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UPDATE FROM MOHAMED. MONDAY 12 JANUARY 2015 10:00
Dear
Benny,
More
on SEZ – Seychelles.
I had
a habit of getting to know as much as possible whenever I visited a place,
country, even on business for two days , after work I liked to enjoy life and
see the place. More on SEZ.
HISTORY
and PEOPLE.
Historians
say Seychelles and Mauritius were uninhabited and first seen/settled(
discovered ?) by Europeans.
(As a
passionate student of our History, I don’t believe this as Sindbad, Ibn
Batuta, El Idrissi , etc have mentioned these Islands)
Portuguese
and Brits were the first Europeans to observe these Islands and French were the
first to settle just over 200 years Ago, so Seychelles has very short History.
Though the French ruled for a short time, they have left their footprint
through early settlement on culture and language. Unlike Mauritius,
English is official language of Seychelles and Creole national.
The
French settlers brought in workers/slaves from Africa and Asia, later on Bitts
settled freed slaves as well , so today the the Islands are a melting pot, a
real rainbow nation ,a mixture of Africans, Asians and Europeans. Most of
the people have French surnames, but you find traces of Brits ,other Europeans
, besides Asians and Chinese. All people are not a mixture,
You
still find pure Europeans, Africans and Asians. Africans or
Creoles/colored are majority, there are Indians, a few Gujaratis, mostly
Tamil shopkeepers, of Arab, Irani ancestry as well as Parsis, surprisingly more
Parsis in Seychelles than they were in Mombasa and DAR. I thought SEZ wud be
spared from a Goan invader, I was wrong, there is my good friend Arnaldo
Antao cousin of famous sprinter late Serafino of Kenya. This
mixture makes me fill at home. Have been there over 50 times, never has anyone
pointed a finger at me or my family calling names as they do in Africa though I
am 8th generation born in Zanzibar.(East and West, Zanzibar is
the Best).
People
as easy going with past history and tropical nature makes them a bit slow
l Take it easy style.
CULTURE
With the
arrival of non French a new language developed called CREOLE like Piign
English, mostly French vocabulary with Influences from Indic, Arabic, Swahili
and other languages, later with technical English . Mauritius has more
French.
There is
simple grammar, pronunciations as well as spellings differ from
French. Swahili words like MAKUTI, SOKWE, ZAMBARAU, ACHARI are
added.
People
are friendly, easy going very westernized speciall
y women who prefer 6 inch high heels, men usually shoddy
y women who prefer 6 inch high heels, men usually shoddy
In cargo
pants, no dress code or suits like in UK even the President often wears short
sleeves shirt. Most hotels recommend dress code for dinners, long
pants with shoes for men, no swimwear, t-shirts, shorts, flip-flops etc .
Unlike
the Caibs Islands, food is heavily influenced by Asia. Basic is
rice(basmati) and curry, with beans/lentils, eggplants, Pumpkins,
cassava , breadfruit, sweet potatoes with fish of course. Most
popular is octopus curry and homemade very pungent chili sauce. I love the
smoked marlin/swordfish salads with fruits and never seen such big red snappers
in Africa.
Dine,
Wine, Dance. Like the Goans , Colonial legacy left behind. People love
partying, loud music, and drinking. Alcohol is a big problem
and now drugs have made inroads which brings petty crime as well. So even
Paradise is not left alone in this Cyber World.
Beer and
soft drink plant was established in 70s, SEYBREW very good beer they
say in small bottles of 330 ML cost around 2 USD in shops and up to
5 USD in restaurants/bars. Soft drinks not far from it. Bottled water a USD in
shop can be 2-4 USD in outlets. Cost is lower in Zanzibar because
merchants cheat Customs and smuggle goods there.
Very
generous Duty Free policy, you can bring in 2 litters each of Spirits and
Wine. So ensue you do buy at Addis Ababa or on arrival shop. I suppose
its expensive in London like rest of European airports, I always buy in Addis,
Dubai or Mahe. Smokers can only bring in 200 as usual.
Transport – there are hundreds cars for rent
available, mostly small Korean, KIA and HYUNDAI, cost around Euro 30 per day.
Plus you
buy petrol .If many pax one can rent a van for 8-10 with a driver, also Hyundai
for sightseeing round the Island in a day with lunch somewhere. Being ex
British Colony you drive on the left.
PRALIN Island worth visiting where
the big coconuts CCO DE MER grows, takes over 20 years.
LA
DIGUE is
different world, laid back ,you hire a bike there. These Islands
are famous with pristine beaches.
WELCOME
TO SEYCHELLES THE VIST OF YOUR LIFE TIME, ENJOY THE BEAUTY ALMIGHTY
CREATED, Unlike Zanzibar which is flat
Coral,
these Islands are granite mountains with clear clean deep waters rich in fish.
Tuna is main export after Tourism earnings.
Enough
for today, Else it will be too long.
Louise
pls correct me if I am wrong or misinforming.
Mohamed
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FIRST UPDATE FROM MOHAMED. SUNDAY 11TH JANUARY 2015 21:45
FIRST UPDATE FROM MOHAMED. SUNDAY 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
P.S. Thank you John for advising Green colour was no good for reading. Will try and keep BLACK and only some bright colours if necessary on the text.
