 10 00 Fax: (00248) 439 10 05 (Head Office)Fax: (00248) 432 41 94 (Marketing & Sales)Email: [email protected] Fax: (00248) 422 59 33 (Sales & Reservations)Email: [email protected]

BALTIC COUNTRIESKatusepapi Street 6, Tallinn 11412, EstoniaTel: (00372) 6681 009 Fax: (00372) 6228 115Email: [email protected]

AUSTRALIASky Air Services, Level 7, 24 Albert Road, South Melbourne 3205Tel: (0061 3) 9699 9355 Fax: (0061 3) 9699 9388Email: [email protected]

AUSTRIAAviareps, Airline Management Service GmbhArgentinierstrasse 2/4 A - 1040,Vienna, AustriaTel: (0043 1) 585 3631 55 Fax: (0043 1) 585 3630 88Email: [email protected]@Airseychelles.Com Website: Www.Airseychelles.De

BAHRAINYusuf Bin Ahmed Kanoo W11 Al Khalifa Road, Building 302 Block 304 Po Box 45, ManamaTel: (00973) 17 220 800 Fax: (00973) 17 213 458Email: [email protected]

BELGIUM/LUXEMBOURGKales Airline Services, Park Hill, Mommaertslaan 18A B –1831, Diegem, Brussels. Tel: (0032 2) 716 00 64 Fax: (0032 2) 716 00 86 Email: [email protected]

CANADAAviareps, 130 Spadina Ave Ste 606 Toronto, On M5v 2L4Tel: +1 416 561 8243 Fax: +1 416 363 9608Email: [email protected]

CHINABeijing Jinzhihong Aviation Service Co. Ltd Boc Group 1/F, Qinglan Plaza, No.24, Dongsi Shitiao, Beijing, Prc 100007Tel: +8610- 84042096 Fax: +8610-64022093Email: [email protected] Contact Person: Nicole Li

Czech RepublicAviareps Czech Republic Na Rybnícku 5/1329, 120 00 Praha 2, Tel: (00 420) 296 368 273 Fax: (00 420) 224 233 412Email: [email protected]

CHENNAIChennai Global Aviation Services Pvt Ltd733, Anna Salai, Chennai 600006Tel: +91 44 4295 9600, 4203 6220Tel: +91 44 4295 9696 Extn: 632 Fax: +91 44 [email protected] [email protected]

COMORES Ario Ltd, Route Magoudjou Bp 1285, MoroniTel: (00269) 733 144 Tel: (00269) 733 820- AirportTel: (00269) 732 388- ReservationsFax: (00269) 730 719 Email: [email protected]: [email protected]

DENMARKDiscover the world Marketing Trommesalen 5, DK – 1614 Copenhangen VTel: (0045) - 88 30 66 10 Fax: (0045) 33252586Email: [email protected]

DUBAIAsian Air Travel and Tours Agency PO Box 65006 Dubai, UAETel: (00971 4) 286 8008 Fax: (00971 4) 283 2115Email: [email protected]

ESTONIAAirline Management Katusepapi Street 6, Tallinn 11412, EstoniaTel: +372 6681 009 Fax: +372 6228 115Email: [email protected]

FINLANDAIR TOUCH Eerikinkatu 27,FI 00180 HELSINKIEmail: [email protected] Person: Pekka Makinen- ManagerContact Number: + 358 40 57 06 760

GERMANYAviareps Airline Management Group AGJosephspitalstrasse 15 8033 MunichTel: (0049 89) 552 53338 Fax: (0049 89) 545 06855Email: [email protected]: www.airseychelles.de

GREECEIntermodal Air 25 Filellinon Str, 105 57 AthensTel: (0030 1) 371 6357/3249300 Fax: (0030 1) 324 9152Sita: athgdco Email: [email protected]

HUNGARYAviareps Magyarorszag Kft Capital Square/First Clients Offices Vaci ut 76, 1133 Budapest, HungaryTel: (0036 1) 4113880 Fax: (0036 1) 411 3881Email: [email protected] Website: www.aviareps.comContact Person: Janos Varadi- General ManagerContact Number: + 36 70 529 8507

INDONESIAAviation Services co. Ltd Menara bdn, 9th floor, Jl.Mh thamrin no.5 Jakarta 10340Tel: (0062 11) 392 9949 Fax: (0062 11) 392 9948Email: [email protected]

INDIAAhmedabad Office 202-203 Olive Arcade, Off C. G. Road, Sardar Patel Nagar Road, Ellis Bridge, Ahmedabad - 380 006Tel: 079 - 4021 6599Email: [email protected]

Bangalore OfficeC4/ C5, 1st Floor, Devatha Plaza,131 / 132 Residency Rd, Bangalore - 560025.Tel: +91 80 22222920 / 22222947Email: [email protected]

Omeir Travel Agency, Shk. Khalifa Street Po Box 267, Abu DhabiTel: (00971 2) 612 3470 Fax: (00971 2) 622 6799Email: [email protected]

Hyderabad OfficeGupta Estate, 5-9-58/A/203, 2nd Floor,Basheer Bagh, Hyderabad – 500001.Tel: 040-6661 3450 / 2324 1586Email: [email protected]

Jaipur Office114-115, Jaipur Tower, Opposite All India Radio, M.I. Road, Jaipur – 302001 (Rajasthan - India).Tel: 0141-237 7752 / 7753Email: [email protected]

Jalandhar Office204, Prestige Chambers, 1st Floor, Opp Narinder Cinema, G. T. Road, Jalandhar–144 001Tel: 0181-508 2071 / 2072Email: [email protected]

Kochi OfficeK.G.Oxford Business Centre, Office No.2A, 2nd Floor, Sreekandath Road, Ernakulam, Kochi - 682 016.Tel: 0484-2350544 / 2351091Email: [email protected]

Kolkata (Calcutta) OfficeCrescent Tower, 2nd Floor, 229, .J.C.B. Road, Calcutta – 700020Tel: +91 33 22872550 / 22871230 / 2550Email: [email protected]

