拉迪格岛南端的联合庄园(L'Union Estate)是塞舌尔极少数收费的海滩入口,目前外国游客的成人票价为150塞舌尔卢比。这笔钱买下的不仅是前往德阿让海滩(Anse Source d'Argent)的入场券,更是一张通往19世纪克里奥尔农庄生活的时光船票。整个庄园占地大约25公顷,从码头骑自行车过来只需要15分钟,是登岛游客的首选落脚点。
虽然有些旧版攻略还写着100或115卢比,但现在的官方公认票价已经上调至150卢比,大约折合人民币80元。售票处就在庄园入口的一个木质岗亭里,接受现金或刷卡,12岁以下的儿童通常可以免费入园。票根一定要留好,因为这张票是全天有效的,即便你中间想回镇上吃个午餐再回来,凭票就能再次进入庄园。
有个很多人不知道的小秘密。如果你在下午4点半之后才来买票,这张票会自动延长到第二天全天有效。这对于那些想在海滩看个日落,第二天又想一早来拍无人大片的朋友来说非常划算。庄园的官方开放时间是早晨6点到傍晚6点,所以傍晚买票能让你多出一整天的游玩时间,不用重复掏钱。
一进大门没多久,你就能看到一个巨大的石坑围栏,里面住着十几只阿尔达布拉巨龟(Aldabra Giant Tortoise)。这些大家伙有的已经超过150岁了,体重能达到两三百公斤。它们看起来慢吞吞的,但只要你手里拿一把干草,它们就会伸长脖子来讨食。这种巨龟是塞舌尔的国宝,在联合庄园你可以近距离观察它们厚重的外壳,而不是隔着老远的护栏。
紧挨着象龟园的是一块巨大的花岗岩单体石,这块巨石占地约4000平方米,据地质学家测算,它的年龄已经超过了7亿年。石块下方曾经是庄园主居住的种植园大宅(Gran Kaz),始建于1818年,是塞舌尔最古老的木质建筑之一。你会发现这里的空气中飘着淡淡的香气,那是因为庄园里至今还保留着整齐的香草(Vanilla)种植区,每一朵花都需要人工手动授粉才能结荚。
在庄园中心有一个圆形的石制磨坊,当地人叫它磨油坊。你会看到一头被蒙住眼睛的公牛拉着沉重的石磨不停转动,这就是塞舌尔最传统的椰油加工方式。虽然现在的椰子产业已经不再是拉迪格岛的经济支柱,但庄园依然保留了这种古老的技艺演示。旁边简陋的木房里堆满了烘干的椰肉,那股浓郁且带点焦苦的椰香味是这个庄园特有的名片。
穿过香草田和古老墓地,路会变得越来越窄,脚下的细沙也越来越厚。路边立着一些指示牌,指引你前往海滩。这条路建议骑车慢行,因为周围全是高耸入云的椰子树,光影交错很有画面感。当你看到路边出现一些破旧的传统木质独木舟时,说明你已经到达了德阿让海滩的起点,那些震撼的粉红色花岗岩就在绿林后面等着你。
门票是包含海滩访问权限的,因为这是通往该海滩唯一的陆路通道。150卢比的费用已经覆盖了园内所有景点,包括象龟园、磨坊和种植园大宅,无需在海滩处二次付费。
可以骑车,而且强烈建议骑自行车游览。庄园内部很大,从门口到最深处的海滩步行至少要20分钟,且部分路段没有树荫遮挡,骑车会轻松很多,门口设有专门的停放区。
允许投喂,围栏边通常会有工作人员准备好的新鲜干草或树叶供游客取用。严禁私自投喂自带的面包或零食,以免损害象龟的消化系统,它们平均寿命可达150至200岁。
庄园内有几处洗手间,主要分布在靠近大门和德阿让海滩入口处。庄园里还有两家小餐馆和一些果汁摊位,你可以喝到50卢比左右的现剖新鲜椰子。
Ashu Kapoor Hey, you gotta hear this! This beach called Source D' ARGEANT is like, the best in the world or something. The water's super shallow and full of corals, and there are so many fish to see. It's perfect for people who aren't great swimmers or are trying it for the first time. And the crowd is really cool too. It's a once-in-a-lifetime experience, I'm telling you. If you can afford it, you should definitely go. The only way to get there is by ferry from the main island, Mahe.
Stevo T Nice place to visit, just drive the main road down on LaDigue to this park. You have to pay an entrance fee (valid all day) of 150SCR pp. You‘ll also the access to the famous beach Anse Source D‘Argent. Nice beach but compared to others quite crowded (which we didn‘t like). You get some food and drinks there (cocktails, fruits, beer, water, etc.). Walk alongside of the beach to get to the less crowded areas.
carolyn fairclough Not taxing to potter around the estate on your bike. Do pop to see Plantation house, and there is a shop/art gallery below with good local flower oils at a reasonable price. All this on the way back from the most beautiful beaches of Anse D'Argeant. Tortoises too and the odd scheduled event.
Maheshwari Entry fees is 150 pp for entire day. Entry till 6 pm Can spend entire day inside the farm, there are 2 restaurants inside. You can opt for crystal kayak, see the coconut oil making factory, vanilla plantations, hear birds chirping. Beautiful location, must visit. Do carry a bottle of water along with.
Peter Baker Well worth a visit. RS150 each entry fee. Cycle around or walk. Not too busy. Had v interesting chat with manager, he explained about coconut harvesting including historic methods. Scenic beach at the South end.