IN SEYCHELLES :
People :
There are approximately 82,000 Seychellois population and most of them (90%) are living on Mahé and reflect its multi-ethnic roots. Traditionally, the islands have attracted a broad diversity of peoples from the four corners of the earth that has included freed slaves, European settlers, political exiles, adventurers, traders of Arab and Persian origin as well as Chinese and Indians.
There are three official languages in Seychelles: Creole (a lilting, French-based patois), English and French. Many Seychellois also speak fluent Italian or German. Below are some useful Creole phrases.
Local time :
Les Seychelles sont en avance de 4 H sur l’heure GMT
Currency :
The Seychelles currency is the rupee ( SCR), divided into 100 hundred. Rupees exist in cuts of 100, 50, 25 and 10. Coins have values of 5 and 1 SCR and 25, 10 and 5 hundred.
1€ = Approximately 18 rupees.
The American express card and the visa are the most accepted, MasterCard and dinners club are of a more limited use.
Traveler's checks are accepted, however, to avoid supplementary expenses of exchange, it is advised to the travelers to arm itself with traveler's checks in US Dollar or in Pounds .
The majority of banks are on Mahé, more exactly in Victoria, in the airport and near Beau-Vallon. But there are branches on Praslin and La Digue. Banks open from Monday till Friday from 8 am till 12 am and from 1 pm till 3 pm or from 9 am till 1 pm and from 2:15 pm till 3:30 pm.
Communications :
To phone in Seychelles, from everywhere, it is necessary to compose 00 followed by the code of the country and by the number of the correspondent without 0.The main post office is situated in Victoria. The air mail to the Western Europe are generally forwarded in the week.
240 volts alternatifs. Les prises à 3 broches sont utilisées.
Transports :
Between islands:
- By plane or in helicopter: On can join the main islands of the archipelago since Mahé aboard a plane from 6 to 20 passengers, aboard a company air(sight) Seychelles. It is necessary to count approximately 15mn of route between Mahé and the internal islands. Helicopter Seychelles also assures(insures) transfers towards numerous islands of the archipelago, close to Mahé or more taken away.
- by boat:Le Cat-Cocos is a catamaran which assures(insures) the connection Mahé-Praslin in 45 minutes and can embark 350 persons. Another catamaran, the Cat Rose, assures(insures) the crossing between La Digue and Praslin in only 15 minutes and can embark 150 persons. On islands:
- by car: Car is the best means to move on Mahé and possibly on Praslin. She(it) is on the other hand impossible on the other islands. Several companies(societies) of rent propose their vehicles. The driving(behavior) is made to the left, the speed is limited to 80 kph at best(in the best case) (in 65 km most of time .A French driving licence is enough.
- by bus: Non expensive and folk, the buses of the SPTC (Seychelles Public Transport Corporation) work to Mahé and to Praslin from 5:30 am till 10 pm, with a service reduced from 6:30 am and on Sundays. Buses stop in front of the main hotels. In Victoria, the central station of buses is on Palm Street, and schedules are available on it.
- Taxi: 200 taxis circulate in Mahé and around thirty to Praslin and 4 on La Digue.
- Bike: possibility for bike rental, in particular on La Digue where they are the main means of transportation… with ox cart !!!
Health:
The sanitary conditions of the country are good. There is neither tropical disease or malaria in Seychelles. If no vaccine is compulsory, it is however deeply recommended to protect itself against the tetanus and the poliomyelitis.
The sunburns and the stings of mosquitoes are the main dangers, it is thus necessary to arm itself with a cream anti-mosquitoes as well as of a good solar cream. Seychelles shelter no dangerous species for the man either snakes, or scorpions, or spiders . The only a little less charming animal is the cent-pied, the sting of which aches. Finally, the water is drinkable and the healthy food.
Tip:
Most of the time, the service is included and the tip is not compulsory. It is nevertheless seen well and particularly justified in the hotel establishments for the waiters and the chambermaids when you are satisfied by the service.
Bank Holiday:
The Christian religious feasts (Christmas, Easter, Ascension Day, All Saints' Day) and civil (New Year's Day, May 1st) are celebrated and unemployed. Otherwise, everything seems to take place in June in Seychelles: 5, holiday(feast) of the liberation, 10 Corpus Christi, 18, celebrates of the national Reconciliation, and 29, Independance Day. Finally, in October takes place a Creole music festival, poetry and a theater.
Fauna & Flora :
Seychelles is a living museum of natural history and a sanctuary for some of the rarest species of flora & fauna on earth. With almost 50% of its limited landmass set aside as national parks and reserves, Seychelles prides itself on its record for far sighted conservation policies that have resulted in an enviable degree of protection for the environment and the varied ecosystems it supports.
Nowhere else on earth will you find unique endemic specimens such as the fabulous Coco-de-mer, the largest seed in the world, the jellyfish tree, with only eight surviving examples, the Seychelles’ paradise flycatcher and Seychelles warbler.
Seychelles is also home to two U.N.E.S.C.O World Heritage Sites: Aldabra, the world’s largest raised coral atoll and Praslin’s Vallée de Mai, once believed to be the original site of the Garden of Eden.
History:
Today, the 81,000 strong Seychellois population continues to reflect its multi-ethnic roots. Traditionally, the islands have attracted a broad diversity of peoples from the four corners of the earth that has included freed slaves, European settlers, political exiles, adventurers, traders of Arab and Persian origin as well as Chinese and Indians.
Geography :
Seychelles’ 115 granite and coral islands extend from between 4 and 10 degrees south of the equator and lie between 480km and 1,600km from the east coast of Africa in the western Indian Ocean. This Indian Ocean republic occupies a land area of 455 km² and an Exclusive Economic Zone of 1.4 million km². It represents an archipelago of timeless beauty, tranquillity and harmony that is famous for its world-beating beaches and for its great diversity which rolls from lush forests down to the warm azure ocean.
Climate :
Seychelles’ enviable climate is always warm and without extremes. In this tropical haven the temperature seldom drops below 24°C or rises above 32°C. All but the remotest southern islands lie comfortably outside the cyclone belt making Seychelles’ a year round destination for sun worshippers and beach lovers.
During the north-west trade winds that visit between the months of October and March, the sea is generally calm and the weather warm and humid, with average winds of 8-12 knots.