HM Silhouette Cover_Apr2019-Approved.pdf 1 08/03/2019 16:41 Inflight magazine of Air Seychelles • January-March 2021 FINISHED APARTMENTS AVAILABLE TO VIEW • New Waterfront Apartments released • Communal area with mountain views • Gated security village • Secure parking and storage • All bedrooms are en-suite • Furniture packages available • Walking distance to Eden Plaza shops, restaurants and entertainment • Beautifully landscaped gardens • Views across Eden Marina TO BOOK AN APPOINTMENT TO VIEW OR FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: JEAN MARKHAM +248 252 7715 / CHRISTOPHER NEL +248 252 7575 Office hours Monday to Friday 08:30 to 17:00 and Saturdays 09:00 to 12:00 [ CEO’S WELCOME ] Dear Guests, Welcome aboard! In 2020 following the sudden drop in travel demand due to the COVID-19 pandemic, flying for a time was at a standstill. For a regional carrier to remain commercially viable, following the closure of borders across our network, we had to quickly shift our strategy to focus on operating cargo, repatriation and charter flights. Amidst the global pandemic, the beautiful colours of the Air Seychelles livery were spotted at more than 30 destinations across the Asian, European and African continents connecting stranded families together in addition to delivering essential COVID-19 medical supplies. This incredible yet challenging journey, requiring intense planning, really tested the capacity of our assets and teams who I must say embraced all obstacles with great determination. Today I am beyond proud to be part of the Air Seychelles family to which I salute and extend my gratitude for always keeping up the positive momentum. Despite the unprecedented event, the tireless efforts of the entire Air Seychelles team were recognised at the 2020 World Travel Awards where the airline collected three prestigious accolades including ‘Indian Ocean’s Leading Airline’, ‘Indian Ocean’s Leading Airline – Business Class 2020’ as well as ‘Indian Ocean’s Leading Cabin Crew 2020’ for the fifth year running. This remarkable achievement is testament to the hard work and commitment of our teams who during the exceptional year of 2020 remained agile, persevered and went the extra mile in ensuring every flight was conducted safely and successfully. Well done and keep aiming high for Air Seychelles! I also convey my gratitude to you, our valuable guests, for your encouragement. Your continuous support has helped us to raise the bar higher and with your feedback we will proceed in exploring ways to keep delivering the unrivalled customer service we provide to you. Indian Ocean’s Even if the new norm for travel now requires you to wear a mask, we are always delighted to welcome you onboard with a smile. Thank you for keeping safe and for choosing to fly with Air Seychelles. Leading Airline Have a great trip for the fifth year running. Remco Althuis Chief Executive Officer 2021 january-March/Silhouette/ 1 CONTENTS FEATURES The golden age of steam 22The impression of the arrival of a large cruise ship at Port Victoria in the 19th century on a nation that had so little contact with the outside world is hard to imagine. Summer is safari time! 26The COVID-19 lockdowns of 2020 may just have a silver lining: Here are three wild destinations to add to your travels … A journey to Tiberias 32The capital of Galilee is on every tourist’s must-see bucket list and is once again emerging as a top tourist stopover for a new wave of visitors to Israel. Explore Maldives 36With seaplane transfers, waving palms and unforgettable marine adventures enjoy some of the most opulent and indulgent getaways on the planet. Winter in Ile Maurice: 43no jacket required! With its scintillating blue waters and postcard-perfect beaches, it’s little wonder that Mauritius has become a popular island escape. Street food: Delhi style 48One of the joys of visiting Delhi is the easily available cheap and cheerful street food and the sheer variety of what’s on offer. The simple pleasures of life indeed! Gateway to antiquity 54Tel Aviv is among the world’s youngest major capital cities in the world and in less than two hours in any direction, one can visit some of the holiest and most revered places on earth. 2 /Silhouette/january-March 2021 Air Seychelles recognised as Indian Ocean’s Leading Airline at 2020 World Travel Awards Air Seychelles has won three major Remco Althuis, Chief Executive “It is therefore a great honour for Air accolades including the most coveted Officer of Air Seychelles said: “Over Seychelles to be recognised by the title of ‘Indian Ocean’s Leading Airline’ the last two years, Air Seychelles has World Travel Awards and as we celebrate at the 2020 World Travel Awards. implemented several projects as part of this remarkable achievement, I would its transformation plan, to further build like to thank all the staff members The Seychelles national carrier has also its reputation in the Indian Ocean and and partners for their dedication been recognized as ‘Indian Ocean’s in Africa. plus continued