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Abroad, Guests, Seychelles

Adventure: Rosie Kerrigan on Moyenne Island, Seychelles

posted by Rosie Kerrigan
Mar 25, 2019 1643 2 0
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What would you do if you had a whole island? Well, Brendon Grimshaw certainly knew the best way to utilize it!

 

The history of Moyenne island in the Seychelles

Beach on Moyenne Island, Seychelles

Mr Grimshaw bought Moyenne island for only £8,000 over 50 years ago! What a bargain! The island was a true deserted paradise – tall palm trees all around and beaches to make your dreams come true. He made sure that over 16,000 trees are planted, and thus expanded the four typical tree species on the island. In addition, he was smart enough to plant pawpaw – this was the way to attract many birds from the neighbouring islands! When you visit Moyenne nowadays, you’ll see that indeed many different birds enjoy it as their habitat.

However, it’s not the birds or the trees that you’ll fall in love with – it’s the giant tortoises! Brendon Grimshaw gathered over 100 tortoises which even today roam freely around Moyenne island. This is honestly the best part – he didn’t keep them in cages and truly protected them – unfortunately, you won’t see any giant tortoises to roam freely on any other island in the Seychelles.

Later on, many people offered Grimshaw to buy this island from him (some offers were over $50 million!), but, knowing human nature, he stubbornly refused and didn’t want to risk some large hotel chain to destroy his dream. And thank goodness he didn’t sell it! Nowadays Moyenne island is declared a national park, one of the smallest national parks in the world. Grimshaw’s dream lives on!

Where is Moyenne island

Beach on Moyenne Island, Seychelles

The island is one of the 100+ islands in the Seychelles! Moyenne is very close to Mahe (the main island of the Seychelles) – only about 5 km away. It is part of Ste Anne Marine National Park. It has the signature turquoise waters of the Seychelles and even a few beaches that you can enjoy while you’re there. We did spend some time on the beach right next to the island’s only restaurant.

How to visit Moyenne island

Moyenne Island, Seychelles

As there are no hotels on the island, the only way to visit it is by doing a day trip (or hiring a boat, if you’re more adventurous!). We had a day trip from Beau Vallon (Mahe island), there are a few stands there that will offer this. The cost is about 90-100 euros, but make sure you bargain yourself a better deal! Our tour included Eden island, the fisheries, snorkeling and Moyenne island, so it’s quite worth it (and twice as cheap as a trip to La Digue & Praslin, even though they are spectacular!). This tour also includes lunch as there is a restaurant on Moyenne. True, it’s definitely not a 5-star one, but provided you’ve just snorkeled around Ste Anne Marine National Park, you’ll definitely need some subsistence!

The entrance fee to Moyenne is only 10 euros, which is pretty cheap for the prices in the Seychelles. There is one main path that will take you all around the island, but be careful and bring comfy shoes – there’s usually a bit of mud and part of the path is a bit steep. I was wearing flip flops and I honestly regretted that I didn’t know to bring sneakers!

The giant tortoises in Moyenne island

Giant Tortoises on Moyenne Island, Seychelles

“Please respect the Tortoises. They are probably older than you!” – this is one of the signs that will greet you on Moyenne 🙂 And, indeed, they are believed to live up to 180 years! So, yes, some of these tortoises have surely been pet by Grimshaw himself. The truth is that these lovely creatures have no natural enemies, so they usually die of old age. The second most common cause of death is unfortunately falling coconuts 🙁 We even saw an empty shell and it looked very curious!

While walking around this lovely island, you might hear some very strange and scary noises. Rest assured, these are NOT ghosts (see below). The truth is that the tortoises are at fault – they do make some very weird noises, especially if they’re happy or if… well.. if they’re reproducing. So don’t worry about the noises – they’re just happy to see you (one way or another)!

You might ask: “Can I pet the tortoises??” Well, no one is going to stop you! We did pet them (I couldn’t resist, they are so lovely!), but please – be careful and be very very gentle with them! They are giant indeed, but we still have an obligation to preserve them.

The Pirate Treasure

Unmarked Grave on Moyenne Island, Seychelles

What? Pirate treasure on a lovely island? Oh, yeah! During exploration of the island, two graves with rocks around them were found, and people believe that these were two pirates! Legend has it that these two pirates buried a treasure somewhere around. Many people have tried to find it, but no luck so far. Maybe you’ll be the lucky one? Who knows!

Well, as Grimshaw was so attached to the island, he and his father are also buried there. But really, no one else can explain these unmarked graves 😛

Who’s coming with me to find it??

