Rodrigues

Arriving mid Friday afternoon was just too easy. There were 5 other yachts there, 4 of which we knew from Chagos. As Rob from "Inish" grabbed our bow line humming a wedding tune I couldn't help smile but completely puzzled as we hadn't said anything to these guys here??? Turns out our good friends on Gaia and Divanty who were sailing for India had spread the word around on the SSB Radio to the whole of the Indian Ocean! Well we cracked up anyhow.

Then there were the officials also helping with our lines.... What a great surprise. We didn't expect at all to come here so hadn't done any research really and what we found was really special. Was like what I imagined it would be arriving in the carribean. The locals here are 97% African decent and all talk Creole which is pretty well French. All really laid back, smiling, just no problem at all. They all came onboard and the paperwork was done in less than an hour. We had the "junior" health inspector Serge who was a super cool smiling sort of fella and the only one we had to pay. Because he was a junior employee the fee was also half! Fantastic, after paying big bucks for Maldives and Chagos the fee here is $30 for a 2 month stay. It was a full moon the night before we arrived so spring tides. We arrived at the top of the tide so it was a bit bumpy alongside so after talking to Gilbert the harbour master (also a champion) we decided to anchor in the dredged harbour. For us it's much nicer at anchor and there is plenty of room there for a  half dozen or more yachts and good holding in mud.

Then into town and off to dinner we went with the crew from La Luna Denise and Etienne. Music everywhere, big mamas all dressed in colours, super cool fellas just hanging out, absolutely no stress whatsoever and almost everyone we passed saying "bonjour", love this place! Is a complete culture shock after being in a Muslim place for so long. Arriving at the restaurant was also a pleasant surprise with the Finnish boats KasteHelmi and Ever After also there. Smiles all around and then the Finnish surprised us with Champagne for a toast to Julie and I! Great night. Also the steak and sausages weren't too bad either!

Saturday we discovered the Bakery or "Pattisserie" as the French say and also the fresh markets. Was heaven... The super fresh vegetables just made us drool, all beautifully displayed and also fresh Meats. The prices are reasonable for most, just some of the imported fruits a little expensive.

 We also went to the "night club" Sunday afternoon for local music. Didn't know what to expect,thought it might be pretty upbeat. Arriving we could could here the music, especially the squeeze box and a drum. Turns out all the old folk after leaving church come here. All the old mamas come to dance and shake their Booty dressed in their best and brightest outfits. The dance I suppose is a Waltz sped up, all moving about in the dance floor with perfect timing. Unfortunately not enough beers could get me up there with my goofy feet!

Since then we have been around the island on a motorbike also seeing the tourist attraction with giant tortoises. Massive things they are, Julieta in heaven. Is well worth the visit, set in a canyon with hundreds of these big things wandering around the place. There is also a cave on the grounds that you get a guided tour of and I would say it is the best cave I have seen. It goes for 500m and is really impressive. 

Yesterday we went by bus to the other side of the island and did a couple of hour walk along the beaches and hills. We took fresh baguettes, cheese and a bottle of red and just hung out on a beach all to ourselves was really nice. Spectacular limestone coast. A little windswept but green with these very small pine trees growing. Loads of goats and sheep wandering around happy out. The bus goes over the small mountain and is a pretty spectacular trip also. Once a bit higher than sea level there are big eucalyptus trees that remind me of home. 

Then we must have timed it about right. The quiet bus ride soon changed. School was out and about a hundred pint sized little African Creole grommets jumped on and it was hilarious. All really well behaved, smiling happy sitting on top of each other or standing and messing about. Julie also  pointed out that they are only about 6 years old and get on the bus themselves with no problem or worries that you would have in most other countries.

We haven't been out fishing yet but plan to go today, I think it is going to be good.