Seychelles’ reputation for stunning beaches, pristine forests, coastlines and islands goes ahead of it. The simple, festive, and carefree life of island communities was also something an average tourist to the islands looked forward to.
All these and more were in abundance in Victoria, part of Mahe Island the capital of Seychelles. However, for a group of travel journalists, a whistle stop at Seychelles from Ethiopia, none was prepared for the Takamaka experience in the Indian Ocean Island. It turned out to be the most interesting and high point of the quick visit to the beautiful holiday country. But the Takamaka experience came later.
Seychelles is a country of islands, with more than 145 spectacular islands sparsely inhabited, it is the ultimate getaway for leisure and nature lovers. Many wishing to capture the sublimity of their wedding experience often make the trip to wow friends with spectacular wedding pictures.
Although Seychelles has more than 145 islands that make up the country, the biggest and most important are Mahe, Praslin, and La Digue. Being close to the equator, all the islands are covered with green tropical vegetation.
For a visitor, especially flying in from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from the plane’s window, first, the Somalian brownish-yellow wasteland was spread out—no sign of any plant, then the Indian Ocean. From above, everything on the water looked calm. The first sight of Seychelles islands are patches of dark green spots dotting the Indian Ocean. Then the descent, like most small island countries, the plane had no luxury of flying over land for a period before descent to the airport. One minute the plane was flying over the ocean, and the next it was making a landing on the runway.
The arrival experience at Seychelles is a little different from other airports. The pilot instructed all passengers to remain seated until the health officials had come into the plane and completed the first check. Seychellois health official had the power of entry and denial for the passengers. It was after this check that passengers were allowed to disembark.
Having completed the entry formalities, it was time to enter the Seychelles.
The Seychelles International Airport is on Mahe Island. However; it is about 20 minutes’ drive to the hotel at Victoria. The first impression was the verdant and lush nature of the island. Here it was obvious it was a place driven, not by the irritating large industries and consequent environmental pollution but by the tourism economy. Along the way, beautiful modest houses dot the way. Many of them are apartments for short let. From the bus, one could also steal views of the famous Seychelles beaches.
With the check-in formalities completed, the first thing was to move out and have a feel of the pulse of Victoria town. Although Victoria is regarded as the hub of activities in Seychelles, it is relatively peaceful towards the beach area.
Although the visit to Seychelles was during the off-season period, a handful of tourists could be seen walking on the beach area. From the beach, the green hills of the island form the backdrop. The beaches are beautiful and spotless; sandy, but the coconuts are not much. The lure to this beach area in Victoria is the optics. The views are wonderful. It is what one dreams of when one conjures images of being on a tropical island.
Seychelles’ history has seen waves of migration from Africa, Europe, India, and some other Asian countries. The larger populations are mostly Creole, but there are large European and Indian populations. Relationships and intermarriage between these peoples have also produced a population of half-cast indigenes.
Touring the main town of Victoria, one could see that the people live a kind of simple and contented life. Here, they are not in a hurry. The market wares are mostly everyday wares for daily sustenance rather than luxury. The luxury items seem to be there mostly for the tourists that flock to the country. Unsurprising, there was so much seafood in Seychelles’ market. The country is also rich in different kinds of vegetables.
There is a certain level of religious tolerance. Hindu temples were opened for tour and the priests were willing to answer questions and take pictures.
The languages spoken are French and English. The history of these languages is rooted in the islands’ past. But the people are welcoming, ever-smiling, and ready to make friends.
Having toured the beaches, experienced both local meals at one of the bars and finer dining at the luxurious Yacht Club by the waterfront. The group was invited to taste authentic Seychelles liquor.
The distillery was a small industry that produced a brand of sugarcane rum by the brand name Takamaka. There is something about drinks and a Nigerian journalist. It unlooses his tongue and brings out his boisterous nature. And being a rum-tasting trip, the excitement can be felt. After a couple of shots, everybody within the vicinity of the distillery knew that Nigerians were around as they took up singing ‘We are Happy…We know we are…” For newfound loosening tongues, one wondered whether it was just the normal Nigerians’ boisterous nature or Takamaka rum that contributed to it. Of course, many bought generous bottles of the rum to take back to Nigeria as mementoes for their trip to Seychelles.