I'm on an island...
In my last blog post, I was wondering if we should stay or go. As I prepare this entry, it's looking more and more like we'll be leaving Addis Ababa አዲስ አበባ while COVID-19 rages on. True, there are still only 19 confirmed coronavirus cases in Ethiopia (with no deaths), but many here suspect the true number is much higher. Gasoline shortages are becoming an issue - today (Sunday) I had to wait in line at a gas station for almost an hour before I was able to fill up. Restaurants are beginning to go to a "takeaway/delivery only" service. Most worryingly is the question of how much longer Ethiopian Airlines (the only airline still flying into and out of the country at the moment) will continue to operate. I fear if we wait too much longer, the decision as to whether to stay or go will be made for us.
So in the meantime I'll try to finish up these posts about our trip to the Seychelles by telling you that our sixth day in the country was on a Friday. The plan on this day was to make the short trip by ferry from Praslin to La Digue, the Seychelles' third most-inhabited island. Our rental car was ready to go that morning, as we prepared to leave the Sunset Cove Villa:
With a few minutes to kill before departing to the port for our 10:00 ferry, I took a stroll around the neighborhood, checking out the latest fashions in one shop window:
The local church backed up onto the beach, with a wonderful view of Cousin and Cousine islands just offshore:
Although we rented cars to get around on Mahé and Praslin, the Seychelles does have a very efficient bus system that is well-used by the locals (and a few tourists):
Not having a waterproof camera with me on this trip, I was unable to record the fish swimming around me while swimming in the waters off Anse Soleil and Anze Lazio. The best I could do was this shot taken at the Pier Cat Cocos, while waiting for the ferry to take us to La Digue:
Praslin Marina:
After a ride of only fifteen minutes or so, we entered the La Digue Marina:
After depositing our bags at the friendly Villa Authentique, we had lunch at the Fish Trap Restaurant & Bar, taking in the view from an outdoor table:
After lunch we returned to the Villa Authentique and checked in. While Shu-E rested in the air-conditioned comfort of our room, Amber and I rented a couple of bicycles from the villa. La Digue is small enough to explore on two wheels:
The two of us set off to find the Anse Source d'Argent beach, "famed for being one of the most photographed beaches on the planet", according to Lonely Planet. Getting to the beach requires paying to enter the L'Union Estate & Copra Factory, a former coconut plantation and now a historic site. The colonial-era graveyard:
It's easy to understand Anse Source d'Argent's fame - white sand, shallow emerald-colored waters, granite boulders and shady coconut palms. While there weren't as many fish as at Anse Lazio, the fish here came right up to the shore, and showed no fear of humans, swimming alongside me. I even had a couple of what I presume to be Orbicular batfish nibble at my diving mask:
This video gives a good idea of what it's like to be in the waters off Anse Source d'Argent:
After a couple of hours in the water, Amber and I headed back to the villa. Coconut palm trees can be dangerous - while parking our bikes earlier in the afternoon, a large coconut fell to the ground from one of these trees not far from us. One can only imagine the damage that could result if one of them should land directly on your skull:
We also passed by the estate's collection of Aldabra giant tortoises on the way out:
Back on the road heading toward what constitutes La Digue's main town, we paused to have a look at Notre Dame de L'Assomption. Around 75% of the Seychelles population is Catholic:
Back in La Passe, we collected Shu-E and went out for dinner at the Tarosa Bar and Restaurant, where the evening's entertainment was provided by Mother Nature:
Pandemics come and go (and I really hope this latest one goes soon), but life in a place like La Digue continues at its own relaxed pace. Someday I would like to retire to a place like this.
Someday...
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