Expatriates Forums in Seychelles

FOREIGN DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS IN SEYCHELLES

Seychelles Info — Tue Mar 13, 2007 1:55 am

Author: Seychelles Info

Posted: Tue Mar 13, 2007 1:55 am

FOREIGN DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS IN SEYCHELLES

AUSTRIA
Austrian Consulate
Bodco Building,
Harbour Trading Estate,
Port Victoria,
Mahe
Phone: (+248) 224666
Fax: (+248) 611998
Email: pconsult@seychellen.net

FRANCE
Embassy of France
Victoria House,
PO Box 478,
Victoria
Mahé
Phone: (+248) 382500
Fax: (+248) 382510
Website: www.ambafrance-sc.org

GERMANY
German Consulate
Mont Fleuri,
PO Box 132,
Victoria
Mahé
Phone: (+248) 261222
Fax: (+248) 261223

INDIA
High Commission of India
PO Box 488,
Le Chanter,
Victoria,
Mahe
Phone: (+248) 610301
Fax: (+248) 224810
Website: www.seychelles.net/hicomind

NETHERLANDS
Royal Consulate of the Netherlands
Sunset Beach Hotel,
Glacis,
Mahe
Phone: (+248) 261111 / 261200
Fax: (+248) 261221
Email: sunset@seychelles.net

PHILIPPINES
Consulate of Philippines,
Victoria House Building,
Victoria,
Mahe
Phone: (+248) 225303 / 710440
Fax: (+248) 225193
Email: avis@seychelles.net

SWEDEN
Royal Honorary Consulate of Sweden
Bodco Building, 1st Floor,
House Trading Estate
Veloutier Road,
Victoria,
Mahe
Phone: (+248) 224666 / 224710
Fax: (+248) 224065
Email: bodco@seychelles.net

SWITZERLAND
Consulate of Switzerland
MG Building,
Providence Industrial Estate,
Victoria,
Mahe
Phone: (+248) 374278 / 511104
Fax: (+248) 374304
Email: markplus@seychelles.net

UK
British High Commission
3rd Floor,
Oliaji Trade Centre,
Victoria,
Mahé
Phone: (+248) 283666
Fax: (+248) 283657
Email: bhcvictoria@fco.gov.uk

HOTELS DIRECTORY IN SEYCHELLES / SEYCHELLES HOTEL GUIDE

Seychelles Info — Tue Mar 13, 2007 1:54 am

Author: Seychelles Info

Posted: Tue Mar 13, 2007 1:54 am

HOTELS DIRECTORY IN SEYCHELLES

MAHE

Banyan Tree
Anse Intendance,
Mahe
Tel: +248 383500
Fax: +248 383600
Email: reservations-seychelles@banyantree.com
Website: www.banyantree.com

Berjaya Beau Vallon Bay Beach Resort & Casino
Beau Vallon,
Bahe
Phone: +248 287287
Fax: +248 247943
Email: bhrseysm@seychelles.net
Website: www.seychelles.net/berjaya

Coral Strand Hotel
P.O. Box 400,
Victoria,
Mahé
Tel: +248 621000
Fax: +248 247517
Email: coralres@seychelles.net

Lazare Picault Hotel
P.O. Box 135,
Victoria,
Mahé
Tel: +248 361111
Fax: +248 361177
Email: lazarpco@seychelles.net
Website: www.lazarepicault.com

Le Meridien Barbarons
P.O. Box 626,
Mahé
Tel: +248 378253
Fax: +248 378484
Email: bbhgm@seychelles.net
Website: www.lemeridien-barbaraons.com

Le Meridien Fisherman's Cove
P.O. Box 35,
Mahé
Tel: +248 247247
Fax: +248 247742
Email: fishres@seychelles.net
Website: www.lemeridien-fishcove.com

The Northolme Hotel & Spa
P.O. Box 333,
Glacis,
Mahé
Tel: +248 299000
Fax: +248 299001
Email: reservations@thenortholmehotel.com
Website: www.thenortholmehotel.com

Plantation Club Resort
Baie Lazare,
P.O. Box 437,
Victoria,
Mahé
Tel: +248 386868
Fax: +248 386883
Email: resatpc@seychelles.net
Website: www.plantationclub.com

Sainte Anne Resort and Spa
P.O. Box 388,
Victoria,
Mahe
Tel: +248 292000
Fax: +248 292002
Email: sainteanne@bchot.com
Website: www.beachcomber-hotels.com

Sunset Beach Hotel
P.O. Box 372,
Glacis,
Mahé
Tel: +248 261111
Fax: +248 261221
Email: sunset@seychelles.net
Website: www.sunset-beach.com

PRASLIN

Acajou Hotel
Cote d’Or,
Praslin
Tel: +248 232400
Fax: +248 232401
Email: acajou@seychelles.net
Website: www.acajouhotel.com

