Eco-Schools trip to Aldabra |12 May 2018
This article was written by a group of students who were acting as young journalists on their first time trip to Aldabra.
It presents the experience of a group of students and teachers from the most outstanding Eco-Schools in Seychelles during their time on Aldabra at the beginning of the year 2018. The trip was fully funded by Seychelles Island Foundation, as part of its annual commitment to the Seychelles Eco-Schools award.
The students were accompanied by Travis Barreau (teacher from Anse Royale primary school), Maggie Lepathy (teacher from Beau Vallon secondary school), Marie Michelle Madeleine (teacher from Praslin) and Marie France Lespoir (teacher from Anse Etoile primary school).
The Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development would like to extend its sincere gratitude to the Seychelles Island Foundation to once again sustain its commitment toward this Eco-Schools trip to Aldabra.
Special gratitude also goes to the staff of Island Development Company who ensured the students travelled safely to and from Assomption island. This trip has once again given the opportunity for students and teachers to learn more about one of Seychelles’ outer islands and their ecological value to all.
To learn more about what the students did during the trip please visit https://aldabraecoschooltrip.wordpress.com/2018 and to learn more about the Seychelles Eco-Schools programme, please visit www.ecoschoolseychelles.com
Day 1
We went to the IDC Aviation Station at noon to check in and our parents were present before we departed to Assomption island at 1.30pm. The plane ride was amazing and fun. After 2 hours, the plane started to descend towards Assomption island. It was a very bumpy landing but we all exhaled knowing that the first leg of the journey was a success.
When we walked out of the aeroplane we noticed that the vegetation on the island was different to those found on Mahe. But spotting a couple of giant tortoises was a reminder of our God given natural heritage. With no time to waste we boarded the boat and travelled for around 2 ½ hours across the open sea to Aldabra. It was a peaceful, chilled and memorable crossing. On our way we saw several marine species swimming along the boat such as dolphins, sea turtles and a variety of fish. When we were close to the shore, we boarded a small boat which took us to the Aldabra shores.
The staff were so welcoming and offered us refreshment and we started to mingle with them. It was getting dark and we were all allocated to our rooms and started to unpack and prepare for dinner. We were all so tired and after communicating with our parents we all went to bed.
Day 2
On the second day we had to wake up at 6 o’clock sharp, so that we can get ready by 7 o’clock. After finishing our breakfast we went for a walk at the old settlement. We saw a lot of historical sites and were surprised to see the impacts of sea level rise along the coast of the island, which by the way eroded a cemetery.
We had some time to make use of some of the equipment at the gym on the island. After that we went into the TV room to play some educational games. Then we went for a short bird watching cruise in the lagoon and arrived just on time for dinner and ended our first day on a good note.
Day 3
On this day our first activity was to track tortoises and turtles but we were all organised in separate groups to do so. Unfortunately only one turtle was seen but there were plenty of tortoises around.
Afterwards we had breakfast and then we went for a beach cleaning activity. A lot of litter were collected and kept aside for an activity later during the day. The staff said that the majority of the rubbish came from nearby countries and also boats which travel within the area. We were pleased to have been part of such an important task done regularly by the staff on the island. After we had lunch we worked as a group to construct a turtle and an octopus from the litter collected. It was a really fun exercise and we ended the day with educational games and sport activities.
Day 4
On this day we went for a super fun camping trip at middle camp. The boat ride to middle camp took about an hour and half. Upon arrival at the camp we were guided by the staff to organise the area where we would all be sleeping at night. We then waited for the low tide and made our way through the mangroves in the lagoon and spotted a variety of marine species.
With no time to waste, we all jumped in the water and snorkelled. It was a gorgeous snorkelling site unlike the ones at inner islands of Seychelles. For some of us our fear of sharks was set aside and we freely swam next to this interesting marine creatures along with turtles and other marine animals.
We had some time left to visit Michel island in the east of the lagoon towards the site where a whale skeleton still lies. It was getting dark and we headed back to the camp, where we ate, sang, danced and gazed at the stars.
Day 5
That day we returned to the station from middle camp. We had breakfast as usual and then prepared for us to go on a trail known as the back path trail to see the 13 types of land birds which are endemic to Aldabra but we were able to spot only 7 out of the 13.
Afterwards we ate a delicious Easter lunch. We had plenty of free time left to prepare for the cultural show the following day. At around 6pm we had to take part in a so-called Easter treasure hunt.
Day 6
On this day we switched groups and did another round of turtle and tortoise monitoring exercise and learned how to interpret and record turtle tracks.
Thereafter we had breakfast and then went for another snorkelling experience at the famous La Gigi channel. It was simply a wonderful experience and our goal was to identify a fish and then share its name with all present.