 

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Post Author
Rosie Kerrigan
An explorer, a dreamer, in love with sea and sunsets, I currently live in my hometown – Varna in Bulgaria, but I’m on the road all the time! 18+ countries, 80+ flights, I just can’t get enough of the world. I never go anywhere without my camera, and blogging is one of my favorite ways to travel back in time and relive my travels to the lovely places I've been to.

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Dario • Exploring beyond Sofia
February brings the rain, thaws the frozen lake ag February brings the rain, thaws the frozen lake again. 

Yuki-Doro is challenging me who is the better poser. 🧐

#dog #hike # winter
I guess I am starting this year with a true challe I guess I am starting this year with a true challenge - hiking during winter under -15 degrees.

That was the case with the Boyana waterfall. Last year I visited them during the late summer and decided that I want to visit this place during the winter because, to be honest, I have never seen in person a big and full waterfall to be completely frozen.

So, let’s say it was something as a target for me to see it sooner or later. 

But as you can see it was really pleasant conquering this adventure because I had with me the best assistant ever - Mr. little adventurer Yuki-Doro. 

And yes, I won’t lie, I almost lost my hands and one of my legs from the extremely low temperature.

#dog #hike #winter
Most people are fascinated by the natural beauty o Most people are fascinated by the natural beauty of Yuki-Doro and I don’t blame them, to be honest. 

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SWIPE to the next picture and witness yourself that I have a true monster as a pet, he is twisted and scary, like a loooooot.

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Is it a fox? Is it a wolf? Is it Hachiko? No, it' Is it a fox? Is it a wolf? Is it Hachiko? 
No, it's Yuki-Doro conquering Cherni vrah peak at the age of 4 months.

Who would think that this little guy would manage to accomplish this so early stage in his life.

Imagine what he would do in the future, Everest here we come! 😂

#hiking #winter #dog
People have said it well that the dog is man's bes People have said it well that the dog is man's best friend.

This weekend was Yuki-Doro's first real adventure-challenge.

We wandered through the winter landscapes of snowy Vitosha.  Based on the amount of snow he ate, yes, he definitely liked the snow, it's good that it is low in calories, otherwise I would have returned to Sofia with a meatball.

Definitely this little one knows how to brighten up the atmosphere and make the trips more interesting.

I look forward to our next adventures.

Do you travel with your pets?

#winter #mountain #dog
Winter etudes of Vitosha Mountain • So, let us Winter etudes of Vitosha Mountain •

So, let us be clear here - I cannot stand winter and I really do not like the snow and cold. It is probably inherited from my Italian bloodline, who knows, but anyways.

However, I must confess, I have been multiple times in Vitosha mountain but probably for the first time I visit it for a whole hike to the peak during winter. Won’t lie, I enjoyed a lot the nature scenes I saw during my hike but still I was going to loose my hands no matter I had gloves all the time.

Overall, the experience was pleasant because it is good to remind ourselves what a true winter looks like. We all know that because of the global warming we do not have that heavy winter that we used to have back in the early 2000s. So, to see so much snow and peace at one place was a delight for my senses.

As I always say, it is good to challenge yourself and go out of your comfort zone. Only then you can discover many intriguing things, but most importantly -  to learn so many new things about yourself.

#winter #hiking #nature
Cherni vruh, the highest point of Vitosha mountain Cherni vruh, the highest point of Vitosha mountain 2290 m the peak is the fourth highest mountain summit in Bulgaria.

It presents the best spontaneous getaway if you want to go out in the nature. Also is way to good challenge yourself. I myself did it multiple times and must confess every time I climb it from different points it amazes me with the beauty that this mountain contains.

#Bulgaria #nature #mountain
The stone river in Vitosha or also known as The Go The stone river in Vitosha or also known as The Golden Bridges - amazingly beautiful natural phenomenon - the largest stone river in the Vitosha National Park. Massive stones (average size 2-3 meters) flow down from the mountain top to the valley for more than 2 miles long and 150 meters wide.

The stone river is ‘descending’ from elevation 1800 m above sea level to 1410 m at Golden Bridges site.

#Bulgaria #nature #stoneriver
Etudes of Vitosha • Is there anyone who lives i Etudes of Vitosha •

Is there anyone who lives in Sofia and had never visited Vitosha Mountain?

Because clearly this mountain is a pure nature gift for us all!

Vitosha Mountain is the oldest nature park on the Balkan Peninsula. Its gorgeous silhouette is visible from almost all positions in the city and is inseparable part of Sofia’ image.

Vitosha Naturе Park is the most broadly protected territory in Bulgaria, and due to its proximity to Sofia it has turned into a site of education in responsible attitude towards nature.

And don’t forget Sofia is the only European capital with such a big mountain so close to the city center.

So no matter the time and season Vitosha is always a good choice for adventures.

#Bulgaria #mountain #tourism
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