Chateau de Feuilles
Pointe Cabris,
Praslin
Tel: +248 290000
Fax: +248 290029
Email: info@chateaudefeuilles.com
Website: www.chateaudefeuilles.com

Hotel Coco De Mer
Anse Bois de Rose,
Praslin
Tel: +248 233900
Fax: +248 233919
Email: cocodeme@seychelles.net
Website: www.cocodemer.com

Le Duc de Praslin
Anse Volbert,
Praslin
Tel: +248 232252
Fax: +248 232355
Email: leduc@seychelles.net
Website: www.leduc-seychelles.com

Lémuria Resort
Anse Kerlan,
Praslin
Tel: +248 281281
Fax: +248 281000
Email: lemuria@seychelles.net
Website: www.lemuriaresort.com

Maison Des Palms
Amitié,
Praslin
Tel: +248 233411
Fax: +248 233880
Email: maisondp@seychelles.net
Website: www.hotelmaisondespalmes.com

Paradise Sun
Anse Volbert,
Praslin
Tel: +248 232255
Fax: +248 232019
Email: paradise@seychelles.net
Website: www.paradisesun.com

GETTING AROUND IN SEYCHELLES / SEYCHELLES TRANSPORT GUIDE

Seychelles Info — Mon Mar 12, 2007 12:23 pm

Author: Seychelles Info

Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2007 12:23 pm

GETTING AROUND IN SEYCHELLES

BY AIR

Air Seychelles provides an efficient network of scheduled and chartered services from Mahé to Alphonse, Bird, Denis, Desroches Islands, Frégate and Praslin. Helicopter (Seychelles) Ltd (tel: 385 858; website: www.helicopterseychelles.com) provides an inter-island shuttle service and scenic flights. Charter flights can be arranged from any heli-stop.

BY SEA

Privately owned schooners provide regular inter-island connections between Mahé, Praslin and La Digue. Boats can be chartered privately to get to the other islands.

Note: The ferry from Praslin to La Digue takes approximately 30 minutes.

BY ROAD

Traffic drives on the left. There are paved roads only on La Digue, Mahé and Praslin; elsewhere the roads are sandy tracks. Visitors should be aware that Mahé is mountainous with narrow, winding roads, rarely with safety barriers.

Bus

SPTC buses run on a regular basis on Mahé and Praslin from 0520-2130 (Mon-Sun). There are a number of 18-seater coaches for airport transfers and excursions. Prices for buses and coaches are very reasonable.

Taxi

There are about 300 independently operated taxis on Mahé and Praslin, with a handful on La Digue, with Government-controlled rates. There is a surcharge for taxi fares on Praslin between 2200-0600.

Car rental

There are over 550 cars or Mini Mokes for rent on Mahé, and a limited number on Praslin. It is advisable to make advance reservations, especially in the high season. Conditions of rent and insurance should be carefully checked. Rent is on an unlimited mileage basis and the price includes Third Party insurance and tax. Minimum age is 21. Petrol is approximately a third more expensive than in Europe. There is a speed limit of 65kph (40mph) on the open road, decreasing to 40kph (25mph) in built-up areas and throughout Praslin.Bicycles may be hired on La Digue and Praslin.

Documentation: A national driving license is sufficient, for up to three months.

SEYCHELLES TOURISM GUIDE / TOURISM IN SEYCHELLES

Seychelles Info — Mon Mar 12, 2007 12:12 pm

Author: Seychelles Info

Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2007 12:12 pm

SEYCHELLES TOURISM GUIDE

GRANITIC ISLAND

Mahé

Surrounded by coral reefs, this is the largest of the islands and hosts the international airport, the port and capital (Victoria), the majority of the population (90 per cent) and most of the hotels. It is an island of powdery white sands (there are almost 70 beaches on Mahé alone) and lush vegetation, rising through plantations of coconut palms and cinnamon to forested peaks that afford unparalleled views of neighbouring islands. Excursions can be made in glass-bottomed boats from Victoria to nearby St Anne Marine National Park, which encloses the islands of St Anne, Beacon (classified as a nature reserve), Cerf (offering accommodation in chalets and renowned for Creole food), Long (closed to the public), Round (reputed for its tuna steaks) and Moyenne (privately owned, but open to visiting tourists); or by coach, taking in such attractions as the market, the Botanical Gardens (with coco-de-mer, giant tortoises and orchids), and a replica of London’s Vauxhall Bridge Tower in Victoria, before setting off around the island to visit colonial-style mansions in graceful decline, old plantations of cinnamon and vanilla, and everywhere the greenest of vibrant green jungles. Tourists may also visit the Morne Seychellois National Park, occupying the highest part of the island. The National Museum in Victoria celebrates Seychellois history, folklore and music, and has particularly fine displays depicting the history of spice cultivation.

Other Places

The other Granitic Islands, 41 of them, are all located within 65km (40 miles) of Mahé. Some of the more notable islands are described below.

