Nouvelle Caledonie 2005                                                          New Caledonia 2005                                                       click photos to enlarge

Beautiful beaches, interesting carvings and a relatively modern, European-like city on a South Pacific island. We were there in August and Sept. which we discovered, after we arrived, was too early in the season for the tropical weather and water temperatures we were expecting.  We had a lot of cool weather and rain and could hardly put a toe in the water for the chill. But still it's a gorgeous place.

The city of Noumea with the marina in the background on the mian island, Grande Terre

Carved totems near the water in the village of Vao on the Ile des Pins

Jean-Marie Tjibaou Cultural Centre

A walk on a cool day on a Deserted beach on the Ile des Pins (Isle of Pines)

Clay & Kelly pose behind a community centre sign indicative of the local art style on the Ile des Pins

New Caledonia (Nouvelle Caledonie) is a French territory well on it's way to independence.  The  French culture is rich there but the traditional Kanak culture is ever present and strongly promoted.  The city of Noumea on the island of Grande Terre  is  a growing metropolis and the home to the majority of the European population in New Caledonia and 40% of all the population.  It has all the facilities one looks for in a big city along with beautiful white sand beaches and fantastic restaurants.  The marina was very nice and accomidating with the exception of the awful sewage smell that  prevailed there and around the whole of the city.  We met our friend Clay from Atlanta there for his annual visit on "Amazing Grace" and stayed only a few days to provision and set    sail for the Isle of Pines.  It took 2 days to sail there with an over night anchor at the southern tip of Grande Terre.  We spent the

majority of Clay's visit at the Ilse of Pines which is  a picturesque place and would have been paradise had the weather been better.  Unfortunately we spent too much time sort of stranded on the boat or walking around in the rain.  Although we did manage a few nice days to go on a pirogue sail, some hikes and general exploring.

Giant chess set in a central park in the city of Noumea

Clay could only stay with us for 3 weeks so we sailed him back to catch his plane. We then spent time with our friends Kathy and Bob on the yacht "Briana" in Noumea and the Bay of Prony before heading off to visit the Loyalty Islands just east of  Grand Terre island.

Clay poses in front of the pirogues we sailed on at the Isle of Pines

View from a hilltop Isle of Pines

Richard sits and contemplates the weather at our anchorage at the Isle of Pines

Modern times evident on this beautiful traditional kanak hut. Isle of Pines

As the weather was still a bit miserable and the anchorage not so great, we didn't spend a lot of time in the Loyalty Islands. We decided to cut it short and make our way over to Vanuatu and have more time there before we had to head out for Australia in a couple of months time.  It's amazing how fast time gets away from you when your out here. So much of your time you have to take into consideration the weather, the seasons (cyclones being the main regard there), sailing time in-between countries and then of coarse time spent in each one of them.  Some, you end up liking more than others or at least your experience is more positive for one reason or another so you might want to stay longer in these places.  Then others you get stuck at for weeks on end because the weather is so bad.  Weather is always a major factor in our lives,it effects our comfort and safety level greatly. It can mean really enjoying a place and wanting to stay forever or not being able to get out fast enough.  In any case, we did enjoy New Cal and are glad we came here. Maybe someday we can come back when the weather is leaning more in our favor.

Kathy & Kelly rest during a hike at the Bay of Prony

At the Tjibaou Cultural Center Kanak women demonstrate their traditional ways

Inner support pole pictured above and below of the traditional meeting house (right) with Kelly, Kathy and Bob in doorway

Tiki entrance to a home on the Isle of Pines

Boy in front of traditional hut Loyalty Islands

A good sign with a catch on the way to Vanuatu

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