In this episode of 80 Days: an exploration podcast, we are looking at the little island paradise of the Seychelles, a country made up of an archipelago of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean. This former British colony has a population of just over 90,000, the smallest of any independent African state, and lies 1,500 kilometres (or 932 miles) off East Africa.
Like neighbouring Madagascar, the islands are best known for their unique geology and diverse wildlife populations. White sand beaches and clear blue oceans abound here, in what was once a haven for pirates marauding throughout the Indian Ocean. A tropical rainforest climate ensures that the islands are hot and humid year-round. Victoria, the capital city of Seychelles, is the smallest capital in the entire world, with a population of around 27,000 and the country today is one of the most prosperous in all of Africa.

Your hosts are Luke Kelly @thelukejkelly in Hong Kong, Mark Boyle @markboyle86 in the UK, and Joe Byrne@anbeirneach in Switzerland. (Theme music byThomas O’Boyle). Full show-notes with images and links available at www.80dayspodcast.com/2017/05/01/seychelles.

*Topic list*:
[01:10] Intro - sounds pretty nice tbh
[02:07] Early history - coco de mer the rudest fruit
[06:28] Discovery - Seychelles can't get no respect
[14:00] Pierre Poivre & other French colonial hijinks
[19:54] As usual the British turn up and Seychelles surrenders many times
[26:13] Welcome to the Empire Seychelles
[29:24] Seychelles - exotic prison colony with balls, baths and Birch
[36:30] Smut(s) and WW2's loyal aliens
[40:30] Independence - Brits start to feel bad
[45:44] Commie Coup
[53:20] Mad Mike Hoare and his bad couping
[1:00:37] Democracy, climate change and geology
[1:04:22] Food - sharks and tiny persons
[1:07:13] Economy - tourism & N. Korean... friendship
[1:37:07] Modern day