New Caledonia part 2: Burning New Caledonia
It's a bit weird to be writing a blog on New Caledonia whilst being in New Zealand! But I have to get through it and get back on track! So last time we left from Iles des pins to visit the bay of Prony.
23rd of October. We're in front of île de Casy. A cute little island with very different landscape than usual. If I remember correctly there are about 5 or 6 mooring balls and a nice little pontoon to put our dinghy. It took us about two hours to go all around. Apparently an island where the sole inhabitant was a ... dog: Casy. Sadly he's deceased now so we can only imagine this cute labrador guiding us around his island! At least that's what we think he was 😌
The water looks so tempting, but apparently not that safe to swim in.
And then on the top we arrive on a part that seems to have been extensively mined, however the signs tell us it was a big fire due to a camping visitor. I just can't help but think it might have been a combination of the two... It leaves you to imagine how it must look like Mars 😏
24th of October 2019. In the morning the wind calms down and we have a very smooth water surface. As the sun comes up I suddenly see a shade of a yacht. Quite a big one and it seems so intact, just under our boat! 😱 That's really my worst nightmare!!! Geoffrey tried to film it with the Go pro from the back of our boat. The sails are still on the mast. So spooky! We learned later that it was the boat of some friends of friends and that it went down in a cyclone... 😓
We're just two boats, quickly to become one again, so heavenly to have these select spots all to ourselves! Many mangrove trees all around, that make again for a stunning environment.
A bit worn down, but this is the hot spring. Still quite nice after a good walk 😌
Sometimes we forget our girls still have small legs!
It's a very beautiful, peaceful walk, with lots of remnants from the mining industry.
Time to head back for the hot spring 😎
25th October 2019. After a short fashion show to thank MVS for our satellite connection, we're off in the other direction to Prony.
The vegetation is a bit higher as the day before. And difficult for the girls to get through!
Ok a bit to far to get to Prony, but great hike anyway!!!
Oef, back just in time before dark!
26th of October. We managed to reserve a spot at Marina Port du Sud, Noumea. And a car at Point Rouge just besides the marina. We decided to go on a two day tour inside the country. It's just such a big country and we feel as if we've just seen the tip of the iceberg. So off we go again towards Noumea!
28th of October. And the road trip begins! We're only half hour away and Geoffrey finds a Decathlon! Even though more expensive than elsewhere and the only decathlon you can't use you're fidelity card, we can stock up on bathing suits again! So after this small intermezzo, we're off again and quickly we notice the first big fire! It was even burning along the road and we were so surprised and in a hurry to get by we didn't take a picture.
There's really not so much to see along the road. It's pretty, but very dry! As our rooms are not ready yet, we squeeze in a small hike. The girls are happy to stretch their legs!
As the forest of tall fougères is on fire, we're happy to just see some here 😀
The walk isn't that pretty otherwise. It's along the road and seems to be a bit hostile!!!
Beautiful highlight at the end of the walk though 😍
29th October 2019. The road trip continues. Louise got a big fever yesterday and she's quite sick. So no more walking, but we decide to drive a bit longer and discover more of the country side.
That's actually the most pretty part. Dense lush forest. A few villages of true locals with still signs of their revolution ...
Very small roads...
And a road with hourly change of traffic direction. Too narrow for two cars. But at what time does the direction change?!
Once across this mountain range, the landscape changes again. And we feel the urge to get back to LouiseAnna. Mainly because we feel guilty to not have taken the shortest way back for our little girls...
You see, we're ALL cold. It's not just us 😎 But with the covers down it's perfect!
31st October 2019. Luckily we kept the party sober enough, as we decided to head off towards Australia the next day! Ciao Nouméa and New Caledonia. We're off on what's supposed to be our last big crossing. But I guess you never know what could come up next right?! 😏
As it's tradition by now. No crossing goes without bumpy weather. Not even the "last" one!
But every crossing comes with a bit of magic too!!!
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