SEYCHELLES’ TOURISM MINISTER LEADS CARNIVAL PARADE
(Posted 26th April 2015 and reporting from Beau Vallon Bay)
(Picture by eTN Publisher Juergen Thomas Steinmetz)
The sunny dawn of the parade day soon gave way to heavy clouds bursting open and offloading their wet cargo across much of the island of Mahe. Leaving the rooms at the Savoy Resort turned for many of the attending journalists into a fight with their umbrellas to keep them steady as gusty winds threatened to rip them from hands used to click away on the keyboards but not keep an unruly umbrella in check. Those whose rooms were some distance from the reception needed good fortunes to avoid getting on the bus already soaked to the skin and not everyone succeeded in staying dry.
When reaching the media and VIP area outside the Stade Popilar however had the rain turned into a drizzle before stopping altogether and lo and behold did the sun come out just in time before the parade started.
The streets of Victoria were jam-packed with locals as well as foreign visitors and balconies overlooking the parade route too were full up, with some already occupied two hours before the parade was due to start. That however made sure that these spectators had a clear line of sight and were rewarded for their patience with first rate video clips and pictures.
Meanwhile at the VIP location were sudden changes taking place, as a number of Ambassadors and High Commissioners were seen leaving and their cars speeding away to another venue. A large number of the Ashanti King’s entourage which had prepared to receive their monarch with traditional ululations, drumbeats and sounding their horns as witnessed the night before at the gala opening of the carnival event equally left with a police escort and never returned to the venue outside the city stadium either.
Speculation was immediately rife and eTN Publisher Juergen Thomas Steinmetz filed a related story just moments ago via http://www.eturbonews.com/58118/seychelles-authorities-acted-attempt-destabilize-country-todays-
It can however be confirmed by this correspondent that the parade went without a hitch, albeit starting late – some say due to the rain which had interrupted preparations – and that the spectators who lined up along the streets were in party mood with no visible sign of any disturbance.
Some journalists did express regret though about not seeing the visiting Ashanti King close up, or President James Alix Michel, as was the case in past years when the presidential dais was just across from Kenwyn House where the global media had pitched camp during the parade, providing excellent photo opportunities.
Meanwhile, as the afternoon went on some rather funny scenes were captured, one suggesting that a fellow journalist was smitten at first sight and proposed marriage because why else would he be on his knee? Proffering however a handheld camera instead of a three carat rock left him stranded as the damsel went on to continue performing further down the parade route without giving him a second look.
Others were clearly overcome by either fatigue or else in deep contemplation like this gentleman who wisely opted for time out when there was a break between performances, making sure he was up and about again a few minutes later when the action resumed.
It is obvious that whatever went on elsewhere, it did not impact on the Carnival 2015 parade. The increase though in both foreign and local floats and performing groups did clearly pose a challenge to the organizers to keep the parade flow up and running and to keep surging crowds, keen to capture a look at the top names from China, Brazil, Notting Hill, Mauritius and Germany in check. Thankfully did the weather hold on until the curtain fell after the last float had passed as dusk descended over Victoria.
Tomorrow will the programme of the Children’s’ Carnival go ahead as planned as will the Grand Finale with the prize giving ceremony and the call to attend the 2016 Carnival next year. So far it is a case of saying well done to the Seychelles Tourism Board staff who once again went out of their way today to ensure that all their invited guests were looked after and attended to, imparting Seychellois hospitality all the way and at every turn. Stay tuned for more news updates as and when available.