P.S. Thank you John for advising Green colour was no good for reading. Will try and keep BLACK and only some bright colours if necessary on the text.
Iles Des Palmes eco-resort shines again
16-January-2015
Eco-tourism is considered to be the fastest growing market in the tourism industry according to the world tourism organisation. Despite its small size, Seychelles is not being left behind, partly thanks to Christopher Gill’s arduous efforts to maintain a sustainable establishment over at Anse Takamaka on the beautiful island of Praslin.
The Iles Des Palmes eco resort, built mainly of timber, teak and coco de mer leaves, has not once but thrice won prestigious awards in the year 2014 alone -- the trip advisor certificate of excellence, second place in Praslin’s culinary competition and the Seychelles Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) best production innovation award last December.
One common link between the SCCI tourism related award winners is their commitment towards offering more than one service under one roof.
The Iles Des Palmes eco-wonder is where man and nature is one and has dug deep to preserve and enhance natural, cultural and historical heritage.
What notably attracted SCCI members’ attention to this establishment for the best production innovation award is its restaurant and treasure trail.
Ile Des Palmes is aptly located over 180 acres of nature, renown to be the place where the great pirate Olivier Le Vasseur (aka La Buse) supposedly deposited a stash of treasures at Anse Bodamier. La Buse is not only the name sake for its newly opened, award-winning restaurant but also an attractive asset in the national heritage treasure trail offered by the resort.
The trail is open not only to guests but also to the public at large. It involves a forty-minute guided tour of the property, which was a former provisional plantation in the years 1800-1971, an era when spices were king. And moreover a pirate’s lair and rest place at a time when La Buse was on the run.
The guide retraces steps back into history and captivates his attentive audience with details relating to treasure hunting and excavations. And just in case they are in doubt, there are artefacts such as the seventeenth century oven in the old distillery, as evidence -- a valuable relic which supports the stories that there were indeed pirates using Seychelles as their hideout.
For the nature enthusiasts, the trail also offers an array of endemic plants, insects and animals along the way.
The La Buse restaurant which made headway when it came out second in Praslin’s culinary competition after only thirty days in operation, uses organic, locally bred and grown products. The restaurant offers exquisite Seychellois culinary and international specialties, a dedicated pizza station on the side with a team of professional and friendly staff at hand. One distinctive item on the menu is the ‘dessert d’amour’ made from the world’s biggest nut, the coco de mer, with one elite ranking chef describing it as a ‘must taste’ on tripadvisor.com.
Resort owner Christopher Gill felt shocked yet very proud to have won the SCCI award stating that “this shows that someone out there is watching the magic at work at the Iles Des Palmes resort. From the way we deliver to our clients down to our personal touch, the innovation tactic is part of our DNA. We deliver an authentic ‘haut de gamme’ Seychellois experience that the French market expects”.
The ‘Seychelles family’ is in Seychelles
16-January-2015
There are great stories about how travellers who visited Seychelles left the destination not solely enchanted with the experience, but how the country’s name gave ideas for somehow strange reasons.
The most fascinating discovery is to come to term with reality that there are people out there who in their family tree the name ‘Seychelles’ has been there for generations. The Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) made an interesting acquaintance with a family living in Reunion and on holiday here whose family name is spelled as ‘Seychelles’.
Surprisingly many would have thought that since Seychelles was named in honour of Viscount Jean Moreau de Séchelles, a French politician and official, Nathalie and her husband Mickael’s surname would be spelt the same as ‘Séchelles’.
Interestingly, this is not the case. Nathalie and her husband’s family name is written as ‘Seychelles’. The couple is married and has two children. Nathalie and Mickael, on holiday with their family and mother in law, were more puzzled with the question of how the surname ‘Seychelles’ originated. Until now neither Nathalie nor Mickael could come out with a plausible answer.
‘Seychelles is a common family name in Reunion. They are found in communes like Bras-Panon our home district, Sainte Rose and Saint Louis. Our dream was to travel to Seychelles, discover the islands’ beauty which bears the same name as our family name,” said Nathalie.
The dream came true for Nathalie and her family who in February 2014 booked their flights to Seychelles, upon hearing that Air Austral had resumed its flights to our islands.
Nathalie said she was amazed that their presence in Seychelles could have created so much buzz and was even more surprised when they were approached by the STB.
“We planned this first holiday with so much enthusiasm and are mesmerised with the paradise experience,” Nathalie claimed.
The true side of the story is that the arrival of Nathalie and Mickael in Seychelles was being closely monitor by the STB. Upon hearing the news that a passenger with a family name of Seychelles booked their holiday to our islands, the STB was more than enthusiastic to meet the family with an exotic family name. The STB’s chief executive Sherin Naiken and the director of marketing Rose-Marie Hoareau invited Nathalie and her family to the STB to welcome them to the country and to learn more about this family.
For the STB meeting a family with the surname ‘Seychelles’ is surely a one-time acquaintance. Nathalie joked about the reason for choosing Seychelles as their dream destination.
“My husband used to say when he holds me in his arms, he had the impression he is in Seychelles and here we are the Seychelles family in Seychelles.”
The Seychelles family is not yet done with Seychelles. Back in Reunion they will dig in their family tree for the origin of the family name ‘Seychelles’.
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