Seychelles Beauty: Above & Below the Sea

The uninhabited, isolated island of Aldabra in the Seychelles was nearly a U.S. military base. In 1968, with the U.S. looking for a foothold in the Indian Ocean, Aldabra was at the top of a short list due to its large lagoon that could be blasted to accommodate a naval base and ample space for long runways.
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Story & photos by Kristin Hettermann

The uninhabited, isolated island of Aldabra in the Seychelles was nearly a U.S. military base. In 1968, with the U.S. looking for a foothold in the Indian Ocean, Aldabra was at the top of a short list due to its large lagoon that could be blasted to accommodate a naval base and ample space for long runways. The efforts of a small group of people campaigning to keep Aldabra, and its giant tortoises, preserved eventually resulted in the U.S. military complex shifting away from the Seychelles.

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Seychelles Beauty

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