Day 37 - Mahé, Seychelles: Turquoise Seas, Giant Tortoises & Creole Flavours

I cannot believe we are already on Day 37 of this extraordinary adventure. Today we sailed gracefully into Mahé, the capital island of the Seychelles — a place that feels almost too beautiful to be real.

We are docked in port for two full days, with no tenders needed, which feels like a luxury in itself. The sea around us was calm, shimmering in the most stunning shade of blue, welcoming us into paradise.

As usual, I started my morning with a gym session, followed by my fruit and veggie juice on deck. Even early in the morning, the warmth was beginning to build — a soft, tropical heat that felt like an embrace.

After a shower, I enjoyed my peaceful routine of crossword, sudoku, and a coffee, then sat on the balcony, reading and reflecting on how far we’ve travelled, and how incredible this journey has been so far.

Since our tour wasn’t leaving until 1:30pm, we had a light bowl of soup in Compass Rose before heading ashore.

Front Row Success for Joe (Again!)

Joe’s lucky streak continues — he managed to secure the front seats on the minibus, much to his delight.
Our guide, Josette, was fantastic — knowledgeable, warm, and clearly proud of her island. From the very beginning, it was clear that the Seychelles offered a marked contrast to many of the African nations we’d visited previously: more infrastructure, fewer signs of poverty, and a more developed way of life.



Botanical Gardens – Nature’s Masterpiece

Our first stop was the beautiful Botanical Gardens, where Josette introduced us to:

  • towering palms and indigenous trees

  • fragrant tropical flowers

  • fruit bats swooping overhead

  • giant Aldabra tortoises

Joe even got to feed the tortoises, which made his day — he was like a delighted child, smiling from ear to ear.

A Tour of Victoria

We then drove through Victoria, one of the smallest capital cities in the world. Josette told us more about Seychelles’ colonial history, politics, and culture.

Fun fact: they drive on the same side of the road as the UK, one of the many British legacies still present today. Another is that they prefer to drink tea other than

The bus then dropped us off for the walking portion of the tour, where we explored:

  • the bustling Sir Selwyn Clarke Market

  • the colourful Hindu Temple

  • the impressive Catholic Cathedral

Joe chose to stay on the bus at this point — the heat and walking were a bit much — so he enjoyed the air conditioning while we explored on foot.

Beau Vallon Beach – Joe’s Happy Place

Our final stop was the iconic Beau Vallon Beach, one of Mahé’s most beautiful coastal stretches. We were greeted with a soft drink and given time to enjoy the view.

Joe was absolutely in his element — he rushed off to change into his swimwear and headed straight for the Indian Ocean, returning later to declare the water “absolutely divine.”
Warm, clear, calm… everything he could wish for.



I took a leisurely stroll along the powdery white sand, dipping my feet into the water, feeling the softness of the waves and the serenity of the moment.

Dinner – Cuby Style

Back on the ship, we showered and got ready for dinner ashore. Though Josette had recommended an excellent restaurant, in classic Cuby fashion, Joe asked the taxi driver for suggestions instead — and off we went.

We ended up back in Beau Vallon, seated at a small Creole restaurant. As expected, a few things were “not quite how they should be,” but Joe thoroughly enjoyed his smoked fish salad and crab, so all was well.

When we went outside to wait for our taxi, he magically appeared, almost as if he’d been watching for us, and whisked us back to the ship.

Now, as I sit in our suite finishing this entry, I’m feeling unusually tired — perhaps the heat, or the walking, or simply the richness of the day. Either way, sleep is calling.

Tomorrow brings another beautiful day in Mahé.

Daily Reflection:

Travel reminds me how vast the world is — and how each place reveals a new rhythm, a new story, and a new part of myself.

Highlight of the Day:
✨ Joe feeding the giant tortoises — pure joy, pure wonder.

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