Seychellesislandsinformation’s Weblog

The three things to really be concerned about moving to the Seychelles… There is a difference between living somewhere and visiting somewhere. The things that are really important have absolutely nothing to do with not having toilet paper or cooking oil. That’s just stupid. It’s simple to overcome, with a little resourcefulness. For me, there are three things to be concerned about when moving somewhere:

1. Safety. First off, anonymity is king. My great-grandfather, grandfather, father, and uncles have always gone by nicknames or initials or middle names. I absolutely never tell anyone my real name. This is something I learned at a young age and it’s customary in Hollywood. Because of psychos looking up your personal details, I’ve always known not to use my real name on the internet or in person. This is very important and takes some time getting used to, so start now. It’s real easy these days for anyone to do a Google search. Cash rules, so getting address information, bank details, and credit card numbers is extremely easy. The only people who absolutely have to know your name are government officials or people you are doing legitimate business with. If it’s possible, always use a P.O. Box for your bills and correspondence.

From what I understand, there’s murder in Seychelles, drugs, and petty theft. That tells me one thing. Watch my back. I’m not concerned about a housewife stabbing me in my back, but I am concerned about drug seekers and those looking to come up off forex. So now I have to make a decision. Is that dangerous enough to deter me from moving? No, it’s not. Worse things happen more frequently in much bigger cities that I have lived in, such as Panama City, Los Angeles, New York, Miami, and more recently, here in London. Just yesterday, my wife witnessed an assault on a woman in which her purse was taken. And we live in a good neighborhood.

So no Rolexes or jewelry. I’m leaving those in safety deposit boxes. There’s no need to flash those kinds of things around an island environment anyway, and it just invites monkey bidness. They usually make me sweat, anyway, and leave messed-up tan lines…lol.

Don’t carry big wads of cash. I normally carry a knot…not bragging or anything…but when I’m in cities like London or Paris, I might see something I want to buy, and cash is better than the 14% interest I would pay on my credit cards. If you’re being scoped out, a large amount of cash will definitely get their attention. I do agree with my newfound friend, flashing a bunch of cash in front of broke people is bullshit. They want it, you have it, you’re not from there, so it’s a little insulting. Try that in Jamaica and you will get your arm chopped off. (Before leaving for Jamaica, we saw a website warning visitors that “you can be killed.” It’s been a running joke between my wife and I, but it’s a serious issue, nonetheless.)

Lock your doors. This was something that I learned personally in the “very posh,” “upscale” Cote d’Azur. Our apartment in St. Tropez was burglarized when a house guest unthinkingly left a window open. They didn’t take much…my wife’s Louis Vuitton bag, about 200 euros in loose change, and the thing that really pissed me off — my cologne. These were obviously kids. It didn’t hurt my feelings, but it sure was a rude awakening. Petty theft is something that we did read about that seems to be normal in the Seychelles. I grew up in an age where you could leave your doors and windows open to let the breeze in, but of course, that was then, and this is now. Is that enough for me not to make the trip? No.

2. Health. While living in Mexico, my wife had a serious problem. I won’t go into detail but I was really concerned. Another lesson learned. Fortunately, I had enough cash to take her to a private doctor. Procedures taken, medications prescribed, $250 later, problem solved. There are plenty of hospitals in Seychelles and private care seems to be readily available. Most insurance companies will reimburse you around 80% of the cost, so that means you need a slush fund for medical and dental emergencies. For major medical problems, you may need to be airlifted to a larger and more equipped facility. For that, you need insurance, such as MedEx, specializing in travel and medical evacuation services. On the islands, there is Helicopter Seychelles. They have brand-new equipment and an excellent maintenance program, from what I can see. Am I comfortable with these arrangements? Yes.

3. Money. I’ve been to every message board that I can find on the internet that is worth looking at. It seems to me that the biggest gripe has been the ability to make money in the Seychelles. And it seems that the happiest people were holiday makers, those who go to the islands for 3 months at a time and then return to their homes. I know I’m going to be there for at least 3 months, and that could extend anywhere from 2 years to a lifetime. With the exception of Mexico, and even then I did well, I’ve never depended on the local economy for my income. You need to seriously consider your options.

I know there are a lot of seniors out there that are not up-to-date with the new technology. A lot of people flock to Ebay when they want to sell things, but that is not the only place to go. Here’s a lesson for everyone, so get your crayons out: a)craigslist.org, b)cdbaby.com, c) iTunes d)amazon.com, e)half.com, f)alibris.com, g)abebooks.com, h)bidadoo.com, and i)sell.com. These websites are geared toward people selling books, music, and used and new items, and you don’t need a lot of money to get started. If you’re an independent musician, filmmaker, or self-published writer, I would highly suggest making your product downloadable. If you wrote a book, make it an ebook. If you have a cd, convert it to an mp3. If you’re a photographer or filmmaker, there are too many options for me to list here, but stock photography and stock film footage pay big. In a place as beautiful as the Seychelles, there is absolutely no reason for you not to make money.

As an example, I recorded an audiobook two years ago. I sell it for $34.95. To date, I can’t tell you how many I’ve sold, but I can tell you that I sell a steady 3-6 a week. It’s not big money, but it is an income. Along with other ventures, it all adds up.

Also, Paypal is not the only online payment account, although it is the name most people are familiar with. Additionally, there is a)onlinepaymentz.com, b)stormpay.com, and c)bigpay.com.

Here’s the recipe for free advertising: Make yourself (what I call) a one-page-wonder website. On this website, be very precise. A niche is key. Highlight all the key words. For example, if you have a Creole cookbook, don’t just say “Creole cookbook,” say “Seychelles Islands Creole cookbook.” Put a few sample recipes with the cookbook: example, Seychelles Fruit Bat Creole Recipe. I know if you’re a writer, this is going to piss you off, but Google loves it.

Open a Myspace page using the same words, open a YouTube account using the same words, open an Ebay account using the same words — offering some of your recipes for $1 — and open an Amazon account using the same words, leaving a link to your website at every venue.

Let it simmer for about 3 months and wait for the money. If you don’t believe me, just look at this blog’s position on Google.

I have a rough exterior, but I’m actually a nice guy who is willing to help ANYBODY that needs it. Even though you might meet people whose opinions differ from yours, it’s rough out here. The bottom line is that we all need to stick together.