….Keep it locked!

….Obolo

Even though, we don’t see eye-to-eye, it made me think, “What are my real intentions on moving to the Seychelles?” So, I am donning the BSometer to check myself out. Okay, here we go:

Q: Who are you?

A: I’m not going to tell you my name, unless you’re a government official, which has been a rule of mine for quite awhile. So I’ll be J.J.

Q: What do you do for a living?

A: Nothing. Ever since the age of 8, when I had my first paper route and earned my own money, I learned the art of hustle. I’ve done everything, starting with cleaning garages and mowing lawns as a youngster, hand car washes and installing car stereos as a teenager, and more recently, as a radio show personality. I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit.

Q: Are you a drug dealer or do you do drugs?

A: I’m just like everybody else…I had my run-in with dope when I was a kid. Nothing hard — smoked a little weed, did some drinking, and then that was the end of it. I’ve never sold drugs. Not because I’m a saint with a halo. I’ve just never had to resort to that. Today, I’m drug-free and I drink about once every 6 months.

Q: What do you do now?

A: As little as possible. (If you’re starting to notice a trend here, feel free to chime in…lol.) As a hobby for the last 12 years, I’ve been into films, editing more than anything. So now, I’ve ventured into directing films. I shoot commercials and documentaries for the most part, and I also do voiceovers.

Q: What about your background?

A: I am a graduate of PSU. I served my country in its Navy. I left home at the age of thirteen, so all of this was done on my own.

Q: Where are you from?

A: Again, because this is the internet, I’ll only tell you that I’m not from the U.S., but I’ve spent my fair share of time there. I’m fluent in Spanish, English, and can hold a conversation in French.

Q: Why have you been traveling around so much?

A: My country of origin is a small one. You can drive the length of it in 12 hours. And I’ve done the States. I wanted to see the world, so I left.

Q: Why do you want to move to the Seychelles?

A: Here’s the real reason I want to move to the Seychelles. I met my wife on a Caribbean island. (Isla Mujeres) There I owned an internet cafe and a bootleg “Blockbuster” and I built websites for a living. I didn’t have much, but life was easy. But always in the back of my mind was the desire to move back to Africa. After leaving the Caribbean, I moved to the European continent, but I started to realize one of the happiest times of my life was spent with my wife, living simply on an island. And now that I’ve found an African island, it completes the dream.

I had plans to move to Africa way before I knew about the Seychelles. But there are a couple of things that didn’t agree with me on the continent. Malaria, civil unrest, and the beaches I’ve seen just aren’t that hot. Even more than that, I don’t think my wife would be comfortable sticking out like a sore thumb. So when I saw the Seychelles and did my homework and found that is an African nation, that’s what made it attractive to me. The beauty of the island is only gravy compared to my real reasons for moving there.

Q: What are you going to do when you move to the Seychelles?

A: Nothing. I’m a loner. I keep to myself. It’s not because I’m an asshole or antisocial, it’s just how I am. When it’s time to work, I work. And in my business, whether it be broadcasting or filmmaking, most of my time is spent in my studio. Most of the places I’ve been, I would say that I meet 2 or 3 people in my business, such as musicians, artists, and photographers, and I stick with them. So a typical day for me would be taking a walk around the island, shooting as much as I can — video and stills — and the latter part of the day will be spent editing. So that basically makes me a homebody type, and when I meet people along the way, it is usually limited to salutations.

Q: What do you bring to the table?

A: Absolutely nothing. If people need help, and they ask for it, I’ll give it. But I don’t have any bright ideas on how I will change the world.

Q: When you move to the Seychelles, what do you feel you won’t be able to live without?

A: My wife, and internet. Oh, yeah, and butter… (Just kidding) My wife, because she’s my best friend. Since I have met her, I have spent almost every day with her. The longest we’ve been apart is 2 weeks. I think that’s my limit. And the internet is being connected to the world. You can stay in touch with family and friends, you can read books, watch movies, and conduct business. It’s an awesome tool.

Summary: I am a nobody. I never said I was someone special. Just because I’m a filmmaker doesn’t mean anything, there’s millions of them out there. My reasons for wanting to move to Africa go so deep that I couldn’t say it all in this one post. My true feelings have absolutely nothing to do with the beauty of the islands, but rather their geographical location. The truth is, I don’t resent Sandra for her assumptions. I don’t even know the woman. We had a run-in on the internet, for God’s sake, and the internet is so much bigger than she and I. But what I do resent is that she is a white American woman living in Africa telling me, a man of African descent, that I can’t move to her island. I don’t think she’s racist..she has 2 Cambodian kids, and her husband is half Seychellois. So I’m not playing the race card. But I’ll be goddamned if I’m going to let some white woman tell me that I can’t make it in Africa. My people have been doing it since the beginning of time. And I’m not Malcolm X or anything. I mean, look at my wife, she’s as white as they come, Sweet Polly Pure-Bred. The more I write about it, the more upset I will get, so I will stop here.

Believe it or not, there was life before meeting Sandra. I have original thoughts and I do have pride and knowledge of self. I’m not some eloquent writer and some might think that I write stupidly, and you can make jokes about how I speak and make assumptions about who you think I am, but I’m telling you there is no force on this planet that would ever stop me from doing what I want to do. And that’s the real reason I’m irritated about this entire thing. The more someone tries to stop me, the harder I fight. So I don’t care of it’s a nation of 2 people or 2 million people, if I want to go, I’m going. Period.

Ever notice how some people just seem to be able to be content and bounce back no matter what the circumstances? Research shows that this isn’t a gift or a talent – it’s a skill that they have developed. Surprised? Well, the real surprise is that you too can put to work their techniques and make your life happier too.

