New cultural excursion brings tourists into real homes for authentic cuisine
A new excursion offered by Mason’s
Travel will provide visitors with an in-depth cultural experience involving real
homes and the Seychellois families that live there.
Combining common lifestyle traditions,
like browsing the morning catch of local fishermen, with authentic Creole
cooking techniques and ingredients, the Mason’s Back to Roots Excursion aims to
give tourists an unfiltered view into the daily life of a local home and its
residents, according to Mason’s PR, Branding and Communications Manager Nicole
St Ange.
“With the continuing trend worldwide
of tourists seeking more culturally enriching and localised experiences, this
excursion will provide a new entry to the market, and we’re proud to be able to
help offer such a unique product together with our local partners,” St Ange
said.
Mason’s is working with local vendors
to provide a pool of home ‘venues’ that have been pre-assessed for hygiene and
other standards.
The all-day excursion starts with an
early visit to the Victoria market to browse fresh fruits, vegetables and fish
followed by a scenic drive providing an opportunity to select fresh catches
from a village fishermen’s market, for the Creole lunch that will be prepared
later that morning.
The group then continues on through
local neighbourhoods to the selected home, where guests may opt to help with
the preparation of the meal. Grilling breadfruit on an open fire, grating
coconut, or wrapping fish parcels in banana leaves are among a range of
activities in which clients can participate.
“The lunch may vary from home to home,
but will always include some of Creole cooking’s signature dishes, such as grilled
fish, coconut curries, and chutneys and salads made from local produce,” St
Ange said.
After lunch, guests can try their hand
at kapatya (the art of weaving
coconut leaves into hats, baskets and other items), as well as taste kalou (fermented palm sap), before departing for
their respective hotels.
“We
believe our clients will appreciate an excursion about simple, old-fashioned
Seychellois hospitality, that is not just for show or part of a scripted
performance,” St Ange said. “The host family will be able to welcome visitors
with their own brand of hospitality in their own home, and connecting people to
places and those that live there is what tourism should be about.”
