The Seychelles

Picture-perfect. Those are the two words I would use to describe the Seychelles. Like the Maldives, every photo I look at from the Seychelles looks suspiciously like a postcard. To think that I was actually standing in the exact spot the photo was taken feels surreal. For example:

Isn't that stunning?

The Seychelles are made up of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean and the nearest neighbours are Madagascar and the great continent of Africa. Only 30 of the islands are inhabited.

I had the privilege of visiting four islands:

Mahé: the largest granitic island (152 sq km) and home to 90% of the population.

Praslin: the second largest island with soft, white, sandy beaches and palm forests.

La Digue: a small island (10 sq km) with secluded beaches and boulders that look sculpted.

Ile Cocos: closed to the public for 10 years, this tiny island is now open and an excellent spot for snorkelling.

Trip highlights include:

Seeing old friends and meeting new ones. What a treat it was to meet up with our friends Jolyn and Melvin, and to meet their colleagues who quickly became our friends as well. Everyone was so warm and welcoming that it felt like we'd know them for ages. The people we met and the conversations and laughs we had were definitely the highlight of our trip.

Seeing the famous Coco de Mer tree -a rare and protected species, endemic to the Seychelles.

Seeing the Aldabra giant tortoise - the only remaining natural population survives at Aldabra Atoll in the Seychelles, a World Heritage Site. There are over 152,000 of them

there, 10 times more than the Galapagos giant tortoise population. The average male weighs around 550 pounds but still manages to float. They are huge, lumbering, and beautiful.

Feasting the eyes and palate on food. I enjoyed each and every bite and sight, from tiny bananas, to

gorgeous Arabian delights (thanks to Chef Hassan!), to sticky coconut cake-like treats, to markets bursting with colourful fruits, vegetables and spices, to the most delicious passion fruit I've ever eaten (thanks to Aileen!), to jalebi bought from a convenience store, to home-cooking (thanks Tomi!). Oh, my awe-struck eyes and my happy, full tummy.

The flora and fauna. The Seychelles are the epitome of a lush, verdant, jungle paradise full of lots of little creatures.

Visiting sites around the islands. Like the tribute to the Coco de Mer on Praslin island.

Relaxing in the lovely Victoria Botanical Gardens.

Exploring the capital city, Victoria (population 25,000).

Visiting the tea plantation near Port Glaud.

Visiting the Capucin Mission Ruins - a reminder of the slave trade.

Hiking near Grande Anse.

Enjoying both simple and extravagant treats, like mangosteens and fancy drinks.

Exploring the under-water world near Ile Cocos and Felicite Island and seeing sharks, turtles and schools of colourful fish.

Visiting L'Union Estate Park and seeing the vanilla plantations.

One of my favourite parts was visiting the La Veuve Reserve, home to the endemic and endangered Seychelles Paradise Flycatcher bird. The staff person in the small office was very helpful and we managed to spot both a male and female Flycatcher.

Exploring the island of La Digue by bicycle was a lot of fun and a reminder of how long it's been since I've ridden a bike. It also helped us avoid the ox-powered taxis.

And of course, the gorgeous, jaw-dropping, eye-popping, take-your-breath-away beaches...like the first beach we visited on Praslin...

The beach we stayed at, Petite Anse, Mahe...

The very quiet beach at Port Launay, Mahe...

The lovely Port Glaud, Mahe...

Beautiful Anse Soleil, Mahe...

The beach near Maria's Rock Cafe, Mahe...

The deserted beach of Anse Corail, Mahe...

Anse Forbans, Mahe...

Grande Anse, Mahe...

Sunsent at La Digue...

Anse Source D'Argent, La Digue...I think this is where the commercial for Bounty chocolate bars was made...

Anse Pierrot, La Digue...

Grande Anse, La Digue...

And most importantly, much gratitude to all those who made this trip possible and allowed me to have such a luxurious holiday - the experience was truly a treat and I am very, very thankful!

Full Circle

I've now completed the full VSO cycle, from selection to interview to pre-departure training to placement and finally, re-integration. Yes, I've been re-integrated back into Canadian society.

What does that mean?

Well a big part of the 'reintegration process' is the VSO Reintegration Weekend that takes place in Ottawa. It's offered to Returned Volunteers (RVs) within a year of returning to Canada. I just attended the 3-day event this past weekend in Ottawa and it was great!