1. Happy people cooperate with life.

Each person has a destiny to fulfill. You can fight it or cooperate with it. Does that mean you just lay back and let life happen? No. But you can adopt the attitude that you will play the cards you are dealt the very best you can. When you begin to cooperate with life, you will notice new ways in which you are motivated. Life wants you to realize your destiny. Wouldn’t you rather cooperate than battle with life?

2. Happy people don’t just think positive, they act positive.

Thinking positive definitely has its place, and you’ll need to change your thoughts to ever be truly happy. But don’t wait on the feelings to come. You have direct control over how you act and what you think (feelings and physiology are indirectly affected). If you want to be a happier person, act happier. If you want to be a more compassionate person, act more compassionate. If you want to be a friendlier person, act friendlier. The feelings will follow.

3. Happy people ask for what they need.

Good things don’t generally just fall out of the sky. Complaining gets you nothing, except to attract you to other complainers. If you believe that “you reap what you sow”, then asking for what you want makes much more sense than sowing complaints. It’s your choice– you can choose to point fingers and assign blame, and still end up with nothing. Or you can simply ask.

4. Happy people are willing to change.

It’s contrary to all laws of nature for things to stand still. If you try to make that happen, you’ll always be disappointed. If you let fear of change stop you, you are in essence *agreeing* to not having what you want. You can believe that change will harm you and resist it. Or you can embrace it and believe that it will help you. It all depends on what you decide to believe.

5. Happy people don’t allow themselves to be defeated.

A failure or set back does not mean that the goal will never be yours, nor is it evidence that you should quit. It simply means that you need more practice, more experience. Be willing to make mistakes. Don’t give up. Don’t allow one slipup, or setback from the outside, influence you to erase all the progress you’ve made. Feel the joy of the finish line!

6. Happy people live in the present.

If you are alert to the present, and anticipating the future, you are better able to take advantage of opportunities. If you are brooding over the past, you’ll be blinded to present possibilities, and lose the advantage for future prospects. A happy life is the product of living a great present. And a well lived present is a guarantee of a wonderful future. You can only affect your future by what you do today.

7. Happy people plan ahead.

Happy people know that they must exercise mastery in their lives, show control in their life in order to guard against feelings of being helpless and victims. Planning is essential to getting things done. Planning is essential to making sure you are spending time on your priorities, and not just the next thing that gets your attention. Plan for what’s important to you, and choose to spend your limited time, money, energy, and resources on it.

Good stuff, huh?

…WhiteGurl

There’s one thing about moving that I haven’t seen too much information about, and that is bringing pets with you to the Seychelles. We have a Shih Tzu named Fifi who is currently under the eye of our caretaker in France, due to the quarantine restrictions in the U.K. She has all her shots, her chip, and her passport, but the U.K. is quite strict on bringing in foreign animals. When we return to France to pick up our boat and tie up all of our loose ends, we will be bringing her with us. The only information that I have seen about pets is that they cannot be brought with you unless they are staying over 6 months. Since visitors can only stay 3 months at a time, I assume this means that only those who have already been cleared for permanent residence or work permits can bring their pets.

I have seen people on vacation with their pets in all of the various places I have lived. Before, I wondered why they would go to the trouble of bringing Fido for only a couple of weeks, but now that I have one of my own, I see that it’s hard to leave them in the care of someone else and more fun to bring them along. Fifi has already been under the care of near-strangers for the last 2 months and I would hate to have to leave her in the same situation until we get our papers worked out.

I’m going to make some phone calls and find out the specifics of this situation and I will post up my findings shortly.

…WhiteGurl

• She contacted us and offered information.
• My wife emailed her and asked questions.
• She responded with a lot of negative emails (our opinion).
• My wife asked if there was anything she liked about living in the Seychelles. We got no response.
• I saw she posted some of what she wrote and noticed things missing or changed.
• I posted the full emails.
• She got upset and left 3 nasty comments on my blog and emailed my wife a nasty little letter.
• I responded with a name calling email of my own.
• She wrote her version of this on her blog.

She is upset about us posting her personal emails. If she really wanted the emails taken down, did she think I would do it after her calling my wife an idiot? I never disrespected her in that manner one single time until she started the name calling. As a matter of fact, I have made a positive reference to her several times in my writings since the name calling.

This is all very childish but I am upset that she resorted to name calling. She has no idea who I am or where I have come from and she decided to curse me without once just simply asking, “Could you take down the personal emails, I don’t want people reading what I wrote to you”. We honestly didn’t think it would offend her. As a matter of fact, she posted the same letter, right? My question is why she didn’t want people to see what she really wrote?

This blog is for people to understand what the Seychelles Islands are all about, good or bad.  Although I think they are negative emails, they still give a good idea of what one should expect.

I am going to say this and then close. For a moment I was offended that she would talk to me like she did. You get what you give in life and I never talked to her that way, as a matter of fact, I had not talked to her at all.

My mom taught me to always be respectful but life has taught me since then that respect is to be earned. Sandra and I are from two very different backgrounds, but I know she understands that the insults were disrespectful. I have been having fun watching her change links and running around warning everyone on the islands that a big monster named “Miguel” is coming. It’s a shame that she would go and tell everyone that “The sky is falling” from something that she started in the first place.

Fact is when I do get to the Seychelles I will see her at the Market or someplace else and we can’t say “Hey, Sandra, how are the kids?” or “How’s that book coming along?” Instead, we will shake our heads and keep it moving because she wants to make enemies out of everybody who does not agree with her.

I have had adverse things happen in my adventures, but I never let them get me down. I am no stranger to adversity, and I am not going to start letting negativity get the best of me now. I have gathered enough info to make my decision and I am diving right in. I have only been “wrong” once in that last 5 years and even then I wasn’t wrong. I was able to have an enjoyable experience and take part in a different culture and made friends I talk with to this day. I have friends all over the world and no matter what happens on this journey I am sure I will gain some useful knowledge and meet some interesting people along the path.

