Noumea is a very hilly city as we found out on our walk across town to the Hilton in Anse Vata bay, where G's Mum, brother and his family were staying. It was pretty hot as the sun beat down on us and the kids only complained a half dozen times... We walked to the front of the hotel and were welcomed by G's brother Dave waving and calling down to us from the 6th floor. He came down and greeted us in the lobby then escorted us to their apartment. It was a noisy reunion with lots of hugs and excitement all round. Or maybe the noise was the 7 children! We hung out for the afternoon, catching up over a couple of cocktails. S, E, H, and J played with their cousins, enjoying following the twins around and playing with Sally. It's interesting for us how it feels like yesterday since we saw them but like it's been ages for them since we left? Everybody is well and we look forward to spending the next couple of weeks together. The next day, after children's sleeps, we visited the aquarium. It was a nice walk along the promenade, watching the wind surfers fly past at crazy speeds. We all enjoyed the aquarium, with the kids dashing from exhibit to exhibit. We did feel the fish looked somewhat depressed compared to their counterparts we have seen in the wild.
The day was finished off at the 3 Brasseurs in Citron bay with a large beer before walking back to Be and Be. It had been decided that Grandma and the Gonnuts would come over the next day to see the boat.
The family came over and we sat in the cockpit together for lunch and discussed the possibility of them staying on the boat for a few days. We all decided it could be done, albeit fairly cozily! Early the next morning Grandma and the Gonnuts arrived, and might we say, with minimal luggage (considering 3 kids under 3)! As we would find out the hotel room was invaluable for the 2 high chairs and portacot they ‘provided’ for the stay on board. Once everything was stowed, G drove us expertly off the dock and we headed for Ile Nge. Dave helped with hoisting the sails, it was great to watch the kids all happy on the moving boat. The twins sat up in their high chairs for most of the journey, delighted to be fed while we sailed along. After picking up a mooring in the anchorage, Ollie and H jumped in for a swim. They followed a group of turtles that were eating the sea grass below for a while, H getting some excellent photos. In the afternoon G, and Dave piled into the dingy with the kids while Ollie and P swam to shore, checking out the turtles and fish along the way. Everyone enjoyed the beach, especially Sally, Ben and Charlie.
The following day a few boats arrived but none stayed overnight meaning we had the anchorage to ourselves. We spent the day snorkelling again, enjoying the turtles and large fish that were hanging out under the boat. The coral was average but there was lots of fish life to check out. The wind picked up and we saw about 28 knots but the boat stayed reasonably steady and everyone was comfortable. On Sunday morning we decided to move to Ilot Maitre for a change of scenery. It only took about an hour to get there and the swell was about half a metre. We arrived and dropped our anchor in about 6 metres of water, not far from our friends on Invictus. It was lovely that we would be able to catch up with them again. Ollie and Dave went for a swim and checked our anchor, though we did move to a mooring a bit closer to shore the next day. Dave, Ollie and P went ashore to see if we could book Dave and Ollie in for a date night at the hotel restaurant. Not being home for the last 10 months to help with babysitting, thought better late than never to offer while they were visiting. Later in the afternoon we went for a play on shore with the kids and they seemed to enjoy being on solid ground. With the younger kids, dinner on the boat is much easier, so G and P took the kids back to the boat and left Dave and Ollie with a couple of beers for some down time. Pretty sure they don't get too much rest as 3 kids under 3 is a busy time. For us it seems like a distant memory, and we didn't have the double trouble busy that comes with having twins!
Grandma helping with the schoolwork!
Cubby building with Sally.
After a couple of nights at Maitre we were starting to get low on the essentials of nappies, food and beer, as we had only provisioned for a couple of nights and it had now been 5! It was decided that P, E and Ollie would make a trip by ferry back to the hotel and shops to stock up and stay a bit longer on our mooring. Our last days with the family on board were spent snorkelling and swimming in between feeding and entertaining toddlers and sleep schedules. On the day we returned to Port de Sud, we jumped in for one last swim and saw at least 15 turtles, which was amazing. It never gets old seeing all the fabulous marine life, or it hasn't for us during this trip.
Once back on the dock we were busy planning our passage to Australia and getting everything ready. As part of the Down Under Rally, we also got together with some other boats sailing to Australia. It is a great way to meet people and the organisers John and Leanne are a wealth of information for people like us and foreigners alike. Grandma looked after all the kids one night while us adults went out to Le Roof for dinner and a few drinks afterwards. Thanks Grandma we owe you one!
On Tuesday morning P and S joined the crews from Felix, Kena, and Aleksandra to check out of the country. It involved walking across the city to 3 seperate offices, and had to be done in a specific order. One more provision and we were ready to go. So on Wednesday morning we motored out of Noumea harbour, bound for Amadee, where we would spend the night before leaving the country and heading to Australia. Amadee is a gorgeous little island near the fringing reef that separates the ocean from the lagoon. There is a lighthouse which we climbed to the top of and stretched our legs for the last time in New Caledonia. Australia, here we come!
Bye Bye New Caledonia!
