Praslin day #5
Destination planned for today - Curieuse islant isn't much far from the place where I'm staying either. Thanks to it's position near equator, there's always dark after 18:30 in Seychelles, so I usually fall asleep earlier and earlier I'm up (-:
Approx. at 6:30 I'm at Anse Volbert village for a walk... On the picture below, Ristorante Da Luca, one of the restaurants I've frequented during previous visits, closed at the time, maybe for good..:
Deserted Cote d'Or in the morning:
Found myself a shady spot at the entrance to nearby apartment. Not expecting much of a traffic (-:
Arround 8:00, I'm starting to look for a boat that would take me to the Curieuse. Under normal circumstances, quite straightforward, but problem is that the local tour operators at the beach are waiting till last minute if there will be enough customers to make the trip profitable. Trying some of my contacts and I've got posibility of a private transfer for 100 EUR excl. landing fee (which has been increased from 200 SCR to 400 SCR if I remember well), just in case. Few minutes before 9:00, I'm joining an Italian couple so there are 3 of us on the boat + skipper (-: For a price of 50 EUR, landing fee included. I've turned down offer for the barbecue, since I've planned some extra hiking on the island and this kind of a barbecue isn't my cup of tea anyway (-:
My co-passengers are on their first vacation in Seychelles and I must admit that I'm a bit envious... My first vacation in Seychelles is the most memorable, although it was terribly planned (-: We're talking about our plans, sharing experiences, so the boat ride passes quickly.
View on Chave Souris from the boat. I think that this island has been owned by Giorgio Armani in the past. Now it's operated by some Italians. Not sure If I would enjoy my time on the teracce, being photographed by every passenger on the boats passing by (-:
Few pictures from the turtle sanctuary:
This guy is either blind or been watching too much porn (-: Reminded me of some book from my childhood, where I've read that if turtle bites you in the hand, you have to either cut off your hand or turtle's head. If that's true then it makes this practice dangerous indeed.
Plan for today is to hike to the Anse Badamier, then Anse St. José and after that, if time permits - the heritage trail located on SW coast of the island.
I've overheard conversation of a fellow visitors to the island with someone from the staff, asking about trail to the Anse Badamier - it is closed he says... Guess I'll see about it then (-: I'm sticking to the "Whoever asks too much, will find out too much" this time as I really want to visit this place, actually, it's the main reason why I'm here today.
Let's go then:
Despite the fact that island has been deforested in the past, it offers beautiful views along the path:
At the crossroad, instead of continuing to the Anse St. José, I'm taking the right turn to the Anse Badamier trail.
After some time, I see concrete pilons in the ground with wooden planks over it. Looks like they're constructing new boardwalk in this section of the trail, so that was probably the reason why it's been "closed", not much of a drama. Other than that, I'd like to point out the trail is signposted and I'm sticking to it (-:
Path goes up:
With a view of Mt. Curieuse, highest peak on the island. Well, a hill might be more accurate...
South coast:
Visitor shelter up on the hill:
Now I'm starting to think that it was really worth the detour:
I have to admit, this is one of the most beautiful beaches I've ever seen. Spending some time here, alone, just enjoying being here...
But it's time to continue, already on a way to the Anse St. José. On a second picture, for a change, biggest crab I've ever seen. Today is truly a day of wonders
Along the way & view of the turtle pond:
Remnants of the former leprosarium situated on the island on the way to Anse St. José:
Doctor's house and some surrounding buildings:
I've walked past doctor's house on a path leading further west along the coast (supposed to be the heritage trail I'd say), after while, I've reached this building:
Where I've been approached by some woman (of an european origin, british accent) and a dog, origin unknown. Claiming that I'm trespassing a private property and there's nothing past it.
Well, to be honest I wasn't in a mood for an argument as I was rather tired after several days mostly exposed to the pitiless sunlight (I was usually leaving apartment at 6:00, returning after dark), so I've let it go and went back to the Anse St. José to read a book (-: After all, I've already seen the important things for the day.
Later, I've found out that her presence had probably something to do with this: https://www.gvi.co.uk/location/volunteer-in-curieuse/
Maybe I could've just ignored her, I dunno.
Anse St. José, at the time, heavilly afected by a seaweed.
I've had some other plans for the day, but I've felt a bit tired, so I'm letting it go and remain on the deserted Cote d'Or beach:
I've stopped at the usual supermarket near the road at Anse Volbert on my way home, to buy a cold Seybrew for the evening. And was spotted by a guy at the nearby fruit stall, whose offers I've always turned down on the previous days. Not many tourists, so I'm easily recognized, especially when I pop up there to buy a beer almost each day. Fait accompli and I really HAVE TO finally buy something from him.
So I'm handing over my last 50 SCR bill (actually, all the cash I've had at the moment) that I'm leaving fruit selection to him if that 50 SCR is enough.
This is what I'm getting in return:
Thanks for the reading and good night (-: Tomorrow, I'm heading to La Digue.