I sometimes forget the reason I started this whole travel thing in the first place…FREEDOM to go and do whatever I feel like doing when I wake up in the morning. I love the life that I lead and would not trade it in for anything. I will never forget the feeling I had when for 2 weeks in West Africa last year, I had been in the jungle sleeping under the stars, eating bananas from the trees, and the pineapples tasted like candy. OMG, it was wonderful. I ate fresh fish and rice. I took the walk that my ancestors took in the slave dungeons centuries ago, and at that very moment, I cried and thanked my Creator for the freedom I have today to travel and meet people and do whatever I want when I want and for giving me the knowledge to be able to take care of myself. I am truly free to roam. The world is my oyster and if the Seychelles isn’t to my liking, I will continue on and appreciate the memories of an already wonderful journey.

Thanks to all of you that have given us information and answered emails. You will not be forgotten and hopefully we can meet and have a couple of Sundowners and a few laughs.

Keep it Locked!

…Obolo

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.

RENT
Expect to pay anything between 6,000 and 8,000 rupees for a three bedroom house with sea views or near a beach. Obviously the more you pay, the larger the house, and if you are after an executive house you could expect to pay between 10,000 and 15,000 rupees. Some property owners prefer to receive rent in foreign exchange and if you can offer this, then you may be able to bargain with the price.

ELECTRICITY
The cost of electricity depends on how much you use, but as a general guide, you could expect to pay anything between 700 to 1700 rupees per month. The electricity outlets are configured the same as in Europe, so if you are coming from somewhere else, you may need to bring some universal adaptors with you. We definitely recommend that you bring these adapters with you as the ones that you can buy in the Seychelles are of a poor quality. The other option is changing the electricity plugs on all of your appliances or your power boards and you can buy the plugs in the hardware stores. Sometimes, the electricity supply can be interrupted and this can happen at any time of the day without warning. Our DVD player blew up in one such surge, so you may want to bring power boards with those cut of switches. Bring torches and candles with you in case these electricity interruptions occur at night time.

WATER WATER SUPPLY
Even though it rains heavily in Mahé, there are insufficient water reservoirs to supply Mahé all year round. During the dry season, Mahé is subjected to water restrictions which is why many of the houses have there own backup water storage. The cost of the water should be included in your rent.

HOT WATER AND PLUMBING
The hot water systems vary from one house to the next, but as a general guide, most houses have instantaneous hot water systems attached to the main shower. Hot water to the rest of the house is usually supplied through some type of electric hot water system and some houses have solar hot water as well. There will be a hot water switch in the house which will heat up the water when turned on. As the hot water systems are powered by electricity, the more you turn the hot water on, the higher your electricity bill will be.

DRINKABLE WATER
The water quality varies from one area to another as well as one season to another, so it is difficult to advise you on whether to drink the water straight from the tap. If in doubt, boil the water before drinking or bring some water purification jugs or tap fittings with you.

BOTTLED WATER
Locally produced bottled water is usually available in a variety of sizes up to 5 litre bottles which can be refilled near the Seybrew factory just out of Victoria. If you purchase imported bottled water such as Evian, expect the cost to be high.

PHONE LANDLINE
If you wish to have a land line phone it will take at least two weeks for this to be connected. You need to lodge an application with you chosen telephone provider and they may ask for a deposit as well. You will need to provide them with either the previous phone number attached to your house, or the lot number of the house to identify the address. The phone sockets are the same as in Europe and the phone hardware is provided by the phone company. I believe that Skype works well from Seychelles to Europe, but definitely doesn’t work to Australia. MOBILES You can either purchase a mobile phone prepaid started pack for around SR 75 and recharge cards are available everywhere. There are no message bank facilities through the phone network, but you can send text messages. Updated phone charges can be found on the Cable and Wireless or Airtel web sites.

INTERNET
Internet is available through your phone provider or through Kokonet located next to the Pirates Arms in Victoria or Intelvision which is located behind Novobanq near the clock. The monthly internet connection cost varies depending on the package that you apply for and you will need to figure out which speed you need.

TELEVISION
There are two free to air television channels and the local channel, SBC airs local shows as well as international shows. Some of the programs are in French, Creole or English. You can choose to connect to Intelvision, the Cable TV provider, but you may need to purchase a satellite dish to obtain reception.

FOOD & PERSONAL ITEMS
Generally for a family of four, expect to pay between SR 1,000 and SR 1,500 per week on food obviously depending on what you purchase. The more you purchase of the locally produced products, the cheaper your food bill will be. Buy in bulk when you can. Sunscreen and personal items are expensive, so bring this with you if you can.

INSURANCE
Car insurance premiums depend on the value of your car and the level of your current no claim discount, but for a new car worth SR 275,000 with a 50% no claim discount the annual premium is around SR 8,000. If you are bringing furniture and personal items with you, then you may wish to obtain contents insurance as unfortunately, petty theft can be an issue. Again, the premium for contents insurance depends on the value of your contents, but for contents worth SR 100,000 the premium is SR 2,000 per year.

RESTAURANT MEALS
A pub meal will cost you around SR 60 – 80 rupees for a burger and chips, where as a meal in a quality restaurant can cost up to SR 250 for a main course. Drinks to accompany your meal will be around SR 10 for a soft drink and SR 40 for a Seybrew.

PETROL
As at the beginning of September 2007, it costs around SR 300 – 350 to fill up a medium size petrol tank.

ROAD TAX OR REGISTRATION
Road tax is payable on your vehicle annually and the cost depends on the size of your engine. For a 1300 CC engine, expect to pay around SR 1,300 per year. You will need to pay this amount in cash.

