Day 4 in the Seychelles

Praslin Island
Anse Volbert
S04 18' 60"  E55 49' 00"
When we returned to the boat after our scuba dive, we were starving.  Thank goodness the crew had a big breakfast waiting.

The galley and kitchen was a great gathering place.

DW with the Captain as we prepared to set sail for Baie St Anne.

Located 40 kilometers north of the main island of Mahe, Praslin is Seychelles second largest island with a population of about 7,000. It's beaches are said to be some of the best in the world.

The island has three main settlements - Baie St Anne, where the catamaran docks bringing passengers to and from Mahe and La Digue, Grande Anse on the south coast near the airstrip, and Anse Volbert / Cote D'Or on the north coast. None of these feel much larger than a village, but are handy places to eat or stock up on supplies at the supermarkets. Between these main towns the island is sparsely inhabited, adding to the feeling of being on your own desert island. - See more at: http://www.seychelles.org/seychelles-islands/praslin-island#sthash.7yNHiM9I.dpuf

The island has three main settlements - Baie St Anne, where the catamaran docks bringing passengers to and from Mahe and La Digue, Grande Anse on the south coast near the airstrip, and Anse Volbert / Cote D'Or on the north coast. None of these feel much larger than a village, but are handy places to eat or stock up on supplies at the supermarkets. Between these main towns the island is sparsely inhabited, adding to the feeling of being on your own desert island. - See more at: http://www.seychelles.org/seychelles-islands/praslin-island#sthash.7yNHiM9I.dpuf

The island has three main settlements - Baie St Anne, where the catamaran docks bringing passengers to and from Mahe and La Digue, Grande Anse on the south coast near the airstrip, and Anse Volbert / Cote D'Or on the north coast. None of these feel much larger than a village, but are handy places to eat or stock up on supplies at the supermarkets. Between these main towns the island is sparsely inhabited, adding to the feeling of being on your own desert island. - See more at: http://www.seychelles.org/seychelles-islands/praslin-island#sthash.7yNHiM9I.dpuf

The island has three main settlements - Baie St Anne, where the catamaran docks bringing passengers to and from Mahe and La Digue, Grande Anse on the south coast near the airstrip, and Anse Volbert / Cote D'Or on the north coast. None of these feel much larger than a village, but are handy places to eat or stock up on supplies at the supermarkets. Between these main towns the island is sparsely inhabited, adding to the feeling of being on your own desert island.

The island has three main settlements - Baie St Anne, where the catamaran docks bringing passengers to and from Mahe and La Digue, Grande Anse on the south coast near the airstrip, and Anse Volbert / Cote D'Or on the north coast. None of these feel much larger than a village, but are handy places to eat or stock up on supplies at the supermarkets. Between these main towns the island is sparsely inhabited, adding to the feeling of being on your own desert island. - See more at: http://www.seychelles.org/seychelles-islands/praslin-island#sthash.7yNHiM9I.dpuf

The island has three main settlements - Baie St Anne, where the catamaran docks bringing passengers to and from Mahe and La Digue, Grande Anse on the south coast near the airstrip, and Anse Volbert / Cote D'Or on the north coast. None of these feel much larger than a village, but are handy places to eat or stock up on supplies at the supermarkets. Between these main towns the island is sparsely inhabited, adding to the feeling of being on your own desert island. - See more at: http://www.seychelles.org/seychelles-islands/praslin-island#sthash.7yNHiM9I.dpuf

The island is criss-crossed by a network of footpaths which we had hiked the day before. Vistas from these paths are stunning. Praslin is also home to the endemic Seychelles black parrot, the national bird of Seychelles, as well as to the beautiful Seychelles blue pigeon among others.

We spotted two of the blue pidgeons while we were in St Anne Marine park but I could not catch a photo of them.

As I have mentioned, Praslin's beaches are of legendary beauty: golden sanded Anse Volbert (stayed there), Cote d'Or (where our dive operator was), Anse Boudin, Anse Kerlan, Anse Lazio (stayed there) on the northern most tip considered by many to be the most beautiful beach in the world. Anse Volbert and Baie St Anne have natural harbours.

Some of our provisions were starting to run low. Our Captain had planned that on this day we would travel to Baie St. Anne where there was a grocery store and restaurants.

Here are the notations in the First Mate log book:
Start Engine 12:33
Depart 12:40
Cut Engine 14:13
Arrive Baie Sante Anne 14:13

Praslin Island
Baie St Anne Port
S04 21' 03"  E55 45' 20"

The anchor became tangled up with a rope. It took all three deck hands to untangle it.

KT took the helm for this journey. She was a terrific "Captain of the Day."

Standing at the front of the boat as we motored along was invigorating.

Here is the view of Baie St Anne as we came into port.

The view from the helm.

After a trip ashore to stock the boat, we settled in for a bit. It felt good to know we had ice again and plenty of tonic. Although we did purchase the little store's entire stock of tonic and ice it was only about half of what we had hoped for.

After storing the provisions, we just chilled for a while.

Hubby D liked sitting at the front of the boat and reading.

That evening we all cleaned up and shuttled into town for dinner at Pirogue Lodge.

Captain said we would have an early "hoist the anchor" so we were off to bed early.

The next day would be a big one for us as we were going to visit the Ste Anne Marine National Park.

Cheers,
Brenda