IT IS FESTIVAL TIME IN THE SEYCHELLES
(Posted 10th August 2014)
Any time is a good time to visit the Seychelles, the Creole island paradise deep in the Indian Ocean, where an archipelago comprising 115 islands waits to be discovered.
While most tourists come to the islands to enjoy some of the world’s best beaches in some of the world’s best resorts, more and more are now keenly eying the annual calendar of events to coincide their vacation with a festival which suits their interests.
This weekend did a deep sea fishing competition took place, the South East Monsoon Sailfish Tournament, a tag and release competition which still has a uniquely local character but is open for international entries too. At the same time did the second edition of the Seychelles Sea Turtles Festival take place, a joint undertaking of the Seychelles Marine Conservation Society, the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Education, with many conservation NGO’s, schools, the business community and civil society participating to raise and maintain awareness of the importance of turtle conservation.
Next coming up is one of the Seychelles most cherished religious events, the Feast of Assumption of Mary, held every year on the 15th of August on the archipelago’s third largest island of La Digue. Thousands of Seychellois – the vast majority of the people are Catholics – will flock to the island to attend the mass and the procession and many tourists too will make their way to La Digue, from Mahe, from Praslin and other nearby islands where they are enjoying their vacation. The day will allow tourists a glimpse into how faith has a deep rooted place among the Seychellois people and how they celebrate the day with a passion deeply rooted in Creole culture. The high speed ferry service of Cat Cocos will lay on extra departures for the day to cater for the large number of visitors expected to throng La Digue.
The inaugural edition of the Praslin Culinary and Art Fiesta will then follow in early September, when from the 05th to the 07th food and art will be at the centre of public attention with cooking competitions organized by the Seychelles Tourism Academy alongside displays of local arts and crafts. One of the highlights will be the tasting of the Coco de Mer, the fabled palm nut which is one of the archipelago’s national symbols and recognized around the world as uniquely Seychellois.
Later in September has the tourism board planned events surrounding World Tourism Day, which is celebrated every year on the 27th of September, giving a befitting roundup to the month.
In early October does the second edition of the Seychelles – India Day celebrations extend from the 04th to the 06th of the month with, going by last years’ experience, will be a thrilling array of culinary and performing arts displays, workshops, all aimed at lighting up taste buds as well as the city with decorations. Leading Bollywood stars are once again expected to fly from India to the Seychelles to be part of an ethnic celebration held to recognize the long and close ties between the two countries and the popularity of the archipelago as a holiday and filming destination. More specific information can be accessed via www.seychellesindiaday.com
October will then conclude with the 29th edition of the Festival Kreol, a week-long celebration of the archipelago’s culture and history. Multiple events are scheduled again to promote Creole literature, song, dance and of course the unique culinary delights Creole Cuisine is renowned for.
November will see the return of the Seychelles’ Festival of the Seas, aka SUBIOS from the 21st to 23rd of the month, dedicated to the dazzling underwater world which can be explored by diving and snorkeling or sailing between the islands. Several competitions will again determine the very best of underwater photography and filming, showcasing the very best images the Seychelles are known for and some of which can be seen in the coffee table book ‘Seychelles – Unexpected Treasures’ launched in April this year coinciding with the annual Carnaval de Carnivals, the Carnival International de Victoria. For more information click on www.subios.com
These and many more events across the entire year provide additional attractions for visitors to head to the Seychelles to spice up their stay, literally when it comes to food and proverbially when it comes to the sights and sounds associated with these festivals. Flying to Seychelles will be made easier when Ethiopian Airlines’ resumes flights to Mahe in October this year after a half year absence. Emirates has resumed their schedule of 12 flights a week and is committed to raise this to double daily frequencies in due course. Condor flies to Mahe from Germany and Kenya Airways connects passengers from across their network four times a week via Nairobi.
Two flights a week are operated by Air Austral from Reunion now and Mihin Lanka, presently flying twice a week, is also adding more frequencies from Colombo. Home airline Air Seychelles flies in partnership with Etihad from and to / via Abu Dhabi, giving plenty of options how to reach Mahe.
The question of course is almost always posed, how one can afford to visit the Seychelles without having to mortgage the house. True enough, some of the world’s best and also most expensive resorts are located across the various islands and the rich and famous are regular guests in such establishments. It is in fact this glitz and glamour image of film and music industry stars, glitterati, business tycoons and royals which has given the archipelago the global image of being one of the most desirable destinations in the world.
But not all hope is lost for the average Tom, Shah and Kamau who also want to go and visit the island, see and participate in the festivals and enjoy island life, albeit not from within such places as North Island, The MAIA, the two Constance resorts on Mahe and Praslin, Banyan Tree or The Raffles Praslin.
Affordable options are available as shown in an article published here in May this year, and in part reproduced, and with the added pressure on airlines to fill their seats bargains are to be had from them too, making a week in the Seychelles affordable, though of course never cheap.
