Allo! This is Patrik L., and I am temporarily filling in for Raymond! First & foremost let me/us wish all our friends from France and around the Francophone member states a joyeux Bastille Day! Ok so it is not the 14th of July as of today - but it was a good day to celebrate & reflect nevertheless!
Seychelles and La Belle France have a very interesting relationship and history together. In case you did not know, " Mauritius becoming a very important base for the French during the 1700's meant that our French cousins of the period had to find faster routes to the trading bastion of India! Hence in 1735 an energetic administrator, Bertrand François de la Bourdonnais (1699-1723) was appointed. His brief was to protect the French sea route to India. La Bourdonnais, himself a sailor, turned his attention to making a speedier passage from Mauritius to India. To this end, in 1742, he sent an expedition under the command of Lazare Picault to accurately chart the islands northeast of Madagascar."
And so the story continues that, "On 21 November 1742, the 'Elisabeth' and the 'Charles' anchored off Mahé (Seychelles) at Anse Boileau (not Baie Lazare, later mistakenly named as Picault's landing place). They found a land of plenty. In fact, Picault named the island Ile d'Abondonce. Picault's mapping was poor, so in 1744 he was sent back and renamed the main island Mahé ( part of Seychelles), and the group the Iles de la Bourdonnais. He had high hopes for the Iles de la Bourdonnais. However the islands were again forgotten when Labourdonnais was replaced in 1746."
"The outbreak of war between England and France reminded the authorities on Mauritius about the islands (Seychelles). Two ships were sent to claim them, commanded by Corneille Nicholas Morphey. He renamed the largest island Isle de Séchelles in honour of Viscount Jean Moreau de Séchelles, Minister of Finance during the reign of Louis XV (later Anglicised as Seychelles). This was later used for the island group, whilst Mahé was again used for the largest granitic island. Morphey took possession for his king and the French East India Company on 1 November 1756."
With that came a more permanent settelement and with some very hard work, a flourishing colony under the Royal flag of the King of France!
Seychelles is still a place where even 253 years later one needs to come, visit, experience the islands - home to the Coco de Mer, the giant land tortoise, the Black Parrot and so many other rare and endemic species of flora, fauna, and oh YES, great treks, beaches, sun, diving, waterfalls, food, and most importantly the ambience of the Creole people! Did I mention the underwater splendour of the surrounding waters? No?
OK and the underwater splendour of the surrounding waters teaming with fish, dolphins and other marvels!Fly there, swim, no matter how, just make the time to come and visit!
Now with that said and after wishing one and all a Happy 14th of July 2009, a short history tour of how the islands came to be within the French realm, I am supposed to update you to the fact that by next week the main website for 'UniqueOffersSeychelles!' will be updated giving it a fresher and cleaner feeling! So job accomplished! Another post and another update shortly! Ciao!
P.S. Wikipedia is a great source of info about the islands of the Seychelles!
