Seychelles: La Digue

 Tuesday, April 18, 2023, LaDigue, Seychelles

Insignia anchored way offshore at about 8 am. We were able to take the tender in after breakfast and were on our own as opposed to having an organized tour. The tender dropped us off right in town, and we went to the tourist office immediately. We got a map and determined we could not get a snorkel tour to coco island. Later we heard the snorkeling wasn't that great. Sometimes what seems to be a bad thing turns out for the best.

The post office was right in front of us, so we went there next. They didn’t take US dollars, but there was a money exchange steps away. A very tourist-friendly town! We exchanged money, went back to the post office, bought post cards and stamps, borrowed a pen from the postal clerk, and sat at a table outside to write post cards. The weather was perfect. This was one laid back island and a very relaxing time.

Money exchange is the window on the right.

Us writing postcards outside the post office (a friend shared this photo).

After posting our letters, we started walking up the road in search of friends who were going to the nearest beach. We found them and settled down on towels for a visit and a wade in the bathtub warm water. 

We soon decided to move to the next beach over, which had a breakwater and a 4-star, $500/night hotel. There were lots of sand crabs and rock crabs to wonder upon. We had drinks at the tables on the hotel beach front. They took our Visa card. No bargains, but hey, you gotta pay for the atmosphere!

4-star hotel with friends & local dog

We got our swim in. I was gabbing with the women in the water when I saw Charlie dressed and waving goodbye, headed up the road. He had my clothing in his backpack, so I walked down the road in my swimsuit to find for him. I knew he was looking for a coconut stand (don’t ask how—45 years of marriage?), and I found him one bar away drinking coconut water out of a coconut. The bartenders were high as kites. Everyone on this island seemed pretty happy. Why not? They were living on four square miles of paradise.

I put my clothes on, and we continued back down the road into town. Charlie went into a shop to spend the last of our rupees. I went looking for my famous Costco sunglasses which I realized were missing (famous for me because I’ve yet to lose them). They weren’t at the post office, but the money changer had them. Reunited with my sunglasses, I couldn’t find Charlie. 

Walking back to town

Back in town

Back in town

It’s a tiny village, so we found each other and caught the tender back to the ship. Once back aboard, we went to 4:00 pm tea time. A string quartet plays every day. There was also a lovely sunset in the evening.

A friend checked out how to get back to this island paradise. There is a direct (about 4 hours) flight from Nairobi, Kenya. So, the next time you’re in Nairobi, consider stopping by LaDigue for a week or so. Otherwise, it will take you much longer to get there.