Dream Times

We left Opua almost becalmed but Dennis and René were convinced that we would find wind when we left the shore of New Zealand and indeed they were right. After 24 hours of engine power we found wind and had a nice sail. Unfortunately the genua sail burst and it all fell into the water. We quickly got hold of it but decided that it was too difficult to fix it at sea so we fastened everything to the rails and stanchions. The forecourse was fastened to the baby stay. After a while we got tired of the slow pace (4 knots) and hoisted the old Genoa as a flying jib, only fastened at the top and bottom- no stay. It was a tired old sail and it only lasted 4 hours before it was torn at the top. Too bad!!

Now we had to go back using the jib. The wind was increasing and we made good headway.

When we finally called at New Caledonia and had slept the first night we started our repairs. The roll was made of aluminium and it was easy to bend it back to the initial position. 4 hours later everything was in order. We were rather proud of ourselves. We learn every day and now we use a larger bolt in the top.

When we had got our inward clearance bill at Noumera we went to a very nice beach. We dropped the anchor at Isle Canard, a small island about 10 miles from Noumera. We snorkelled at one of the reefs and relaxed on the beach.

On the island they advertised SNUBA, which is a something between snorkelling and diving. On the surface you have a small “rubber dinghy” with an oxygen bottle attached to two 6 m long air tubes. At the end of the tubes you find an ordinary diving nozzle. That means that you can dive to 6 m and just enjoy the underwater life without being hampered by the diving gear-of course you wear a diving-mask and flippers and perhaps also a wet suit and lead.

We were offered a free try because a new instructor had to train with skilled dives, which we meant we were, and we had a nice dive of about 15 minutes. We saw a rather big cuttlefish and a sea snake which is rather poisonous perhaps deadly. Normally the price for a half an hours dive is 40 USD which we found too expensive.

We have sailed around in New Caledonia, a rather pretty country. In Bay Des Canibales we saw red mountains, the colour came from clay soil. In order to describe it you must be a poet but look at our pictures and see for yourselves.

We visited Goro and were received by the chief of the society. He invited us to buy a cup of coffee under the pent roof where some locals were playing bingo. It was a big treat to chat with him and watch the locals. He practically only spoke French and we only English but it worked out anyway.

When we had left this island we hit for Ile des Pines- a bounty island with chalk-white beaches and crystal clear water. Never ever have we walked on so soft and clean sand. It felt like flour. Our first stop at Ile des Pines was at Quamoeo Bay- a true paradise without inhabitants and people within miles.

One day when we were snorkelling Dennis caught sight of a couple of big horns in a small cave. Apart from that you could only see a couple of yellow and black legs. René and Dennis quickly decided to try to catch the monster, whatever it was. Most of all it looked like a huge lobster. In order to get it out of the cave Dennis used the arrow from his harpoon and behind him was René loaded with knife and harpoon. In the beginning the monster pulled back but then suddenly the greatest lobster, within the memory of man, jumped out as quickly as a cannon ball right towards Dennis’ head. Frightened Dennis jumped aside and René had another try to provide dinner but failed. You only get one try!

We talked about the size and we recon that the body itself was about half a meter long and 15 cm wide and the horns about 1 m – a true monster!! We talked with a couple of French sailors and they told us that king size lobsters are to be found in New Caledonia.

It is almost impossible to buy anything here, only a few shops are to be found. We are lucky to carry a large stock..