Back aboard, we have our lunch then head to the balcony to watch our slow progression across the water to Praslin, a mere 4.5 miles away.  They don’t even close the pontoon or pull the tenders; they just follow alongside us the whole way. 

Well before the appointed time of our arrival, we head to the Den coz we aren’t going through that scrum again.  Whole different story now.  It’s simple, no scrum, no pressing mob. Grab the tickets and wait to be called.  Much better.

Once ashore, we really have no plans.  Praslin is supposed to be an amazing place for beaches and resorts, and as everyone knows, that ain’t us.  We had planned to just wander around the little town here at Baie St. Anne, figuring we’d spend a couple hours here, grab a beer and snack then head back. Most of the folks on the tender with us have the same idea and we all sort of follow each other out of the port heading down the street along the coast to the left, ending up at a pretty little harbor. 

We all decide it is pretty, but there isn’t anything here. Reversing course, the rest of the group heads the other direction into the little town area, while we head out into Eve Island, a mostly commercial area but with a restaurant/bar we had spied on the map.  The appropriately named Eve Restaurant and Bar is open, but completely empty.  We get the attention of the cook who we ask for drinks.  He said he had coke.  We asked for beer.  Nope, no beer.  No food either.  Hmmmm…  Ed hit the restroom and as he was the leaving the owner comes in, asks if he can help us, Ed told him we were looking for a beer, he had just brought some, but it was hot.  We could come back later and it would be cold.  First bar – no food, no beer.

Went back into town, went to another bar, Cool-licks Café, no food, but success!  They have beer.  Phew.  We were getting worried there.  Ended up spending a delightful time in a nice breeze in the “Cool” little place, sipping on our beers.  Loving the rules they have on a laminated sheet at every table!  And the totally cool placemats and sign at the cashier window too.

Thirst slaked, we commence wandering around the little town area.  Grocery store, eh, we’ll wait for Port Victoria.  Souvenir shop.  Eh.  Nothing.  No cool placemats, sadly.  So, hey, we came, we saw, we’re outta here.  Back to the virtually private tender, past the statue of the naked guy fishing on the dock (????) and off to the ship to cool off in the A/C.

It is late enough that all we do aboard is take a very much anticipated and appreciated shower then head up to the Living Room for a drink before going to check out the Taste of Africa buffet to see what Sri has on tap for us with the Destination Showcase.  He had said he was doing it in the Living Room, but there has been nothing mentioned, not even in the daily program.  When we arrive upstairs though, the Port side door is closed.  Hmmmm……

The Starboard side is open though, so in we go to find Sri and a marvelous spread of all sorts of delicacies.  Including Jackfruit!!!!  Yay.  The promised Jackfruit.  I’m so excited.  It is a huge spread – my aforementioned favorite fruit, mangos, mangosteens, bananas (yay! They’ve not been existence on the buffet since Madagascar) and tons of other fruit, plus local cheeses, spices, and the most adorable – and best tasting – mini bunny chow we’ve ever seen/eaten.  Just fabulous.

The sad thing though?  Since it was not promoted or mentioned anywhere – there is virtually no one up here.  The only people who are here stumble upon it, even though Wresly announced it over the PA.  So many people are still off the ship and those aboard don’t know. What a waste.  We’re so bummed on Sri’s behalf – I start texting Rafael to see if he can do something, Anna from the restaurant comes up so we ask her to call GR to make another announcement and then Wresly comes ups, to whom we make the same request.  Sigh.  Just sad people will miss this. 

As we are leaving for dinner (this was just appetizers), we hear Amy making another announcement.  Hopefully more people show up.  Joel overfeeds us – as usual.  He’s killing us!  In a lovely way.  Then we decide to have an early evening and spend the rest of the night on the balcony watching the last tenders arrive with the last guests at 9:30p (what the hell were they doing?  Spending the whole afternoon and evening at a high-priced beach resort eating dinner there too?) and the coast of Praslin Island as it fades into the distance.