Mumbai Ticketing and Reservation OfficePIL Court - G.A. (front),111, Maharshi Karve Road Churchgate, Mumbai - 400020.Tel: (022) 6621 3800/3811 Fax: (022) 6621 3818Email: [email protected] Person: Mr. Ajay Udeshi- General Manager, Passenger

Nagpur OfficeShop 1 & 2 Pitambar Building , Atrey Layout Ring Road, Ranapratap Nagar, Nagpur - 440 001Tel: 0712 - 2283385Email: [email protected]

Pune OfficeHermes Kunj, 5,6,7 & 7A Mangaldas Road, Pune – 411011.Tel: 020 - 41052208 - 22Email: [email protected]

Thiruvanthapuram Office2nd Floor, T.C. No. 26 / 699, Krishna Commercial Complex, Bakery Junction, Thiruvanthapuram – 695001.Tel: 0471-233 3237Email: [email protected]

Vadodara OfficeFF- 5, First Floor, Panorama Bldg., R. C. Dutt Road, Alkapuri, Vadodara – 390005Tel: 0265 – 2355 542/ 547Email: [email protected]

Global Air Transport Services Pvt. Ltd.N.K.M.International House,6th Floor, 178Backbay Reclamation,B.M.Chinai Marg,Mumbai -400 020 (India) Tel : (+91 022) 22829000/66205600 Fax: (+91 022) 22829004/66205656Email: [email protected]: [email protected]

Reservations and TicketingTel: (+91 022) 6621 3807 / 3811Fax: (+91 022) 6621 3818Email: [email protected]

Ahmedabad: Tel: 079 - 4021 6599Email: [email protected]

BangaloreTel: (080) 22275091/22275416Email: [email protected]

Kolkata(Calcutta) Tel: (033) 22806336 /22872550Email: [email protected]

DelhiTel: (011) 23737471/3Email: [email protected]

HyderabadTel: (040) 66613450 / 23241586Email [email protected]

INDONESIAAviation Services co.ltd Menara bdn, 9th floor Jl. Mh thamrin no. 5 Jakarta 10340Tel: +6221- 392 9949 Fax: +6221- 392 9948Email: [email protected]

Wo r l d w i d e O f f i c e sWo r l d w i d e O f f i c e s

IRELAND Aviareps plc Commercial Office, 11 The Anchorage, Charlotte Quay, Dublin 4, IrelandTel: (00353 1) 6319604 Fax: (00353 1) 6674228Email: [email protected] Website: www.aereps.ie

ISRAELOpen Sky Limited23 Ben Yehuda Street, Tel Aviv 63805Tel: (00972 3) 795 1333 Fax: (00972 3) 795 1330Email: [email protected]

ITALY (NORTH)Sima International Via Albricci, 8, 20122 Milano (Mi)Tel: (0039 02) 89096106 Fax: (0039 02) 316180Email: [email protected]

JAPANAir Solution Service Ltd 5F, Eagle Hamamatsucho Building , 2-7-17, Hamamatsucho, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0013 Japan Tel: +81 80 5379 8908 Email: [email protected]

KENYASafari Travel Kenya Ltd, 2nd Avenue, ParklandsPO Box 58716-00200 GPOTel: (254 20) 3747276, 3521872Fax: (254 20) 3747286 Email: [email protected]

KOREAINOCEAN M&C 411, Doosan We’ve Pavillion 58 Susong-dong Jongno-gu SeoulTel: +82-2-737-3235 Fax: +82-2-737-3236Email: [email protected]

KUWAITPan Arab Travels Co PO Box 2842, Safat Pc 13029Tel: (00965) 241 5554/ 241 5556Fax: (00965) 241 0873Email: [email protected]/ [email protected]

MALAYSIAWorldwide Aviation Sales SDN BHDCP12, suite 1303, 13th floor, Central Plaza, 34 Jalan Sultan Ismail, 50250 Kuala LumpurTel: 603 - 2142 1199 / 603 – 2143 3755Fax: 603 - 2141 4433 / 603 – 2148 8499Email: [email protected] Person: Ms Chew Gake Yong

MALDIVESUniversal Travel Department 39 Orchid Magu, Malé 20-02 Republic of MaldivesTel: (00 960) 3334 004/3314910 Fax: (00 960) 3316 156Email: [email protected]/ [email protected]

MAYOTTEAir Moyotte 21 place MAriage, 97600 Momoudzou, Tel: (00 269) 623 100 Fax: (00 269) 623 118Email: [email protected]

NETHERLANDSKales Airlines Services B.V Building:Triport 1, E. V.d Beekstraat 46 1118 CL Schiphol AirportTel: (0031 20) 655 3670 Fax: (0031 20) 655 3651Email: [email protected]@kales.com [email protected]

NORWAYFlyservice AS Fr. Nansens pl 8 0160 OsloTel: +47- 24 14 87 54 Fax: +47- 24 14 87 51Email: [email protected] / [email protected]/[email protected] Person: Gonzalo Peluffo

OMANUnited Travels Llc PO Box 599, Muttrah Postal Code 114 Sultanate of OmanTel: (00968) 247 80057/61 Fax: (00968) 247 80094Email: [email protected]

PAKISTANSeypak Aviation (Pvt) Ltd 4 J.C.H.S. Main Sharea Faisal Karachi 75350Tel: (0092 21) 454 5912/ 4536348/ 4543044Fax: (0092 21) 454 5905/ +92 - 21 454 8809Email: [email protected]/ [email protected]

PHILIPPINESMC Travel Corporation, UGL-A Grand Hamptons Tower 31st Street corner 2nd Avenue Bonifacio Global City Taguig City, Metro Manila Philippines 1630Tel: (0063 2) 856-2336 Tel: (0063 2) 856-2808Email: [email protected]

POLANDUI. Sienna 72, Apt. 3 00-833 Warszawa, PolandTel: (0048 22) 6323205 Fax: (0048 22) 6324046Email: [email protected]

PORTUGALSelect Aviation Portugal Campo Grande, 220 B1700-094 LisbonTel: + 351 (21) 35 84 450 Email: airseychelles@acro

QATARQatar Tours PO Box 1683, DohaTel: (00974) 441 1414/443 6002/441 9753Fax: (00974) 4433 197, 4351926Email: [email protected]/ [email protected]

