A large number of reefs within the inner granitic islands of the archipelago of Seychelles could be entirely lost, unless concerted action is taken soon to control crown of thorns, warns Dr. Udo Englhardt, the expert on on the management of crown of thorns in a...
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Nid d’Aigle seychelles
Nid d’Aigle (meaning: ‘The Eagle’s Nest’) is one of the most visited places on La Digue island. A four-kilometer hike goes up to the highest point (333 meters)of the Nid d’Aigle. From there you get a panoramic view of La Digue beaches, Praslin, Felicité, Marianne, the sea, and nearby islands.
Climbing Up
You can take one of the many tour packages available or you can hike yourself. You will also get cultural, botanical, and geographical sights. You will trek through the soft forest floor, granite, and reddish earth. When passing through the forest, you may be able to pick some fresh fruits like Mangoes, Oranges, Golden Apples, and Custard fruits, if they are in season. On your way, you will see creatures up to 30 cm long, including the giant millipede, snails, bugs, and spiders on both sides of the path. You will also see typical plants from this area like cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemongrass.
There is minimal shade available along the trek, therefore it is better to start early in the morning to avoid the sun and heat. You may carry a bottle of water as the journey is dehydrating. A hat also may help.
On the way up near the top there is a cafeteria called Snack Bellevue. After this restaurant, there are only a fifteen minutes walk left.
If you have a mobility problem you can take a taxi up to halfway to the top.
Return Journey
For the return journey, you can either take the same route that you used to climb or walk in the northerly direction. This will go through a number of small footpaths down to the main path and then the valley below. The journey up will take one-and-a-half hours and the return journey will also take about the same amount of time.
Halfway down you may get another panoramic view of “Petite Anse”, and “Grand Anse”.
Down below you will see the fine beaches and turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. Those who do snorkeling here will get a treasure trove of marine life. Nid d’Aigle is also a terminus that takes you from La Fayet through the slopes of Mont Blanc. It takes about 45 minutes to get here offering scenic views en route.
When to visit?
La Digue has a tropical climate around the year with high humidity and occasional rain. The hottest period is from March to June. You may also want to avoid the rainy season from November to March as the paths may be slippery.
Accommodation nearby.
Nid’Aigle Lodge
Nid’Aigle Lodge is a private accommodation in a beautiful garden setting, with private parking. The lodge is just by the side of the beach. The lodge is located in Praslin which is 15 minutes drive from the airport. There are groceries and restaurants nearby. European or American breakfast is available on request.
The units have air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a fridge, an electric teapot, a shower, free toiletries, and a closet. All rooms have a private bathroom with a hairdryer, while selected rooms will provide a kitchen with an oven. All guest rooms come with a seating area.
Café des Arts Restaurant
Café des Arts Restaurant
Café des Arts Restaurant has earned its reputation as the best restaurant in Seychelles by creating outstanding mouth-watering dishes served in the most amazing setting. Seafood dishes are the main attractions. Attention to details, fresh ingredients served to perfection, and refined service give this restaurant its reputation.
Cafe des Arts sprawls along Anse Volbert’s beach. Rustic wooden cabanas perch on sandbanks.. The cafe is highly recommended for more private, intimate dining in larger groups.
By day you get a relaxed beach dining experience and by night the whole atmosphere transforms into an elegant high-class restaurant with a sumptuous décor.
The “Blue Octopus Bar” serves cocktails and other drinks. Vegan and vegetarian friendly food are available. The café serves Western, Chinese, Indian and rustic Creole dishes, adding a sophisticated, modern touch. Among the dishes served are grilled fish served with boiled potatoes, steak served with vegetables and many more. Three fish carpaccio, octopus and pumpkin gratin, creamy lobster and steamed grouper makeup just some of the delights on the menu. There’s also an extensive wine list to pair along with cocktails at the bar.
Cafe des Arts menu
A healthy quinoa and grilled vegetable salad sits next to an octopus and pumpkin gratin starter. An “Asian Corner” of sizzling beef tops the “Creole Corner” featuring the elusive local specialty, Kari Sousouri: a spicy fruit bat in a tangy curry sauce. A spicy fruit bat curry should stand out as the most provocative dish on the menu. The octopus gratin with lobster and the tuna carpaccio with a caper, garlic, and olive oil dip are highly recommended. The menu even includes sushi and sashimi. The prices are nevertheless prohibitive..
Cafe des Arts, cocktails and wine
Cafe des Arts serve brisk, strong cocktails effortlessly. The house margarita is alchemy: sharp citrus and fiery tequila crusted in a salt rim. The rooftop deck area is a lovely place for a cocktail.
Opening Hours
From Wednesdays through Mondays, the restaurant is open from 12:00 till 22:00. The cafe is closed on Tuesdays.
Seychelles Natural History Museum
The Seychelles Natural History Museum
The Seychelles Natural History Museum is located next to the main post office in Victoria, the capital of the Seychelles, on Mahé Island. The building is of colonial architecture. Most of the exhibits are found on the ground floor which depict 300 years of Seychelles history, with plenty of information to put the model ships, old cannons and other historical pieces in context. Upstairs focuses on Creole culture, with displays on music, clothing, fishing and architecture. The National Museum was completely rebuilt and fitted to the modern criteria of a cultural history museum between 2016 and 2018. It is now equipped with digital displays and improved relic protection.