MEDICINE
Prescription medication is free if you have obtained a National Identification Number and have your script filled at your local health clinic or at the hospital. For those items that are not prescribed like paracetomol, expect to pay around SR 30 for a packet of 24 tablets. There is only one private pharmacy on the island which is in Tamoljee’s arcade. You may be able to buy things like bandaids, paracetamol from your local mini market.

CONSTRUCTION
The majority of houses in the Seychelles are rendered concrete and brick construction, and most of them have large windows and verandahs. The floors are made of either timber or are tiled and many houses have louvre windows. Most of the cabinets and joinery are made out of timber and kitchen bench tops are often made out of granite. The stoves, cook tops or ovens are often powered by gas cylinders. In many of the houses, hot water is powered by solar panels with an electric backup for cloudy days. The hot water switches are usually found in the bathroom and kitchen.

RENTAL ACCOMODATION
Finding suitable rental accommodation can be very difficult as most of the houses that are available are not advertised anywhere. You often find out about rental accommodation through word of mouth. Those landlords that advertise houses in the newspaper are often inundated with potential tenants so it is evident that there is a general lack of long term rental accommodation. Many expats choose to place a rental house wanted advertisement in the newspaper which can have a good results. It is much harder to find a four bedroom house than a three bedroom one. If you find a house in the south of Mahé, you may be travelling up to 40 minutes to Victoria. The north of Mahé is more popular as it is generally less than 10 minutes drive to Victoria. Pricing obviously varies depending on what it is you need, but expect to pay anything between 4,000 and 15,000 rupees per month. 4,000 may get you a 2 bedroom apartment, whilst 15,000 would secure a 3-4 bedroom executive house with views. Paying rent in foreign exchange will usually be looked upon more favourably than paying in rupees. Similar to other countries, expect to pay a deposit or bond on a rental property equivalent to two months rent and carefully read any tenancy agreement. SUBURBS The northern part of Mahé is more populated than the south, but it doesn’t matter where you live, you will never be far away from a nice beach. There are resorts all over the island as well as Restaurants and the expat population is scattered all over the island. At present, the majority of the expats live in the northern part of the island. This travel time table may give you some idea about the different suburbs around Mahé only.

UTILITIES
Electricity – PUC (Public Utilities Corporation) is located behind the Pirates Arms hotel. Meters are read every month and payment can be made by cheque. Phone – There are three phone options, Airtel, Cable and Wireless and Intelvision. All three companies have offices in Victoria, Airtel is in the Trinity House building, Cable and Wireless is in the main street near Kelwyn House and Intelvision is behind Novobanq near the clock. Internet – Several options here as well but the most popular would be intelvision, Kokonet, Airtel and Cable and Wireless. Generally you pay a monthly amount and there are no time limits or download limits. Internet facilities – There are several internet cafes around Victoria but generally there is no “cafe” attached. TV – The local free channel is SBC and some of the programs are in creole, french and english. Cable Television is available and the more you pay the more you get. You can have cable TV or you can have TV through a satellite dish.

THINGS TO TAKE NOTE OF
Water Supply – Sometimes there are water restrictions in Mahé, so you will need to make sure that your house has a secondary source of water such as a tank. Hot Water system – Plumbing in our experience is generally poor, so you will need to make sure that you have water pressure and constant hot water. Some of the solar panels hot water systems have not been connected to the electricity, so when it is not sunny, you dont have any hot water. Security – You will need burglar bars at the very least. Check that all of the doors lock securely and never leave the house unlocked. Unfortunately expats are a target for theft. Some houses are equipped with burglar alarms and there are local security companies as well. Road access – The roads in Seychelles are narrow, windy and often steep, so you will need to make sure that your vehicle can make it up your driveway. Cooling system – Generally ceiling fans are all that is needed in the bedrooms to keep you comfortable at night. The hotter areas tend to be close to the beaches, so you may need to get airconditioning. Many expats buy the airconditioning systems themselves and then get the landlord to organise installation.

CREEPY CRAWLIES
Geckos – There are many geckos in Seychelles and for such small creatures you will be surprised at the mess they leave. The geckos can be reduced by having the houses fumigated, but personally, they don’t bother me and the green ones are gorgeous. Cockroaches – Luckily there aren’t too many of these nasties around, but sometimes you will get the odd flying cockroach. Centipedes – Apparently there are some nasty centipedes in Seychelles and they like to bite, but I have only ever seen them in the forests. Spiders – Palm spiders are the only ones that I have seen, and they can be easing killed using fly spray. They are very fast though, so you will have to chase them around the house. Ants – Oh yes, there are billions of ants. Never leave any food on your kitchen bench, or you will be infested very quickly. Again you can have the pest control guys fix this problem.

PURCHASING REAL ESTATE
There are some ways in which an expat can own property in Seychelles such as Eden island and other mixed accommodation options. However, in general to build a house in the Seychelles you have to first be a citizen and secondly you need to find a suitable piece of land or property. This can be quite difficult, and similar to finding a rental property, it is often who you know not what you know. Prices are also very high especially if the land is flat, so you will need a fairly big wallet. You have to be careful that the land is not prone to landslide as well. The houses that are built are of a good quality, but often builders run out of building materials. It will take you a lot longer to build a house here than probably anywhere else in the world.

THE STAPLE CREOLE DIET
The Creole diet revolves around those foods that are in abundance such as fish, coconut, bananas, local tropical fruit such as paw paw and mango and the many different available spices. There is a wide variety of fish available which can be purchased at the Victoria markets or from the fish factories such as Oceane Fisheries. There are some unique fruit and vegetables that are incorporated in the Creole diet but generally these food types are complimentary to the main fish dishes. Note that you should not haggle with the vendors at the Victoria market as their prices are set and non negotiable.

