Remembering The Tsunami In Seychelles 26th Dec 2004

With the Christmas season upon us where we see ourselves celebrating with our families and close friends it is indeed fitting that we take a moment to remember all the victims of the Tsunami of 2004. Over 150,000 souls were lost that day, where early in the morning a seaquake off the coast of Indonesia, was followed by a tsunami which was felt all the way to Seychelles and to the East coast of Africa!

On the morning of the 26th December 2004, Boxing Day, or the day after Christmas, we were in the Seychelles on holiday from Ghana, and on our way for a morning swim. Earlier in the morning I watched with horror the developing story on CNN of the events unfolding off the coast of Indonesia. I remember speaking with my director at the time about the events unfolding a few thousand miles away and what effect if any the event would have on the Seychelles and our business which was located at the port area in Victoria. At the time I speculated that perhaps we would see strange tides for the coming few days. I could not have imagined that a short few hours later how wrong I would be on my speculation, thinking later how I wish I had been correct - strange tides indeed!

At around 9am Seychelles times while on the way for a morning swim we witnessed the arrival of waves which earlier in the morning had so devastated our neighbours in the Indian Ocean. I will spare you the reader of the particulars of those waves and add that never in my short life of 42 years have I seen such a mighty spectacle as that which the ocean 'played' upon our beautiful shores that day. India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Maldives, Kenya and many more countries in the Indian Ocean basin were not spared that day and neither would we in the Seychelles.

Our country is small - 116 islands, 80,000 + total population, so waves which struck down so many earlier in the day would surely not spare us!

Much damage was inflicted to homes, hotels, businesses and other structures located along our coastline that morning. Victoria our capital city was flooded several times over. Sail boats, fishing boats and other pleasure crafts were sucked out to sea and tossed about as if bath toys. Immediately the nation pulled together and began the effort of cleaning up and or securing property even as Toyota pick-up trucks floated down the street! Whilst we did not suffer massive casualties, we did nevertheless suffer a few deaths. A close and dear friend that day lost her life as she became a victim of the natural events that day. Her memory and love of life and family, will always be with us!

Indeed the Seychelles did pull together that day! It did take many months for the country to recover and rebuild what mother nature took away. Hotels were cleaned up. Homes repaired. And businesses reopened. The bridges which had been damaged or washed away were rebuilt. Those who died live on in our thoughts and hearts.

Seychelles today 5 years on is indeed what it was then and that is paradise islands on earth! We are humbled and in awe of what we have been given.

LeKK Adverts - SpotLight On George Camille Art Galleries

George Camille - Artist & Painter. Born In Seychelles In 1963 & Awarded Scholarships To Study Art At Blackheath School of Art in Goldsmith College In London.

With Permanent Exhibitions At 4 Conveninient Locations In The Seychelles.

- Kaz Zanana:- Revolution Ave in Victoria

- Sunstroke:- Market Street in Victoria

- George Camille Gallery:- Casino Des Isles on Praslin Island

- Green Gecko Gallery:- Anse Reunion on La Digue Island

When In Seychelles Why Not Organise A Visit?

Promo Time For UniqueOffersSeychelles!LLC

Recently we were selected by our bankers, Associated Bank, to display our business to the viewing public at one of the bank's branches. A simple display with the Seychelles flag, a shell, and of course the Coco-de-Mer,were among some of the items on display.

"It was a pleasure for us to take up the offer", says Rosemary, Company President of UniqueOffersSeychelles!LLC, seen pictured standing to the right of a bank representative.

Thank you to Ms. Kia of Associated Bank for approaching us and to the bank itself for making available this platform to its business clients.

We received many enquiries over the 30 days that we were able to display and promote not only our business but the Seychelles Islands as well!

Radyo Bamboo Promos - An Update

'Sweet Seduction And The Third Mermaid' is a riveting tale written by Catherine Olsen.

Set in the romantic isles of the Seychelles, follow the main character 'Isabelle Harrison', who leaves London to join her husband who is the British High Commissioner in the Seychelles.

Once in Seychelles 'Isabelle' soon discovers that wives of the previous High Commissioners drowned in mysterious circumstances and are being called, "the two little mermaids".

Is her life now at risk? Will she survive her marriage or be swept away herself?

