HERON ISLAND

Heron Island, the one that forms the last phalanx of this finger pointing towards the Musha Islands, was the last to be inhabited. This small coral island was first plundered, used as a quarry providing the building materials needed for the harbour works, the embankments that connect the Serpent and the Marabout to the city. It is believed that the island lost more than half of its surface. The pier that served it was only used to transport these materials (by means of a rail). After independence, the authorities decided to exploit this abandoned place after the end of the construction works. The island, where the French military base is located, was then linked to the rest of the city in a more consistent manner. Since then, a beautiful residential area has developed here for the wealthiest local families. The richer you are in Djibouti, the further north you go. It is also the district of the NGOs. The sea is never far away, always visible. All the buildings are surrounded by gardens: villas, embassies (China, Eritrea, Qatar, Yemen...). The Hotel Kempinski, just before the French naval base, enjoys an enviable location, a place of life not to be missed by expatriates and military families, who regularly come to relax by the pool, spend their Sundays (sorry, their Fridays!), have a drink, do sports. As for the herons... They are always very numerous in this area and search the mud with their long legs, in company of many other birds.