CONFIDENCE BUILDING MEASURES 6

Leading to the official Launching of TESS on Saturday 1st March 2008.

Re-Activating the Eco-Tourism process

Measure No. 6 of 25 (In no particular order)


FOR THE COMMUNITY AND BY THE COMMUNITY
“Turning Possibilities into Realities”

Subject: Eco-Tourism Project in the Beau Vallon District
The “Laflut” Granite Castle


On the way down the road to Beau Vallon, in the Beau Vallon District, in a bend by the roadside, next to a meandering river with breadfruit trees and bamboo all over, is a granite house that has been under construction for eons. To date, it is still being built rock by rock, year in year out. I remember it being built 34 years ago when I was working at the Coral Strand Hotel.

The other day I met a nice lady of 68 years old living at Danzilles Bel Ombre and she told me that construction started since she was very young.

Then she told me an interesting story namely that one day, in the early days of our tourism industry, when Mini Mokes were still the preferred method of transportation for the tourist to move around the island, the bag of a foreign visitor fell off the Moke at the bend at Laflut’s house.

The owner of the bag never noticed it, but Laflut happened to pick it up. He opened the bag and found a lot of money and other valuables in there. He was shocked by what he saw, he took the bag and ran down to the Beau Vallon Police Station where his son was working as a policeman and reported it.

The owner of the bag was called to the Police Station to collect the bag and Laflut was nicely rewarded. He was again shocked by the compensation he received, and was scared to go back home with his reward alone and the police had to accompany him.

Apparently Laflut has passed away some years back, his brother has also passed away, and his son has taken over and the construction of the granite castle continues.

Observation

Whether or not we should help Laflut’s family to finish the granite castle is an issue to be considered. We can offer assistance, but the choice should be theirs not ours.

But in my mind it is an eco-tourism cultural attraction of immense proportion that will add much value to our overall tourism product.

As such, it is suggested that Culture do some research on Laflut and his family and that the granite castle be declared as a Beau Vallon District Monument.

In line with our 2007 theme “Ansanm, pour Lanmour Sesel” the granite castle on the hillside of the Beau Vallon District is in my modest view a perfect sign of endurance, perseverance, commitment and unconditional devotion to succeed over time, no matter what …!

Have an enjoyable and fruitful weekend.


Marc MRM Marengo
Chairman of TAREC