We have been anchored off Lifou Island for almost a week now so have got to know the local village pretty well. We discovered the local bakery where we watched them they make wonderful crusty bread, so we have been indulging in a warm loaf every day! The villagers organised a fruit & Veg market the day we cleared Customs and that night, the entire fleet (29 boats!) were invited to a traditional feast where chicken and vegetables are cooked in coconut milk underground, a bit like a Maori Hangi. It was a lovely evening and ended with a number of us singing with the locals who were playing guitars.
It has been fun trying out my rusty school-girl French much to the amusement of the locals! Yesterday we did a tour of the island in a minibus - it was lovely to see the interior of the island rather than just the coastline. I got some good photos but unfortunately wont be able to load them into an album until we get internet. We have tried unsuccessfully to purchase a SIM card for my phone here in Lifou but it looks like we will have to wait until we get to the next island of Ouvéa before trying again.
Our crew members, Claire & Nick have been great company and we have had many laughs together, particularly when Nick fell off the boat fully clothed twice in one day! (Sorry Nick!) They head back to Auckland today as sadly they have to return to work on Monday. Once they are on their way to the airport, we are going into the main town of We (Way) for lunch with 16 others from various boats in the bay so it sounds like it could be a bit of a party! The restaurant apparently has free Wifi so I am hoping I can upload this blog there which will allow me to add one photo!
We have been continually amazed by the pure white sandy beaches and the clarity of the gorgeous turquoise water here in Lifou. When we anchored, we were able to see exactly where the anchor chain was lying on the sandy bottom! On Wednesday, we took Calypso across the bay and anchored in a stunning bay which had fabulous snorkelling. It was the first time I had been swimming in the month since I cut my leg. I applied a “waterproof” dressing which turned out not to be very waterproof at all and so I ended up with a very soggy wound which has taken a few days to dry out again. I guess I will have to wait longer before going swimming again :( The great thing was, while I was snorkelling, I saw a young turtle and followed it for a good 3 minutes, making that the highlight of any of the snorkelling we have done so far!
Tomorrow we head north to the island of Ouvéa which is an atoll and is supposed to be stunningly beautiful so we will probably spend a few days there, before heading south to the Isle De Pines.