Duet in New Caledonia
Duet
Simon and Kitty van Hagen
Mon 10 Aug 2009 22:42
10th August 2009
19:59:17S
163:55:77E
This position was the most northerly point we
reach of Grand Terre. Sadly we don't have the time to continue up to the
Belep islands. The northern lagoon is by far the most beautiful part of New
Caledonia. If a deep blue lagoon dotted with emerald green islands slashed with
white beaches is your idea of paradise then this is it. There is not another
yacht to be seen only the occasional local aluminium fizz boat. We spoke to a
couple of local lads wandering on the reef with a sack. They were fishing for
beche de mer - sea cucumbers, considered a delicacy in Japan and Korea. I have
it from a reliable source that marinated and thinly sliced it tastes exactly
like a tractor tyre. The local markets are also a disappointment. They grow
plenty of vegetables but they are all sent down to Noumea.
On Saturday in Poum, a reasonable sized small town we expected
to buy some fresh veg and fruit. The pickings were lean: two packets of green
beans, a squash and a papaya. It was raining heavily which made it an even more
depressing sight. Most of the local ladies had given up and were playing Bingo.
We are heading back down the East coast and enjoying the light
trade winds for some glorious sailing hard on the wind in the flat sea of the
reef protected waters.