REUNIONAir France 7 Avenue De La Victoire, BP 845F-97477 Saint Denis CedexTel: (00262) 262 40 38 38 Fax: (00262) 262 40 38 40Email: [email protected]

ROMANIAAviareps Magyarorszag Kft Capital Square/First Clients OfficesVaci ut 76, 1133 Budapest, HungaryTel: (0036 1) 411 3880 Fax: (0036 1) 411 [email protected]

RUSSIA Aviareps, Moscow, Prospect Mira, 39 BLDG 2129110 MoscowTel: (007 495) 937 5950 Fax: (007 495) 937 5951Email: [email protected]/[email protected]

SAUDI ARABIAYusuf Bin Ahmed Kanoo - Central ProvinceKanoo Building One block off king Abdul Aiz road P.o.Box 753 Riyadh 11421Tel: +9661 - 477 2228 ext.288/305 Fax: +9661 - 283 3041Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Yusuf Bin Ahmed kanoo - Eastern ProvinceAir Seychelles, Airline Center PO Box 1878Al Khobar 31952, Saudi ArabiaTel: (00966 3) 8355832 Fax: (00966 3) 835573Email: [email protected]

Central ProvinceAir Seychelles, Kanoo Building, One Block off King Abdul Aiz Road, PO Box 753 Riyadh 11421, Saudi ArabiaTel: (009661) 4772228 Ext 288/305Fax: (009661) 2833041Email: [email protected]

Yusuf Bin Ahmed Kanoo - Western ProvinceAir Seychelles Kanoo Center, Kilo ‘7’ Madinah RoadPO Box 812, Jeddah 21421, Saudi ArabiaTel: (009662) 2632959 Ext 121/108Fax: (009662) 2632948Email: [email protected]

SEYCHELLESHead Office Air Seychelles Ltd Head Office International Airport P.O.Box 386 Victoria, Mahé, Seychelles Tel: +248 4 39 10 00 Fax: +248 4 39 13 50 (marketing & sales)Email: [email protected] / [email protected] /[email protected]: www.airseychelles.com

SINGAPOREAviation Services (Gsa) Pte Ltd 100 Tras Street #13-01Amara Corporate Tower Singapore 079027Tel: +65 - 6 324 8006Fax: + 65 - 6 225 6315 / +65 - 6 221 8810Email: [email protected]

SOUTH AFRICALu Dowell Representations Border Air 280 Oak Avenue Randburg 2125Tel: +011 326 4440/4443/4388 Fax: +011 781 2215Email: [email protected] / [email protected] / [email protected]

SPAINAir Marketing Representatives S.A.-amr-C/Monte Esquinza, 30 Oficina 5 28010 MadridTel: +34 - 91 319 5189 / +34 - 91 310 1907Fax: +34 - 91 310 5098Email: [email protected] / [email protected] / [email protected]

SRI LANKANorth South Lines Pvt Ltd 400 Deans RoadColombo 10 Sri LankaTel: +94 11 4740760 Fax: +94 11 4740765Email: [email protected]: www.hayley.com

SWEDENRiddargatan 17, 114 57 Stockholm, SwedenTel Direct: (0046 8) 545 259 42Fax: (0046 8) 241 888Email: [email protected]/[email protected] Person: Paul Riddez (General Manager)

SWITZERLANDAirpass Services Switzerland LtdSchaffhauserstrasse 115 Airport CityCH-8302 Kloten SwitzerlandTel: +41 (44) 220 19 20 Fax: +41 (44) 220 19 15Email: [email protected]: www.airseychelles.ch

TAIWANAviation Travel Services Co Ltd 10F, No. 19, Sec 3 Nan Jing E. Road Taipei Taiwan R.O.C.Tel: +886- 2 2567 8956 Fax: +886- 2 2563 7596Email: [email protected]

THAILANDTT Aviation Co. Ltd, 140/19 ITF tower, 11th floorSilom Road, Suriyawongse Bangrak, Bangkok 10500Tel: (00662) 235 8282 Fax: (00662) 231 6488Email: [email protected]

TAIWANAviation Travel Services Co Ltd10F, No. 19, Sec 3 Nan Jing E. Road Taipei , Taiwan R.O.C.Tel: +886- 2 2567 8956 Fax: +886- 2 2563 7596General email: [email protected]: [email protected]

UKRAINEAviareps AG9/2, Chervonoarmijska str. of.4 01004KievTel: +38 044 490 65 01Email: [email protected]: www.aviareps.comContact Person: Natalya Ilyashova (Country Manager)

UNITED ARAB EMIRATESAsian Air Travel and TourismP.o.Box 65006 DubaiTel: +971 - 4 286 8008 Fax: +971 - 4 283 2115Email: [email protected] / [email protected] / [email protected]

Omeir Travel AgencyShk. Khalifa Street P.o.Box 267 Abu DhabiTel: +971 2 6118640 Fax: +971 2 6225653Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

UNITED KINGDOMAviareps PlcAviareps House Gatwick RoadCrawley West Sussex rh10 9rbTel: +44 - 01293 596655 Fax: +44 - 1293 596 658Email: [email protected] / [email protected]: www.airseychelles.co.ukContact Person: Sarah Gilmore- Reservations departmentContact Number: +44-1293 596 656

UNITED STATES OF AMERICAChicago Office 101, N. Wacker Dr Suite 350 Chicago, IL 60606Tel: +1- 877 359 7392 Fax: 312-269-0222Email: [email protected]

Houston Office350 Post Oak Blvd, Suite 1320 Houston TX 77056Tel: +1- 877 359 7392 Fax: (713) 626 1905Email: [email protected]

Los Angeles Office16250, Ventura Blvd Suite 101 Encino, CA 91436Tel: +1- 877 359 7392 Fax: (818) 501-2098Email: [email protected]

New York Office1, Penn Plaza, Suite 1416 New York, NY 10119Tel: +1- 877 359 7392 Fax: (212) 279 6602Email: [email protected]

VIETNAMWorldwide Agency 127-129 Nguyen Hue Street, District1 1 HoChiMinh City, VietnamTel: (0084) 3915 2264 Fax: (0084) 3915 2265Email: [email protected]

LanguageCreole, English and French are the official languages of the Seychelles.