IMPORTED FOOD
The majority of food in the Seychelles is imported and therefore, based on supply rather than demand. In this way, sometimes basic food products may not be available such as sugar, flour, cooking oil, long life milk, soft drinks, tonic water etc. If there is a particular food product or drink that you can’t live without, buy in bulk when it is available. In fact, my advice to you is always buy in bulk!!! Cooking a meal is very much dictated by what is available at the time rather than on your favourite recipes.

FRUIT AND VEGETABLES
Surprisingly, most of the fresh fruit and vegetables that you find in the Supermarkets are imported and you may need to cook meals based on what is available at the time. Usually carrots, broccoli, french beans, potatoes, red onions and pumpkin is available but as these items are imported they can be quite expensive. Tinned and frozen vegetables are also available in most of the supermarkets and can be a good alternative. Bananas, paw paw, avocado and mango are grown locally and are cheap when they are in season. You might find some interesting local fruit and vegetables at the Victoria Market which is open very early in the morning Mon – Sat. Most of the Bananas that you can buy are small and sweet whilst the avocados are absolute giants. You can buy oranges, mandarins, pears and apples but these are all imported and relatively expensive. Tinned and frozen fruits are also available.

MEAT
Chicken, lamb, beef, pork, goat, bacon and sausages are all available at most of the supermarkets and butchers both fresh and frozen. You will need to check the freezer section in the mini markets for meat supplies. You can buy large pieces of frozen meat which the butcher will cut into pieces upon request (with a big saw). From the cold cut side of the meat world, you can purchase sliced meat from the delicatessens inside the larger supermarkets. My personal favourite is the smoked chicken.

DAIRY
There is rarely any fresh milk available and when you do find it remember it is no pasteurized or homogenised so the majority of local households use powdered milk. UHT long life milk is available most of the time and the cheapest I have seen it is SR 6.15 for 1 litre. You can purchase canned desert cream or powdered whipped cream and pre packaged custard products. Yoghurt is a popular source of dairy in the Seychelles and can be purchased in supermarkets or local mini markets. Processed cheese products such as Philadelphia cream cheese, plastic cheddar cheese and kraft processed cheese are available and fairly inexpensive, whilst any quality cheese is very expensive. (250g will cost at least SR). Good cheese is a luxury product in the Seychelles. Icecream is a Seychellois favourite and as such there are several icecream manufacturers. This local icecream is of a very good quality and there are many different flavours. You can also purchase imported brand name icecreams, but this is not necessary as the local brands are just as good. An icecream van roams the island on Sundays, so listen for the silly music and put your running shoes on.

BREAD
Most of the mini markets and supermarkets sell bread, baguettes, french sticks and bread rolls of varying quality at very reasonable prices. Bread would be considered a staple food in the Seychelles. It’s a good idea to find the bread that you like, buy in bulk and freeze. There are also quite a few bakeries that make sweet rolls, plain and filled croissants, bagels and savoury snacks. The Seychellois bakeries make fantastic and elaborate cakes so no need to cook them. Lately, one of the big supermarkets has been baking muffins, donuts and cookies, but this may not last. For those who would like to bring a bread maker, there are no pre packaged bread mixes available, but you can purchase flour (in 1kg packets) and dried yeast from most supermarkets.

COOKING SUPPLIES
Flour is usually available, but like all imported goods, if the island runs out then you have to wait for the next shipment. Cake baking supplies are readily available and reasonably priced. You can purchase all of the basic baking supplies such as baking powder, cream of tartar and bicarbonate soda.

BREAKFAST SUPPLIES
There is a large selection of cereals for breakfast although most of them are very sweet. Prices for a box of cereal vary from SR 23 – SR 60. There is a large selection of spreads such as jams, marmalades, chocolate hazelnut spread, peanut butter, marmite and cheese spreads and if you get the opportunity you should try some of the local jams made out of local fruits, they are delicious. Bacon and Eggs are readily available all over the place and the only time it is difficult to get eggs is around Easter.

SAUCES, COOKING ADDITIVES, RICE AND PASTA
There is a wide selection of sauces, pickles, packet and tinned soups, noodles, pasta, rice, casserole and curry bases, as well as canned ready to eat foods like baked beans and spaghetti. Don’t worry about buying spices to make delicious curries, there is an abundant supply of spices in the Seychelles. At Victoria Markets you can buy a packet of ready made spices with the Creole recipe on the outside, a fantastic gift idea as well.

CHOCOLATE, LOLLIES AND CHIPS
There are a couple of sweet shops in the Seychelles, and lollies are in abundance. There is plenty of chocolate too. You certainly won’t miss out if you have a sweet tooth. You can also buy imported or locally produced chips, nuts, pretzels and other nibbly supplies at reasonable prices, however a packet of Pringles is around SR 60, so quite expensive.

LUNCH BOX SUPPLIES
You can buy breakfast bars, muesli bars and dried fruit as well as yoghurt and fruit to add to your child’s lunch. You can also get small bags of baked savoury biscuits. Most of the Seychellois eat a large lunch and you can buy a takeaway box of rice and curry or bouillabaisse for around SR 25. Also, the school canteens supply this type of lunch for your children, so no need to pack lunch.

COFFEE & TEA
You can buy imported instant coffee (very expensive) and the local instant coffee which isn’t too bad. If however there is a particular coffee that you like or you are a coffee addict, you should bring this with you. Best thing we bought with us was our coffee machine. Tea is readily available as tea is grown in this country. The local brands are really good, but again if there is a particular brand that you can’t live without you should bring this with you. You can buy small bags of coffee beans, but these are very expensive.

