Let visitors live ¾ÞÈéÎÞÂë, not just visit it |08 October 2026
A fishing boat coming ashore can draw people to the beach, turning an ordinary part of island life into a memorable experience for visitors (Photo: Mandy Bertin)
By Mandy Bertin
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Last year, a bass guitar on a Cat Cocos ferry from Mahé to Praslin unexpectedly became the beginning of a friendship.
My partner was travelling with his musical instrument when a German man named Conny and his wife, Simone, noticed it and struck up a conversation. What began as a casual exchange between three strangers soon grew into a friendship that eventually brought Conny and Simone to our dinner table.
I remember how lovely it was to see them enjoying a meal that, to us, was simply a taste of home: bouyon bred, a clear broth made with moringa leaves and served with fried fish, a comforting dish deeply familiar to Seychellois that instantly evokes a sense of home.
We also shared grilled grouper, fried fish, fragrant chicken curry cooked in creamy coconut milk, and papaya chutney. For them, it was an opportunity to experience a side of ¾ÞÈéÎÞÂë they would not necessarily find in a hotel or restaurant.
As they sampled the different dishes, asked questions and enjoyed the evening with us, I found myself thinking about how much of what makes ¾ÞÈéÎÞÂë special has very little to do with the attractions visitors come here to see.
It is also found in the food we prepare at home, the stories we share, the music we play, the conversations that unfold around a dinner table and the warmth of being welcomed into someone’s everyday life.