Snapshot on New Caladonia
Nowornot Web Diary
Robert (Bob) Parry and Ann Parry
Fri 28 Oct 2011 23:27
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After motoring through glassy seas for two days,
the wind finally piped in at 0600 on our last day out. We planned to enter the
lagoon at New Caladonia through the eastern pass and we hoped that we could
arrive close to slack water at high tide. The pilot book warns of strong tidal
flows through the area. As it was, we went through the pass about an
hour after high tide. We did not relish the prospect of travelling many
miles through the lagoon in 20-25knot winds at night to reach Noumea so we
anchored mid-afternoon in Port Boise. In spite of the name, the bay is virtually
uninhabited. Although it faces into the wind, the reefs across the entrance
provided surprisingly good protection.
 Near Port Boise, the shore has many pine
trees.
 Much of the soil in the southern area is red. There
has been a fair amount of slippage in the hills. The bright lights from mining
operations can be seen at night just beyond the hills.
Entry formalities are carried out in the Port
Moselle Marina. We were surprised that the quarantine officer took all of
our fresh meat (not much) and our fresh fruit and vegetables. We should have
checked out the government web site! Of course, that meant that we had to
replace them with the rather expensive produce here. The municipal market is
beside the marina so we didn't have far to go. We spent two nights in the marina
and then headed off to Islot Maitre.
 And occupying the high ground ..is ....St
Joseph's Cathedral, Noumea.
Most of the commercial/business centre is a
procession of steel roller doors come 5pm.
As we approached the island, we could see dozens of
kites from the kite surfers. At this point, I must say that the wind has not
stopped since we arrived here and has been 15-25+knots the whole time. There are
many moorings in the lee of the island and we picked one up - quite easily
considering the wind at the time.
 There is a resort on the island with the obligatory
over-water huts.
 Water taxis come to the jetty several times during
the day.
 Just a couple of the kites from board
riders.
The following day, we crossed back to Noumea and
anchored in Orphelinat Bay.
 Part of the anchorage at Orphelinat
Bay.
 Part of the anchorage at Orphelinat Bay. It is a
large bay with two marinas and many moorings and some anchoring space. This is
the high rise near one of the marinas.
After a week and a half of strong wind, we finally
have some calm. Heading to the Isle of Pines and will leave for home from
there. |