The Seychelles

Based on this trip, my new favorite destination is the Seychelles.  The downside...an 8-hour flight...of which 4-hours is over remote waters.  Selecting "nearest airport" on our satellite-based navigation system (GPS), brought up zero options---another first.  Not to worry though, we carry plenty of emergency equipment; 11-person life raft, life preservers, survival kit, satellite phone, extra water and a Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) radio.  It was still nice to see the airport;

The Republic of Seychelles is another island country spanning an archepelago of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean, some 1,100 miles off the coast of Kenya.  The islands were first noted by Portuguese sailors in 1502.  The islands became a transit route for trade between Africa and Asia, while also drawing the attention of pirates. 

The people speak French, Creole and English. We stayed on the island of Mahe, which is near the capital city of Victoria...the city is clean and the water breathtakingly beautiful...it was the first time we felt "away" from Africa.

The Seychelles is a romantic vacation destination for couples from the Middle East and Europe, primarily French and Italian.  

Once again, the Commander and I settle in for a meal, each wishing our wives were here instead...first Valentine's Day, then Comoros, and now an ocean side breakfast in the Seychelles...it's only a matter of time before the rest of the unit takes notice :)