Start quote from May article:
Over the past years has the economic empowerment programme launched by President Michel’s government accomplished the creation of Seychellois owned small hospitality family businesses, B&B’s, guest houses, self-catering chalets, holiday apartments and the like with rates charged per day or per week which are truly pocket friendly and which can make that dream to come to the Seychelles finally a reality.
At the B&B’s breakfast is of course included while in self-catering establishments the fridges are often stocked with a ‘starter pack‘ containing such essentials as a loaf of bread, milk, often juice, margarine or butter, sugar, salt, pepper, vinegar and oil, water, tea bags and biscuits, giving those arriving and weary from their travels the chance to have a cuppa and a slice of toast. In fact, as I experienced and witnessed, many of the owners pick their guests from the airport, or arrange for transport at equally affordable cost, and the first stop after the Bureau de Change is then the supermarket where the visitors can, while enroute to their holiday home, get those items they need for the first couple of days. That said, some of these places do in fact happily provide a cook, at a fee, who will even go and buy fresh fish and vegetables to prepare a meal, mostly of course with Creole spices and ingredients, making every meal a new creation of colours and tastes. But more about such services and specifics later on.
From past experience it is clear that locations of B&B’s, apartments and chalets right on the beach cost more, while those across the beach road cost a little less, most of the time anyway and those locations up in the hills cost less still, unless for those of exceptional quality and believe me, there are some which for the location alone take your breath away and then some more when setting eyes on the rooms and how tastefully they are furnished and decorated.
Mostly does the cost not go much beyond 150 Euros a night, all rates in the Seychelles are expressed primarily in Euros though US Dollars are of course widely accepted, and there were low end figures quoted to me in the 20 Euro range, those latter ones being very simple but also very clean and yet offering a decent bed and an ensuite bathroom, ideal for those who want to spend their money exploring and feasting rather than on fancy hotel suites.
When last on the islands I visited over a period of three days about a dozen Seychellois owned places, some quite incognito and I will not name those but let it suffice to say that as I walked in unannounced I was treated in most hospitable ways, offered a cool drink and shown around, given rates and contacts and that showed me how keen the owners are to engage with guests, and potential guests, in order to fill their beds and make a decent living from their investment. One can still travel across the island by public transport at a fare of 5 Rupees, no matter if it is for one station or to the end of the line and I used my free time to literally steal myself away from the Kempinski Seychelles Resort to explore and be able to give a truly first hand insight into the way affordable vacations in the Seychelles can be put together.
Courtesy of Tourism Seychelles I was in addition able to see 5 more locally owned establishments. High up in the hills are the Evergreen Apartments, 4 single bedroom / sitting plus dining apartments, air-conditioned, with a fully equipped kitchen and a sofa bed in case there are more than two in the party. At 84 Euros a night, that makes it 42 per person and with the bus stop a short distance away, which brings take aways and shops into easy reach, visitors there are set in a typical local home environment.
(A typical ‘Take Away’ meal available across the island from local eateries)
Talk about take away’s here for a moment. This time as on previous occasions, more recently at the Festival Kreol in October last year, I did try those take away meals, and while generally they cost 50 Rupees for a box, I managed to get one of mine for 45 Rupees, or less than four US Dollars which now stands at approximately 12 Rupees to 1 USD. Depending on one’s choice they load the boxes at the counter with rice, vegetables, fish or meat – I mostly took the fish option – nicely spiced and then sat down on a nearby bench to eat, surrounded by surprised locals who were quick to engage and chat and who actually did say that tourists are now a more common sight in the busses and the take away’s, the local restaurants and the public beaches.
(Cottage at La Rocaille)
My second stop, not too far from the Kempinski and the Four Seasons, was the La Rocaille, where the owners, a retired couple, are now putting up a second one bedroom cottage as the first one, slightly larger and able to easily accommodate up to four people, seems booked up much of the year. Repeat clients in fact love the place as I witnessed, a couple and their son from Germany who had for the duration of their stay hired a small car at a cost of 55 Euros a day, with some options cheaper and some larger cars more expensive and they were raving about the place, the tropical garden and the fact that they were made to feel like family members, but at the very least as long lost friends when they returned, year after year for that matter.
At a cost of just 60 Euros a night for the new, and smaller cottage, ceiling fan, no aircondition and fully equipped, that has to be a bargain few can refuse and the owners do pick the clients from the airport on request and stop for the first shopping they might want to do.
(Anse Takamaka View)
Next on my visiting list was the Anse Takamaka View, where up to 7 rooms in 3 bungalows are able to accommodate even a small group of friends travelling together and with a pool and the hillside view of the Indian Ocean, this place offers great value for money. The ‘small’ cottage goes for 90 Euros a night while the larger ones go for between 130 and 170 Euros a night, to be split among the guests of course, making the individual figure quite affordable. Airport transfers are free, giving not only an added saving but it takes care of arrival and departure without any stress. The first stop is made at the supermarket enroute to Anse Takamaka View to allow guests to buy their initial provisions. If I were a bargain hunter this one and La Rocaille would probably be my first choices but then there are different tastes and different budgets which come in to play and there is for sure one place which can meet the expectations of mainland visitors vis a vis location, comfort and price.