DRINKS
Soft drinks such as Coke, Sprite and Fanta are all manufactured locally by Seybrew and you can get the local generic brand of soft drink as well. Mix up cordial is available at the supermarkets, but is expensive. Fruit juices are sold in cartons at around SR 9 per litre. Bottled water is available in up to a 5 litre bottle which can be refilled upon request. In relation to alcohol, the local beer brands are Seybrew and Eku which apparently tastes similar to Heineken. Spirits and wine are available at many of the supermarkets and local mini markets, but are these items can be quite expensive. The wine is mostly imported from South Africa and is usually quite drinkable. Pre mixed drinks like Smirnoff are also readily available at reasonable prices.

CLEANING PRODUCTS & OTHER ITEMS
Most cleaning products are available at reasonable prices in the Seychelles such as washing powder, fabric softener, bleach, dishwashing liquid, disinfectant, toilet paper and tissues. You can also purchase personal items at reasonable prices like shampoo, conditioner, hair styling products, deodorant and toothpaste. Some items that are harder to find and/or expensive are facial creams, sunblock and shavers so bring these with you.

BABY STUFF
Baby products such as formula, baby food, nappies and general baby supplies are also available, but I haven’t seen too many babies in prams or car seats, so you may need to bring these pieces of equipment with you.

WHERE TO BUY: SUPERMARKETS, MINI MARKETS, VICTORIA MARKET & ROADSIDE MARKETS
You can purchase food from the large supermarkets, small local mini markets, Victoria markets and roadside stalls. Surprisingly the prices between the large supermarkets and the small mini markets are very similar. The main difference between them would be seen in the fresh food products like fruit, vegetables and meat but for all other supplies, there isn’t a lot of price difference. There are many mini markets and the available products will vary from one store to the next. Victoria markets sell fresh fish, fruit, vegetables and spices and would be where you can source local products. Another good source of locally grown fruit and vegetables can be found at the small roadside stalls. You can also buy fish from road side vendors. The largest supermarkets are Supersave, Docklands, SMB and a newly opened Peoples Choice supermarket in Mont Fleuri.

COFFEE SHOPS
There are very few coffee shops in the Seychelles and meeting someone for coffee is not a local habit.

RESTAURANTS
There are many restaurants in the Seychelles with a wide range of cuisine. There are many restaurants that serve local Creole cuisine but there are seafood, Italian, Spanish, Chinese and Indian restaurants as well. There are a couple of bars or pubs in the Seychelles and a Yacht club that sells meals at reasonable prices. You can buy take away Pizzas, Burgers, Chicken and Chips and Fish and Chips from various places on the Island. Eating out is easy to do in the Seychelles and there is never a lack of choice.

HOURS OF OPERATION
The hours of operation vary from one shop to another but generally shops are open from 9am to 4pm Monday to Friday and half day on Saturday. Some shops are open later and longer than this, and some shut down over the lunch period, so you will need to check in your local area. One thing to note is that some shops may advertise particular trading hours, but they will close if there is a lack of customers.

CURRENCY IN SEYCHELLES
The Seychelles currency is the rupee which is available in the following denominations:
Notes:

* SR 500
* SR 100
* SR 50
* SR 25
* SR 10

Coins:

* SR 5
* SR 1
* 25c
* 10c
* 5c
* 2c

You can only spend rupees in the Seychelles, as the currency has not been floated on the world market. Therefore, if you build up a large pool of rupee, you can only spend it in the Seychelles. In this way, foreign exchange becomes valuable, and there are necessary restrictions on how many rupees can be changed into foreign currency. Obviously the amount of rupees that you can exchange will depend on your own personal circumstances.

FOREIGN EXCHANGE RATES
The foreign exchange rates are printed every day in the local newspaper, the Nation. The Central Bank of Seychelles controls the foreign exchange and foreign earnings. You also can look on the Seychelles Central Bank web site for foreign exchange rates or obtain a printed list from your bank.

CHANGING FOREIGN EXCHANGE
You will come across individuals who ask if you would like to change your foreign exchange into rupee generally at popular tourist destinations. The exchange rate that these illegal money exchangers use is at significantly higher rates than what is attainable through the banking institutions. Note that this is an illegal activity in the Seychelles.

REPATRIATING FUNDS
As part of your employment contract, you should be informed about any repatriation of funds allowances. If you are paid in rupee, then you will need to seek permission from your employer through the Central Bank to change your rupee into foreign exchange. This written permission will then need to be lodged with your local bank and they will arrange for set amounts to be transferred at regular intervals (depending on your allowances). If you are paid in foreign exchange then this is not a problem for you. You will be able to use your overseas bank cards in the local ATM’s to change your foreign exchange into rupees.

PAYING IN FOREIGN CURRENCY
Some of the resorts accept rupees as payment if you are able to provide them with your National Identity Number. If you plan on going to Praslin, it is important to take your NIN card with you. Some of the resorts, will only accept foreign currency, so it pays to ask first.

CLOTHING
There are many clothes shops in Victoria and the surrounding suburbs, and the clothes are more expensive than if you bought them in Australia. If you are not an average size, then it may be difficult for you to find clothes and shoes that suit you. Generally if you find something you like and it fits, don’t leave it there for another day, because it will be gone. You can also buy accessories, belts, hats and jewellery in Victoria. Check out Kelwyn House for some beautiful jewellery. There is a many men’s clothing shops in the heart of Victoria where you can purchase business shirts, ties, belts, suits and other casual clothes. Opposite the Victoria Markets you will find a small shopping centre which contains several great men’s clothing stores. Young children are well catered for with several specialty children’s clothing shops but if you have children at that in between stage, not quite a child, not quite an adult, you may find it difficult to find clothing that fits, so come prepared. It is cheaper for you to purchase clothing overseas and bring it with you, but if you need something you can generally find it in the Seychelles.