support during this Leading Airline - Business Class 2020’ unprecedented time.” and ‘Indian Ocean’s Leading Cabin Crew “Some of these projects included the 2020’ at the virtual World Travel Awards modernization of the airline’s jet fleet Graham E. Cooke, Founder of World inaugural Indian Ocean Winners Day which included the acquisition and Travel Awards, said: “Despite the held on Tuesday, 10 November, 2020. delivery of Africa’s first A320neo in unprecedented challenges faced by the Seychelles, featuring an enhanced the aviation industry, this year, Air The annual World Travel Awards now in Business and Economy Class Cabin, as Seychelles has demonstrated unrivalled its 27th edition, was established in 1993. well as the unveiling of a stylish new resilience, allowing it to continue The annual programme is renowned as uniform design for the Cabin Crew delivering superb customer service. the most prestigious and comprehensive members. in the global industry, celebrating “Well done to the Air Seychelles team excellence across the travel, tourism and “These fantastic achievements have for winning ‘Indian Ocean’s Leading hospitality sectors. enabled Air Seychelles to enhance its Airline, ‘Indian Ocean’s Leading Airline hospitality proposition by offering a - Business Class’ and ‘Indian Ocean’s fresh and modern look to its guests, thus Leading Cabin Crew’.” making travel more enjoyable. HM-WTA-FullPage-2020.indd 1 16/11/2020 21:33 KREOLOR X JOUEL - Silhouette-Fullpage-2021.pdf 1 16/12/2020 15:11 CONTENTS HM Silhouette Cover_Apr2019-Approved.pdf 1 08/03/2019 16:41 REGULARS Inflight magazine of Air Seychelles • January-March 2021 Founding Publisher Mohamed Amin Editorial Director Rukhsana Haq Editor Roger Barnard Editorial Assistant Cecilia Wanjiku Creative Designer Sam Kimani Production Manager Azra Chaudhry, London Production Assistants Rachel Musyimi Rose Judha Editorial Board Rukhsana Haq, Adrian Skerrett, Glynn Burridge Contributors C 01 Chief Executive Officer’s message Glynn Burridge, Adrian Skerrett, James Michael Dorsey, Richard Holmes, Peter Holthusen, Christine Pemberton M Silhouette is published quarterly by Y 08 Kaleidoscope Camerapix Magazines Limited for Air Seychelles Local and international news; Book club: A History of Seychelles, CM from its origins to the present day; Tech Talk. PO Box 386, Mahé, Seychelles Telephone: (+248) 4391000 MY Fax: (+248) 4224305 www.airseychelles.com CY 14 Wildlife galleries CMY Camerapix Magazines Limited Aride Island is the largest nature reserve in the granitic islands, with more seabirds PO Box 45048, 00100, GPO Nairobi, Kenya K than any other Seychelles island, five endemic land birds and its own unique plants. Telephone: +254 (20) 4448923/4/5 Fax: +254 (20) 4448818 Email: [email protected] 61 Inside Air Seychelles Editorial and Advertising Office: Camerapix Magazines (UK) Limited Air Seychelles news, Air Seychelles global offices; International route map; 32 Friars Walk, Southgate Our fleet; Travel tips. London N14 5LP Telephone: +44 (20) 8361 2942 Mobile: +44 7756 340730 Email: [email protected] HM Silhouette Cover_Apr2019-Approved.pdf 1 08/03/2019 16:41 www.camerapixmagazines.com Correspondence on editorial and advertising matters may be sent to either of the above addresses. Inflight magazine of Air Seychelles • January-March 2021 © 2021. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced by any means without permission in writing from the publisher. While every care is taken to ensure accuracy in preparing Silhouette, the publisher and Air Seychelles take no responsibility for any errors or omissions contained in this publication. Cover image The verdant island of Aride with lush tropical vegetation. Photo © Adrian Skerrett 4 /Silhouette/january-March 2021 KREOLOR X JOUEL - Silhouette-Fullpage-2021.pdf 1 16/12/2020 15:11 C M Y CM MY CY CMY K 9406-EIDC_Silhou DPS 3/5/20 8:49 AM Page 1 C M Y CM MY CY CMY K Composite 9406-EIDC_Silhou DPS 3/5/20 8:49 AM Page 1 C M Y CM MY CY CMY K Composite LOCAL EVENTS Fund for Nature Billfish Release Challenge Date: 16 January 2021 Venue: Mahé Website: www.ssfc.sc SSFC teams up with Heineken in a trolling event with the main focus of bringing back yellowfin tuna, dorado and wahoo to capture their slam. SSFC also teams up as a part of this tournament with WWF in the Billfish Release Challenge to continue conservation of the Seychelles Marine Environment. SSFC National Fishing Tournament Date: 13-14 March 2021 Venue: Mahé Website: www.ssfc.sc A combined trolling and bottom fishing tournament, teams will be searching for 20+ species in this two day overnight event. Typically calm waters will greet all the teams as they venture far offshore from the main island of Mahé. 8 /Silhouette/january-March 2021 international EVENTS Johannesburg International Mozart Festival (JIMF) Date: 27-31 January 2021 Venue: Johannesburg www.join-mozart-festival.org India Art Festival Date: 17 January 2021 Mark your diaries for the Johannesburg International Mozart Venue: Bengaluru, New Delhi and Mumbai Festival.