The National History Museum is charged with the acquisition, preservation and exhibition of historical artifacts for public benefit. Exhibits illustrating the history of Seychelles include such items as the oldest map drawn in 1517, the Stone of Possession, and object of ethnographic interest that exemplify the traditions and modes of life in times gone past. A Portuguese nautical atlas of the Indian Ocean from 1519 is one of the oldest displays. The stone of possession is the oldest monument to date in the Seychelles. Brought by captain Nicholas Morphey, it was placed at la Poudriere on the 1st November 1756. It signifies the act of possession by the French over the Seychelles islands. The stone itself has carvings depicting its French colonial ancestry.
Pierre Poivre in Seychelles
The museum shows the history of cinnamon in Seychelles. Pierre Poivre, the son of a merchant, was born in Lyon in France. In 1772 during the last year of his tenure as intendant of Ile de France and Bourbon, he organized an expedition to Seychelles with the specific purpose of creating a spice garden . By doing this, he gave Seychelles cinnamon which became a pillar of Seychelles’ economy and a source of livelihood for hundreds of inhabitants during the 20th century.
History of Defence
Items related to the history include Seychelles People’s Militia, the Seychelles People’s Liberation Army and the Seychelles People’s Defence Forces. The Seychelles People’s Defence Force is the national military of Seychelles. It consists of a number of distinct branches: the Infantry Unit, Coast Guard, Air Force and a Presidential Protection Unit.
Exhibitions
The Museum hosts exhibitions that not only illustrate the flora, fauna and geological history of Seychelles, but serve to enlighten visitors about major environmental concerns with the aim of promoting positive attitudes and actions in conserving our natural heritage. Occasionally, there will be additional exhibits upstairs but usually they are intended for school children. The museum showcases educational programmes during the school holidays.
Natural heritage
Seven prominent aspects of Seychelles’ natural heritage are showcased through exhibits and dioramas. These displays include sections on botany, zoology, geology and anthropology. The museum’s documentation and resource center contains a wealth of research material in various formats. The museum also covers Seychelles’ history such as its political, economic, Creole culture, gifts of state, national emblems and key events of the nation-building process.
Traditional wedding ceremony
Traditional wedding ceremonies at that time are also depicted. The wedding car is decorated with frangipani flowers and colorful ribbons. At the exit of the church or the place of the party, is erected an arch with palm leaves and decorated with fresh flowers. The wedding couple crosses this arc followed by guests, all accompanied by a band playing the wedding march with instruments such as guitars, violins, banjo, drums and triangles.
Traditional games
Traditional games shown include Plan Kare, Ronn, Kouk , Balon Prizonyen and Set Ros.
Plan Kare is a game that originates from “Danm” but is easier version to play. This game is played by 2 Players, each having 3 ppieces . Its Objective is to put all 3 pieces in a straight line , either vertically or horizontally or diagonally, whilst preventing your opponent from wining . Each piece can be moved only once, from one point to another .” Plan Kare a Senk” is another version of the same game,but has more lines and more pieces.
Ronn originates from French Songs (Chorus), these were sung by young girls. This game was often played by moonlight whereby the children/adults would form a circle or(line) and sing whilst acting out the song. Popular and still known songs for the game are (La Bougere, Pti Marmit, Granmanman Bebe and Lapilapon).
Kouk is a game from French origin (Cache-cache/Hide and Seek). The purpose of the game is simple: while one person counts, the other player hides, after counting to 50, the person counting tries to find the others, before they manage to come out and touch the post where he/she was counting.
Balon Prizonyen was played with a ball, being passed by two players, after the ball is passed 3 times between them , then they try to hit the other children with the ball, if you are hit , you are out “out of the game” and the others still continue to play.The game ends when everyone is out.
Set Ros originates from the game of Seven Stones , this game is played by two groups of children . The children chose 7 stones and stacked them on top of each other (biggest at the bottom). One group will be defending the stacked stone , whilst the other the attackers, one team tries to stack the stones whilst the other tries to hit them with the ball, if the attacking team is hit, then they switch positions.
The museum includes contributions from partners such as the French government and some Seychellois individuals.
Visiting Hours
On Mondays and Saturdays the museum is open from 9.30 to 12:30 AM. On Tuesdays through Fridays it opens from 9:30 to 12:00 AM and closes for lunch from 12:00 to 13:00. Again in the afternoon it is open from 13:00 to 16:30.
Entrance fees for national adults and children over 12 years is Rs 25 while foreigners pay Rs 150.
The visit to this small museum will take only one hour.
Slavery in Seychelles
The National Museums in collaboration with the National Archives and the National Library, under the aegis of the National Institute for Culture, Heritage and the Arts is organizing a traveling exhibition entitled “The History of Slavery in Seychelles”, the exhibition will be presented in the schools in Seychelles, with the aim of educating and extending knowledge of students on the history of slavery in Seychelles.
The people of Seychelles represent an ethnic diversity that dates from the second half of the 18th century. In 1835, when the abolition of slavery came into force in all British colonies, 6,521 slaves were set free from a population of 7,500 inhabitants. This means that the population of Seychelles then must have been predominantly black.
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