The weekend:
- provided RVs an opportunity to share experiences with other RVs
- helped RVs with reverse culture shock and managing the impact of re-entry
- helped RVs to think about next steps in their personal and professional life
- enabled RVs to explore ways of staying involved with international development and VSO
- allowed VSO to gather feedback that will help VSO improve their work

When I first received the invitation to attend the Reintegration Weekend I was quite surprised. I thought that since I had returned early from Malawi, I wouldn't be asked to take part. I spoke to staff at the VSO office and expressed my interest in the event - and also my over-riding sense of guilt! Did someone like me deserve to attend? Was it a good use of VSO's resources to fly me across the county and then put me up in a hotel? They assured me that my attendance was important - not only for me to process my experience, but also for them to receive my feedback and learn more about why I had returned early as this could help them in the future with their processes and systems. Well, that sounded reasonable to me.

So, how was it?

It was an amazing weekend of discussion, debate, learning, sharing, and laughter. The other RVs were wonderfully honest in sharing their stories and open to hearing mine. We were all amazed at how much we had in common in terms of our placement experience and often found ourselves nodding and saying, "Me too!" It was also wonderful to hear the differences - as this gives me insight into the possibilities that my next placement may hold. The weekend helped me to re-frame my experience and go deeper into what I've learned. It also gave me the opportunity to connect with some truly inspiring individuals. And, it's made me even more excited about my next placement with CUSO-VSO!

Be Mine?

Today is Valentine's Day - a tired, cheesy, commercial, over-blown 'celebration' of love...BUT... I'm thinking of all my friends around the world...especially those who are volunteering far from home and loved ones. I hope today, like all your days, is filled with all kinds of love.

"Love recognizes no barriers.
It jumps hurdles,
leaps fences,

penetrates walls
to arrive at its destination
full of hope."
- Maya Angelou

Destination: Vietnam!

I have a new placement! The joy! The anticipation! The anxiety!

I will be going to Vietnam for a 6-month volunteer placement with Uniterra. I will be working as an Internship Coordinator for the International Seminar, which has a long and well-established history dating back to 1948. The seminar takes 20 university students from across Canada and joins them with 20 students from the global South for a six-week educational experience. The seminar uses a grassroots approach to learning and offers students real-world understanding of development issues, the chance to work in a cross-cultural context in a developing country, and the opportunity to collaborate in a group project that supports a local development organization.

In my role, I will be working alongside another Canadian volunteer, as well as two Vietnamese coordinators. Together, we will coordinate and support all aspects of student fieldwork, guide the students, and facilitate the learning process and group dynamics. This year, the seminar will focus on the theme ‘Youth in the Workforce and the Socioeconomic Development of Vietnam.’ The field project is a collaborative venture with Uniterra’s partners in Vietnam and local stakeholders. All of the topics, methodology, and approaches are determined collaboratively in order to support the work and develop practical and useful materials and information for the partner organizations. Seminar participants will share their learning and experiences when they return to campus, as well as in their communities through public engagement activities.

Here is a look at the focus countries for the International Seminar over the years:

1948 - Germany 1949 - Holland 1950 - France 1951 - Canada 1952 - Europe 1953 - India 1954 - Europe and West Africa 1955 - Japan 1956 - Germany 1957 - Ghana 1958 - Yugoslavia 1959 - West Indies 1960 - Israel 1961 - Sweden 1962 - Poland 1963 - Pakistan 1964 - Algeria 1965 - Chile 1966 - Turkey 1967 - Canada 1968 - West Africa 1969 - Canada 1970 - Mexico 1971 - Colombia 1972 - Peru 1973 - India 1974 - Caribbean and Central America 1975 - Egypt 1976 - Guyana 1977 - China and Acadie 1978 - Senegal and Western Canada 1979 - Sri Lanka and Ontario

1980 - Tunisia 1981 - Ecuador 1982 - Costa Rica 1983 - Egypt 1984 - Haiti 1985 - Thailand 1986 - Mauritius 1987 - Zimbabwe 1988 - Mali 1989 - Leeward and Windward Island 1990 - Morocco 1991 - Botswana 1992 - Brazil 1993 - Indonesia 1994 - Benin 1995 - Vietnam 1996 - Peru 1997 - Peru 1998 - Vietnam and Botswana 1999 - Benin and Zimbabwe 2000 - Benin and Malawi 2001 - Vietnam 2002 - Vietnam 2003 - Benin 2004 - Malawi 2005 - Burkina Faso 2006 - Botswana 2007 - Ghana and Burkina Faso 2008 - Ghana 2009 - Peru 2010 - Nepal