BY WOLFGANG H. THOME, ETN AMBASSADOR | SEP 18, 2009

The annual international underwater festival, SUBIOS, short for Sub Indian Ocean Seychelles, is taking place next week with the main activities scheduled for October 2 and 3. This is the 20th time the festival is being hosted since its inception in 1989.

It was four dedicated and enthusiastic divers at the time who formed a special organizing committee to showcase and highlight Seychelles’ unique underwater attractions and spread the word around the world that the country has diving grounds holding its own versus some of the better known and better marketed diving destinations in those years. At the same time, the intent was to also raise awareness amongst local Seychellois about the wonders of nature hidden under water and the need to protect these special ecosystems, which 20 years later, is a reality. The Seychelles, besides offering exotic island beach holidays and excellent sailing and fishing across the entire archipelago, are also known for its diving opportunities as a result of the geological structure of the islands.

Divers often find replicas of the massive granite boulders found on the beaches – immortalized through many commercials, pictures, and films – under water, and the combination with coral reefs and an astonishing variety of marine life will make a diving holiday on the Seychelles a highlight never to be forgotten.

A calendar of activities for the festival week can be found via www.subios.com. In short, it will involve, besides the planned official opening by the Seychelles Vice President, the declaration of winners for the SUBIOS poster competition and further awards for the best videos and pictures, an exhibition of all the entries submitted, and a grand Seychellois fashion presentation featuring unique Seychellois styles of beach wear and casual leisure fashion. One the following days, visitors to the main Island of Mahe will be able to dive in the Beau Vallon bay, where they can witness the spectacular marine life and underwater landscapes. Treasure hunts, supposed to be partly underwater, other team and individual competitions, and the launch of the 2010 festival theme will conclude the week’s celebrations.

It is understood that many hotels will pay particular attention to the typical Creole food for which the Seychelles is so rightly famous by offering superb buffets for visitors coming to the island for the festival. Hundreds of extra visitors are reportedly booked for the period of the festival, and those wishing to fly in to sample the Indian Ocean hospitality, the friendliness of its people, and the natural beauty of the Seychelles, better make swift arrangements, as well as book early to be there in 2010.

Forrás: http://www.eturbonews.com/11772/seychelles-celebrates-20th-anniversary-edition-subios