Accommodation

Accommodation is self-catering (ordering a pizza would be difficult as they would almost certainly not deliver here!), and is normally shared, although each person almost always has their own bedroom. The volunteers accommodation, ‘Barringtonia House’, consists of a long L-shaped veranda with a kitchen at one end, two double bedrooms, and a shower cubicle. There is a long drop toilet nearby. Due to the very limited accommodation it is probably not practical to arrange visits for family or friends while you are on the island, although this is not impossible. Crockery, cutlery and cooking utensils are provided, although should you wish to bring specifics, please do so as reliable and durable items are often difficult to find in Seychelles.

There is a telephone in the Wardens office which is available for your use. You must remember before arriving that all technology is fragile and pushed to its environmental limits here. Aride is not the place to be if you cannot manage without regular communications and contact with friends and family.

What to Bring

Definitely bring binoculars that you are comfortable using, these are absolutely essential.

The list below, although not exhaustive, is a collection of the thoughts of the Wardens, the Rangers, and some previous volunteers. This is what they have found useful. Should you require any advice on whether or not to bring specific items, or whether they would be useable or useful, please contact the Wardens directly.

Clothes

Lightweight, cotton clothes. For example, t-shirts, shorts, and a pair of light long trousers and a long sleeved shirt for those days when you don’t feel like feeding the mosquitoes. A good strong pair of boots or trainers, sandals, a very light waterproof jacket, a sun hat, and good quality sun glasses (with a retainer cord) are always useful. A pair of dive boots or aqua shoes to use when launching the boat can save injury to your feet, even small cuts caused by coral and rocks can take a long time to heal in the tropics. A lot of your time will be spent wearing swimwear, bring plenty!

Equipment

A small day rucksack, pens, pencils and notepads. A water bottle with shoulder strap. Batteries, bring plenty as they are expensive and difficult to acquire in Seychelles. A head-torch, a penknife, a clock and waterproof watch, camera equipment and film. Cameras and binoculars can suffer from mildew because of the very high humidity. Bring airtight boxes containing silica gel sachets (available from some chemists, shoe shops, and camera shops) to keep them in.

Cosmetics and Medicine

General medication, elastoplast ( not the waterproof variety which will soon fall off), lots of sun cream and after, plenty of mosquito repellent. Bring all those ‘cant live without’ toiletries that you think you need as they will almost inevitably be difficult to get in Seychelles.

Food and Drink

Coffee, although decent ground coffee is available, the local instant varieties are horrendous! Anything else that you feel you need, and is easy to transport. For example, beanfeast, packets of cheese sauce, dried fruit, chocolate, and if, like the current Wardens, you cannot live without it, HP sauce.

Should you have any specific dietary requirements, for example if you are a vegan or non fish eating vegetarian, please inform the Wardens or the volunteer coordinator when submitting your application. They will be able to advise on the practicalities of this on Aride.

Miscellaneous

One or two pairs of sheets and pillow cases. A decent, small mesh size mosquito net, the larger the better as they are generally more comfortable. Towels, general reading books (there is a limited selection in the Wardens office), Tupperware type large plastic food boxes, zip-lock food bags (to keep ants and skinks at bay) and a roll of large black bin bags, useful for all sorts including keeping bags dry during boat trips. It would also be a good idea to bring two each of the following ….. tea towels, dishcloths, and packets of scouring pads. A few wooden spatulas would also be helpful as the ones available in Seychelles deteriorate quickly.

Optional Extras

Any luxuries, for example spirits or tobacco, a hammock, and a personal stereo. A snorkel and mask is also useful whilst on the island. You may be asked by the Wardens or the Aride Management Committee to carry out small items of equipment or goods not available in the Seychelles. Obviously this saves the island money and is very much appreciated but please do not feel obliged to take things at the expense of your own luggage. Also, if you are asked by friends or relatives of Europeans on other islands to take things out remember that this is not a priority for you.

