Cruise day 2 La Digue Island

 We cruised north overnight and were anchored off La Digue Island in the morning. The plan for the day was to visit Anse Source d’Argent, one of the most famous beaches in the world, La Union plantation, and Grand Anse beach on the eastern coast for swimming.

La Digue is one of the most authentic and well preserved islands of the Seychelles. Thanks to its natural isolation, and small population it has remained organised around small rural communities, where Creole traditions, local architecture, and ancestral skills continue to play a central role. It has recently gained international attention because of its spectacular beaches, most notably Anse Source d’Argent.

But first breakfast on board. This just the juice and pastry station.

Once transferred to the island, we were taken from point to point in the islands only motorised vehicles, “air conditioned”  trucks

We had a local guide showing us around the L’Union Estate with a lot of focus on the coconut plantation and historical coconut processing methods

Old coconut meat crusher, driven by a cow tethered to a drive pole

A more modern coconut shredding machine

The copra drying kiln - still used 

The restored plantation house

They also had lots of Seychelles tortoises- this one very friendly

We then drove to near Anse Source d’Argent. A souvenir shop along the track to the beach

Several photos of the beach itself, our photography skills hardly doing it justice

A swim and free coconut juice

“Glass bottom” kayak hire shop

Next it was across the island to Grand Anse beach. Again spectacular turquoise water with weathered granite backdrops but hard to do justice to with our basic photographic skills. Northern end of the beach

Drinks bar with “ghost” rock outcrop behind. Seychelles flag in front

The bar…

.. and a couple of cool dudes who run it - check the hairdos 

Southern end of the beach - foreground saying it all

Heading back to the ship…

… need to improve my selfie facial expressions!!

Lunch on the back deck…

…seafood extravaganza

And unfortunately a too tempting dessert bar to follow 

One of the features of this ship is the Blue Room. It is deep down in the bow of the ship with a window each side out to the ocean and screens showing underwater marine films. We obviously had to give it a try. Quite an experience.

It was the captains welcoming gala night so drinks and canapés on the back deck as the senior staff were introduced..

.. then inside for a six course dinner. Just a couple of courses, tornados Rossini with pate the same size of perfectly prepared filet..

.. and petit fours to conclude.

Then to cap things off a dance and song “spectacule”