New Caledonia Southern Lagoon
02 July 2009 | 22 39'S:167 26'E, L'ile Des Pins (Isle of Pines)
Leanne
1/7/09 - We departed Bonne Anse (Baie De Prony) approximately 6.45am headed for Isle of Pines - a great sail warm weather, only sited two yachts in our 7 hour passage. Approx 1-1/1/2 m swells, waves breaking on surrounding reefs, ocean a spectacular blue.
Wow! Arriving at Isle of Pines...water changing to a brilliant turquoise. P & O London cruise ship anchored outside entrance to Baie de Kuto..feeling a lump in my throat as guests onboard cruiseship wave to us...I think this was my first moment since leaving home that it sunk in we had achieved something quite awesome. I felt so small looking up at this amazing ship.
The lagoon at Baie De Kuto with it's brilliant turquoise water and semi circle of surrounding white beach and dotted with palm trees was quite breathtaking. We went ashore in the tinny and walked the beach, blending with the P & O passengers and local's staying on the Island, checking out the local artists collection of t-shirts and jewellery, they accept AUD and Pacific Francs here. The sand is something different, quite clay like, hard to walk on but very clean. We enjoyed sundowners onboard and steak bbq dinner. Slept listening to the waves crashing onto the shore.
2/7/09 - Departed after breakfast to the Southern Anchorage - Baie De Kanumera - Any post card you would have seen of New Caledonia, this is where it was taken. Rocky caved outcrops, white beaches, surrounding thick tropical growth on the Islands -every developer tries to immitate this natural wonder in their resort pools, I had to pinch myself that this lagoon is natural, water so clean...just awesome!
Spent the morning exploring in the tinny,spoke to another yacht in the anchorage from New Zealand. A few more yachts anchored later in the day, flying Canadian, Australian & NZ Flags. Swam, read and basically veged this afternoon. So quiet and peaceful...and Oh what a view! John said we should have come here last - but the weather is so spectacular, it would have been a shame to have seen it in lessor conditions.
A bit of local info: Topless sunbaking is forbidden here. The local delicasy is ESCARGO (snails) - The traditional dish is the" bougna" : fruit,vegetables, pork, fish, chicken or crayfish all covered in coconut milk,wrapped in banana leaves and cooked on hot stones in the bottom of a pit dug in the sand or earth - we have yet to experience this cruisine.
Up early tomorrow to collect some freshly made Baguettes from the Bakery and later walk inland approximately 1 hour to the Bank / post office, local shops.
Au revoir...take care!