Time to head off on a different type of safari.
Instead of a game drive vehicle, a Mason’s bus would be taking us to the harbour in Victoria.
I did not need BOTH buses, as I was not going to be alone on this excursion.
Other people were going to be collected during the drive from the hotel to the harbour.
We were NOT going to be spending the day aboard THIS vessel.
Although, I am certain that the “skipper” had some interesting tales to share.
Neither were we going to be donning naval uniforms
and joining the ranks of the seamen on board this Russian warship
Nor was I going to be working on any of these fishing vessels.
Although fish were going to be the theme that ran through our Reef Safari.
Many people might argue that wind turbines are “UGLY”…
I think that they have an innate beauty and should be used more often.
THIS is where we going to be spending the day.
One of the most comfortable catamarans I have every sailed on,
and I have been on several.
The on-board amenities were superb and even though there was a large group on board,
I did not feel cramped.
I thought that we had left this rain squall back in the harbour.
However,I was to be proved wrong,
and it caught up with us in the early afternoon.
Luckily for myself and the rest of those on board, George Clooney was NOT
one of the passengers, hence this was not a “Perfect Storm”!
We all going to board a Yellow submarine?
(to paraphrase a Beatle’s tune)
Not quite, but this was the topside of an interesting submersible experience
“Under the sea. under the sea”…
Guide and our host for the day, Francis,
whose knowledge of things both above as well as below the waterline was fascinating.
It is not easy shooting underwater scenes through a murky porthole window.
But it does give potential tourists an inkling of what lies beneath the waves.
AARGH…I am a pirate!
No you are not,
you are Mr Quatre, the on-board Chef.
There were schools of these fish that surrounded the catamaran,
“begging” for food.
And, of course, we obliged, feeding them chunks of bread supplied by the crew.
Luckily, non of them were cooking away on the grill that was set up in the stern of the ship.
This was to be part of the lunch that would be served to us later.
Our skipper for the day,
Travis Barbe.
Time to get wet.
I did get in, but then got out in order to get some images.
Even though the Indian Ocean is warm, it was a little colder than I expected.
The inflatable rubber duck was there to make certain that everyone was safe.
The snorkelling experience was a first for this newly wed tourist from India.
To her credit, she did better than either she or her new husband imagined.
It was partly (if not wholly) due to the patience of this crew member.
He was supportive and patient throughout her time in the water.
The most all-round good guy, guide, singer and raconteur.
Francis.
He certainly made the rainy, overcast day much more enjoyable
as well as teaching us some of the Seychelles history .
Lunch time for the on-board guests.
The sea air and the swim had made us all hungry,
and there was more than enough for everyone.
And what a lunch it was.
Beautifully prepared literally before our very eyes.
There was dessert…
but for some reason I never got a picture of what was on offer.
While we were eating, the rain, as well as this speed boat caught up with us…
The former stayed with us for much of the afternoon,
the latter sped right past us.
We had hoped for the reverse…
I thought that we would to return to the harbour under sail.
Unfortunately, that was not to be…
and we motored gently back to Victoria and our mooring.
And so the day came to an end…
I want to quote “Hitchhikers guide to the Galaxy”
written by Douglas Adams.
“So long and thanks for all the fish”
…literally!
Both under the water as well as part of our lunch.
If I am to be honest, I was not in the mood for this excursion to begin with.
It was an early pick-up, and I really wanted a lie in…
I was going to be out all day…and I was uncertain if I really wanted that.
HOWEVER…
Was it worth it at the end of the day?
TOTALLY!
An awesome experience and I highly recommend it
to other tourists who visit Seychelles.
(Especially if you can get Francis as the guide)
The day that I spent with this company was truly awesome.
The excursion was well organized and the staff both on and off the boat were fantastic.
I have to comment about the bus driver,
who found my mobile phone that I left on his vehicle.
He kept it safe for me, and knowing that it was in trustworthy hands
allowed me to enjoy my experience to the maximum.
In order to get around on the main island,
I used Gilly Mein.
I can highly recommend him as both a driver and a guide.
His knowledge and passion for the Seychelles and its history
made for some interesting in-car conversations.
Find out more about what the Seychelles has to offer tourists:
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/SeeSeychellesSA/
Twitter – https://twitter.com/SeeSeychellesSA
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/seychellestourismsa/
This carrier will soon be flying directly from Durban to Victoria.
Watch what the CEO, Roy Kinnear had to say:
Listen to the Podcast of my Seychelles Special radio show via this link:
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