Our trip to Isle of Pines, New Calendonia.

This is a little out of order as I had problems getting a connection before we left New Caledonia. But we had such a great time we still want to share what happened with you.

The Isle of Pines is south of the main island Grande Terre in New Caledonia. On the way down we stopped in Baie de Prony. This is an eerie kind of place but quite beautiful. The Kanack people refuse to live near because, in past many battles were fought in the bay and they believe there are too many warrior ghosts around. It cetainly has that feel about it. It was also stripped of its trees to built the first houses in Noumea. Now the bush is starting to regenerate.

We sailed up to the very end so that we could have a dip in a natural fresh water pool built in the bush by a river. It was lovely and refreshing.

Both Lindsay and I were woken up during the night with strange noises which we took to be large fish jumping. Early next morning while weighing anchor Hamish and Lindsay saw a 10ft hammerhead shark swimming beside the boat. It was about ¼ the length of the boat. As we motored down the bay we saw a large turtle swim past too.

In fact it turned out to be the best day for sea creature spotting we have had. Later that day we had common pacific dolphins swimming at our bow. This was the first lot we have seen since NZ. But wait there’s more! As we approached Isle de Pins we saw in the distance whales leaping out of the water – what a display as they leapt clear and also slapped their tails. Although it would have been spectacular to see close up I was secretly glad that they were so far off.

We stayed in a lovely white sandy bay called Bay de Kuto. Hamish and Kate enjoyed snorkelling and turtle spotting as there were about 5 turtles swimming around. The best part was when they got towed behind our dinghy on their boogie boards by their father. The weather was pleasantly warm although we had to motor sail most of the way back to Noumea due of lack of wind.

We then had to prepare for our last big ocean passage for a while. There was a lot to do. I made and froze 5 dinners, bought provisions to last the 6-7 day trip, caught up with all the washing, Hamish and Kate completed as much school work as they could and we posted it off. Lindsay built a cover for our new generator and there were lots of forms to fill out for both New Caledonian and Australian Officials.