Ile des Pins

Today we woke early and scavenged breakfast at a very ordinary restaurant - $40 for two slices of toast, two bowls of cereal juice and awful coffee from a machine. Ugh.

Then we picked up a hire car, found a supermarket and bought a couple of baguettes for lunch, and headed off to explore the island. Our first stop was The Norte Dame of the Ascension church, built in the 1800’s. It was huge inside, and the type of church one could imagine Jake Blues cartwheeling down, while the congregation were fanning themselves and shouting Hallelujah!

Next stop was a lookout over a beach, with a monument to the war dead. There are a lot of these in New Caledonia - I guess the Pacific campaign had a lot of casualties...

We then stumbled in the Natural Pool...like an oasis, but near the ocean...it was an enclosed coral reef, quite unique. Quite a hike to get to, but once there, we swam as the water was crystal clear and an amazing blue. We left our snorkel gear in the car, however...big mistake! Paul very obligingly trekked the 1km back over the coral (i forgot my reef shoes too) and pick up our gear, and lunch. You can see some of the hike through the pics of trees...

So glad he did, as it was like snorkeling in a marine aquarium...very beautiful!Läs mer