Praslin: The second-largest island is two to three hours by boat or 15 minutes by air (25 scheduled flights per day) from Mahé. It is famous for the Vallée de Mai, another UNESCO World Heritage Site, which contains the double-nutted coco-de-mer palm. Regular excursions are available to smaller islands such as Aride, Cousin, Curieuse and La Digue.

La Digue: Just over three hours by schooner from Mahé or 30 minutes from Praslin, this beautiful island is the breeding ground of the rare black paradise flycatcher. There are very few cars and the ox-cart remains the principal means of transport (although bicycles may be hired). There are beautiful old plantation houses, such as Château Saint-Cloud, as well as a vanilla plantation, copra factories and superb beaches.

Fregate: The most easterly and isolated of the granitic islands, Frégate is associated with pirates (Ian Fleming was obsessed with the notion that a pirate’s hoard was buried here). It is also the home of the almost extinct magpie robin. Frégate is 15 minutes by air from Mahé.

Therese: Notable for its rock-pools and tortoise colony. Accessible from Port Glaud by a five-minute boat trip.

Cousin: Two hours by boat from Mahé, Cousin was bought (in 1968) by the International Council for Bird Protection, which operates it as a nature reserve. Amongst the rare bird species thus protected are the brush warbler, the Seychelles toc-toc and the fairy tern. The best time to visit is April or May, when 1.25 million birds nest on the island. All visits to the island must be made as part of an organized tour. Local rangers act as guides; a full tour of the island takes between one and two hours. Local operators can arrange these trips, usually in conjunction with visits to other islands.

Aride: Two hours from Mahé, Aride is the most northerly of the granitic islands. Home to vast colonies of seabirds, in 1973 it was bought by Christopher Cadbury, President of the Royal Society for Nature Conservation. It is open to visitors from October to the end of April.

Curieuse: Approximately 3km (2 miles) long, Curieuse is covered by lush vegetation and huge takamaka trees. It has been designated a reserve for giant tortoises (imported from Aldabra). Day trips may be arranged from Praslin.

Silhoutte: Thought to have been home to one of the Indian Ocean’s most notorious pirates, Hodoul, this island may be seen from Beau Vallon Beach on Mahé. It has a population of about 200. Sights include an old plantation house of traditional Seychellois timber construction.

CORALLINE ISLAND

Aldabra

The world’s largest atoll, home to 150,000 giant land tortoises (reputedly five times more than on the Galapagos Islands) and listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, consists of 13 islands which make up about one-third of the Seychelles’ land mass. Until recently Aldabra was only accessible by boat, but Assumption Island, in the south of the atoll, now has an airstrip. Aldabra remains under strict supervision of the Seychelles Island Foundation which, nevertheless, intends to open it to a controlled number of visitors.

Denis

Five to seven hours by boat or 30 minutes by air from Mahé, Denis is also on the edge of the continental shelf and attracts many deep-sea fishermen. Marlin may be caught from October to December. The island’s seabird population has, over the years, left rich deposits of guano, which has encouraged the growth of lush vegetation. The minimum stay is two days.

Bird

Six to eight hours by boat or 30 minutes by plane from Mahé, this island is famous for the millions of sooty terns that migrate here to breed between May and September. Its location at the edge of the Seychelles continental shelf (the sea floor drops rapidly to 2000m/5000ft) also makes it a favored destination for fishermen. Another claim to fame is Esmeralda, said to be 150 years old and the largest tortoise in the world.

Desroches

The largest of the Amirantes archipelago, Desroches is 193km (120 miles) southwest of Mahé (one hour by air). The surrounding coral reef keeps the coastal waters calm and makes it an ideal destination for those seeking watersports. Although Desroches was only recently developed as a resort, there are facilities for water-skiing, windsurfing, sailing, fishing and scuba-diving; water scooters may also be hired. The diving is particularly good: there are sea cliffs, tunnels and caves – and, of course, multitudes of fish of many different species. Lessons are available. Visibility is best from September to May. Accommodation is in 20 chalets set amongst casuarina trees and coconut palms.

SEYCHELLES TRAVEL INFORMATION / SEYCHELLES TRAVEL GUIDE

Seychelles Info — Mon Mar 12, 2007 12:00 pm

Author: Seychelles Info

Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2007 12:00 pm

SEYCHELLES TRAVEL INFORMATION

Full Name

Republic of Seychelles

Capital City

Victoria (pop 27,000)

Area

455 sq km
176 sq miles

Population

79,330

Time Zone

GMT/UTC +4

Daylight Saving Start

not in use

Daylight Saving End

not in use

Languages

English (official)

French (official)

Religion

Catholic (90%), Anglican (8%)

Currency

Seychelles Rupee (SR)

Electricity

240V 50HzHz

Electric Plug Details

British-style plug with two flat blades and one flat grounding blade

Country Dialing Code

248