We've been in the marina now for 3 days, although for some reason it feels like much longer.

We had contemplated the possibility of putting Fly Aweigh on the New Caledonian sales market, because we heard some things that made that seem like a good idea, but the language barrier alone was enough for us to change our minds. We're all hooked up with a broker in Brisbane and we're excited to handle the sale from there and enjoy the last of our island time here. I did make up a flyer to put up on the local yacht club and marina boards, and it looked great -- makes me want to buy the boat myself! But the real deal is the one the broker, Rob just put up on the web, check it out just to see the pictures, if nothing else: www.yachtdomain.com. Go to the Monohull section, 40-50 foot boats, and we're a new listing toward the bottom of the first page.

Part of what we've been doing with our time here is getting set up on the Internet, making calls to Rob, taking more photographs and sending them off, and continuing our de-cluttering of the boat, which means giving things away to other cruisers nearby, a very satisfying process.

We've connected with a few people here on the dock, as I mentioned earlier -- IO, with Mike and Hyo aboard, bound for Brisbane in a few days and planning to put their boat up for sale once there; and the Gifford family on Totem, a delightful group whose company we've really enjoyed, headed for Sydney. The kids are great, the ultimate example of what I love about these home-schooled cruiser kids: bright, curious, adaptable, well-rounded, and usually able to blend in with the adults as well as, or better than, most adults. Siobhan, for example, is my new 6-year old friend, the youngest of the Totemites. She has more maturity than grownups, and man, can she play Gin! Nobody can successfully teach me how to play a card game, I'm way too thick when it comes to understanding all the complicated rules and exceptions. But Siobhan had me up and running after one hand, although she beat me the second game, and I only won the first because she helped me.

Yesterday we all went to the aquarium and had a fabulous time. Siobhan dragged me all through the place, we'd gaze into a tank and ooh and ahh over the fish and crustaceans and then she'd say matter-of-factly, as she firmly yanked my arm, "Okay, then, moving on ..." Meanwhile, Allan lagged behind with Mike from IO, a marine biologist with a wealth of knowledge about the critters before us. I got the benefit of some of his lecture as we sat for a long time in front of the Nautilus tank, learning about how they propel themselves through the water. I was wondering how fun an aquarium would be after all the diving and snorkeling we've done, all the cool things we've seen in their natural habitat. But it was great to be able to look at the critters for a long time, in good light, and they weren't scared off, as they are in the wild. And best of all, we were able to see some of the things that we just can't find on the reef, like huge, rocky Stone Fish, rare and elusive creatures like tiny little shrimp with purple polka dots, and the big orange Frog Fish above, who unfortunately looks rather depressed. I decided I want a season pass to the nearest aquarium when we get home, it's the only way I'll be able to adapt to my reef-free life in Southern California.

Allan and I did a little sojourn around Noumea yesterday afternoon to get the feel of the town. Very interesting, an odd combination of French Caribbean, French Polynesian, and Parisian. A rather small downtown area, easily walkable in 30 minutes, it was nicely laid out with big trees, lots of high-end jewelry and clothing stores with chic fashions on tall, skinny, white mannequins. Meanwhile, most of the local women, (the Kanaks rather than the French) seem to favor colorful Hawaiian-esque mumu's. And that 's what comprises the other half of the clothing stores in town -- traditional flowered fabrics, pareos, mumu's, and men's shirts. "Snak" bars abound, little sandwich shops that serve mostly ham on baguette, as well as pizza and egg rolls. Very common fare throughout French Polynesia, as well.

Today we may leave the marina and head for the anchorage, might get Allan on a windsurfer this afternoon if the wind picks up, and we may also head across the island to the fabulous cultural center here. Day at a time, as we ponder our last crossing to Brisbane in a week or so. No hurry, and yet, we're getting anxious.