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Praslin
A view of the beautiful bay.Well, today started out like every other day when we were in a port, except when the captain came on the ship’s intercom and announced that because of the seriousness of the pirate situation, including information he was receiving from the US State Department, the recent attack a couple days ago involving a US Navy frigate in the Seychelles, that for the safety of the passengers and ship, that we would be changing course and not going west to Mombasa, Kenya. He said we would depart the Seychelles and sail south to Mauritius and Reunion, and go around the southern tip of Madagascar to Richard’s Bay, South Africa, where we would pick up our normal schedule. Thus, we would miss Mombasa and Zanzibar. But wait…that’s where we are supposed to get the flight for our 4-day Maasai Mara safari. He apologized for the change of course and need to cancel any excursions and safaris booked from there, but necessary for safety reasons. He also announced that we had picked up 5 Israeli commandos that had come aboard to ensure our safe passage around Africa. Also, that Destination Services would be putting together a number of excursions as quickly as possible for
Our Catamarans
These are the same two catamarans that we had yesterday for the Cerf Island tour. our two new ports.
So, after our disappointment of missing the Taj Mahal last year because of the propulsion problems, we looked at each other and wondered if we were cursed. We talked with Phil, Destinations Director, and asked if there were any other options for a new safari from Richard’s Bay. He said they would try to arrange something and get back to us. In the meantime, we talked with the Chipmans and the Kays who were going with us to Maasai Mara and Evy said she would talk with Norm Pieters, a fellow world cruiser about being able to put a package together. Norm has a travel business in Florida that specializes in safaris. To make a couple day saga brief…he arranged a 4-day package for eight of us to fly to the Mala Mala Main Camp from Richard’s Bay on the 11th via a chartered airplane, and meeting the ship in Cape Town on the 14th. Mala Mala abuts the famous Krueger National Park. More details on this later.
Back to Praslin…we arrived and anchored at 8:00am after our short 4-hour, 25 mile sail from Port Victoria. Praslin is the second largest island of the
The Harbor
Looking back at the harbor as we sail to Coco Island. Seychelles and has a population of about 6,500 people. It was named Isle de Palmes by explorer Lazare Picault in 1744. During that time it was used as a hideaway by pirates and Arab merchants. In 1768 it was renamed Praslin. It is known as a tourist destination and where the famous coco de mer grows wild in abundance.
Today, we decided to split up and take different tours, Annette doing La Digue Highlights and Doug doing Coco Island Snorkeling Adventure, both leaving at 8:15am. Doug departed the pier on the same catamaran that we had yesterday on Victoria for the sail to Coco Island. Another beautiful day and some of the best snorkeling I’ve ever experienced, as good as The Great Barrier Reef. Next time, I’ll come prepared with an underwater camera.
Annette departed the pier on a local ferry that took them to nearby the island of La Digue, one of the prettiest islands of the Seychelles. They got to ride around on ox carts, visited several properties, see more giant tortoises up close and spent time walking on one of La Digue’s world famous beaches.
After our tours, we met back at our suite
The Voyager
Anchored off the island. and shared the days’ experiences. We realized that we still had some of their money and wouldn’t be able to use it at any of our next ports, so Doug hopped on the tender and went back to Praslin, grabbing the shuttle bus that took you to the beach hotel where some of our folks went for the day. There were only a few shops, the beach hotel and a nice restaurant. It was a good 15-minute ride to get there. Doug walked around the beach area for a few minutes and then to one of the shops where he was able to spend it all on a Seychelles T-shirt and a fabric bag with Seychelles map on it for Annette. Hopped on the next shuttle bus going to the tender and back to the ship. The Seychelles is definitely a place to re-visit, especially for a relaxing water and beach experience. We sailed from the Seychelles this evening at 7:00.
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