Blog 3 – Praslin Island and all at sea......

Took another small plane flight into Praslin where we stayed for a couple of nights at the Coco de Mer hotel, a stunning place on the beach. One memorable taxi ride here was with the driver holding a beer in one hand, steering with the other and telling us not to worry, he certainly wouldn't drink more than 3 beers whilst working!!! That's a relief then.

Next stop was 3 days sailing on a small yacht, just us and a (very young) skipper. Visiting several small islets for snorkeling plus the islands of Curieuse and Aride, which is a nature reserve, and one that D particularly wanted to go to (birders please note) as it is home of the endangered endemic Seychelles Magpie Robin and Seychelles Warbler – which he successfully did. Sea a bit choppy at times, so hoisted the sails and did it properly – Pete and Jane would have been proud of us. (It's an Oceanis 316 which will only mean something to the sailors out there...)


Our yacht off Aride Island


The real sailor is the one with no beer ...

Late one evening just before we anchored up for the night I had, what for me, was the highlight of the trip so far – an “in the water” encounter with a whaleshark which was reckoned to be about 10m long. Our skipper said that this was a very rare opportunity for me to get in the water with one as it was on its own, and it was totally out of season to see it. So, as the kind of girl who always does as she is told, I jumped in fully clothed with my camera mask and swam with this huge, gentle and incredibly beautiful fish. So happy.


Part of my whaleshark

After leaving the yacht we caught a ferry to La Digue, another small island and our last stop for the next 6 days before flying home. This island is completely different from the others in that it is quieter and more rural than the others. There are not too many tourists here, those that are are mainly French and Italian – very few Brits.


On La Digue Island


Main Street La Digue

For some reason unknown to us, we have been upgraded at this 5 star hotel to a huge suite with verandah overlooking a pond full of birds. Every day is spent riding bikes around the various beaches, swimming, eating and drinking beer – bliss!! Daytime temperatures are up in the 30s and night not much cooler - thank goodness for a/c.

We have both really enjoyed the Seychelles although everything here is incredibly expensive, far more than we expected, but would love to come back to Bird Island which was probably our favourite stop and all too short.

Annie & Doug xx