WEDNESDAY 21 JANUARY 2015
Dear Kulsum, Joe & Louise and Team MembersSome Background chit chat - Benny & Mohamed
FINAL UPDATE. THANKS TO ALL TEAM MEMBERS FOR YOUR INPUT.
Greetings from very cold London, almost freezing but we are snug inside.
Wonderful to have received your emails which I have only just read and as such we now have comments from all the team members which are now freely available to read on our blog under Team Comments which concludes that our team holidaty for 2015 will not take place until next year where we can certainly plan a joint venture.
I was aware in advance that this year would not be possible but whilst Betty and I visited Joe and Louise in Croatia prior to our Zanzibar holiday 2014, Louise indicated she would love to go on a holiday to Seychelles, her hometown and with our good friend Mohamed who visits Seychelles 2 to 3 times a year, and always wanting Betty and I to join his family, I asked Mohamed to give us all information on Seychelles which Mohamed kindly provided, again thinking Joe and Louise wanted to make the trip this year but I guess misunderstanding on my part for which I convey my sincere apologies to Mohamed and as team leader he can tell me off for bad planning.
All told, the team holiday plans for 2015 will not take place.
Kulsum, thanks for your reply too. I knew you were committed as well as your sister Rosie and Mukh too so this year was a non runner. Betty and our two babies are just fine in fact super fine.
John De Silva ex Zanzibar/Canada you all met in Zanzibar wanted to go to Seychelles this year so again I convey my apologies Betty and I cannot make it as if we did, we would have to give it a miss for next year's team holiday.
John and his wife Rolina, Betty and myself are going to Algrave and Lisbon from the 14th to the 20th June. Just a short holiday and on return if possible we will try and meet up at 5 Parklands Way. Invitation open to all.
Mohamed I know you are soon going to Zanzibar in February and end of October you will be in Seychelles enjoying the Carnival etc., sorry B&B will not be able to join you but be assured we all will be there next year. This is guaranteed.
I will phone you tomorrow to give you details of Neptunes. Hope you and your wife enjoy a few days whilst you are in Zanzibar in February.
Thanks to one and all for your kind responses. Click on any of the links below to view team members comments.
TEAM COMMENTS
http://seychelleszanzibar.blogspot.co.uk/p/team-comments-page.html
Best regards
Benny
P.S. Mohamed you sent me a message about your farmland and property you are hoping to sell in Sweden. Sorry I have misplaced it. Appreciate if you could resend as I would like to share it with our feam friends. Thanks Benny.
Thanks Benny
Wise decision not to risk other peoples holidays this year in Zanzibar.
You and me can always be there as we know our way.
I was there last election in 2010 as well as 2000 and witnessed the situation with riots, shootings , etc.
One of us brothers have to be there with our sister in such times, as she cannot leave her house.
Keep in touch with Madeira for updates.
Love to all.
Mohamed
Dear All,
I
believe I have given sufficient information on Seychelles for you Guys
to ponder on. Make sure once you decide, make air as well as hotel
bookings by June, October can be difficult due to some French holidays.
I shall be there end March/April and try to negotiate better rate at BERJAYA BEAU VALLON RESORT, by then I shud know how many rooms to be booked. Please feel free to contact me if more info required on
Best wishes.
Mohamed
Is it modern Sega Dance from Seychelles or influences from CONGO ?
Sensual, sexual and entertaining.
Enjoy the rhythm of Music and Performer.
Mohamed
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x76LChFwWWU LET'S GET STARTED SO DO PROVIDE YOUR INPUT.
As mentioned, proposals are in the pipeline suggesting our holiday 2015-16 will be a joint venture plan incorporating Seychelles & Zanzibar with one week in Zanzibar all-inclusive at Neptunes Zanzibar and another week or longer on the Island of Seychelles which will be a nice comfortable hotel proposed by Mohamed which will be just bed and breakfast allowing us to travel all over the island enjoying daily evening entertainment at various night spots, wining and dining out at different places.
On return from our 2014 holiday in Zanzibar at 5 star all-inclusive Neptunes, all team members want to go back but some proposed 2016
Rough guide to hotels and rates in Seychelles will follow together with flighjt details but in the meantime, we as a team are just floating ideas.
Mohamed Loadi and family visit Seychelles 2 to 3 times a year and is also a regular visitor in Zanzibar but certainly speaks highly of Seychelles though did advise it is expensive but is in contact with good reasonable hotels where details will be posted in the near future.
Please make your views known as to (a) you fancy a holiday in Seychelles, (b) a joint venture holiday split between Zanzibar & Seychelles, (c) fancy the next holiday in Zanzibar & Seychelles in 2016.
Feel free to make up your own minds as to date, Joe & Louise, Betty and myself certainly fancy Seychelles subject to costs.
