St Joseph's Bay

St. Joseph's Bay at Île des Pins is sometimes called the Bay of Pirogues because there is a site where modern versions of the traditional outrigger canoes or pirogues are still being built. The 1st picture is of the pirogue I had a cruise on. The 2nd picture is another under sail. The 3rd picture looks across the bay.
The cruise continues from St. Joseph Bay through the narrow channel into Upi Bay. Upi is often compared to Ha Long Bay in Vietnam (see another post). Like at Ha Long, there are many rock islets scattered throughout. The rest of these pictures are taken during the cruise on Upi Bay.
You may occasionally notice the outrigger. The gentleman who sailed the pirogue also built the boat. Perhaps you can tell that it's handmade.
You will notice in several of the pictures tall, columnar trees above the forest. These are the pines that the island is named for. They are endemic and unique. They are ancient survivors from the Triassic period.Read more