New Caledonia
Panulirus
CR and KN Williams
Thu 22 Jul 2010 22:04
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22.16S:166.26E
Thursday 22 July 2010
We arrived safely on Tuesday. Pocket handkerchief
sails ensured we were just offshore at dawn and could make out some lights
[confused by fishing boats shining lights on the reef] and enter the lagoon in
daylight. Then had to pick our way between reefs for 40 nm to Noumea where we
could clear in..It wasnt difficult as they were well marked but
tiring.
The french customs and immigration appeared
immediately and a very serious health and safety lady who confiscated our onions
and garlic,3 eggs and a few frozen prawns as hazards! We hadnt been
planning to take them for a walk ashore but hey,Ginger and nutmeg were allowed
to stay.
The brasserie at the marina has Parisian service
but the steak frites were superb and they do an excellent plat du jour at
lunchtime. Keith is determined to buy a live lobster and was told to go to the
fish market at 4a.m. The alarm went at 3a.m. as I had forgotten to put the clock
back an hour...At 4 the market was locked up. We will try again tomorrow at
6a.m. when the fishing boats are supposed to be back!
C
Apart from the people at the Capitainerie
(including, customs and immigration), who are delightful, most of the people we
have met (taxi drivers, waitresses and shopkeepers) are truly parisian; rude,
unhelpful, bad tempered and obstructive. The
difference from paris is that they have no sense of humour.
K
We both agree that it is much easier to cope with a
'Non' than the affable fijian way of never saying no, but just not doing
anything.
C
Friday 9a.m.
The epic lobster hunt continues. None in the market
at 6 a.m.but there may be some at 9 a.m.! Supposedly arriving by car not by
boat...does this mean they have come off an aeroplane?
Anyway Keith has gone back to see...At least
the buvette du marche did a very good coffee and
croissant and croque monsieur .
Pouring with rain today but not cold.
C
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