Input on Seychelles will be provided by our team leader Mohamed Lodhi and has so far in just a day provided some useful links to give you an insight of Seychelles.
Best regards
Benny
(On behalf of our Team Leader Mohamed).
FIRST UPDATE FROM MOHAMED. 11TH JANUARY 2015 21:45
Dear Benny,
Thanks for your last.
I am a shy person, would not like to be the leader or organizer
alone, I shall give max info and assistance.
Feel free to add on the blog whatever you think is OK, the more info you
give better the understanding.
Bwana I am born Muslim, not a practicing one, more of a secular with
respect for all faiths even if you believe in a tree, fish , animal or
galaxy provided you don’t hurt or insult others.
To Seychelles I always buy booze for Arnaldo Antao and to Sweden for Martin
Gonsalves. I use wine in curries.
We do not drink alcohol or eat port, just a habit, nor would you find soft drinks in our house, too
much sugar and rubbish, better drink juices without additives. Healthy life outside
I may drink Soda water, ginger ale and tonic.
So taking Betty booze was just to avoid Tembo staffs objections if any.
I was your great admirer in childhood bwana, being middle class and non Catholic we
cud not afford to attend SJCS, though we originate from Shangani, Remember where
Chunilal used to stay ? He was a barber and sons had Diamond Garage.
SEYCHELLES
Seychelles, small
islands with a population of 90.000 and
tourist arrival of around 200,000 last year is located middle of nowhere.
Moreover it produces very little food so most consumption for visitors is
imported except FISH and seasonal
fruits.
This means costs are high for transport of both goods and people as
Global airline like Emirates has monopoly hence fares are high .Ethiopian is
competing below Emirates to get a piece of cake.
Moreover Seychelles has the highest minimum wage and standard of living
in Africa with Social Welfare like UK. Min wage is 400
USD So you can understand why Seychelles are an expensive
destination for budget travelers. There are no back packers, campers or beggars
there. (we have many in Sweden from Romania).
As a tourist one should not compare costs without considering many
factors as above as well as like nature, people, environment
etc. OF COUSE ONES BUDGET DECIDES WHERE TO GO.
Seychelles charges 5 star for 4 star service, Mauritius charges 4 star
for 6 star service.
Having only CONDOR charter flights, there are no ALL INCLUSIVE
RESORTS, one can do BB, HB or FB, but pay for all drinks inc bottled water
at dining. Prepaid meals are usually buffets at big hotels, we prefer not to have
it as usually they recycle dishes and we are not big eaters, prefer ala carte.
Buffet’s for Breakfast is OK.
Small Islands, many small hotels, guest houses, and self catering with
simple restaurants around, big hotels have better international eateries.
FLIHTS and VISIT PLANS
Well you got 3 options, one or two destinations with Ethiopian.
Some members will only join you in one place others may want to be on both
Islands. Would suggest you fly first to Seychelles, then take Air
Seychelles to DAR and return home with Ethiopian from Zanzibar . You save time
and Tanzania hassle. You should have 10 days holidays min, take at least
one night on the other two Islands, La Digue and Pralin. Best would
be to arrive there on 22nd October as Creole Festival start with
opening on Friday 23d evening with a parade on Saturday, rest of the week there
are day and night activities and ending with a BALL on last Saturday of
October
ACCOMODATION.
If you are on BB basis, want to move around and be on the beach once a
day best wud be BEAU VALLON BEACH
Area in the North West. One of the most famous beaches, no reef, deep
waters, and many restaurants around.
Our regular place SUN RESORT is a few hundred meters away but
only 20 rooms so booking for crowd will be difficult I would suggest BERJAYA
BEAU VALLON RESORT, right on the beach with big pool, Indian, Chinese,
Sushi, Italian and buffet restaurants . Once I know the exact nr of
confirmed guests can try to secure better rate.
Of course there are any small establishments around this area including
self catering. There are many other Small beaches with
accommodation, but would be far to Victoria town and no restaurants around. One
is forced to eat there like in Zanzibar Matewe/Kiwengwa area.
Goole on Tripdviser, Expedia , Agoda , and www. seychelles.travel
, For full info on these places and location.
Finally. Pls do
not compare with Zanzibar , Caribbean or
MED places, its expensive and simple, no night life, no shopping, no thrills
and frills of those Caribbean style, we love the nature and the peace and
tranquility of the place and people. CARIBS are spoiled by
Americans and Brits there are more far better places to visit and enjoy our
remaining life on this earth as long as we have energy and ability to do
so. Have you guys been to Pacific Islands? I have, last was in
Tahiti for 6 weeks 8 years ago. We prefer to be in Tropics than Europe and
enjoy In laid back down to earth environment and people. You are what you
are, not what you have or display.
Seychelles website give a Zanzibar chest full
of information for visitors.
Have I left out any detail ?
Benny pls add to the blog if OK.
Love to all.
Mohamed
