Seychelles, gems of the Indian Ocean - LA DIGUE

Arrival in La Digue

After about twenty minutes of sailing, less dramatic than the one that brought us to Praslin, we pull into the small harbor of La Passe. Today is Sunday, and it is the last day of the island festival celebrated on Ferragosto. So we are welcomed by festive music and dancing in a chaotic atmosphere that gives us a welcome to this little corner of the world. We wait for our transfer, included in the price of the guesthouse, which takes us to the Hibiscus Guesthouse. Jennita, the owner, welcomes us with a good fruit juice and shows us our portion of the little villa. Everything is cared for, spotlessly clean and comfortable. Nice room, large bathroom, the separate but private kitchen very well equipped, the veranda on the flowering garden comfortable. Here too we are delighted with where we will spend the last four days of our vacation.

Jennita immediately gets us some bicycles (the only means of getting around the island) and pedaling we go back toward La Passe where we eat at the many stalls cooking outdoors for the festival. We make the most of the afternoon pedaling north, doing a first half-loop of the island toward the beaches of Anse Severe, Anse Patates, Anse Gaulettes. Once the spirit of the festival is left behind, the island immediately reveals its character of quiet and serenity that hovers everywhere. A realistic jump back in time, despite the tourism present, ready to respect the times and rhythms of this little pearl. Before heading back we go to the market to stock up our fridge a bit. After some relaxation and making the most of the last evening of the festival we go out for dinner, trusting Jennita's advice, who directs us to "Clair De Lun", a little restaurant past La Passe. Excellent.

We enjoy music and rum toasting our arrival in La Digue.

Second Day in La Digue

It might seem crazy but this morning I set the alarm at dawn to look at the sky. Completely clear. And so at 07:00 we are on our bicycles heading to the Union State. Following the advice of those who have been here, I want to arrive at Anse Source D'Argent while it is still deserted and low tide allows us to admire all its beauty. It will be a wise choice. The most photographed beach in the Seychelles and among the most photographed in the world, it is inside a protected park, so you will be asked to pay at the entrance, the ticket is daily and they don't allow discounts or concessions. Once in the park you just need to follow the signs for the beach, which is only the first of a series of wonderful coves that follow one another in the park area. We arrive while the sun has not yet illuminated the lagoon and as we wished we are alone.

We stay here for more than an hour and there's no need to say much about this beach that describes itself. For a sunbath we continue south, with the camera going crazy at every corner of paradise that opens up before us. We choose Anse Source a Jean to turn into ordinary beach tourists. Simply wonderful. Unfortunately, around lunchtime the beach is now crowded and the tide begins to rise, driving us higher and higher. When I begin to suffer from "Riccione syndrome" we slowly head back, reflecting on how the poetry of a few hours earlier is completely lost. Before looking for another quiet little beach, we stop at a small shop of paintings that you'll find at the exit of the Union State...I couldn't resist choosing a souvenir! We continue the day at Anse La Reunion, the closest to our guesthouse. We get back late, dinner at home and a digestive bike ride for a good Rhum at La Passe.