Devil's Island, French Guiana

Sunday March 11, 2012.  Bob and I both forgot to set our cell phones to the correct time, so we were up early.  We thought it was 7:30 when it was 6:30.  So we returned to the cabin to change into our swim suits and did half hour of exercises.  The water is rough so half hour is like an hour.  Most people do not like to swim when it is so rough but we think it is fun.  You stay in the center of the pool and go with the waves.

Then champagne and caviar for breakfast.  A nice treat.  We arrived here at Devil's Island early.  We were supposed to arrive at 1pm but we are here at 8:30am.  Seems we have another medical emergency and need to get the patient off the ship.  So Bob and I decided to take the 10 am tender.  I went up to needlepoint for a short time and then got ready to tender to the island.

David and Eileen on top of tender boat

Regent's tenders have space on the top to sit if the weather is not rough.  So when Bob and I got on the tender, there was still room up top, so we joined David.  David is married to Bonnie and swims with us in the morning.

This is a group of three islands known as Salvation Islands.  The individual names of the Islands are I'Ile Royale, Ile St. Joseph, Ile du Diable.  No one is allowed on Devil's Island.  We tendered to I'Ile Royale which was where the main administrative center for the prison, and this is where the vast majority of the surviving buildings have been preserved and maintained.  Each island served a different purpose: Ile Royale was the administrative center, Ile Joseph held the most troublesome convicts, and Devil's Island held political prisoners such as Albert Dreyfus in isolation.

Eileen with Devil's Island in the background

Cell Entrance

Isolation cells

Isolation Cell

Newest Prisoner 

Hospital 

We got off the tender and walked all around the island for about two hours.  Weather was hot and sunny.  There is a nice breeze but still, we got some great exercise.

We visited the children's cemetery, lighthouse, hospital, a small chapel, plus the prison itself.  The cells still convey the harsh conditions of the penal colony, both here in the Salvation Islands, and on the mainland at the largest compound at St. Laurent.  The guards and their families were buried but when a prisoner died, he was dumped into the ocean.  The hospital has bars where the legs or arms of the prisoners were chained to the walls.  When we were walking around the grounds, we came upon this peacock who was so proud.

Children's Cemetery

One Proud Peacock

There is a modern hotel with a snack bar and gift shop.  Why anyone would want to vacation here is beyond me.

Back to the ship for lunch, nap and reading.  Afternoon of needlepoint, tea and trivia.  We lost by one point.  Oh well.  Bob and I decided to swim one more time but since we are in the Atlantic, only did half hour and then visited the hot tub.

Dressed for dinner.  Tonight we ate in Prime 7 again.  While we were eating, a lady fainted right outside the entrance of Prime 7.  She had gotten up from her table to go to the ladies room and just fainted.  When she was awake, she came back in and had dinner.  I think I would have gone to my cabin and laid down.  To each his own.  Dinner was good and then back to the cabin and I started watching "The Desendents"(sic) which is not a happy movie so far.  Will finish watching later.