Thursday, August 6, 2015

Saturday, December 6, 2014 - Mahe, Seychelles


Port Victoria, Seychelle Islands

We got up about 8 and went for coffee in the Coffee Bar.  There was a Patriot’s Get-Together by state or by country at 10:45.  Florida had 50 people and most of them showed up.  We met some new people.

We had a quick lunch by the pool as we docked in Port Victoria.  Tim left about 1 pm to meet his dive company.  He’s so excited.  I went to the theatre about 1:15 but they wouldn’t let me check in as I was early.  Yet, they never announced when we could check in, so Marsha, Larry and I were the last to check in.  We went to the bus and there were no more seats on our bus so I went to bus 24 with Lester.  He was an excellent guide.  Our first stop was the Victoria Botanical Garden which was beautifully maintained.  They also had giant tortoises there, but not as large as in the Galapagos.  Beautiful trees, flowers, and plants. 
The beautiful Seychelle Islands

A wind turbine farm generating electricity for the Seychelles

The town of Mahe with the mountains in the background

Downtown square in Mahe, Seychelles

Beautiful botanical garden in Mahe

Delightful walk through the park in Mahe

Lots of interesting plants

Bananas and other tropical plants in the botanical gardens

Many unusual trees in the botanical gardens in Mahe

Lots of different varieties of palm trees

The giant tortoises in the botanical garden

Giant tortoises

Explanation of the Aldabra giant tortoise in Mahe

We then walked through Port Victoria and saw a statue of Pierre Poivre – there is a steak dish named after him!  (That was a joke)!  He introduced spices to the Seychelles.  Lester explained about the landslide that devastated the city in the late 1800’s, destroying everything but the church.  We walked through the market but everything was gone for the day.  Strong fish smell there!
Monument to Pierre Poivre - steak au poivre is named for him!

The town clock in the central intersection of Mahe - replica of Big Ben?

The Clock Square

A monument

An old church - the only building not impacted by the landslide

Well maintained walking streets in Mahe - and friendly people

The Central Market - closed by the time we got there

The cathedral in Mahe

Cathedral in downtown Mahe, Seychelle Islands

 

We drove along the north coast and there were beautiful views of the ocean and mountains.  There is a lot of reclaimed land here.  We ended up at a resort on the beach and had a drink and enjoyed the beach.  I tried to use the internet but it was only accessible by guests at the hotel.
A beautiful drive along the north coast

Beautiful water and islands all over

A beautiful beach at the resort where we stopped

Sandy white beach

Beautiful beach scenes

 
 

We left the resort about 5 and headed back into Port Victoria to the ship.  Lester had the driver take the “high road” back to Port Victoria and there were beautiful viewpoints and a huge rainbow in the distance over the ocean.
 
 

View of Mahe, Seychelles from the high road



Silver Seas Voyager at dock in Mahe, Seychelle Islands

Beautiful vistas from the "high road"

Harbor at Mahe

We arrived back at the ship and it started raining – I helped Curt (the shuffler) stay out of the rain and get back on the ship.  He was so concerned about holding up the line but I kept telling him to take his time.

I was starving when I got back on the ship and had coffee and cookies since nothing else was available.  Tim was in the cabin and had a great dive.  He had been at the very same resort where my tour had gone.  We must have passed each other on the way to/from!

We showered and dressed for dinner and went to the Lounge for a martini and then we met George and Grant for drinks.  We have dinner in Prime 7, the steakhouse, and it was fabulous.  Katie was there with her entourage celebrating her 60th birthday.  Dinner, service and our special bottle of wine were superb.
After dinner Tim headed back to the cabin and I went to see a little of the Beatles Show.  It was just okay.  Then off to bed.  The ship leaves Port Victoria at 5 am to sail to Praslin which is only 29 km away and we are scheduled to arrive by 7:30. 

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