Buzzing Around The World With Fellette & Doug

Devil’s Island... Visited January 11

Yesterday we visited the French islands off the coast of French Guyana, founded about 1850. The colony failed in all respects except it became a penal colony. The three islands were known as Devils Island but have another French name, Salvation Islands. Between 1880’s and 1940’s The French sent about 80,000 prisoners to the islands, About 50,000 died. The worse prisoners came to the Islands. The vast majority died of disease.

There were a few that escaped. The chance of survival was very low if you ever got off the islands and made it to the mainland. A bit of trivia…according to the museum one man that got away from the Island made it to England where he spent some few years, then to America where he joined the US Cavalry. He was one of the few survivors of the Battle of the Little Big Horn. That man was driven by survival obviously.

The humidity was intense. There was however one spot near the boat ramp that had a refreshing breeze blowing. There is a sort of ‘resort’ area where some Europeans come for a castaway holiday. The buildings in use look like something out of the south pacific before the war, open breezeways and tin roofs. These are right next to the stone and brick remains of cells, and other prison buildings. The whole thing seems rather macabre and a desperate attempt to utilize something has seen its time.


The ship was anchored about one mile off shore and we were “tendered” in. Each tender can hold about 100 people. Those yesterday were ½ full most of the time. They ferry to and from the ship all day long.
We were on the Island by 8.30 and back around noon. Showered and to lunch in air conditioned comfort, unlike the poor devils that died in droves within sight of our cabin, as we rode at anchor.

My Tai Chi teacher is an Aussie from NSW . He asked me today if I wanted to be in a skit on passenger talent night. I said is it about Tai Chi? He said no, have you ever heard of The Full Monty? I said I didn’t like the limelight and declined!

posted by Doug and Fellette @ 8:30 AM