Rodrigues

---

We arrived at Rodrigues about 1pm on Saturday 14^th– exactly 14 days since leaving Cocos. We averaged 5.91kts (not quite making it to 6kts) The entrance was well defined with a well marked channel and reef clearly visible all round. We had to anchor in the ‘swing area’ as there was a ship alongside the dock. We hadn’t even finished setting the anchor when the officials came in their Zodi to clear us in. All in all 4 different departments all needing forms filled in and signed, but all very nice and welcoming. We didn’t go ashore the rest of that day, but we were within shouting distance to Cocokai so chatted with them, John from Boomerang came to visit in his Zodi, Tor from Imagine came in his Zodi for a visit and then John came back again later with Debby for sundowners. So, a lovely greeting.

The next morning the supply ship left and so we moved alongside the wharf. This way we don’t need to inflate the Zodi and can just step ashore whenever we want. (makes dining out easier!!)

Sunday not much is open in Rodrigues, but it is such an amazing and quaint little town. We wandered around that day and found an excellent pizza place for lunch. Then as Boomerang and Cocokai were also alongside, we all went out for dinner and ended back up on Boomerang for drinks. (a late night that one...later for some than others!)

Monday Anna (who was on Imagine) had organised to hire a car, so we went with her to explore the island a bit. Before we left, we organised sim cards so now have phone and internet and then went to the Marlin Bar for lunch (just up the coast a bit from Port mathurin)....and had another divine pizza! We drove down towards the airport and went to the caves and tortoise reserve. There used to be heaps of Tortoises on Rodrigues, but they were hunted out by early settlers, so now they are trying to reintroduce them back (eventually) at this stage they’re all at the reserve, but eventually they hope to educate the local populating before letting them go in the wild. They plan to let them go out on the uninhabited atolls first. The oldest and biggest Tortoise is “Number 19” and is 95yrs old. So far they have bred 1631 babies over the last 4 years!

Tues (today): Phil was up early and went to the bakery and got 5 loaves of bread (well large baguettes), and 2 croissants for $2. Made for a stunning breakfast with the farm fresh eggs we got yesterday. A few jobs on the boat and ....oh yes, pizza again for lunch. (lucky we’re going back to sea soon or we’ll just eat too much). I went for an explore again through the town with Anna. I really just love this place. The people are so friendly, happy and nice – they mostly speak French, but some have a good grasp on English and the rest we communicate with hand signals and a few words.

---

Comments

[Darren]

looking good
Trina you're looking great! Phil you're looking...like Redbeard!