Monday, March 2, 2026
Thursday, June 19, 2014
Leaving On A Jet Plane
I’ve left Seychelles and…
- Spending my last day on the beach trying to perfect my tan lead to a sun burnt backside for a long flight home.
- Consuming seven bottles of wine on the plane and then trying to act normal at Heathrow Immigration was really difficult.
- Wearing the same shoes on the plane that I’d been using as water shoes for three months makes for very stinky feet.
So there I was, intoxicated, sun burnt with smelly feet and feeling very jet lagged wondering why I’d scheduled a mini holiday in London after a long holiday in Seychelles. Good-bye Seychelles Africa; until next time.
Saturday, June 14, 2014
Snapshots Of An Experience
I’ve seen fish that look like parrots, fish that look like rabbits and fish that look like butterflies. I’ve seen fish that look like other fish and fish that look like quintessential fish. However I had never seen a fish that looked like one of Jim Henson’s characters until now.
He was a biggie, frowning out at me from under a boulder surrounded by his minions of tiny fish. He had thick lips and bulging eyes. Yellow fins with black spots adorned his dark mottled body. After looking at me for awhile he retreated into the cavernous hole under the rock. He came back out to check if he had really seen me, before disappearing back into darkness.
I looked him up in the fish book when I got back to camp – he was in actually fact a “Giant Grouper” and giant he was! He wasn’t as big or majestic as a whale shark but I will never forget that moment with my Muppet Fish.
Wuss was a late comer to our small group of cats. He limped in, hissed and clawed at the other kittens. We fed him out of pity because his leg was wounded but we never expected him to survive. He did.
A local farmer wanted a cat for his wife, we told him to take Wuss, he was an outcast and still had a slight limp. We never expected to see him again. We did. Wuss came limping back to base the next day having run away from the farmer – he was home here.
Shortly afterwards Wuss had a seizure, we thought he would die and put him in a box never expecting him to live through the night. He did. Wuss is a survivor; he’s the cat that came back.
He grew to trust us, stopped hissing, would allow himself to be picked up and cuddled, and even came when called.
I never loved a cat before – before that is, I met Wuss.
I made a good friend while living with 30. We arrived on the same flight, shared a cab and ended up in the same room on base. We’re similar enough to get along and different enough to find each other interesting. She’s perceptive and well spoke and we had countless good conversations.
We had our fair share of adventure too whether it be hitching around Seychelles, hiding to avoid duties or sneaking into five star hotels to use the pools.
When we weren’t hiding out, we did said duties dutifully. We helped each other wash sheets, made cakes and surveyed the ocean floor.
I’ll see you again, somewhere in the world A.
Whale sharks are quite literally the biggest fish in the sea. To swim with one – nay – to simply see one is a spectacular experience. I am saddened to say that through the entire length of the phase, of the various whale sharks seen – four of us never saw one. Now, don’t feel sorry for me yet – I’ve swum with them before in Kenya (can I get a hurrah from my CFSIA peeps!) but I still feel like my Seychelles experiences is lacking.
Every second Wednesday like clockwork, whale sharks would pay a visit to the bay during the plankton tow. Guess who was on the alternate plankton tows? Afore mentioned four sad souls. I’ll accept pity now.
After the GVI phase ended, I spent a week on holiday in Seychelles. I could hear the crashing waves from my room and walked on the powder sand every morning. It was glorious to drink beer before six, sleep late and dive deep. I was breaking all the GVI rules but had to remind myself the rules don’t apply on holiday. I spent all day on the beach, hours by the pool (which I of course snuck into), did wreck dives and deep dives, and didn’t once have to cook for anyone.
My vacation rounded out my Seychelles experience, I lived the rough life with bugs ‘n rats and now have also had the slice of heaven. Despite the money it cost, I’m glad I stayed!
I watched the sun set in Beau Vallon. I floated on my back in the sea and looked through the silhouette of my toes poking through the water surface. The rays of sunlight stretched across the water’s surface. The water went from turquoise to blue to inky black while the sun sank lower. The sun dropped behind the clouds and the wind got chilly. I looked back at the jungle lying behind the beach and saw the birds of paradise flying through the treetops.
I watched the sun set in Beau Vallon in Seychelles Africa and will never forget it.
He was a biggie, frowning out at me from under a boulder surrounded by his minions of tiny fish. He had thick lips and bulging eyes. Yellow fins with black spots adorned his dark mottled body. After looking at me for awhile he retreated into the cavernous hole under the rock. He came back out to check if he had really seen me, before disappearing back into darkness.
I looked him up in the fish book when I got back to camp – he was in actually fact a “Giant Grouper” and giant he was! He wasn’t as big or majestic as a whale shark but I will never forget that moment with my Muppet Fish.
Wuss was a late comer to our small group of cats. He limped in, hissed and clawed at the other kittens. We fed him out of pity because his leg was wounded but we never expected him to survive. He did.
A local farmer wanted a cat for his wife, we told him to take Wuss, he was an outcast and still had a slight limp. We never expected to see him again. We did. Wuss came limping back to base the next day having run away from the farmer – he was home here.
Shortly afterwards Wuss had a seizure, we thought he would die and put him in a box never expecting him to live through the night. He did. Wuss is a survivor; he’s the cat that came back.
He grew to trust us, stopped hissing, would allow himself to be picked up and cuddled, and even came when called.
I never loved a cat before – before that is, I met Wuss.
I made a good friend while living with 30. We arrived on the same flight, shared a cab and ended up in the same room on base. We’re similar enough to get along and different enough to find each other interesting. She’s perceptive and well spoke and we had countless good conversations.