TippingRestaurant bills normally include a service charge. Although not widely expected, tips are warmly received for personal service.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Public HolidaysNew Year January 1-2Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Easter Monday March 29, 31 & April1Labour Day May 1Liberation Day June 5Corpus Christi May 30National Day June 18Independence Day June 29Assumption Day, (festival on La Digue) August 15All Saints Day November 1Immaculate Conception December 8Christmas December 25

Climate26°-29° C all year round. Annual rainfall totals approximately 90 inches, with heavy showers between November and February. As the Islands lie beyond the cyclone belt, high winds and thunderstorms are rare.

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

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

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

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

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

TelecommunicationsCable & Wireless Seychelles (CWS), the islands leading communications provider, is the operator of choice across mobile (3G+), broadband and fixed services. As a subsidiary of Cable & Wireless Communications PLC (listed on the LSE), the company delivers first rate business and consumer solutions including turnkey solutions for major international investors. CWS’ mission is “To provide world class communication services and solutions wherever and whenever people work, play and have fun”. No one knows Seychelles better.

Telecom (Sey) Ltd, AIRTEL. Provider of Mobile GSM Telecom Services with 3G & Edge Network, Mobile broadband Data Services for High Speed Internet Access. Roaming with over 200 operators worldwide. Prepaid starter kits & recharge options available at Airtel Centres in Victoria, Providence, Praslin & selected retail outlets on main islands. Coverage on Mahè, Praslin, La Digue, Inner Islands, Fregate & Coetivy.

Tra v e l Fa c t s

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

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

Décalage horaireLes Seychelles ont trois heures d’avance sur Paris.

Jours fériés Nouvel An 1 et 2 janvierVendredi saint, Dimanche de Pâques 29, 31 mars & 1 avrilFête du travail 1 maiJour de la Libération 5 juinFête Dieu 30 maiFête Nationale 18 juinFête de l’Indépendance 29 juinFête de l’Assomption (La Digue) 15 aoûtToussaint 1 novembreImmaculée Conception 8 décembreNoël 25 décembre

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

ElectricitéCourant alternatif 240 volts. Les hôtels mettent des adaptateurs à disposition.

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

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

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

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

TélécommunicationsCable & Wireless Seychelles (CWS), le principal opérateur de télécommunications de l’archipel, propose des services de téléphonie fixe, mobile (3G+) et internet (ADSL). En tant que filiale du Groupe Cable & Wireless Communications PLC (coté à la bourse de Londres), la société offre des prestations innovantes pour les entreprises et les particuliers, ainsi que des solutions intégrées pour les grands comptes internationaux. Notre mission est “de fournir des solutions et services parmi les meilleurs au monde, partout et pour chaque instant de la vie”. Personne ne connaît mieux les Seychelles que nous.

Telecom (Sey) Ltd, Airtel propose des Réseaux GSM, 3G, et Edge avec couverture intérieure/extérieur dans les îles de Mahè, Praslin, La Digue, Frégate et Coetivy. Des cartes de téléphone cellulaires sont disponibles dans les bureaux d’Airtel et des locaux spécifiques. L’accès au réseau ‘roaming‘ avec plus de 200 opérateurs internationales.

I n fo r m a t i o n s U t i l e s

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

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

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

Transport :Un service de bus efficace fonctionne sur Mahé, Praslin et La Digue entre 5h.30 et 19 heures. Des taxis et des voitures en location sont aussi disponibles sur Mahé et sur Praslin et des bicyclettes peuvent être louées sur La Digue.Un permis valable de conduite international est exigé en cas de location de voiture sans chauffeur.

Air Seychelles fournit des vols entre Mahé et Praslin durant la journée. Des vols charter sont aussi organisés vers les autres îles. Un service de ferry inter-îles fonctionne aussi entre les îles de Mahé, Praslin et La Digue. L’ »Air Dezil » propose aussi une navette entre Mahé, Praslin, La Digue et d’autres îles.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

RESTAURANTS – MAHÉA LA CARTEAl Mare Restaurant Beau Vallon Tel: +248 462 02 40 / 251 21 17 / 251 21 13 Fax: +248 462 02 42 E-mail: [email protected]

CREOLEAnse Soleil Cafe Anse Soleil, Mahé Tel: +248 436 10 85 / 436 17 00 / 251 12 12

Boat House Address: Beau Vallon Mahé Tel: +248 424 78 98 E-mail: [email protected]

Cap Lazare Tel: +248 428 01 00 / 252 46 42 Fax: +248 422 58 17 E-mail: [email protected]

Chez Batista Restaurant Takamaka, Mahé Tel: +248 436 63 00 Fax: +248 436 65 09 E-mail: [email protected]

Domaine Du Soleil Restaurant Tel: +248 428 55 55 Fax: +248 424 72 24 E-mail: [email protected]

Katiolo Anse Faure Tel: +248 4375 453

Le Marinier Restaurant Inter Island Quay Victoria, Mahé Tel: +248 422 49 37

Le Reduit Restaurant Tel: +248 436 61 16 / 436 62 25 E-mail: [email protected]

Marie Antoinette Restaurant Serret Road St Louis Tel: +248 426 62 22

News Cafe 1st floor, Trinity House Victoria, Mahé Tel: +248 432 29 99

CHINESELe Canton Chinese Restaurant Berjaya Beau Vallon Bay Beach Resort & Casino Tel: +248 428 72 87 Fax: +248 424 79 43 E-mail: [email protected]

The Wok Chinese Restaurant Coco D’Or Hotel Tel: +248 424 73 31 Fax: +248 424 74 54 E-mail: [email protected]

GOURMETCyann “Signature Cousine” Constance Ephilia ResortTel: +248 4395 001

Maia Restaurant Luxury Resort SpaTel: +248 4390 000E-mail: [email protected]

Chilli Bar & Steakhouse La LouiseTel: +248 4344 155

Zez RestaurantFour Seasons Resort Tel: +248 4393 000 ext. 1902E-mail: [email protected]

INDIANMahék Indian Restaurant Coral Strand Hotel Tel: +248 462 10 00, Fax: +248 424 75 17 E-mail: [email protected]

