Tania Militello, Reef Restoration Project Officer
And…it’s come to that time of the year, the time to say goodbye. What an amazing year it has been so far! I can’t believe it is already going to end.
I remember the first time I saw Mahè, when Lindsay drove me to Petite Anse from the airport, palm trees on one side, crystal water on the other and my brain full of new exciting ideas and future projects.
Did I manage to do all the things I intended to? Maybe not. But it is OK, I guess no one is ever really ready to leave when it is time.
Nevertheless, if I look behind and make an objective evaluation of what the WiseOceans team and I have achieved this last year I cannot help but compliment ourselves.
When I arrived, there was no Coral Cabana. The Coral Nursery had a few fragments, but nothing compared to today – almost 2000 – plus four amazing underwater Christmas trees, do not forget this!
I remember Lindsay and I running around all the hardware shops on the island trying to find what what we needed: screws, pliers, rebars, wire, electric wire. Can you imagine this in your mind: two ladies, wearing nice sandals and smiles, in a shop where dust is literally everywhere, asking for some “bolts of 6.5mm. Not 6, please, 6.5 mm!” . Funny, isn’t it? Now they all know us. I called one of the shops recently and they even said “ah, Tania from WiseOceans, the ones that do that strange job underwater, the coral savers!”. This is what we call building relationships and raising awareness with locals! We rock!
It was a blast of a year really, with some unbelievable funny moments, great achievements and amazing success for the Reef Restoration Project and for myself too. I will never forget the time spent in Seychelles, and to remember the time I spent here, I have decided to make myself (and you too of course) a present, a special “This year at the Coral Cabana” photo book. An album of postcards from this Paradise found called Seychelles and of this team of beautiful people called WiseOceans. THANK YOU ALL!
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My very first time in the nursery – I am clearly expressing my happiness and excitement for the new adventure! © LS WiseOceans
Not only sea in Seychelles: amazing funny moments with colleague Jo Eames and friends.
Not always sunny and calm seas in Seychelles; taking care of corals requires lot of commitment in days like this
And the Four Seasons Resort Seychelles team was very supportive and keen to learn about corals too: here I am giving a presentation about the Reef restoration project to a very interested SPA team.
Then Christmas arrives in Petite Anse!
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Getting familiar with “the office”…the best office in the word! © TM WiseOceans
I also met some new “animal” friends
Luckily I had a great team that supported and helped me in every moment: the beast team in the world!
We had also great support from many other people that visited us: here I am showing the baby corals to Tim Ecott and explaining about the reef restoration project to student for University of Seychelles.
Some time to visit other Islands: Pralin! Have you ever heard about Anse Lazio…best beach in the world!
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Time to say goodbye…this photos of before and after is a symbol of all the great things that happened during this last year, the first year for the Reef Restoration Project. Bye everyone!
