Mayotte

We left the Seychelle Island of Mahe and had a horrendous passage with winds up to 40 knots (32 knots is a gale) with sea swells reaching heights of about 15-20 feet. Sailing closehauled and at times right into the wind to gain any headway.  We were thrown around the boat as if we were rag dolls and Joyce has the bruises to prove this. Had  an occasional incoming wave that reached into the cockpit.  Didn't sleep much during the three days of nasty weather so the night we reached Gloriens our rest stop we had about 5 hours sleep, it was glorious. Gloriens is a French Island about 120 miles north of Mayotte.

Couldn’t stop at any of the southern atolls of the Seychelles Group because of the weather. Poor Peter who was dreaming about bonefishing and was really disappointed that his bone fishing trip had to be cancelled.

Arrived in Mayotte after a week of sailing and anchored by the main Port on Petite Terre.

Mayotte sits at the northern end of the Mozambique Channel halfway between Madagascar and the East African coast. The Island is French with the French Navy, Gendarmes, etc in evidence.

It would have been nice to be able top speak better French. It can get quite frustrating at times dealing with the locals with only our limited French remembered from schooldays. Fortunately we have a super book "French for Cruisers" which helped tremendously.

We stayed 2 weeks in Mayotte and enjoyed it immensely.  The people were very gregarious in both their body language and their flamboyant dress.  Weren't able to take pictures of the people because they didn't like us taking photos.  I nearly had a riot on my hands when I tried to take pictures in the Market. Managed two pictures discreetly before I fled.