Finances

Excepting the limited supplies available on Aride (detailed on the day to day page), most produce is bought on Praslin. About £30 per week is required for food. This will cover a very basic life-style ( Seychelles can be an expensive place). More money should be allowed for the odd luxury (beer!) and traveling and accommodation on other islands. Seychelles Rupees are only available in Seychelles. Bring out hard currency – US Dollars, Euros, or Sterling and change at least £50 into Seychelles Rupees (Rs) on arrival at Mahe airport, as trips to the bank can be difficult to arrange . Please retain exchange receipts, which may be required if funds are to be re-converted at the end of your stay. Hotels, airlines and an increasing amount of other services require you to pay in foreign exchange . It is therefore essential to retain £100-£300 worth of hard currency depending on the degree of traveling you intend to do during your stay. There is an airport tax of US $40 or equivalent in hard currency payable on departure. Bring this with you and keep it safe until you leave.

Volunteers are expected to pay their own air fares to Mahe, Seychelles (about £500-£800 depending on time of year). Aride will fund the cost of return flights from Mahe to Praslin. If for some reason you are not able to get over to Aride on the day you arrive due to, for example, bad weather, then accommodation will be arranged and paid for by the island. This does not apply if the you choose to spend a few days sightseeing prior to traveling to or at the end of their stay on Aride. Dr James Cadbury very kindly provides a donation of £350 towards each volunteer's travel expenses. In order to receive this please contact Dr Cadbury directly once your appointment as an Aride Volunteer has been confirmed with the volunteer coordinator. His details will be made available to you by the Wardens or the UK based volunteer coordinator.

Health

Some doctors recommend typhoid, polio, tetanus and hepatitis injections. None is essential, but tetanus is advisable. There is no malaria in Seychelles. 'Swimmer's ear or Coral ear' and infection caused by salt water and high humidity can be a problem (although is never long lasting) so it is advised that the necessary medication be sought from your doctor for general ear infections prior to leaving (Otosporin or similar is what the Wardens use).

A good broad-spectrum antibiotic is a necessity (for example Erythromycin) while other advisable health items include a dry antiseptic (for example Savlon spray), as wounds don’t heal easily. In addition, it is advisable to bring talcum powder to prevent fungal infection and sores. Finally, please bear in mind that medication is not easy to get in Seychelles, specifically if you are allergic to Penicillin etc. Waterproof hydrocolloid dressings suitable for blisters (available at most pharmacies, but not in Seychelles) are advisable if you react badly to insect bites. Seawater retards healing and wounds need covering to prevent infection.

Whilst the island is free from deadly species (with the obviously exception of the legions of large sharks that patrol the coats – I’m joking!), there is a giant centipede, the bite of which can be fairly unpleasant, although in the very recent past (August 2004), a volunteer that was stung did not even notice! It may be advisable to bring antihistamine tablets and cortisone cream for use in the event of a centipede bite, though these are also available on the island, and bites are extremely rare.

Insurance

Whilst on the island you are automatically covered by accident insurance which also includes medical emergencies requiring evacuation. Travel insurance, however, is the responsibility of the individual. Volunteers are advised not to bring anything of great value without insurance cover. Conditions are unkind to equipment, particularly electrical items.

Travel

Air Seychelles, Air France, Air Qatar (via Doha), British Airways, Air Kenya (via Nairobi) and Aeroflot (via Moscow), all fly to Mahe. Air Seychelles fly from both Gatwick and Manchester. Suggested booking is through Mark Heynes of Seychelles Travel, Suite 11c Sunrise Business Park, Blandford Forum, Dorset, DT11 8ST (Tel : +44 (0) 1258 450 983, Fax : +44 (0) 1258 480 490) or Kuoni (Tel +44 (0) 171 499 8636) although it is always worth shopping around or booking directly with the airlines.

The cost varies between £500 and £800 depending on season. You should try to book and confirm your flight at book at least 6-8 weeks in advance of departure, ensuring dates of entry and departure are not more than 3 months apart. There is a 200 rupee charge (approximately £25) for visa extensions for even one day beyond this. Please notify the Wardens by email or telephone as soon as you know your flight dates and times of arrival so that they can book your internal flights.

On Arrival

On the flight you will be required to fill in a disembarkation card with the reason for your visit. Please write CONSERVATION VOLUNTEER, also please bear in mind that you will only be given a standard Visitor's Permit for 30 days and extensions will be obtained later via the island. After clearing Customs and Immigration follow the signs to the domestic terminal, where you can collect your inter-island flight ticket. Finally please telephone the island to let them know of your arrival and any problems that you may have had. We generally try to arrange for our Mahe based ICS representative to meet new arrivals at the airport, but this may not always be possible.