Consuls Gather in Paradise
“Seychelles Leadership – A Shared Vision"
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
April 19 – May 1, 2014
Victoria, Mahe’
Republic
of Seychelles
April 21, 2014
April 21, 2014
On arrival, VIP Diplomat protocol, John Claude Adriene, met us at the airplane and
escorted us to the VIP lounge where we joined other Ambassadors, High
Commissioners, Consuls and guests in waiting for our travel to the Kempinski
Seychelles Resort, in Baie Lazare. Our team headed off to the resort…taking MY
luggage as well. Katie saved the day by finding it and saving it for me.
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| Emerits was an excellent host to us as we traveled from Seattle. |
Jean Claude drove me up to Sans Souci where I was
greeted as a long lost returning family member. Jim, Jenny and the new ones,
Sally, Fari and Jorem all greeted me warmly. Madam Consul General Church was
her most gracious self, again welcoming me as family. Her home 1776 Sans Souci
was the former US Ambassador’s home when Seychelles had a functioning United States Embassy.
The Consular Conference was sponsored by the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs, Republic of Seychelles.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted their opening ceremonies at the Ministry at Maison Queau de Quissy, Mont Fleuri. There the Principal Secretary, The Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Secretary of State provided welcoming remarks. A tour and reception followed the formalities.
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| Foreign Minister Adam provided welcoming remarks |
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| Principal Secretary, Foreign Minister and Secretary of State |
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| Touring facilities with John Cllaude, Madam Church and one our fellow Consuls |
Following the opening ceremonies, we drove to Kempinski Resort for
the Conference luncheon…TIS….(This is Seychelles)…no lunch..they forgot to
provide it!!! So after the 45 minute drive, we visited with our consular
friends and headed back to town.
However, a wonderful lunch at the Yacht Club with delicious pork curry made us feel much better.
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| Behold Beauty! |
Victoria Yacht Club
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Clock downtown Victoria |
April 23, Wednesday
Work of the Consular Conference
begins…Madam Church and I rode the bus out to
Kempinski Resort for our working sessions… Minister of Finance, Minister
of Natural Resources and Minister of Tourism; not always in unison but certainly
promoting their areas of interest and focus.
Director of Tourism presenting "the best"!
We then got another great tour of Eden Island and a
light lunch.
Madam church and I left and continued on to our
Friends of Seychelles in Seychelles meeting at the office of The Victoria Times
newspaper. We were informed by Consul General Church that the container from FOS USA for the orphanages will be arriving sometime in early June.
April 24, 2014, Thursday..the
Consular conference continues…
The Consuls started early with group meeting with
our own Ambassadors. Ambassador Nourrice conducted the break out’s…
Ambassador Marie Lloyd conducted the Seychelles
Investment Board on the Business Environment. Ambassador Marie Potter hosted
the discussion on the UN Security Council nomination.
The conference closed on a high note of exchange of gifts for the libraries, entertainment promoting Carnaval and closing remarks by Minister Adam.
The conference closed on a high note of exchange of gifts for the libraries, entertainment promoting Carnaval and closing remarks by Minister Adam.
That evening at Augerine Guesthouse we had a great dinner of
Kreol food including barracuda, I thought fruit bats but they said chicken…who
knows….
The blur is caused by barracuda shivers!
The fabulous evenings.
Conference is OVER, prepare for
CARNAVAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
April 25, Friday.
Up and at ‘em…beautiful morning…put
your suit on and hope the beach is on the way. M Church and I head to Augerine Guesthouse for a swim and to meet with the Editor of The Victoria Times for
breakfast. We had a great visit, loads of photos and hopefully a great story
about the Friends of Seychelles USA and The Friends of Seychelles SEZ.
At the upside down tree!
What a great way to have a meeting...under the roots of an upside down tree, in our bathing suits with fruit bats dropping seeds from the trees onto the metal roof.
April 26, Saturday.
On Friday night came the RAINS, huge
RAINS…raining raining and raining… so that Saturday morning came bright and
beautiful. Lise and Beth up at 6:00 am,
headed to beach for a walk and swim. There we were greeted by Katie, Kevin and
PK for a swim and a coffee before heading back to Sans Souci to prepare for a
Ministry Friends of Seychelles Board Meeting at 9:30 am. The results of the meeting that there will be an official Friends of Seychelles organization hosted by the Consular Corps.
Today being CARNAVAL parade. Two US groups, a Country
Western Band and a New Orleans Band will perform during the festivities.
The Saturday CARNAVAL parade was 2.5 hours long
and full of culture from many nations. We were placed in the front row very
near President Michele and were served lunch before the parade.
Rain affecting our performers.
Rain not affecting some performers!
We also had the opportunity to meet the US
Ambassador Shari Villarosa a career officer from San Antonio.
AND THEN THE PERFORMERS!!!
Our Consular float was delightful and you could see the
Consuls and children dressed in costumes of the Consuls’ culture were enjoying
themselves.
Our Friends of Seychelles USA visit to the orphanage and
a visit with the children.
a visit with the children.
AND SO ENDS ANOTHER GLORIOUS ADVENTURE IN
THE SEYCHELLES!!