SHOES
There are several shops that sell shoes only, but again if you are not an average size, you may find it difficult to find shoes that fit. You will find shoes for sale in some of the clothing shops. There is a shoe repair shop which is difficult to find, it runs off the Victoria Market road down an alley. You may need to ask someone where it is. Generally they can fix anything, so if you have a favourite pair of shoes, repairing is the way to go. It costs between R 25 and SR 40 for a repair.

HAIRDRESSERS
There are many hairdressers in the Seychelles who are able to style both black african hair and blonde hair. I have only seen two styles of men’s hair and that is either long dreadlocks or very short crew cuts. If you want to know where to go to get your hair done, contact us and we can recommend some places.

BEAUTY CLINICS
There are several beauty clinics in Victoria who can perform facial treatments, massage, waxing, tinting, manicures, pedicures and even minor cosmetic procedures. Just look them up in the phone book, or visit any of the spas in the many hotels. An hour and a half facial costs around SR 300 – SR 490 and is worth it for the relaxation.

HARDWARE SUPPLIES
There are several hardware suppliers mostly in Providence Industrial Estate. We suggest that you bring your own basic tools with you. Also bring a supply of assorted screws, nuts, bolts etc. You can buy bits and pieces here, but choice is fairly limited.

ROADS
The roads in the Seychelles are generally steep and narrow with regular hair pin bends and deep gutters. The majority of the roads are made with road tar or concrete and the roads are relatively well maintained with only the occasional pothole, although some of them you can lose your car in. Most people choose to drive small cars or small four wheel drives, but there are also many small trucks, buses and larger king cab utes. Not many people choose to ride motorbikes due to the road conditions so there are only a few motorbikes and a few scooters on the road. Mini Mokes are great fun but not when it rains. There are several roundabouts, several pedestrian crossings and one set of traffic lights in the main part of Victoria. The roads can get congested particularly around 7.30 to 8.30am and 3.30 to 5.00pm during the working week. During peak hours, there are often police officers at the problematic intersections and pedestrian crossings. You need to be aware that there are many pedestrians that walk on the side of the road due to a lack of footpaths (sidewalks) and often cars will park or pull up on the road to pick up or drop off passengers due to the lack of off road parking so you need to be ready to pull up at all times.

ROAD RULES
Cars drive on the left hand side of the road, with the majority of cars being right hand drive. The speed limits are between 40 and 80 kms per hour, and drink driving is illegal. Normal traffic laws apply such as give way to the right, indicate when going around the corner or pulling over and give way to pedestrians.

DRIVERS LICENSE
You can drive in the Seychelles on your drivers license from your home country for three months at which time you need to obtain a Seychelles drivers license from the licensing authority which is located at Orion Mall, cost is SR 150 for 12 months. Note that if you don’t get a local drivers license, your insurance company will not honour a claim if you have an accident. You must be over 18 to drive a car and over 16 to ride a motor bike.

PARKING
In Victoria, you may be required to purchase parking vouchers in certain areas to avoid receiving a parking ticket (look for signs). These vouchers cost 2 rupees and can be purchased at various shops near where the pay parking is located. Most of the supermarkets have free car parking. On the outer roads on Mahé, there are very few off road parking areas, which results in many people parking on the road. As the roads are narrow, you will often need to overtake these parked cars.

CAR HIRE
There are many car hire companies in Seychelles and the majority of them will accept payment in rupees, Euro or US dollars. If you wish to pay in rupee you will need to specifically ask and provide the car hire company with your National Identity Number. Most of the cars will come to you with a quarter of a tank of petrol, but there are several well positioned petrol stations on the island. Rental vehicles need to pass regular vehicle testing and most of them are under 5 years old. As a rough estimate a small car can cost anything between 250 rupee per day to 375 rupee per day (around 40 Euro). You can find a list of car hire companies in the telephone directory and telephone directories can be obtained from your phone company.

TAXIS
There are a few taxis in the Seychelles and you are able to hale them in the street. Once you have found a taxi driver you are happy with obtain his or her phone number if you expect to require a taxi again. Some of the drivers do not work at night, so it can be difficult to find a taxi at night time. There is a taxi stand in Victoria which is located opposite the church near the traffic lights in the main road.

BUSES
There is a regular and reliable bus service in the Seychelles that operates seven days a week and the time table is available from the bus mall behind Orion Mall in Victoria. If you plan on using the bus service it is best to pick up an up to date bus timetable, as it is subject to change. The buses are extremely sturdy and they operate on most of the main roads. They are not air conditioned and can be very crowded especially at peak times. A bus fare costs 3 rupees for a one way trip anywhere and there are weekly and monthly tickets available at a discounted price.

PETROL
There are several petrol stations on the island all conveniently located. There are petrol pump attendants at every station so you never have to serve yourself. As at September 2007 it costs approximately SR 300 – SR 350 to fill up the tank of a small to medium car. Petrol stations also sell gas bottles and oil for your car but do not stock any convenience items. You can pay for your petrol in cash.

VEHICLE PURCHASE NEW VEHICLES
If you wish to purchase a new vehicle, the purchase price will be partly foreign exchange and partly rupee. The cost of any car in the Seychelles is extremely high, but the cars usually maintain their value. Unless you are eligible for deferral of import duty, you will need to pay 150% of the new car value to the Trades Tax Office for import duty when your new vehicle arrives. It usually takes 3 months to receive your new vehicle, but some car dealers may have some stock and it is worth ringing around. All new vehicles must be tested at the vehicle testing station before obtaining registration plates and certificates. You will find a list of new car agents in the phone book, but the phone book does not detail what brands each car agent imports. Therefore, I have attached a list of car dealers including details of which brand of cars each one imports.

