New Caledonia

Kanaks first peopled these islands, until Captain Cook called in the mid-1700’s to hand it
over to Napoleon. Today, it is the last stronghold of white colonialism in the world. Fifty kanaks still reside in villages with the chief residing in the conical shaped house (grande case) where ceremonies are held. The collective pursuit is more important than the individual’s, and strong ancestral ties are honored.

Thousands of French convicts were imported to work the public works and construction projects, and later powerful French families arrived to launch the nickel industry, with France its greatest importer.

Isle of Pines

We anchored with “Ocelot” at the beautiful Isle of Pines, famous for the British convicts who were imprisoned here at the fort by Napoleon until released to begin their own farming.

After a short walk in the woods and a hitch-hiking excursion across island, we arrived at the native boat-building site where traditional ocean-going catamarans are still built.

Boat building site

cliff
diving

New Caledonia was a photgrapher's dream with its blue opal waters and white sandy beaches.

Warren

Surfing - what else for 2 teens?

Diving the Outer Reef

Adam is our resident photographer of Warren when surfing and kite-boarding.

Adam with our largest mahi-mahi, yet, caught offshore.

Sushi was our favorite way of preparing the fish.

This species of fish is often called dolphin – not to be confused with the mammal.

Diving where no tourists existed was a marvelous experience. Sharks meandered by, uninterested in our presence. The pernicious watersnake continued to unnerve us with its potential venemous and potentially fatal bite, but they were very timid and hid in coral creavices when they encountered us. The bubbles of turles swimming by could be seen in thiese clear waters.

Windsurfing, Kite-boarding, and Fishing

The pernicious yellow-banded water snake. Without the required anecdote (flown in from Australia), it can kill within 30 minutes.

Seen frequently....I screamed (frequently).

Warren proudly displays his skill and self-designed board.