Devil's Island, French Guiana

Our original schedule had us arriving here at about noon, but we anchored early as there was another medical emergency on board and a woman needed to be evacuated.  She was taken to Kourou, French Guiana , which is the on the mainland and is the rocket launch facility for the European Space Agency. 

Although we are referring to this area as Devil's Island , there are actually three small islands that were used by the French for a prison.  Royale Island is the main one and the only one that has some restoration and tourist facilities, including a small hotel.  The islands are very hot and humid and it is indeed sobering to see at how convicts were housed and treated.

Devil's Island from Royal Island

Entrance to cells

Cells were very small

Huge deep cistern built by convicts

It is a large complex that originally had a medical building, chapel, cell blocks, bakery, butchery, and work shops, as well as the houses for the guards and officials. 

Chapel was fairly large

Inside had large paintings done by convicts

Cemetary was only for guards and their families, dead prisoners were thrown into the sea

Along with the old buildings there is now a modern radar tracking facility that is associated with the rocket launch station.  We saw a lot of wildlife, including monkeys, agoutis (large rodents), caymans and iguanas.  It was a very enjoyable visit. 

Agouti

Monkey in rubber tree near hotel

Cayman was in the cistern

Pair of iguanas

We sailed about 4 pm, just in time for tea and trivia.  We again won although it was a tie with one other team.  In the evening, Tom had arranged a blind vodka tasting for 10 guests. The bar tender then showed which brand was served in what order.  There was a tie for the favorite between Ketel One and Belvedere,  Grey Goose was third and Stolichnaya was fourth.