We had our fair share of adventure too whether it be hitching around Seychelles, hiding to avoid duties or sneaking into five star hotels to use the pools.
When we weren’t hiding out, we did said duties dutifully. We helped each other wash sheets, made cakes and surveyed the ocean floor.
I’ll see you again, somewhere in the world A.
Whale sharks are quite literally the biggest fish in the sea. To swim with one – nay – to simply see one is a spectacular experience. I am saddened to say that through the entire length of the phase, of the various whale sharks seen – four of us never saw one. Now, don’t feel sorry for me yet – I’ve swum with them before in Kenya (can I get a hurrah from my CFSIA peeps!) but I still feel like my Seychelles experiences is lacking.
Every second Wednesday like clockwork, whale sharks would pay a visit to the bay during the plankton tow. Guess who was on the alternate plankton tows? Afore mentioned four sad souls. I’ll accept pity now.
After the GVI phase ended, I spent a week on holiday in Seychelles. I could hear the crashing waves from my room and walked on the powder sand every morning. It was glorious to drink beer before six, sleep late and dive deep. I was breaking all the GVI rules but had to remind myself the rules don’t apply on holiday. I spent all day on the beach, hours by the pool (which I of course snuck into), did wreck dives and deep dives, and didn’t once have to cook for anyone.
My vacation rounded out my Seychelles experience, I lived the rough life with bugs ‘n rats and now have also had the slice of heaven. Despite the money it cost, I’m glad I stayed!
I watched the sun set in Beau Vallon. I floated on my back in the sea and looked through the silhouette of my toes poking through the water surface. The rays of sunlight stretched across the water’s surface. The water went from turquoise to blue to inky black while the sun sank lower. The sun dropped behind the clouds and the wind got chilly. I looked back at the jungle lying behind the beach and saw the birds of paradise flying through the treetops.
I watched the sun set in Beau Vallon in Seychelles Africa and will never forget it.
Thursday, June 12, 2014
Last Day of GVI Program
The Seychelles are a set of islands untouched by development. When I first came across this project, I literally had to look up Seychelles on a map – I had never heard of the country. It’s a wonderful break to be able to step away from the McDonalds and 7-11’s which have polluted other tropical nations. There are so few hotels they can all be listed in a single book.
People buy their ice cream, bread and eggs from a handful of shops scattered around the islands; but they’re few and far between so most learn to live without anything but bare necessities. This however doesn’t hinder the Creole dish; fruit trees abound and the sea provides, all lending to mouthwatering curries, dinners and BBQ’s.
The Creole people are more than willing to share their meals with foreigners in exchange for a conversation. I have learned more from speaking to locals than any textbook could teach me. The friendly taxi driver and local farmer are brimming with stories full of history and opinions.
Spending all these weeks in the Seychelles has spoiled me. I’ve grown used to the sweeping landscapes dotted with granitic cliffs. I’ve grown used to the wall geckos and giant fruit bats perched outside the window. And I’ve grown used to the spectacular diving conditions of 25 meters visibility with hundreds of species of corals and fish.
Volunteering for GVI is a unique opportunity in that it affords one the chance to experience all this and more outside of a catered hotel environment. The camp is run via a series of carefully coordinated schedules. Everyone helps out and everyone is held accountable.
On this project I’ve learned more than what a marine park is and how to collect data underwater. I’ve learned how to make bread and husk a coconut. I’ve learned how to run a compressor, properly care for my diving kit and how to anchor a boat. In addition to a new set of skills I’m sure I’m not the only one to have learned about trust and responsibility.
Living with, working with and socializing with the same group of people for weeks on end has led to some lifelong bonds of friendship.
It’s not a relaxing holiday, but perseverance pays off and after all the studying, sweat and work I feel as though I’ve gained as much as I gave. If this sounds like a challenge you’re up for; then go experience the many faces of paradise.
Click Here to see my original post on the GVI Blog.
People buy their ice cream, bread and eggs from a handful of shops scattered around the islands; but they’re few and far between so most learn to live without anything but bare necessities. This however doesn’t hinder the Creole dish; fruit trees abound and the sea provides, all lending to mouthwatering curries, dinners and BBQ’s.
The Creole people are more than willing to share their meals with foreigners in exchange for a conversation. I have learned more from speaking to locals than any textbook could teach me. The friendly taxi driver and local farmer are brimming with stories full of history and opinions.
Spending all these weeks in the Seychelles has spoiled me. I’ve grown used to the sweeping landscapes dotted with granitic cliffs. I’ve grown used to the wall geckos and giant fruit bats perched outside the window. And I’ve grown used to the spectacular diving conditions of 25 meters visibility with hundreds of species of corals and fish.
Volunteering for GVI is a unique opportunity in that it affords one the chance to experience all this and more outside of a catered hotel environment. The camp is run via a series of carefully coordinated schedules. Everyone helps out and everyone is held accountable.
On this project I’ve learned more than what a marine park is and how to collect data underwater. I’ve learned how to make bread and husk a coconut. I’ve learned how to run a compressor, properly care for my diving kit and how to anchor a boat. In addition to a new set of skills I’m sure I’m not the only one to have learned about trust and responsibility.
Living with, working with and socializing with the same group of people for weeks on end has led to some lifelong bonds of friendship.
It’s not a relaxing holiday, but perseverance pays off and after all the studying, sweat and work I feel as though I’ve gained as much as I gave. If this sounds like a challenge you’re up for; then go experience the many faces of paradise.
Click Here to see my original post on the GVI Blog.
Saturday, June 7, 2014
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