Berjaye Beau Vallou Tel: +248 428 72 87

SOUTH ASIANKannel Four Seasons Resort Tel: +248 4393 000 ext. 1902E-mail: [email protected]

JAPANESETeppanyaki Berjaya Beau Vallon Bay Beach Resort & Casino Tel: +248 428 72 87 , Fax: +248 424 79 43 E-mail: [email protected]

INTERNATIONAL/CREOLEAnchor Cafe Anse a la Mouche, Mahé Tel: +248 437 12 89, Fax: +248 437 17 53 E-mail: [email protected]

Au Jardin D’Epices Banyan Tree Seychelles Tel: +248 438 35 00, Fax: +248 438 36 00 E-mail: [email protected]

Aubergine Restaurant The Wharf Hotel & Marina Providence, Mahé Tel: +248 467 07 00, Fax: +248 460 17 00 E-mail: [email protected]

Baobab Pizzeria Restaurant Beau Vallon, Mahé Tel: +248 424 71 67 / 258 38 68

Beach Side Bistro Coral Strand Hotel PO Tel: +248 462 10 00, Fax: +248 424 75 17 E-mail: [email protected]

Bel Air Restaurant Hotel Bel Air Bel Air, Mahé Tel: +248 422 44 16, Fax: +248 422 49 23 E-mail: [email protected]

Bravo Eden IslandTel: +248 4346 [email protected]

Carefree Guesthouse & Restaurant Anse Aux Pins Mahé Tel: +248 437 52 37, Fax: +248 437 56 54 E-mail: [email protected]

Chez Plume ResturantTel: +248 435 50 50, Fax: 248 435 50 33E-mail: [email protected]

Docklands Pizzeria New Port -Victoria Tel: +248 4610 888

Doubleclick Seychelles Maison La-Rosiere Palm Street Tel: +248 461 05 90, Fax: +248 461 05 91 E-mail: [email protected]

Helios RestaurantConstance Ephilia ResortTel: +248 4395 [email protected]

Kaz ZenanaRevolution AvenueTel: +248 4324150

Konoba Restaurant Bar LaungeAngel Fish Bayside MarinaTel: +248 4345 400, [email protected]

La Scala Restaurant Tel: +248 424 75 35 Fax: +248 424 79 02 E-mail: [email protected]

The Sea Shell Port LaunayTel: +248 4324026/2523968

Uncle Will’s Pizzeria Coco D’Or Hotel Tel: +248 424 73 31 Fax: +248 424 74 54 E-mail: [email protected]

Lounge 8Vista bay Glacis, MaheMobile: +248 2746808

Fairyland Restaurant Pointe au Sel, MahéTel: +248 437 17 00 Fax: +248 437 16 10 E-mail: [email protected]

Green Valley Anse aux Pins Tel: +248 437 1670

The Hilltop Restaurant Hilton Seychelles Northolme Resort & Spa PO Tel: +248 429 90 00 Fax: +248 429 90 03 E-mail: [email protected]

Jolie Rose 2 Restaurant Selwyn Selwyn Clarke Market Tel: +248 422 54 51

Kaz Kreol Restaurant Anse Royale Mahé Tel: +248 436 16 80 E-mail: [email protected]

La Cocoteraie Restaurant Le Meridien Barbarons Hotel Tel: +248 467 30 00 Fax: +248 467 33 80 E-mail: [email protected]

La Palma Restaurant Coco D’Or Hotel PO Tel: +248 424 73 31 Fax: +248 424 74 54 E-mail: [email protected]

La Plaine St Andre Tel: +248 432010

La Plage Restaurant Beau Vallon BeachTel: +248 4620290

La Perle Noire Restaurant Beau Vallon Tel: +248 462 02 20, Fax: +248 462 02 01 [email protected]

La Voliere Mahé Beach Resort Tel: +248 438 53 85, Fax: +248 437 81 17 E-mail: [email protected]

Lazare Picault Restaurant Lazare Picault Hotel Tel: +248 436 11 11, Fax: +248 436 11 77 E-mail: [email protected]

Le Bourgeois Restaurant (Fisherman’s Cove) c/o Le Meridien Fisherman’s Cove Tel: +248 467 70 00 Fax: +248 462 09 00 / 01 E-mail: [email protected]

Le Cardinal Restaurant c/o Le Meridien Fisherman’s Cove Tel: +248 467 70 00 Fax: +248 462 09 00 / 01 E-mail: [email protected]

Le Jardin du Roi Domaine de L’enfoncement Anse Royale Tel: +248 437 13 13 Fax: +248 437 13 66 E-mail: [email protected] Le Mangrovia Restaurant Le Meridien Barbarons Tel: +248 467 30 00 Fax: +248 467 33 80 E-mail: [email protected]

Le Rendez-vous Restaurant 1st Floor, Victoria House Victoria, Mahé Tel: +248 432 35 56 Fax: +248 432 32 16 E-mail: [email protected]

Le Surmer Restaurant Le Surmer Hotel Pointe Conan, Mahé Tel: +248 424 18 11 Fax: +248 424 15 27 E-mail: [email protected]

Les Cocotiers Restaurant Tel: +248 429 90 00 Fax: +248 429 90 01 E-mail: [email protected]

Maia Luxury Resort & Spa Tel: +248 4390 000E-mail: [email protected]

Manresa Restaurant Manresa Small Hotel Tel: +248 424 13 88 Fax: +248 424 13 88

Montezuma Restaurant Mahé Beach Resort Port Glaud Mahé Tel: +248 438 53 85 Fax: +248 437 81 17 E-mail: [email protected]

The Parrot Berjaya Beau Vallon Tel: +248 428 72 87 E-mail: [email protected] The Board Walk Lounge & Bar Eden IslandTel: +248 443 63 03

Pirates Arms Tel: +248 422 50 01 Fax: +248 422 44 50 E-mail: [email protected]

Pizzeria Berjaya Beau Vallon Bay Berjaya Beau Vallon Bay Resort & Casino Tel: +248 28 472 87 Fax: +248 424 79 43 E-mail: [email protected]

Saffron Banyan Tree Seychelles Tel: +248 438 35 00 Fax: +248 438 36 00 E-mail: [email protected]

