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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The Sir Selwyn-Clarke Market in the capital Victoria is a national landmark of the Seychelles. Victoria with its 26,000 inhabitants is probably the smallest city in the world. It is also the only port in the archipelago.The market was named after Sir Percy Selwyn-Clarke who was the Governor of the Seychelles from 1947 to 1951. He was well loved by the people because of his social thinking and many reforms he carried out in Seychelles. Prior to assuming his duties in Seychelles, he was director of medical services in Hong Kong. During the war he was arrested by the Japanese and tortured and put into solitary confinement for 19 months. Luckily, his death sentence was not carried out.
The market was built in 1840 in a magnificent early-Victorian Style and renovated in early 1999. The market is the main market in the capital of Victoria. It is the best place to buy fresh fruits, vegetables, fish, meat, a variety of souvenirs, clothing and local artwork. They also have a variety of spices and you will find many reasonably priced local craft and souvenir stands.
The market consists of a two story building with an open courtyard. On the ground floor are stalls for fruits and vegetables as well as fish sellers and butcher shops. On the upper floor souvenirs are sold, especially textiles like sarongs, pareos, shirts, as well as hats and handicraft made from wood or coconut shells. There are also offices and a café.
Fruits and vegetables are sold by farmers who bring their weekly harvest by around midday. You can buy breadfruit, golden apple, passion fruit, jack fruit, coconuts, sour sop, custard apple, java apple, mangoes, papaya, star fruit, passion fruit, guava, and bananas. The stalls display a multitude of aromatic herbs and spices, ginger, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, extracts and essential oils and the potent “mazavarou”: red peppers cooked in garlic, ginger and boiled oil, to take home to add a touch of Creole fire to your cooking.
The fishmongers will have an incredible selection of fresh-from-the-sea fish. Varieties such as parrot fish, grouper, tuna, king fish, marlin, and red snapper are available. You can also have the fishmongers fillet it for you. They will even share their expertise on the best way to prepare each type of fish! The small fish are almost all sold in packs of 4 or 5, while the larger ones are offered individually or by the slice. Weighing the fish is not common.
As far as clothing is concerned, there will be everything that a tourist needs: brightly colored shirts or t-shirts, pareos(sarongs) with fish designs and straw hats.
To quench your thirst or have something to eat the Market Restaurant offers visitors breakfasts or lunches, prepared with the products sold on the ground floor. The items on sale include grilled fish, sautéed vegetables, tuna sandwiches, good local beer and mango juice.
The market is small by African standards, but it’s a bustling, colourful place. Here you experience the culture and lifestyle of the inhabitants of the Seychelles. The market is usually open Monday to Friday from early morning until 4-5pm in the evening. It is most vibrant on Saturdays and generally closed on Sundays. The Sir Selwyn-Clarke Market is a very colourful place, so take your camera along.
Parking can be a big problem in Victoria. So it is better to take a taxi or bus to the Victoria market. Some hotels and many tour operators offer trips to the market.
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 presentation of his most recent findings. Dr Udo Englhardt, believes this outbreak of the deadly starfish is due to increasing levels of human development in the Seychelles coupled with rising sea temperatures. Dr. Engelhardt has conducted this research as part of their ‘Mainstreaming Biosecurity’ project organised by the UNDP and Global Environment Facility (GEF) in conjunction with the government of Seychelles. The outbreak which was in the north western areas of Mahé two months ago, has now spread further down the western coastline as the starfish continue to spawn. The starfish can be seen on reefs between five and 25 metres deep and are not commonly found in shallow waters. It preys on strong hard coral polyps and is named crown of thorns as its upper surface is covered with thorn like spikes.
The crown of thorns starfish, one of the largest in the world, occurs at tropical and subtropical latitudes and have been found from the Red sea, across the Indian Ocean to the Pacific. This venomous starfish has been found in Seychelles as early as the 1960s in small numbers and an extensive eradication programme was conducted in 1997. During the 1998-99 El Nino coral bleaching, the crown of thorns died off too. However, they began to re-emerge in 2001-2003 and have now bounced back in alarming numbers. This April, a coral reef survey by Dr Engelhardt found that numbers of Crown of thorns in the reefs were 20 to 30 times greater than sustainable levels. He also found that there were at least three generations present, including a substantial number of juveniles in the under reef strata – a good predictor of future outbreaks reports the Seychelles news agency.
Seychelles is composed of 115 islands that are scattered all over about 400,000 sq km of the entire Indian Ocean. Some of the islands are granitic and grand, while others are made of tiny coral outcrops that are coming out of the sea. Seychelles used to be known as a favourite destination among many tourists. These days, however, Seychelles has a new look which makes it perfect for individuals who want to appreciate the nation’s man-made beauty, as well as its white sands and teeming wildlife offers.
Here are Some Options on Hotels and Resorts in Seychelles:
Banyan Tree Seychelles
You may choose to accommodate in one of the 60 villas of Banyan Tree Seychelles. Each of the villas has a private plunge pool, and they are hidden with lush planting. It is situated on the main island of Mahé. This destination has a whitewashed colonial style and known for its spa and infinity pool.
Chateau de Feuilles
This resort is located on the Pointe Cabris, in the island of Praslin. What makes it very interesting is that it is heavily set among coconut and mango trees, and has a spectacular ocean view. It has nine rooms that are built using local architecture. While staying there, you can enjoy activities such as diving, fishing, sailing, snorkelling as well as trips to the islands nearby.
La Digue Island Lodge
This lodge is beautifully set amongst the exotic and peaceful garden of takamaka trees and coconut palms overlooking the entire Praslin Island. It offers a lot of things, but among its many assets include the one and only swimming pool on the entire island with accommodation that has a variety of villas and rooms.
Le Meridien Fisherman’s Cove
This resort is situated on the southern edge of Victoria, Beau Vallon & the North Coast. It was restored back in 2004, featuring thatched roofs, granite walls, as well as fountain mazes. You can choose from 68 suites and rooms, all of which are decorated in contemporary style as well as local Creole.
Four Seasons Seychelles
This hotel was unquestionably one of the most anticipated resort openings back in 2009. It is situated on the west coast of Mahé. Some of the villas are located up on the hillside while others are strategically located near to the beach line. All of these options offer the much-needed privacy, which gives the impression that you are free and happily alone.
If you are planning to enjoy a solitary stay in Seychelles, one thing that you can really be assured of is that you have a lot of options. You also have a lot of activities to do in the area.
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