We headed back to the station and worked as a group to remove an invasive plant called zepi ble. We learned that this a regular task conducted by the staff. We had some time left to watch a movie and then went to bed in a joyful mood.
Day 7
We woke up quite early in the morning and started to pack before departing Aldabra to Assomption island. We then left for a lagoon cruise and returned back to the base to present a short cultural show to all staff and handed over gifts as a symbol of our gratitude for all their hard work and dedication on the island.
With no time to waste we bid farewell and boarded the boat to head to Assomption island, where we spent the night.
Day 8
Waking up on Assumption island, felt so different. We all expressed how we missed Aldabra and wanted to go back and spend more days. But we had to cheer up and seize the hours left to visit the island. We saw a lot of sand dunes and visited some other sites.
After we had lunch we packed all our things and then boarded the tractor which transported us all to the landing strip. We spent some time talking about our adventures and had a few laughs. At around 5pm we boarded the aeroplane and headed back to Mahe island.
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What the participants had to say about their experience on Aldabra
Christie Roselie from Anse Royale primary school and Elijah Alcindor from Anse Royale primary school: “Time was too short but the many activities we did kept us together and made us learn more than what we hoped for”.
Chloe Zatte from Beau Vallon secondary school: “The trip was super fun, it was more interesting than expected. Everything were so beautiful, I felt like I was in paradise. I have enjoyed watching the turtles swimming around our boat and also snorkelling next to the sharks. I will never forget this trip”.
Jean Yves Mancienne from Anse Royale primary school: “A very exciting experience”.
Bradley Julie from Beau Vallon secondary school: “Aldabra, truly a place for all who want to be closer to nature”.
Carl Loizeau from Baie Lazare primary school: “I saw for the first time the actual bones of a whale nearer Michel island. Not forgetting the numerous giant tortoises and sea birds”.
Anushka Payet from Baie Lazare primary school: “There were some sharks swimming along the shore and I was so scared. But I got use to them eventually”.
Luke Alcindor from Anse Etoile primary school: “I would like to say that Aldabra is a peaceful place. The people on the island are so caring and kind. The way the island is being managed and protected is simply perfect. I will certainly miss the sunset which was amazing. Aldabra has left me speechless”.
Anielle Benoit from English River secondary school: “We had fun throughout this trip and value how much SIF thinks of our Eco-Schools and spends a lot of money to make sure that this trip happens every year”.
Paul Jeanne from English River secondary school: “An atoll filled with wonders, one that has marked my life”.
Farrel Alphonse from Plaisance secondary school: “As I set foot on Aldabra, one of the giant tortoises nod its head while walking towards me – a sign that the animal was pleased to see visitors on its island. The island vibes exceeded my expectations. It is a place where I am able to connect more with nature and spend more time without the use of technology and other modern distractions”.
Darryl Alphonse from Plaisance secondary school: “A memorable and interesting trip that I would like to have the chance to visit once again. I saw a variety of species which I never knew existed on the atoll. We were closer to nature and most often soldier crabs would be seen going through my bag the minute I left it on the ground. The adults present were pleasant and very understanding”.
Anaira Dick from Vijay International school representing Friends of Vallée de Mai club: “I mostly enjoyed the snorkelling in the lagoon. Aldabra is simply the best. I will never forget the time I had on this trip, not forgetting the friends I have made and the staff who have really made me felt at home”.
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Poem written by Elijah Alcindor
En Rev
Parmi de milyon zetwal briye
En rev
Parmi de milyon sekre sa monn
Enn ranpli avek nostalzi
Enn parmi de milyon rev
Aldabra, Aldabra oh Aldabra
En zefor eksepsyonnel
En kouraz volapenn
En sikse akonpli
En voyaz parmi plizyer voyaz
Anba en soley briyan
Kot lanmer ble i kares son zoli lans
Ou en zil ranpli e antoure ek lespes vivan
Anba en lesyel ble
Parmi bann trezor natirel sa monn
Aldabra, Aldabra oh Aldabra
Non…eski nou pe reve
Non non … enkrwayab me vre
Nou pa anvi kwar ed nou pour kwar
Dir nou
Wi zanfan, nou lo Aldabra
En ero parmi bann ero
En temwanyaz mirakilez
Par lao tou bann pyer presye lemonn
Aldabra Aldabra oh Aldabra
Nou lemosyon i pli for ki nou
Les nou larm lakontantman kares nou lapo
Ou ek mwan
Fer en promes
Ki nou pou touzour reste sa lavwa
Pour defann nou perl en perl lemonn
Perl Losean Endyen
Perl pour limanite
Aldabra Aldabra oh Aldabra
Contributed by the Education for Sustainable Development Unit