The Seychelles Archipelago, one of the world’s smallest countries, never ceases to enchant and captivate! Sailing these turquoise warm waters is a privilege for very few people, and today we were fortunate enough to spend an entire day at beautiful Aride Island. This singular picturesque island is home for a myriad of birds, lizards, natural woodlands, palm-fringed beaches, crystal clear waters, and protected coral reef systems. The dangerous surf conditions also helped to keep the island pristine and unharmed. Only 1,500m long and a little over 500m wide, Aride has magnificent granite cliffs. The highest point, Gros La Tête, is located 134m above sea level. Considerable efforts have been made to preserve the islands’ marked biodiversity. In 1973, the island was purchased by Christopher Cadbury on behalf of the Royal Society for Nature Conservation and two years later it was declared a Special Nature Reserve by the Seychelles government. Today, this important ecosystem is managed by the Island Conservation Society of Seychelles, responsible for protecting its unique environment, flora, and fauna. The island, with an area of 68ha, has a significant seabird breeding colony, second only to Aladabra in the western Indian Ocean. From the eleven species of land birds that are endemic to the Seychelles, Aride Island Nature reserve is home to five. It also has the world’s largest colonies of lesser noddies and tropical shearwaters. In addition, this is the only breeding ground for the rare red-tailed tropicbirds of the Seychelles. After a thrilling Zodiac ride that we will never, ever forget we were able to explore the island surroundings, trekking along the marked trails, diving and snorkeling its warm and clear waters, or just relaxing at the beach. To make the most of our time, a sunset Zodiac cruise was offered and we were delightfully surprised by the friendly crew with refreshing cocktails. After a magnificent sunset, it was time for National Geographic Orion to set sail to the horizon, where amazing adventures await in the stunning Maldives Archipelago.
5/6/2015
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National Geographic Orion
Galle, Sri Lanka
Our second day exploring this gorgeous corner of Sri Lanka saw most of us enjoying a mixture of nature, culture, and local flavor. After traveling along a coast lined with rocky points, statues of Buddha, and beautiful waves, we arrived at the Madu Ganga River. Here, we boarded some local boats to navigate through mangrove channels and a series of lakes dotted with islands, experiencing a bit more of the local lifestyle. Onboard the boats, we enjoyed searching for wildlife. Brahminy kites and fish-eagles circled overhead while colorful kingfishers and Indian cormorants fished closer to the water. A few different lizards were spotted, including one large water monitor. Hiding in amongst the mangrove roots it allowed for a close approach. For me, the highlight was the monkeys. Purple-face leaf monkeys put on quite a show leaping from tree to tree. They were quite tame and didn’t seem to mind all of us burning lots of pixels pointing our cameras in their direction. Part of the fun of our excursion was simply navigating along the channels and lakes. We had to duck under some very low bridges while trains, bikes, cars, and pedestrians passed overhead. A few stops added to the excitement as well. Visiting a Buddhist shrine allowed for many of us to learn about the predominate religion here in Sri Lanka. A stop at a Cinnamon Island taught us about this important spice and how it is prepared. Man-made mangrove tunnels and caves helped us learn more about this essential ecosystem by being inside of the trees. After a delicious local lunch with nearly endless choices, it was time to return to the National Geographic Orion and set sail towards Colombo. It has been an incredible voyage through the Seychelles and Maldives and ending here in Sri Lanka. From the biggest (blue whale, giant tortoise, and whale sharks) to the smallest (geckos, sunbirds, and clouds of tropical fish), it has been a voyage filled with amazing discoveries. Sun and sand, diving and snorkeling, history, culture, and ecology. It is time to get a cold drink and enjoy our final “green flash.”
