Mahe, Seychelles - BOTANICAL GARDENS - (1 of 3)

(2 videos- Tortoises)

We are back 3 years later to Karen’s Shangri-La, “Not Just Another Group of Islands, BUT Another World”. With 115 Islands (41 that are “”livable”) across 540,000 (95 usable) sq miles of the Indian Ocean (off the coast of Africa) and about 135,000 people living here, and with 12 hours/day of sunshine year round, it’s a great choice although it is 11,000 miles from LA (20-30+ hours of travel).

Mahé is the largest island in the Seychelles. Britain took control in 1814 until independence in 1976. Victoria, founded by the French and one of the world’s smallest capitals, remains the island’s political and cultural center. The official languages are English, French and Seychellois Creole (mix of 17th Century French, Africaan and Malagasises).

To see what we did here in 2023 go to
MEHE: https://findpenguins.com/karen-loves-to-travel/…
LA DIGUE: https://findpenguins.com/bruce-loves-to-travel/…

We visited Le Jardin du Roi once again but this time a very different tour as we spent QUALITY time with the Aldabra giant tortoises. Coco de Mer is an interesting plant (see photos of the male and female trees). Locals believe that the biblical paradise of Eden was located here and that the coco de mer is the "fruit of the tree of knowledge" in Genesis, it is only found here in the Seychelles and represents the “belly and thighs”, seat of carnal desires.

We then walked around Victoria, the Capital, and into the Hindu Temple (Arul Mihu Navasakthi Vinayagar Temple), the only Hindu place of worship in the entire country.

A highlight (besides the beautiful beaches we enjoyed) was the Aldabra giant tortoises, classified as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List as Endangered Species with 152,000 individuals worldwide. The world’s longest living animal to almost 250 years and growing up to 250lbs and up to 4’, they primarily graze on grasses, sedges, and dwarf plants, but will occasionally eat meat (I wish they told us that before we got so close). Both males and females having multiple partners and their criterion for selection is a partner’s relative size; males who have a shell of 2’or more in length generally only select mates that are between 1.5-2’ long. Males have a specially shaped, curved bottom shell that helps them fit securely over the female's round shell without slipping off (see video!).

Mating is a very physical and loud process. Outside of mating, their most unique social behavior is called nosing. One tortoise will walk up to another, lie down, and gently rub its nose against the other tortoise’s face or neck for several minutes. Scientists seem to think it is a friendly, calming greeting. Tortoises originated from the mainland where they had many enemies, so they evolved their ability to pull their heads and legs into their shells for protection. But since these large giant tortoises have no enemies, they sleep with their heads and legs relaxed and extended. If and when frightened, they pull their head and limbs into their shell and make a hissing sound, letting air out of their lungs to make room for limbs. As land walkers, they have flat elephant-like feet that can support their big body mass. They also like to spend time soaking in pools of water. We had a real fun time watching them and feeding them too.

This evening we had a wonderful Shabbat with a full house, what else could we want? It was a great double portion where I got to speak about Blessings & Curses as well as the Sabbatical & Jubilee years. It was also Lag B’Omer, and the completion of another cycle reading of Leviticus. Too much to say and a captive full house, I may have been a little dangerous. Such a Wonderful Shabbat. After Shabbat Dinner with Paul & Nancy, we saw the show “Anchor Inn”. Lots of great music in this pub story show.Read more