Curieuse and Aride Islands

Unfriendly waves prevent landing on Aride. The alternative is an excellent Zodiac ride around the island. Large granite cliffs to the beach, alive with birds roosting on rocks: white tailed Tropic birds, Terns, Noddies, Frigate birds. They fly around us sweeping down for fish. The aggressive Frigate birds harass smaller birds until their catch is dropped.

The second island was Curieuse. Another great walk, more encounters with the giant tortoises, curious and interacting with us in the hope of food or a scratch. We saw a breeding program with the baby tortoises. We walked through mangroves seeing very small grey crabs and red mangrove crab very large and very visible.

Tonight we were invited to the bridge to watch the sunset and ‘sail away’ followed by dinner with the captain. Just the six Australians and one staff person. We get very good service and excellent wine. It was a wonderful dinner with an exceptional captain. He seems to be very hands-on often on deck supervising and helping out with the disembarking and boarding.Read more