Day 79 of 102

It would be late in the day when our tour guide would explain how La Reunion, that gorgeous French Island in the Indian Ocean Southwest of Mauritius, came to be named. Something to do with a meeting of revolutionaries back in the day.

I had no set plan for how I would spend this one day here, looking out of my stateroom window where there was little to see. All the shore experiences had been sold out, and as such, I chose to take the complimentary shuttle bus on a 24 km ride to the coastal town of St. Gilles les Bains. Had I not hoped to get on to an afternoon shore excursion, I might have stayed for an hour or so in this pretty French coastal settlement with beach and nice restaurants. However, it had become very hot, and I was lacking in energy for exploration. Being an attractive coastal journey of around half an hour, I returned to the same nicely air-conditioned bus and enjoyed the ride back to the ship, where I would grab a one-course lunch and then check out the availability (if any) of afternoon shore excursions. Again, all were originally sold out, but quite often, a single person can still be accommodated, and I was!

The morning tour, East Coast and Waterfalls, had become snarled up with roadworks, and surprisingly, was curtailed and thus returned to the ship. It was re-run in the afternoon, taking in a vanilla plantation, and the charming “city” of Salazie, but without the included lunch. People had chosen to cancel, releasing enough seats to cater for anybody looking for an afternoon ride out, visiting the places that should have been visited, but via a revised route.

We were allocated a full hour here during which a representative gave a very interesting tour of the “factory” explaining in clear detail the manufacture of vanilla from plant to end product. Of course, we were encouraged to make purchases! The small glass of vanilla flavoured black coffee at the end of the tour was most welcome. On the way, we had driven by but not directly through the capital of La Reunion, St Denis. We used the new road over the sea, which has yet still to be completed. (See illustration above).

We reboarded the coach and were soon heading into the hills and dramatic mountains, which would characterise La Reunion. Our second “port of call” was the extremely pretty town of Salazie, surrounded on all sides by some of the most spectacular scenery I have laid eyes on. I just wish the journey there had been taken in less of a hurry because there were several fabulous backdrops to behold along the way.

In fact, there was no option but to drive to Salazie as efficiently as possible. It is far from a straight road!

We arrived, and the journey was well worth what I paid for my place on the coach.

Although not the easiest place to get to (from Buxton!), I think when one could spend several days here exploring the town and several hikes you could take. We were given around twenty minutes to look around, which allowed plenty of opportunity to enjoy (albeit briefly) Salazie.

We continued to our final stop on this scenic ride, the Voile de la Mariee (The Bride’s Veil), most prominent among the approximately 100 waterfalls in the area. We were allowed ten minutes to photograph and video as much as possible, all the time, in the strong belief that I will never come this way again.

Regretfully, we were soon hurtling back through the same wonderful landscapes we had travelled through and eventually, onto the main road through St Denis, past the former railway station,

and along the coast road from where the sunset could clearly be seen,

….and finally, back to the ship.

My second and probably final visit to La Reunion was highly enjoyable even if the tour guide felt as if he was obliged to talk for almost the entire journey. Nevertheless, all he had to say was relevant, and some information must have lodged in my memory.

The whole trip was five hours, and I think, represented good value. It is unlikely I could have seen as much independently.

Departure from Le Port was roughly on time. I caught up with Jo for dinner, who also had a decent day, exploring and relaxing independently.

Many thanks for reading, David, 31/3/23, 14.45 hrs in his stateroom.