Sam’s Pizzeria Francis Rachel Street, Victoria, Mahé Tel: +248 432 24 99 / 32 34 95 Fax: + 248 432 43 59 E-mail: [email protected]

Seselwa Bar Constance Ephilia ResortTel: +248 4395 [email protected]

Sea View Restaurant Coral StrandTel: 248 [email protected]

D i n i n g O u t

D i n e r a l E x t é r i e u r

Silhouette Restaurant Sunset Beach Resort Tel: +248 426 11 11 , Fax: +248 426 12 21 E-mail: [email protected]

Skychef LTD Seychelles International Airport Tel: +248 438 17 50 Fax: +248 437 34 56 E-mail: [email protected]

Sundown Restaurant Port Glaud, Mahé Tel: +248 437 83 52 Fax: +248 437 83 52

Surfers beach restaurantAnse Parnell Tel: +248 278 3703

Takamaka Restaurant Takamaka Residence Tel: +248 436 60 49 Fax: +248 436 63 03 E-mail: [email protected]

The Sea ShellPort LaunayTel: +248 4324026/ 2523968

Tyfoo Restaurant La Plaine St. Andre Au cap, Mahé Tel: +248 437 14 85

Vye Marmit Domaine de Val de Pres Au Cap, Mahé Tel: +248 437 61 55 / 437 61 00 Fax: +248 437 61 18

Zez Lounge Four Seasons Resort Tel+248 4393222 Email: [email protected]

RESTAURANTS – PRASLIN CREOLECapricorn Restaurant Islanders Guesthouse Anse Kerlan, Praslin Tel: +248 423 32 24 Fax: +248 423 31 54 E-mail: [email protected]

Coco Rouge Baie Ste Anne, Praslin Tel: +248 423 22 28

Le Chevalier Bay Restaurant Anse Lazio, Praslin Tel: +248 423 23 22 , Fax: +248 423 23 22 E-mail: [email protected]

Les Lauriers Restaurant Les Lauriers Petit Hotel Cote d’Or, Praslin Tel: +248 423 22 41 Fax: +248 423 23 62 E-mail: [email protected]

INTERNATIONAL/CREOLEAcajou Hotel Restaurant Cote d’Or Praslin Tel: +248 423 24 00, Fax: +248 423 24 01 E-mail: [email protected]

Beach Bar and Grill Lemuria Resort Anse Kerlan, Praslin Tel: +248 428 10 91, Fax: +248 428 10 01 E-mail: [email protected]

Beach Bar Restaurant Acajou Hotel Cote d’Or, Praslin Tel: +248 423 24 00, Fax: +248 423 24 01 E-mail: [email protected]

Black Parrot Restaurant Black Parrot Suites Anse Bois de Rose, Praslin Tel: +248 429 05 55 Fax: +248 429 04 40 E-mail: [email protected] Bonbon Plume Anse Lazio, Praslin Tel: +248 423 21 36 Fax: +248 423 22 77

Bonm Ange Hotel L’Archipel Anse Gouvernement, Praslin Tel: +248 428 47 00,Fax: +248 423 20 72 E-mail: [email protected]

Britannia Restaurant Britannia Hotel Grand Anse, Praslin Tel: +248 423 32 15 / 423 39 15 Fax: +248 423 39 44 E-mail: [email protected]

Chateau de Feuilles Pointe Cabris, Praslin Tel: +248 429 00 00Fax: +248 429 00 29 E-mail: [email protected]

Feuille d’Or Hotel L’Archipel Anse Gouvernement, Praslin Tel: +248 428 47 00Fax: +248 423 20 72 E-mail: [email protected]

The Fregate Berjaya Praslin Beach Hotel Anse Volbert, Praslin Tel: +248 428 62 86, Fax: +248 423 22 44 E-mail: [email protected]

The Britania Grand AnseTel: +248 423 32 15

Hibiscus Restaurant Coco de Mer Hotel Anse Bois de Rose, Praslin Tel: +248 429 05 55 , Fax: +248 429 04 40 E-mail: [email protected]

Indian Ocean Lodge Grand Anse, Praslin Tel: +248 423 33 24 / 23 34 57 Fax: +248 423 39 11 E-mail: [email protected]

The Jetty Restaurant La Reserve Hotel Anse Petite Cour, Praslin Tel: +248 429 80 00, Fax: +248 423 21 66 E-mail: [email protected]

The Jetty Restaurant La Reserve Hotel Anse Petite Cour, Praslin Tel: +248 429 80 00, Fax: +248 423 21 66 E-mail: [email protected]

Kannel restaurant Four Seasons Resort Seychelles Tel+248 4393222 Email: [email protected]

Le Beach Restaurant Paradise Sun Hotel Anse Volbert, Praslin Tel: +248 429 32 93Fax: +248 423 20 19 E-mail: [email protected]

Le Dauphin Hotel Le Duc de Praslin Baie Ste. Anne, Praslin Tel: +248 423 22 52 Fax: +248 423 23 55 E-mail: [email protected]

Le Kato Noir Palm Beach Hotel Grande Anse, Praslin Tel: +248 429 02 90/429 02 92 Fax: +248 423 30 90 E-mail: [email protected]

Legend Restaurant Lemuria Resort Anse Kerlan, Praslin Tel: +248 428 10 88Fax: +248 428 10 01 E-mail: [email protected]

Octopus Diving CenterBerjaya Praslin Beach Hotel Anse Volbert, Praslin Tel/Fax: +248 423 26 02Tel Hotel: +248 423 22 22 Mobile: +248 271 54 41 E-mail: [email protected]

Pool Deck Restaurant Lemuria Resort Anse Kerlan, Praslin Tel: +248 428 10 88,Fax: +248 428 10 01 E-mail: [email protected]

Pool Grill Restaurant La Reserve Anse Petit Cour, Praslin Tel: +248 429 80 00 Fax: +248 423 21 66 E-mail: [email protected]

Port Side Cafe Address: Baie Ste. Anne Jetty, Praslin Tel: +248 271 28 00 / 276 64 00 Sea Horse Restaurant & Bar Lemuria Resort Anse Kerlan, Praslin Tel: +248 428 12 43Fax: +248 428 10 01 E-mail: [email protected]