On my journey went to see the Koko Grove Chalets, also featuring a pool, and the three cottages go between 80 Euros and 150 Euros a night.
The Central Apartments, across the road from the Kaz Kreol Restaurant, which itself is right on the beach, offers a different style, air conditioned of course and single bedroom apartments go for 100 Euros a night while two bedroom apartments set guests back 135 Euros a night, all for the entire unit and again making the per person cost between 33 and 50 Euros per night, or the equivalent in US Dollars at the prevailing exchange rate.
Additionally there are many other options which are listed on the Seychelles Tourism Board website, which shows location and cost per night, simply by clicking on the following links via the main STB website:http://www.seychelles.travel/en/plan_your_visit/seychelles_secrets.php
http://www.seychelles.travel/en/plan_your_visit/budget_holiday_accommodation.php
http://www.seychelles.travel/en/plan_your_visit/small_hotels_guesthouses.php
http://www.seychelles.travel/en/plan_your_visit/self-catering.php
Perhaps the coin is now beginning to drop that indeed, as far as the cost of accommodation is concerned, as far as the cost of public transport is concerned, as far as the cost of take away food is concerned – meals in restaurants frequented by most Seychellois cost anywhere between 65 – 95 Rupees in a sit down / serviced environment – and what remains now to explore is the cost of living while on the island. The main cost difference will be a result of visitors either opting to eat at their holiday home, eat take away, eat out in a local setting as mentioned before or else opt for a fancier restaurant where a meal can easily set one back by 250 to 500 Rupees, taking a three course meal into account, plus drinks that is. However, that is a choice each traveler can make for her or himself, depending on how much spare cash there is, or else one can eat in, i.e. shop at the Seychelles Trading Corporation main supermarket in the heart of Victoria or one of the smaller supermarkets or local shops nearer by and buy the food they want to cook just as they do back home.
The expense for that will largely depend on the individual life style of course as a bottle of wine per meal for instance would add between 90 and 160 Rupees per bottle of an average quality type of wine, while vintage wines of course can cost quite a bit more. An average shopping basket for two, lasting a week – apart from fresh fruits, vegetables and fresh fish for instance which one might want to buy daily – would run into anywhere between 500 and 1.500 Rupees, depending on how frugal or how elaborate the shopping is.
A loaf of sliced bread, suitable for toasting, for instance costs 11.50 Rupees while a bag of buns costs 13.00 Rupees, all prices valid as of end of April at STC in Victoria, and perhaps a little more pricey at smaller places nearer to one’s accommodation, which however may safe on the cost of transport.
100 local tea bags sell for 60 Rupees, a packet of pasta from 12.50 Rupees and pasta sauce for 23.70 Rupees while soup noodles of the quick meal type go for as little as between 3.65 and 5.65 Rupees with Chinese noodles selling at 13.50 Rupees. One kilogramme of Basmati rice, ordinary, is available at STC for just 15.75 RS while the premium quality is about twice as expensive with 28.25 RS per kg. Irish butter, yes it is available, starts for a 250 gr block at 29.65 RS and margarine sells from 19.75 RS. 10 eggs for breakfast go for 42.45 RS, yogurts from 25 RS upward and sausages or bacon per packet cost 43.15 and 55 RS respectively. Frozen chicken nuggets or chicken steaks, enough for two meals cost between 24.15 and 31.75 RS.
I compiled a detailed list of over 70 items one will or might require over the duration of a week or 10 day vacation and the addition rarely goes over 1.500 Rupees or 125 US Dollars, able to be trimmed down or pushed up depending how one’s food preferences are and if global brands are a must or local brands can just as easily do.
If visitors, and I am talking of a couple here, opt for take aways for say 4 days a week while bussing across the island to explore the sights, that will come to some 800 RS going by two meals a day, eat out in a sit down local restaurant on two days will add some 400 RS for two including drinks as a rough guide and then perhaps 1.000 RS for a nice meal in a nice setting, totaling to no more than about 200 US Dollars, give and take a little. Cooking ‘at home’ will lower those costs needless to say.
End quoted text
I hope I have made my case that they Seychelles can be quite affordable, if only one knows where to look and how to go about. Depending on the season do airlines have special deals and excursion fares available, in addition to which comes the accommodation, the shopping and the meals, plus transport, either public or by hired car and suddenly that vacation on the Creole Paradise Island and attending those popular festivals is really within reach
The Seychelles admit visitors from around the world without the need for any Visa, as long as tourists can show their return ticket, have a hotel booking confirmation, have sufficient funds to pay for their upkeep while in country and, when coming from most parts of Africa, have a Yellow Fever vaccination certificate.
Seychelles, truly Another World.
Also read https://atcnews.org/2012/09/16/affordable-seychelles-a-reality-and-no-longer-a-myth/ and https://atcnews.org/2011/09/24/seychelles-tourism-news-update-affordable-seychelles-myth-or-reality/
2 Responses
Next time you’re in the area, drop by. I’m at Anse Soleil and always enjoy a visit.
I will be delighted to make your acquaintance Sandra and thanks for reading my blog.
W.