Tale #3: The Time I Was Weighed in Public in the Seychelles

Back in the 1990s, I travelled to the beautiful Seychelles — hopping across three islands: the main island of Mahé, then on to the lush green Island Praslin, and finally the laid-back charm of La Digue.

It was a time when baggage allowances weren’t really top of mind. You packed what you wanted, breezed through check-in, and that was that. Or so I thought.

Then came the internal flight from Mahé to Praslin.

The plane was small — and weight distribution wasn’t just a technical detail; it was essential. They didn’t just weigh your luggage. They weighed you, too.

And not discreetly.

As we pulled into the airstrip, there it was: a giant, old-school mechanical scale with the most enormous dial you’ve ever seen. You could see it from the car park.

No curtain. No corner. Just a big round dial, ready to broadcast your number to everyone waiting in line.

We didn’t want to look.

Truly.

But of course… we did.

The needle swung, paused, then settled — in full view of fellow passengers, staff, and possibly anyone within a five-mile radius. It was mortifying, mildly hilarious, and completely unforgettable.

Still, the reward was worth it — soaring over the Indian Ocean, turquoise reefs below, en route to one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen.