Seychelles

Seychelles is the smallest nation in the world issuing its own currency (i.e., not pegged to a foreign currency and not shared with any other country). The Seychelles rupee was freely floated on November 3, 2008. Per capita, it's the most heavily indebted country in the world according to World Bank statistics, which show its public debt at over 122% of the GDP. The islands of the Seychelles had no indigenous population. The current Seychellois are immigrants (or their descendants) from France, Africa, India, and China. The society is essentially matriarchal, with mothers dominating the household, controlling expenditures, and looking after the interests of the children. We went via tender from the ship MV Discovery to Praslin, then by catamaran to the Curieuse National Park to roam with tortoises. Then it was off to a beautiful beach for swimming and a barbecue.

Later in the day, we returned to La Digue where some ventured onto ox carts for a spin (ox paced!) through lush gardens, a vanilla plantation, and a visit to a roadside coconut vendor for a drink of coconut milk straight from the shell. What a way to spend an Easter Sunday! Clear waters. Idyllic beaches. Swirled rock formations. And oh! The tortoises!