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<\/a>a very busy marina but perfect place to be to do things on land<\/p><\/div>\n
Lots to do in Noum\u00e9a<\/b> It’s amazing the boulangeries around here with tasty baguettes and patisseries<\/p><\/div>\n Cycled to Anse Vata and Baie du Citron to enjoy the beaches<\/p><\/div>\n a nice cold well deserved beer at 3 brasseurs on Baie du Citron<\/p><\/div>\n The Acquarium on a drizzly day was perfect for learning a little about New Caledonia’s fish life, turtles, and coral life. We got to see lots of sea life we don’t typically see up close and learn a little about ones we have seen before.<\/p>\n coral tanks with colorful giant clams in the bottom<\/p><\/div>\n Juvenile Zebra Sharks on the sand – never seen these before<\/p><\/div>\n A beautiful Neopoleon Wrass with a black tip shark both of which we have seen while snorkeling<\/p><\/div>\n Hiking 3.5km up to Malaoui Peak at Mount Koghi had awesome views over Noum\u00e9a and out to the lagoon. Malaoui is also called le Chapeau de Gendarme (the “policeman’s hat”) because of its resemblance to the hat worn by gendarmes at the end of the 19th century. Definitely felt our muscles after this hike.<\/p>\n trail to Malaoui after we came climbed out of the forest<\/p><\/div>\n Looking down on Noumea<\/p><\/div>\n Time to head out of the marina and the luxuries of being land lovers again.<\/p>\n Isle des Pins<\/b> Walking at low tide on one of the beaches at Gadji<\/p><\/div>\n we just love getting about on our kayaks<\/p><\/div>\n So it was down to Kuto Bay to another gorgeous spot with a lovely crescent shaped soft white sand beach where we anchored off the Kuto hotel with Pic Nga in the background.<\/p>\n from SW to Pic Nga over beach and hotel<\/p><\/div>\n Hike along ridge up to Pic Nga looking back to Gadji<\/p><\/div>\n A stop for lunch at the top of Pic Nga looking south<\/p><\/div>\n Heading down the maion trail to the anchorage and cruise ship below<\/p><\/div>\n Given we couldn’t anchor anywhere apart from Kuto and Ille Brosse we decided to hire a car from the Kuto hotel to head out to see some sights, which we hadn’t seen when we were here in 2017, as these were too far to cycle to.<\/p>\n Cave of Queen Hortense was huge with lots of stalactites<\/p><\/div>\n Hike to Baie Upi, a beautiful green<\/p><\/div>\n Natural Pools near Baie d’Oro – crystal clear with plenty of fish n some coral<\/p><\/div>\n walk along Baie d’Oro on the South side at low tide used to be an anchorage for yachts<\/p><\/div>\n Kanak ladies playing a version of cricket in their team dresses<\/p><\/div>\n Heading into the Southern Lagoon to some of the deserted islands.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" On our passage from Vanuatu we ended up catching 2 Mahi and 1 tuna so stocked the freezer full, as it was empty for arriving in Noum\u00e9a. On Monday September 2nd we arrived at Port du Sud Marina for clearing … Continue reading
\nWalking around downtown and cycling the pathways had us entertained after we’d been to the fruit n vegetable market to restock our fridges.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>
\nOur first stop was Gadji where we stayed for 2 nights did some kayaking and were about to head to the coral garden for a snorkel when a dive boat stopped by and told us that you can no longer anchor in Gadji and that it was a marine reserve. Oops. The Chiefs on Isle de Pins have closed a number of anchorages to yachts on Isle des Pins after the referendum held in 2018 for New Caledonia to leave France had not been successful. It was a shame as its a beautiful area by water. We were so lucky to have experienced it in 2017.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a>The cruise ship pulled in for the day from Sydney with lots of passengers so we decided to get away from the crowds. The walk down to the boulangerie near the prison ruins and up past the pump house to cross the ridges over to Pic Nga (262m) is excellent. A great hike with stunning views all along the way.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a>