It’s not every day that you find yourself on an island in the Indian Ocean. But, for the men and women that work at sea, it’s just another day at the office. Shore leave while working on a cruise ship is a very precious thing for crew members. However, what makes this particular shore leave special was the fact that I was sent to an outdoor food market to buy mangoes for the cruise line I was working for.

Réunion Island

Réunion Island is approximately 420 miles (680 km) east of Madagascar. The island is part of the Mascarene Islands. It is a small yet very beautiful French island in the Indian Ocean. This island is home to one of the world’s most active volcanos Piton de la Fournaise. It is home to Saint-Denis the island’s capital and the largest French city outside of France. Réunion has one of the world’s best island road infrastructures. It is also home to the Indian Ocean’s highest peak (Piton des Neiges) which many hikers enjoy when visiting the island.  

Natural Beauty

The natural beauty of Réunion Island is absolutely breathtaking. The waterfalls, lush forests, beautiful beaches, and incredible coral reefs are all fantastic reasons to visit. Oh, and let’s not forget about the amazing cuisine and the fact that you most definitely will get a chance to practice your French.

The video below was taken on a FLIP camera several years ago. You will see first hand what an outdoor food market on a French Island in the Indian ocean is all about. Pay close attention to the languages you hear as I walk around and the vast array of fruits and vegetables among other things that you’ll see. My mission was to find mangos and return within two hours to the cruise ship I was working on. This video dates back to 2010!

Savourer! 🇫🇷

Réunion Island: Saint-Paul Market | Mango Hunt!

Click here to see a couple of quick videos that were taken on the beach in Madagascar.