SECONDHAND VEHICLES
Second hand vehicles are also quite expensive and it would pay to have a valuation on any second hand vehicle you are considering. The valuation will cost SR 150 and the car valuers are located in Providence near the airport. You may also wish to have the car checked by a reputable mechanic which should cost no more than SR 100. It is important to note that spare parts are expensive and hard to find and you will need to factor this into your bargaining. Also, your car will need to pass a road safety check each year prior to registration, this costs SR 150. There are no second hand car yards or car markets in the Seychelles, however some of the locals advertise cars for sale in the local newspaper, the Nation. Another option is to use the jungle telephone and ask around for second hand vehicles or to put a wanted advert in the nation. Expect to pay at least SR 100,000 for a car that is in reasonable condition. Things to check include tyres (including the spare) and air conditioning. Also it is necessary to ask if there are any pledges over the vehicles due to loans or deferred import duties as this will mean additional paperwork.

INSURANCE
There are two insurance companies in the Seychelles, H Savvy and Sacos, both located close to Orion Mall. Similar to other countries, comprehensive car insurance is based on the market value of the vehicle along with other common factors. To obtain a discount on your insurance premium, you should bring evidence with you of any no claim bonus’s that you have with your current insurance company. The insurance companies here will match any discount that you currently have but only if you have this documentary evidence. You must have your car insured before you can change the registration to your name. All insurance claims are paid in rupees. You can also obtain third party insurance only.

REGISTRATION / ROAD TAX
The cost of annual road tax (registration) is based on the engine capacity of your vehicle. Basically, the annual road tax (registration) is around SR 1,300 for a 1300 CC engine, but this is subject to some minor variations. You will have to pay for your road tax in cash as the licensing authority do not accept personal cheques and do not have any credit card facilities. If buying a second hand vehicle, you will need to take the current owner of the car with you to the licensing authority to change the registration over to your name. You could take advantage of this time at Licensing to change over your drivers license.

Still skimming across the net looking for more information on the Seychelles, we found gold! And not the proverbial kind. Legend has it that there was a pirate who buried his treasure somewhere in the Indian Ocean and it is believed to be located in the Seychelles. This makes the Seychelles a little more exciting, just knowing there there is unfound pirate treasure somwhere on the island…Dawgit!!

Here’s what we found on Wikipedia:

Olivier Levasseur (Calais, 1680 or 1690 – Réunion, 7 July 1730), was a pirate, nicknamed La Buse or La Bouche (The Buzzard) in his early days, called thus because of the speed with which he threw himself on his enemies.

His name first appears in 1716, when he joined the Benjamin Hornigold pirate company. Olivier was a good climber, and had a scar across one eye, limiting his view.

After a year of successful looting, the Hornigold party split, with Olivier deciding to try his luck at the West African coast. In 1719 he operated together with Howell Davis and Thomas Cocklyn for a period. In 1720, he was shipwrecked in the Red Sea and stranded at the island Mayotte, one of the Comores. His eye was completely mutilated by now, and he decided to wear an eyepatch.

From 1721 onwards he committed his raids from his base at the island Saint Mary’s, at the Madagascar coast. His biggest success was the conquering of the Portuguese vessel Nossa Senhora do Cabo (The Virgin of the Cape), which was full of gold. This was in cooperation with the English pirate John Taylor. He was eventually captured and hanged at the island Bourbon (today Réunion), on 7 July 1730) 17h00, for his crimes of piracy.

The Cryptogram of Olivier Levasseur

Alphabet of Olivier Levasseur

The legend tells that when he stood on the scaffold, he had a necklace around his neck,containing a cryptogram of 12 lines, and would have thrown this in the crowd while exclaiming: “Find my treasure, he who may understand it!”

What became of this necklace is unknown. To this day, a good number of impassioned treasure hunters have searched to find his fabulous treasure, estimated by some at a few million euros, others give it a value as much as 100 million UK pounds (2005).

In 1923 a certain Mrs. Savoy found some documents, describing Levasseur’s treasure at a southern island of the Seychelles group.
At one document there are some coordinates, and text in a mysterious alphabet.
At the Bel Ombre beach on the island Mahé, stones were found, with carvings like: dogs, snakes, tortoises, horses, a ballot box, a figure of a young woman, and the head of a man.
After some excavations they discovered two coffins containing the remainings of two people, identified as pirates by the gold ring in their left ear.
But no treasure was found at this location.
The cryptogram was much more difficult to solve than than what she had believed.
Deciphering it could be carried out only starting from the Clavicles of Solomon, two letters, a will and documents compiled in rebus or at least in initiatory writing which could be put in relation to maconnic symbolism.
These documents explicitly affirmed the existence of a treasure localised on an island in the Indian Ocean.
However the name of this island was not mentioned anywhere.

In 1947 English Reginald Cruise-Wilkins, a friend of Mrs. Savoy, studied the problem and discovered a connection with the twelve operations of Hercules. Various tasks, representing the Labours of Hercules, had to be undertaken in strict order. The treasure chamber is somewhere underground and must be approached carefully, to avoid being inundated. It is protected by the tides, which require damming to hold it back, and is to be approached from the north. Access is through a stairwell cut into the rocks, and tunnels leading under the beach. Until 1970 he sought and dug in the island of Mahé.
In a cave, in addition to old guns, some coins, and pirate sarcophagi, he did not find anything.
He died in 1977 before he broke the last piece of code.

Wow, this is some Goonies shit. This is something we will definitely be looking into. We’re not stupid…if a professional treasure hunter couldn’t find it in 23 years of searching, it probably won’t be found by the likes of us, but it’s nice to dream… I’m pretty sure we’ll have a “good time…wink, wink” late night on the beaches, drinking rum, having our pirate (role-playing) adventures.