Tuesday 17th April
Reunion is an insular region of France located in the Indian Ocean, about 175km south west of Mauritius. In every way it is French and is the outer most region of the European Union and is part of the Eurozone. The volcanic island of Reunion consists of jaw dropping scenery, beautiful waterfalls and vibrant coastline. In addition to its main export of sugar the island is famous for its production of Vanilla.
Berthed this morning in Le Port, a commercial port again, nowhere near any of the islands towns or attractions.
Today we are off on a Cunard excursion. So soon away on our trip, a busy drive along the coast road, a multi-lane dual carriageway, with another new road under construction on new embankments and piers over the sea, it’s amazing how this island being a part of France seems to have a much more European feel and a European infrastructure, EU grants?
Passing through Saint Denis, the islands capital, went on to visit a vanilla plantation to see the Vanilla Orchids growing and to be told the story of how Vanilla is cultivated and prepared for sale. A long and labour intensive process, but ultimately a profitable one. New plants take 3 years to produce pods.
Young Vanilla Plants
Plants can then produce for about 14 years before needing replacing, the ground being rested in between with a sugar cane crop. Hand pollination is needed for each flower (the normal pollinating insects won’t live here).
Mature Vanilla Plants with Pods - they look like French beans
Pods ripen in nine months. After picking each pod needs washing, drying, sterilising and being individually checked for quality. After six months storage to develop full fragrance then the pods are packed for delivery.
Mature Pods ready for the market
Then back on the bus for a drive inland, through a spectacular landscape of deep very steep sided gorges all very lushly clad in tropical vegetation, even on the almost vertical cliffs.
Our destination is Salazie with it’s waterfalls, particularly the Bride’s Veil Falls, so a quick stop to view and photo the falls across the valley. Luckily plenty of water in the falls.
This waterfall was along side the main road
Back on the bus for a return journey, just one short stop in Saint Denis for a chance to visit the local market for a few minutes for any shopping, there is always a shopping stop!
The new road bridge being built
Spent what there was left of the afternoon on the ship, the length of the shuttle journey and the early sailaway pretty much prevented any other options.
Nice sunset tonight, haven’t had very many good sunsets and probably none really spectacular ones.
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