On deck at 6a this morning, trying to get some exercise in before the sun gets too hot. The sun was just half over the horizon on the port side and on the opposite side this brilliant cloud display.

Afterwards I had a quick coffee with Ivan, one of my tablemates. He comes up every morning for a coffee and to fill a thermos for Audrey so she can have coffee in bed = sweet.

We should be arriving in the Seychelles at 3:30p. This has always been a Bucket List destination for me, I keep checking Google Maps to see how close we’re getting…

1pm – Land Ho! I spotted an island on the horizon so I ran up to the 13th deck to have a look (strange having anything “13” as mariners are notoriously suspicious) and sighted 3 islands. The Seychelles have 115 isles but the main 3 were right in my view: Praslin/La Digue (famous for beaches, exclusivity and humongous granite boulders), the main island of Mahe with beaches, resorts and the airport), and Silhouette (park and day tripper spot).

2:30p and we’re creeping into the harbor of Victoria, Mahe. Several very large fishing boat/processing boats at anchor which was a bit distressing, and the harbor pilot coming to greet us. The pilot and 6 others hopped on board (Customs? Immigration?)

We were welcomed to Victoria with band and dancers on the dock serenading our arrival. We docked just down from the band in the industrial port where there’s a continual loud clanging of containers being bandied about. I hope they don’t work 24/7!

We were released like hounds at the gate at 3:30pm, passengers pouring off the ship eager to be on terra firma after their 5 days at sea. The captain was standing at the bottom of the gangway greeting us, or smoothly feathers more likely. I met up with my car rental guy and signed the papers for my little red Punto but as there’s only 2.5 hours of daylight left I decided to just walk into town to see what’s what.

Victoria was alive with people and music, one street was closed for a market with vendors selling very, very cheap crap. There were a few historical buildings and monuments but virtually every store had closed at 1pm so no fridge magnet for me.

After circling the town and working up quite a glow I returned to the ship for dinner in the buffet and a cocktail with Audrey at the pool bar. I plan to head out in the morning after coffee for my island exploration!