About the author:- Catherine Olsen was born in Brisbane, Australia. She lived for many years in London working as an internationally known and much published journalist whose profiles and interviews with well-known personalities of the day have been syndicated around the world. Quartet Books published her first novel, 'SongBird', just before she went to live in the Seychelles with her husband, the former president of the Seychelles whom she met when she interviewed him after a coup d'etat that deposed him.

Visit Us At www.uniqueoffersseychelles.com

A Stroll To A Village Shop

Seychelles is not without its modern shopping delights and supermarkets. Of course being an island nation sometimes the shops do run short. If you are in Victoria you will be able to visit Teemooljee's one of 5 'supermarkets' within the town area. Don't expect a Walmart or Sainsbury, but for the basics you will be able to find what you need. When back home I often like to take a simple stroll along the road and more often then not I come to a local village shop where I know I will be able to sample and purchase some of the local snacks. A gateau pimant with a cold cola or a fruit juice and a local sweet cake to be had. With my purchase made I can make my way again along my little stroll. There is something special about being able to do this still in this day and age. No bulk buying here. Just buying what you need for the day or the night and enjoying the sights and sounds of the stroll along the road surrounded by a tropical setting. When in Seychelles do go about on a 'walkabout' sampling what is on offer in the village shop.

(Photo credit Sharon Karatamoglou A friend of Seychelles and a FaceBook comrade)

Kreole Festival - Ladies Take The Dance Competition

In Creole -


Sete bann fiy ki ti venker dan tou le trwa kategori pour konpetisyon lerwa ek larenn sega ki ti deroule Sanmdi swar dan Sant Konferans Enternasyonal anvil.

Sa konpetisyon, ki ti’n organize par Joseph Sinon ek son group Tanmi, ti’n anmenn ansanm plizer zenn fiy ek garson Seselwa aze depi 6-an ziska par lao 18-an, kot zot ti demonstre zot abilite dans sega devan en lodyans.

Ti osi annan ladans performen par bann dansez Tanmi e osi performans par bann santer lokal ki ti enkli Mervin Camille, Jean-Marc Volcy, Andre Sinon, John Wirtz.

Parmi bann envite sa swar ti Minis pour Devlopman Kominoter, Lazenes, Spor ek Kiltir Vincent Meriton.
Malgre bann garson ki ti la pour sa konpetisyon ti osi prezant bann tre bon performans sega, sete bann fiy ki ti domin tou konpetisyon pou lasware.

Dan kategori 6 a 12-an, sete Sheryl Lucas ki ti ganny premye pri. Vanessa Juliette ti ranport kategori 15 a 18-an tandis ki Marisa Matombe ti pran premye pri dan kategori par lao 18-an.

Sa konpetisyon ti form parti bann aktivite pour mark 24enm Festival Kreol.

In English - It was the girls who won all 3 categories of dance in the 'King & Queen' competition which was held at the International Conference Centre Saturday night.

The competition which was organised by Joseph Sinon and his group 'Tanmi', brought together many young Seychellois girls and boys starting from ages 6 onwards to above 18, where they demonstrated their ability to dance the Sega in front of an audience.

There was also dance performances from the group 'Tanmi' and local singers Mervin Camille, Jean-Marc Volcy, Andre Sinon, John Wirtz.

Among the invited guests that evening was the Minister for Community Develpment. Youth, Culture & Sports, Hon. Vincent Meriton.

Although the boys were there to demonstrate their ability to dance the Sega, it was the girls who took the competition that evening. In the 6- 12 category it was Sheryl Lucas who won the night. While Vanessa Juliette won the category 15 to 18 year old and Marisa Matombe winning the above 18 category.

The competition was part of the 24th Edition of Festival Kreole which is held annually in the Seychelles.


The above story appeared in the Seychelles Nation

A Radio Made Of Bamboo!

Well OK it is not exactly a radio made of bamboo but the concept to disseminate information is still there, at least in the Seychelles it is!

A view of the beach - Grande Anse on the island of La Digue, Seychelles!

A little bit about 'radyo bamboo' or 'bamboo radio'. In the Seychelles when someone hears news or information about someone or something, gossip for the most part, we say that the 'info' was heard on radyo bamboo! Of course we do not 'gossip' here but do list premier products and services from the Seychelles & the Creole World! For more information on how to list your product or services with us do contact us by email : uniqueoffers@uniqueoffersseychelles.com

Radyo Bamboo Promos© or 'Special Promos'! on categories of interest! Visit at your leisure. We welcome your feedback. "All things unique for all unique tastes", that's 'UniqueOffersSeychelles!'.