Tante Mimi Restaurant Cote d’Or, Praslin Tel: +248 423 25 00 Fax: +248 423 25 03 E-mail: [email protected] Touchdown Restaurant Amitie Airport Praslin Tel: +248 423 36 55 Fax: +248 423 35 66

Village de Pecheur Praslin Tel: +248 423 20 00

RESTAURANTS LA DIGUE CREOLEBernique Anse Reunion Tel: +248 423 42 29

Patatran Restaurant Patatran Village Anse Patates, La Digue Tel: +248 429 43 00, Fax: +248 429 43 90 E-mail: [email protected]

Tournesol Tournesol Guesthouse La Passe, La Digue Tel: +248 423 41 55 , Fax: +248 423 43 64 E-mail: [email protected]

Villa Authentique Restaurant & Bar Villa Authentique La Passe, La Digue Tel: +248 423 44 13,Fax: +248 423 44 13

Villa Mon Reve Anse Reunion, La Digue Tel: +248 423 42 18 , Fax: +248 423 42 18 E-mail: [email protected]

Zerof Restaurant Anse Reunion, La Digue Tel: +248 423 44 39, Fax: +248 423 40 67

INTERNATIONAL/CREOLECafe Le Monde Grand Anse Tel: +248 274 22 65/ 278 11 21Cafe Le Monde Baie St Anne Tel: +248 423 21 11

Chateau St Cloud La Passe, La Digue Tel: +248 423 43 46, Fax: +248 423 45 45 E-mail: [email protected]

La Vanille Anse La Blague Tel: +248 423 21 78

La Digue Island Lodge Anse Reunion Tel: +248 429 25 25

L’Ocean Anse Patates Tel: +248 423 43 33

Pool Side Restaurant La Digue Island Lodge Anse Reunion, La Digue Tel: +248 429 25 25Fax: +248 423 41 32 E-mail: [email protected]

Pecheur Restaurant La Digue Island Lodge Anse Reunion, La Digue Tel: +248 429 25 25, Fax: +248 423 41 32 E-mail: [email protected]

Restaurant Le Dauphin C/o Le de Praslin Hotel Tel: +248 429 48 00

Restaurant Patatran Hotel L’Ocean Anse Patates, La Digue Tel: +248 423 41 80, Fax: +248 423 43 08 E-mail: [email protected] Tarosa Restaurant La Passe, La Digue Tel: +248 423 44 07, Fax: +248 423 43 44 E-mail: [email protected]

PIZZERIA/CAFE-BARGregoire’s comples Tel: +248 429 25 25

SEA FOODCafe Des Arts Cote d’Or Tel: +248 423 21 70

RESTAURANTS OTHER ISLANDS CREOLE Jolly Roger’s Moyenne Island Tel: +248 429 70 00, Fax: +248 422 58 17 E-mail: [email protected]

INTERNATIONAL/CREOLEL’habitation Restaurant Tel: +248 432 31 11, Fax: +248 432 13 08 E-mail: [email protected]

Please send updated information to

[email protected]

E n g l i s h - C r e o l e

Hello BonzourHow are you? Konman Sava?I am well Byen MersiThank you MersiVery much Mersi bokouGoodbye orevwarHotel LotelRoom LasanmBed LiliFood ManzeCoffee KafeBeer LabyerCold FreHot SoTea DiteMeat LavyanFish PwasonBread DipenButter DiberSugar DisikSalt DiselBad Pa bonToday OzordiTomorrow DemenNow KonmelaQuickly VitmanSlowly DousmanHospital LopitalPolice GardMr. MsyeMrs. MadanmMiss. Manmzel I Mon

You OuHe, She LiWe NouThey ZotWhat? Kwa? /Ki?Who? Ki? /Lekel?Where? Kote?When? Kan?How? Ki mannyer?Why? Akoz?Which? Lekel?Yes WiNo NonTo eat ManzeTo drink BwarTo sleep DormirTo bathe Bennyen/NazeTo come ViniTo go AleTo stop AreteTo buy AsteTo sell VannStreet/road Lari/SemenAirport ErportShop LaboutikMoney LarzanCent SouOne Enn Two DeThree TrwaFour Kat Five SenkSix Sis

Seven SetEight WitNine NefTen DisEleven OnzTwelve DouzThirteen TrezFourteen KatorzFifteen KenzSixteen SezSeventeen DisetEighteen DizwitNineteen DiznefTwenty VenTwenty-one VenteenTwenty-two VenndeTwenty-three VenntwaTwenty-four VennkatTwenty-five VennsenkThirty TrantForty KarantFifty SenkantSixty SwasantSeventy SwasanndisEighty KatrevenNinety KatrevendisOne hundred SanWhere is the hotel? Kote lotel i ete silvouple?Good morning BonzourGood afternoon BonnapremidiGood evening BonswarPlease come in Antre silvouplePlease sit down Asize silvouple

You’re welcome Pa dekwaWhere do you come from Kote ou sorti?I come from....... Mon sorti......What is your name? Ki mannyer ou apele?My name is.... Mon apel.....Can you speak Kreol? Ou kabab koz Kreol?Only a little Zis en peI would like to learn more Mon oule apran ankorHow do you find Seychelles? Ki mannyer ou war Sesel?I like it here Mon kontan isi SeselThe weather is hot, isn’t it? Letan i so, wi?Where are you going? Kote ou pe ale?I am going to... Mon pe al......Please stop here Aret isi silvoupleHow much? Konbyen?Wait a minute Esper mwan en pti momanI have to get change Fodre mon ganny larzan sanzeExcuse me EkskizeWhere is the toilet? Kote kabinen i ete sivouple?In the back Deryer lakourWhere may I get a drink? Kote mon kapab ganny en keksoz pou bwar?

