Winter 2011 Squeegee - Sausalito Yacht Club

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8 A VISIT TO THE SEYCHELLES By Pinkie Pomeroy Anderson Author, Pinkie Anderson, member of the SYC (Sausalito) presents a burgee to Andre Hoarau of the SYC (Seychelles). The mention of the Seychelles Islands conjures up images of a tropical paradise. The 115 islands were shaped thousands of years ago when Gondwanaland broke off from the African geological super-continent. The largest islands are granite but the Outer Islands are formed of coral. Lying less than 1,000 miles off the east coast of Africa, just south of the Equator, these islands are 12 time zones and almost exactly halfway around the world from San Francisco and have a great deal to offer. The flora and fauna are spectacular. Where else can you find the elusive black parrot, the Seychelles fruit bat, the Valley de Mai, the giant palm spider, the hundred-year-old land tortoise, or the giant mudskipper? Several years ago, I visited and was invited to lunch at the Seychelles Yacht Club (also SYC). After lunch, I was presented with their burgee, which now hangs in our club in Sausalito. (A white sailfish on a blue background.) I recently made a return visit to Seychelles and was able to reciprocate their hospitality with the presentation of a Sausalito Yacht Club burgee, which now hangs in the office of the Commodore. The Seychelles Yacht Club was founded in 1964 and is the only yacht club in Seychelles. The club has over 350 members and about 20 reciprocal relationships with other yacht clubs around the world, but none yet in the U.S. Perhaps it’s time to add a U.S. club to their list: SYC Sausalito meet SYC Seychelles! Daughter Laura and son-in-law Scott with Esmeralda, the oldest, heaviest, land tortoise according to the Guinness Book of Records A cruise on the Dutch-built, 118-foot topsail schooner, Sea Shell is a good way to enjoy the islands. The boating community is strong. A boat is the most important means of transportation around the islands whether it is a ferry, large topsail schooner, a catamaran, a dinghy with an outboard motor, or a pirogue. However, sailors are warned not to go beyond the four main granite islands of Mahe, Praslin, Silhouette, and La Digue - Somalian pirates have become bold enough to seize boats in the more than 530,000 nautical square miles that make up the Exclusive Economic Zone of the Seychelles. You might want to cruise on the 118-foot topsail schooner, Sea Shell. Dutch built, she is over 90 years old and is quite a contrast to the mega yachts from the Middle East docked at Eden Island, a man-made development just outside the capital. Besides lunch at the yacht club, a number of restaurants provide excellent Creole meals. An institution in itself, The Pirates Arms is a short distance from Big Ben Clock Tower, the most famous downtown landmark in Victoria. It is a must for any visitor. You can watch the Seychelles world go by when sitting at the open-air tables, slightly raised above Independence Avenue. Perhaps you’ll see the honorary consul of Italy and his wife hail their car, or government employees walking to their offices a short distance away, or the native population as they visit the main office of Barclay’s Bank. The “bamboo radio” emanates from under the eaves of the Pirates Arms. You can hear stories of the pirate treasure hidden by La Buse, or tales of the nine-foot ghost who walks through the cemetery at night or, on a more mundane topic, which hotel is under contract.
SEYCHELLES continued The economy is heavily dependent on tourism and visitors have a number of accommodation options. Luxury hotels can be found on Mahe, Praslin and Silhouette. At the other end of the spectrum, self-catering bungalows are good options for longer stays. Located on the beach on the West Coast of Mahe, the Barbarons Meriden is one of the older hotels. Native charm is found in this two-story hotel, which has been described as retro. Smaller islands, including the Outer Islands of Desroches and Alphonse, appeal to an exclusive clientele who seek new, and very private, venues to scuba dive, bone fish or enjoy the beautiful white beaches. The islands continue to attract a cross-section of tourists from around the world. Recently Sheik Khalifa bin Zayed, President of the UAE and ruler of Abu Dhabi, purchased the former US Tracking Station on Mahe. He replaced it with a large sixstory palace visible from Victoria harbor. D’Arros, originally developed as a retreat for Prince Sharam, the nephew of the former Shah of Iran, is the subject of lawsuits filed against Mrs. Bettencourt, the L’Oreal heiress. Prince William and Kate Middleton spent a month on Desroches several years ago and returned for their honeymoon. (This was predicted by the “bamboo radio.”) The Seychelles Islands are a tropical paradise with a unique mystique. Far out in the Indian Ocean, they are a world unto themselves. OLD SALTS DINNER A group of long-time members has been dining together at the Club on the first Saturday evening of each month. This informal group has become known as the Old Salts. There is no particular qualification - most participants have been club members for more than twenty years and tend to be sailors. That said, anyone who feels happy to dine with fellow members whom they have known for a long time and with whom they have shared the Club’s adventures on the water, is welcome. No formalities are involved; just make a reservation for dinner and turn up. ENTERTAINING All-in-all, it’s been a Very Good Year! We have enjoyed a number of great parties; Opening Day and the Fourth of July were a blast. The sounds of Damir & Friend have been a welcome addition on Saturday nights. Many new members and new friends to sit around the table, break bread and share the life and times of your Sausalito Yacht Club. And it’s not over yet, we have some great parties to close out the year, November get down to the sounds of the New Rising Sons. December 1: Come down and decorate your Club for the holidays. You may just be surprised how much fun it can be and the new friends you will make. December 3: Enjoy a pancake breakfast with Santa and all the children. This is the third year and attendance has doubled each year. In the evening, there’s dinner and dancing to get the holiday season into full swing! Make your reservations early. December 10: Get ready for a full house at the Club for the 24 th Annual Lighted Boat Parade & Fireworks Spectacular. If you have a boat, entry is still FREE. Go to www.sausalito-on-the-waterfront.org for an entry form. No boat; go to http://www.eventbrite.com/ org/1640183474 and sign on to one of the charter boats that will be in this year’s parade: Freda B, Five Stars, Call of the Sea, and more. If you enjoy the parade and fireworks, make a tax-deductible donation to the Waterfront Foundation. December 11: Children’s Christmas Party December 31: Get ready to ring in the New Year with hors d’oeuvres, champagne and dancing until after midnight. Make your reservations early! January 1: Annual Member Potluck (club closed) January 7: Christmas Undecorating Pizza Party Merv Regan Entertainment Chair 9
Page 1 and 2: Squeegee SAUSALITO YACHT CLUB ESTAB
Page 3 and 4: LETTER FROM THE COMMODORE SYC Membe
Page 5 and 6: has been to chart the course for ne
Page 7 and 8: Palm Beach, FL: Mind-blowing mega y
Page 9: PICYA Let me give you an update on
Page 13 and 14: RACING What a year for sailboat rac
Page 15 and 16: THE LISCHESKE TROPHY By Patrick Bro
Page 17 and 18: CRUISING By the time you read this,
Page 19 and 20: Happy Endings Begin When You Make t

Winter 2011 Squeegee - Sausalito Yacht Club

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