April 5,2024

The Seychelles are a group of 115 islands off the coast of east Africa. Most of the islands are uninhabited and 90% of the population lives in the capital city of Victoria, on Mahe Island. Creole, French and English are the primary languages spoken in that order. But beaches are the main draw. There are 65 beaches alone on Mahe Island!

I never quite get use to the sunsets that greet me each morning. Here is my arrival gift as we approached Mahe Island.

A closer look will reveal the wind turbines that are prominent throughout many of the areas that we have visited. Like throughout Europe, especially in Germany and The Netherlands where wind turbines are seen frequently, many countries in Asia use wind as an energy source. With consistent wind blowing from the Red Sea and Indian Ocean wind provides a needed means to reduce energy costs.

And, of course, there are the ever-present fish markets. The Seychelles compete with the Maldives for fish consumption. It is the Seychelles, however, that excel at charter boat excursions. I overheard a fellow passenger, wearing a Bass fishing baseball cap, who was absolutely giddy that he was going on a half day private fishing outing. “Who would have ever thought I’d be able to say I fished the Seychelles off the coast of Africa” he repeated twice within a moment’s time. My only concern would be if he actually caught something. I’m sure he could never sneak it into his cabin!

But back to the beaches. They are absolutely gorgeous. Even as a long time Floridian and having lived in the Caribbean for five years these beaches do impress. I believe it is the long horizons, the crystal clear surf and the rock formations that set them apart from what you see on the Atlantic coastline.

Here’s a few examples.

There are also 100-year-old protected tortoises that can be found on some beaches in the Seychelles. I was told this is their mating season, so I did not see any. Like my fishing friend, I would have been tempted to bring one back to my cabin!

Because of the ongoing conflict in the Red Sea, we will now alter direction and divert to the continent of Africa. The map below shows where we would have travelled up through Mubai, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Egypt, Jordan and Israel before connecting with the Mediterranean. Now our next port will be Zanzibar, Tanzania.

As I shared in an earlier post, I was somewhat disappointed in that two of the charitable organizations we were scheduled to visit were in India and Israel. However, this is the nature of travel.

It is not the destination that is important but the journey.

And with sunsets like this one leaving the Seychelles, I know I am in good hands.

Thanks for traveling with us.