How much does this cost? Konbyen i vann?That’s quite expensive I ase serHelp! Ed mwan! / O Sekour!No, thanks Non, mersiPlease SilvoupleYou’re welcome Pa-de-kwaNo problem Napa problenmOk okeThat’s right! Wi i bien!A little bit Piti pitiIs everything ok? Tou keksoz i oke?Not now Pa kounye-aAttention/watch out! Atansyon!We are looking for... Nou pe rodI’m very thirsty Mon swaf I am hungry Mon lafenWhere are we? Kote nou ete?How old are you? Ki laz ou anan?What do you need? Ki ou bezwen?What do they call that in Creole? Koman zot dir sa an Kreol?How do they say... in creole? Koman zot dir an Kreol ?

K i d s Co r n e r

Once upon a time, there lived Mr. Tortoise and Mr. Brer Soungoula who lived in a jungle. They were great friends who often walked together to the river to drink water and to

fetch firewood and other things for their livelihood. One day while walking to the river, Mr. Brer Soungoula challenged Mr. Tortoise saying “Why do you walk so slowly? Do you know I am faster than the wind?” he boasted to Mr. Tortoise who gracefully answered Mr. Brer Soungoula saying, “My reason for walking at this speed is for protection against those who are keen to see me die quickly; in fact I am capable of walking faster than you. Why don’t you test me? Let us have a walking race,” suggested Mr. Tortoise. Mr. Brer Soungoula, confident that he would win the race, quickly agreed to the challenge.

And so the two arranged for a day to hold a walking race that would determine who the winner of the race will be. They also agreed to invite all the animals of the jungle to witness the race. And so they invited Mr. Lion and Mr. Hyena to modulate the event. Elephant and buffalo were placed at various points of the race to be witnesses to the event. Another thing they arranged was the cheerleaders who would cheer them on in the race and all birds were invited to join the cheering squad. Soon there was great excitement in the jungle as the animals anticipated the big race between Mr. Tortoise and Mr. Brer Soungoula.

As they continued to plan for the walking race, they determined the course of the race to be a full five kilometres to the river but passing through a slightly swampy field near the finish line. The race began one fine morning two weeks after agreeing to the challenge. Mr. Lion was the one who rang the gong for the race to begin. And in no time Mr. Brer Soungoula zoomed past Mr. Tortoise and off he ran to the tallest tree near the swamp with the cheering squad of birds singing and flying along with him. Once he

reached near the swamp he slowed down and took a break under the tall tree to rest for a while because he knew Mr. Tortoise would require many hours to reach near the swamp.

Meanwhile, Mr. Tortoise walked on slowly yet surely with each step put forth with confidence and great humility. And the other animals cheered him on with the race. However, a few animals quickly went forth to investigate where Mr. Brer Soungoula had reached, and they reported to one another what they considered great news, that Mr. Brer Soungoula is resting under a tree. Soon Mr. Brer Soungoula was heard snoring from a distance by Mr. Hyena and other animals who stood at the finish line waiting for the winner to emerge, and they were puzzled at the loud snoring of Mr. Brer Soungoula. “Well, I think Mr. Brer Soungoula is very exhausted with the race, but he has run very fast and within a short time”, they murmured among themselves.

Mr. Brer Soungoula continued to sleep while Mr. Tortoise continued to walk. Soon Mr. Tortoise reached Mr. Brer Soungoula and walked faster to the swampy area and towards the finish line while Mr. Brer Soungoula continued to sleep. And alas! He finished the race while Mr. Brer Soungoula was still sleeping and snoring. With all animals cheering the winner, Mr. Lion embraced Mr. Tortoise and began a great feast of merry making and singing which woke poor Mr. Brer Soungoula from his slumber and he began to run towards the finish line where a party was going on. To his amazement he found Mr. Tortoise celebrating his victory with all the other animals of the jungle.

Defeated, downcast and embarrassed Mr. Brer Soungoula hid himself and never again attempted to mock the speed of his friend Mr. Tortoise. To this day, he still attempts to win many unarranged races with other animals to prove that he is truly a fast animal.

ANdBRER SOuNGOulA

TORTOISE

© Cecilia W. Gaitho

CLUES ACROSS1 A party and a hit (4)

4 Comes from the sea and soaks up liquid (6)

8 Drink from this (3)

10 A keen diva? (4)

13 Famous old Paris prison (8)

14 Narrowing towards a point (7)

15 Long angry speech (6)

17 Military uniform for formal occasions (4, 5)

21 Consume (3)

22 Eggs (3)

23 In between (3)

26 Right side of a ship (9)

27 Glamorous hair ornaments (6)

28 Get back (7)

32 Something to hang clothes on (4, 4)

34 Uncommon (4)

35 Containing moisture (3)

36 Sailing vessels (6)

37 A plant grows from this (4)

CLUES DOWN1 Unruly child (4)

2 Hop or miss out (4)

3 e.g. Metro (4)

5 Local dialect (6)

6 Nothing (3)

7 A soccer side (6)

9 Thick piece of soft cloth (3)

11 Worth (5)

12 Gave out – as in card game (5)

15 Old Russian ruler (4)

16 Operatic song (4)

18 Volcanic substance (4)

19 Decays (4)

20 Girl from Nevada? (3)

23 Engine (5)

24 Less wet (5)

25 Thick-set (6)

26 Small sealed envelope (6)

28 Noisy argument (3)

29 Stretched out (4)

30 Container – e.g for flowers (4)

31 Comprehend written words (4)

33 Curve (3)

Answers across

1. Bash 4. Sponge 8. Cup 10. Avid 13. Bastille 14. Tapered 15. Tirade 17. Full dress 21. Eat 22. Ova 23. Mid

26. Starboard 27. Tiaras 28. Recover 32. Coat hook 34. Rare 35. Wet 36. Yachts 37. Seed

Answers down

1. Brat 2. Skip 3. Tube 5. Patois 6. Nil 7. Eleven 9. Pad 11. Value 12. Dealt 15. Tsar 16. Aria 18. Lava

19. Rots 20. Eva 23. Motor 24. Drier 25. Stocky 26. Sachet 28. Row 29. Eked 30. Vase 31. Read 33. Arc

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

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

Sudoku

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

Please drop a line to the publishers: Camerapix Magazines Ltd.Email: [email protected] or [email protected] you.

Rukhsana Haq, Editorial Director

WE WANT YOUR VIEWS!

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61 2 3 4 5 7

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491

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Crossword & Sudoku

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Silhouette 24no3

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