We departed Noumea this morning after paying the marina bill and topping up with duty free fuel...yeah!

No wind was the forecast from our weather man and no wind is the reality as we motor SW. Glassy seas and a long lazy swell from the SW. Noumea is still just visible in the haze 45nm behind us. Sad to leave such a beautiful place, I could have stayed a lot longer, I will return. The future of Noumea is under a cloud due to the low market price for the minerals mined there. There is talk of the major mining Co shutting down operations. This will directly put out of work 3000 workers and indirectly affect many more and have a major impact on the economy. Aside form the mining there is really only tourism that brings money into the country. While we were in Port Moselle a cruise ship arrived about every two days, spent most of the day there, then departed late in the day for its next destination. According to a local journalist we spoke to, the cruise ships don't actually contribute much to the economy as the tourists have their accommodation and most meals aboard and mostly wander around buying a few souvenirs and visiting a museum.

Sectors of the local Kanak population have for many years been agitating for independence from the French and many believe that when and If this happens it will mark a turning point for the worse for Noumea...time will tell. So if you haven't visited Noumea and want to go somewhere warm and French during winter, you don't have to go far from Australia to experience it!