Something always needs attention on deck during a storm! |
So for the cruiser who has been in the remote authentic Melanesian
islands of Vanuatu, New Caledonia is a wonderful place with French bread,
cheeses, wine and pastries! The French believe in making fresh baguettes
several times a day so there is always fresh bread. And they don’t keep it from
day to day like we have to on the boat. There are no preservatives so it a
challenge to keep it from molding.
Unfortunately, we only get a chance to buy it when we are near a market – which isn’t very often unless we are in a main port.
Unfortunately, we only get a chance to buy it when we are near a market – which isn’t very often unless we are in a main port.
I am looking forward to buying some of the things I
discovered here last year: Casino cappuccino, Orangina in large bottles, fresh
prawns and a lot more. Of course, I will have to wait until I get back to
Noumea for most of these items. I will be stocking up as there are things you
learn to love in one country only to never find it again! Before heading to
Australia, I will get quantities of things I want for the second half of this
journey. Of course, I must be careful that what I buy will not be confiscated
by the biosecurity cops in Oz (Australia, as it is known out here in the
islands and New Zealand).
This is a little stronger than I like. 18-20 knots is just fine! |
I saw it coming when day turned to night! And it was only 3:45 PM and sunny. |
I was really enjoying the trip until I noted the black sky ahead. Suddenly it seemed like nighttime in the middle of the afternoon. The winds leapt up to 25 knots with higher gusts and then it started to rain. Dennis came up to give me a hand and we turned on the radar. There we were in the middle of three squalls! We were hit by one and managed to skirt by the other two with minimal gusts and little rain. Of course, something on deck needed attention so he clipped on and went out to take care of it! I surely can't do that!
Our first landfall will be on Lifou in the Loyalty Islands. Since we must clear in with Customs, Immigration and BioSecurity first, we have rejoined the Island Cruising Club’s Pacific Circuit Rally, which we highly recommend as a way to see places throughout the South Pacific cruising season. Lyn and John Martin have a great program and are fun people with whom to rally! They enjoy beach fires, singing and fun and games so their program has something for everyone. And their personalities are delightful – plus they sail along with the entire fleet throughout the rally.
Are you having fun yet? Still? |
I failed to learn French even though I promised myself I would
after last year’s visit to New Caledonia. I have been working on it with my
Rosetta Stone program, but I did not start soon enough. And I am a bit
intimidated with the pronunciation! At least I can now understand some of the
words and will be a little better at reading menus and grocery labels.
Check out the red areas. We are in the center of the circle under the biggest squall at 4 PM with two more ahead! |
The reason we were late leaving Vanuatu was that the entire
fleet used up all of the fuel at the fuel dock and we had to wait along with
Caduceus and Heat Wave for the fuel truck. And of course, by the time they
filled up, it was time to close the fuel dock for the day. Not that the
operators wanted to make one more sale before leaving for the day! That would
be against island protocol – or whatever you may call it. Not too many
enterprising people in the islands!
The plus was that we had more time to do our duty-free shopping and pick up Pacific francs for New Caledonia money. Needing different money in every country becomes a challenge in itself. First you have to find a bank that has money for the next country before you head out. Then you have to recalculate the USD exchange rate so you know what you are spending in the new currency. And hopefully, you have very little, if any, of the previous country's currency left when you leave. Oh, yes! Then there is the issue of the currency being out of date! That's right! Several of these islands have updated their currency since last year so we have money that is no longer in circulation!
Of course, we restocked with wine and liquor. The price was so right: $13 USD for a liter of Absolut! It was a good time to try some of the expensive single malts - not for me, though. And I benefited the most being my birthday AND duty-free! Put two and two together and think about something lovely in iridescent grey that goes around your neck! And it happens to be Tahitian with pedigree papers. As Dennis admits, he doesn't always do gifts. But when he does ... Lucky me!
The morning after sunrise on my 5 AM watch. |
Of course, we restocked with wine and liquor. The price was so right: $13 USD for a liter of Absolut! It was a good time to try some of the expensive single malts - not for me, though. And I benefited the most being my birthday AND duty-free! Put two and two together and think about something lovely in iridescent grey that goes around your neck! And it happens to be Tahitian with pedigree papers. As Dennis admits, he doesn't always do gifts. But when he does ... Lucky me!
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