A Beach Holiday Full of Activities
We set off from Frankfurt Airport on 17 January 2016. The flights, with a change in Abu Dhabi, and the subsequent ferry journey from Mahé to La Digue all went smoothly.
As we arrived around midday, we headed straight to our first beach. At Anse Severe, we immediately tried out our new snorkelling equipment. We were fascinated by the variety of fish and different corals. A ray also appeared before our eyes for a few seconds.
Our first impression of the island and the friendliness of the locals immediately put us in a positive frame of mind.The next day, we visited Anse Source d'Argent. There, you can marvel at the famous giant tortoises, a mill and a large plantation.
We stopped for something to eat and drink at the restaurant, which offered a wide selection, and at the nearby fruit and juice stalls.
We spent a full day on the main island of Mahé. We left La Digue on the first ferry in the morning and returned on the last ferry in the evening. Our main destination was the capital, Victoria, with its fascinating fish market and impressive Hindu temple.
At the bicycle hire shop right by the jetty in La Passe, we hired two reliable bicycles for a total of nine days. They made it easy to reach the beaches and take rides around the island.
On two mornings, we set our alarm for 06:00 and enjoyed a leisurely 10 km run before breakfast. We watched the sun rise and savoured the tranquillity of the island. On one occasion, we spotted a giant tortoise crossing the road. It happily let us stroke its head for quite some time before continuing on its way.
Of course, we also made sure not to miss a hike up the island’s highest mountain, Eagle’s Nest, or Nid d’Aigle. The path is extremely steep and strenuous, but we were rewarded with a spectacular view across the island.
After a short walk, we reached Anse Cocos and found that we were the only visitors. We stayed there all day, alternating between relaxing in the shade and cooling off in the sea.
We also had one rainy day during our holiday. We simply spent it relaxing with our books on the terrace of our guesthouse while watching the heavy downpours.
As we had booked half board at our accommodation for the entire stay, we did not visit any other restaurants. In the evenings, we usually enjoyed fish fillet with various sauces, vegetables and rice. A bowl of fresh fruit was a standard part of breakfast. Ox carts are now found on the island only as a tourist attraction and are no longer used in everyday life.
We also completed the hike around the southern tip of the island without any major difficulties. By taking enough drinking water and studying the tide tables beforehand, we were properly prepared for the challenge. The route is not easy to follow and requires considerable climbing skill and stamina. However, the joy of reaching our goal will remain with us for a long time.
At the Veuve Nature Reserve, we were able to observe and photograph a fruit bat and several ‘Black Paradise Flycatchers’ at close range. At the adjoining visitor centre, we learnt a great deal about the native animals and plants. Across the island, we encountered and observed a wide variety of wildlife, including lizards, spiders and birds.
At Petite Anse, we were repeatedly delighted by the large shoals of fish swimming close to the shore, seemingly unafraid of people.
We watched fascinating sunsets from several different beaches.
We enjoyed a wonderfully varied holiday on La Digue, combining sporting activities with peaceful relaxation.
