Port Victoria is the capital of the Seychelles and, with a population of just over 26,000, it has the distinction of being the world’s smallest national capital. The Seychelles consist of 70 flat coral islands and 43 mountainous granite islands. Port Victoria is on the granite island of Mahe and is approximately 1000 miles east of Kenya and 5 degrees south of the Equator.
The QV docked in Port Victoria.
We began our bus tour at the National Museum, which was closed, but there was a beautiful statue of Queen Victoria in front.
Then we passed the post office, which was also closed, but had some interesting statuary outside. First is a statue of a young man, sitting on a stump, holding a large round object which is probably intended to be a Coco de Mer nut.
A statue of a Coco de Mer Nut which is the world’s largest nut.
Finally, a statue of a giant tortoise.
Then we walked up the street to the Victoria Clock Tower which is a replica of the clock tower of London’s Vauxhall Bridge.
Finally we boarded our bus for a quick ride to the city’s Botanical Gardens. Here you can see actual Coco de Mer Palms.
As well as, giant Aldabran tortoises …
lush tropical greenery lots of local school kids …
From the Botanical Gardens we drove up into the mountains above Port Victoria which provided some beautiful views of the coast and ocean below.
Our destination was the Vern’s Town Farm ruins (also referred to as the Mission Lodge ruins). Here are the remains of the school built to educate freed slave children (slavery was abolished in 1835). Nearby is a viewing stand built for Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip to have tea and enjoy the spectacular view during their visit in 1972 to dedicate the airport.
We then drove back down to the coast for lunch at a local hotel. After lunch we drove back along the coast to the harbor.