Historical/Background Info:
France's, Napoleon III, established a penal colony for the exile of French political prisoners, murderers, and thieves from 1852 to 1953. The penal colony consisted of 3 very small islands located 7 miles off the coast of French Guiana and 2 prisons located on the mainland itself. There are three small countries on the northeast corner of South America: Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana. They lie on the coast between Venezuela and Brazil. French Guiana is still under French control but the other two have gained their independence. Today, the economy is based on the near equatorial Guiana Space Center, the European Space Agency's primary launch site. From physics we
we learned that it is easier for space vehicles to obtain Earth orbit if launched from near the equator. (I never took physics, if the truth be known.)
It was one of the most infamous prison systems in history. A vast majority of the more than 80,000 prisoners sent to Devil’s Island never made it back to France. Many died due to disease, beheadings, and other harsh conditions. The only escape was by water and few did due to strong currents and sharks. The prisoners came by prison ships to Kourou on the mainland to be processed and assigned to work camps or solitary confinement. Most of the movie, “Papillon” was filmed on the French Guiana mainland prisons but near the end it was filmed on the islands.
The three islands were: Isle Royale, Saint-Joseph, and Devil's Island. Over time the mainland and island prisons became known collectively as "Devil's Island". We stopped at the larger of the three islands, Isle Royale, Isle Royale is where the administrative buildings were located. The Governor’s house, guard house, hospital, church, as well as prisons were here. Devil's Island was the smallest of the islands and only 30 of the most infamous political prisoners at a time were located there. Escape was almost impossible due to the very strong currents and rip tides, plus sharks inhabiting the waters surrounding the islands.
Although you will see many trees on the island in my photos, during the time that the island was a prison, the French made the prisoners cut down all the trees so they could not be used to make rafts for escaping. I cannot imagine how HOT it must have been with no shade.
I think it is shameful that the French government has not done more to preserve the buildings on Isle Royale. I guess they are embarrassed by the inhumane treatment the prisoners received. They should be! Go rent the movie "Papillon".
What We Did Today:
Swells and waves were 8 feet today so the ship was moving around this morning. I decided to put half a patch behind my ear to prevent sea sickness. I take no chances! The chef made biscuits and gravy for me this morning. Not like what we get in States for sure, but was not bad. We got our workout in earlier than usual as fewer folks are using the fitness center this segment. We went to Compass Rose for some lunch and both had "fish and chips with mushy peas" (an English thing). Even had some very good no sugar added butter pecan ice cream for dessert.
I will be putting a link to some photos I took yesterday evening and today of the islands. I am also putting a link to the photos I took when on the island back in 2012. They are pretty good and know you will enjoy them. I'm not going ashore today as it is just too hot and there are rain showers roaming around.
I had already published this but after trying for 2 hours of trying to get the tender operation going, our Captain made PA saying it could not be safely done today. So no one is going ashore here! Another missed port of call!!! More unhappy cruisers now. She said we would just be sitting here bobbing around in the water until our scheduled departure time of 7pm.
As soon as I publish this blog post, I am going down to the internet center. If I use one of the ship's computers, I can print my online Fidelity tax forms. I have already started putting my tax information on my CPA's website. Hoping I won't have to file for a filing extension.
Tonight we will be dining in Compass Rose. I am having a bottle of our good champagne chilled for dinner. I have also requested the chef prepare french fried soft shell crabs, a special salad, and fresh grilled salmon for the two of us. We did not really care for the regular menu so just made my own up. After dinner we will be going to see the JAR production show, "Film Flashback". It will be the forth time we have seen the show but love it every time.
We will be sailing at 7:00 pm and will be at sea tomorrow. Here is the link to my photos from last night and today:
Here is the link to my 2012 photos of Devil's Island. Good thing since no one is going to see the island today except YOU.
https://goo.gl/photos/UcuQtwP8u2gRMu7K8
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