Next time I plan a camping trip, I'd better invest in a blow-up pillow. Now my neck hurts as it's not very comfortable using balled-up clothes and a towel as a pillow. New Caledonians take their camping seriously and I should have brought along all of my gear. Today is samedi 4 mars (Saturday, 4 March). As in Spanish, months and days are not capitalized in French. Only one night left on this beautiful locale, and I'd sure love to spend more time here someday. Though I've been to many Pacific countries, there are still many I haven't been to: Guam, Vanuatu, French Polynesia, Solomon Islands, Easter Island, Pitcairn Island, Kiribati, Palau, Northern Marianas, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Federated States of Micronesia, Tuvalu, and Wallis & Futuna. Therefore, I haven't even been to half of them. On Thursday night I was one of only two campers but last night there were quite a few, including a group who were really loud and obnoxious to the point where I had to yell at them to quiet down. One thing Poe needs alongside its magical sunsets is a shop of some description. Dining out is an expensive affair and even hot meals at a supermarket cost upwards of $10. Many visitors to New Caledonia are French who have family or friends here. Somehow a mozzie found its way into my tent last night and this morning I spotted it, gorged with my blood. Where is the author of that article stating there are no mosquitoes in New Caledonia? After my morning coffee at a nearby hotel, I hitchhiked with a French couple who were got a lift in the back of a van. From there, we all set out toward Noumea.
What I love most about New Caledonia is how it's everything the Pacific isn't. Hitchhiking, Harley-Davidsons, French wine, great food, and an in-your-face French flavour are what I love. Furthermore, it's absolutely green and lush.
As a gift I wanted to pick out a bottle of wine for Cecile, and remembering you have only until noon to purchase alcohol on Saturday I got to the shop quickly. I made sure to get a small bottle for myself to have a couple on the veranda tonight. It's my last evening in Nouvelle-Caledonie and I wanted to make it memorable. In front of a brochette stand I put my thumb out and was picked up by a Kanak lady named Yvonne with her daughters, Deborah and Diana. She wasn't driving all the way to Noumea but one more short lift would get me there.
At Cecile's house it was nice to put my stuff down, have a shower, and jot down some info for a few geocaches. I've only found four caches even though there are a sizeable number for a Pacific country. I promised my myself a good dinner tonight as well as working on my confidence skills in asking girls if I could take their photo. I walked along Baie des Citrons and then along Baie de Anse Vata. The beaches are packed on the weekends. Along Anse Vata I chatted up a gorgeous French lass named Anne. Though she's a bit older, we had some good chats and she allowed me to get a few photos of her.
Ladies in New Caledonia don't seem to have a lot of objection to having their photo taken as, more often than not, they've accepted. From there I abandoned my plan of geocaching and decided to go people-watching. On the beach near a big resort I met the most gorgeous lady of this journey: Mallory.
When I first saw her, I figured she'd be gruff and unapproachable but in reality she's very sweet and down-to-earth. I offered to buy her a drink if she posed for me. She accepted and then tried to refuse my offer afterward but I was like "nooo, I promised." Mallory speaks perfect English, and she and her friend and I hung out over a drink before she had to go to work. Mallory is one of the highlights of this journey.
Kitesurfing is the next sport I'd love to learn how to do. For a while I watched locals soar high and then land slowly and gracefully.
I'd love to fly this high!
Though the sky was a bit grey, it was a lovely evening and tonight's sunset didn't disappoint. Recommended by some Kiwis working here for several months, I called in at Rimba Cafe for a nice dinner tonight. Rib-eye steak with chips and salad would be my one splash-out dinner for my time in New Caledonia. I'll admit it wasn't the most spectacular steak I've ever had but it still set me back $25. I fancied some gelato for dessert but I opted instead for some wine on Cecile's veranda. It's my last evening in New Caledonia and I reckon I'd love to return, though next time for much longer than five days.
