Grand Anse and a Visit to Bikini Bottom

Bike Ride to Grand Anse

John is keeping an eye on a few heavy rainstorms that are supposed to roll in around 1:00pm.

So we are out at 9:00am on our bikes, driving across the island to Grand Anse Beach which is the beginning of the Anse Caiman Trail.

It is about a 30 minute bike ride to get to the east side of the island. The scenery is pretty with the lush, tropical forest and Creole homes.

There are a few hills along the way where I need to get off my bike and walk up each time.

I notice another one of the huge snails on the ground. These guys are really huge and eat a lot of leaves. Later John finds one of the large centipedes.

Grand Anse Beach

Finally we get to the beginning of the trail at Grand Anse Beach. The soft white sand, lush vegetation and vibrant turquoise waters make for a picture perfect beach. However this is not a swimming beach because there is no reef protection so waves are high and currents are strong. There is also not a lot of shade on the beach. Click here for a short video.

Anse Caiman Trail

After admiring the beach, John and I start walking the pretty path of the Anse Caiman Trail towards Petite Anse Beach. The trail is described in our research as an easy trek.

I quickly change my mind about hiking when we get to a steep climb up a picturesque granite rock. Easy trek …my bottom!

I inform John that I’m going back to the beach side restaurant to sip a cold drink and soak in the view. John goes on.

The trail connects several picturesque coves and their beaches. But to get between the coves there are steep climbs then descents over the granite rocks and boulders. The rocks have natural or man-made stairs but it’s a sweaty affair because of the humidity in the tropical forest. 

John visits Petit Anse Beach and then Anse Cocos Beach before turning around to head back. Both beaches are almost empty of people.  It’s about a 90 minute round trip and he is drenched in sweat when he returns.

Break at the Cottage

After a cold drink and some rest we bicycle back to our cottage just in time to beat a downpour. We relax during the mid-day heat then head into La Passe and Anse Severe Beach for sunset as this is our last evening on La Digue. 

Bikini Bottom

On arrival at the beach we see there will be no blazing sunset tonight. Dark clouds and rain showers are visible over Praslin Island and the wind is blowing it our way.

I hang out at Bikini Bottom Beach Bar, in hopes of seeing SpongeBob and Patrick but sadly the clouds roll in and we head to our bikes before the heavens open again. We get back to our accomodations just in time.

John’s Flight of Fancy

For dinner Kimberly decides to try the Fruit Bat Curry… big mistake! As we go for a walk after dinner Kimberly starts convulsing and collapses. Slowly she gets up… oh my god!

This is what happens when I ask John to edit… I actually have shrimp for supper and am feeling just fine.