Out and About, Noumea, New Caledonia

Market, Noumea, New Caledonia

This half day market is in full swing with the buzz of the espresso maker running at 0500.

Tjibaou Cultural Center, Noumea, New Caledonia

Architects from around the world were invited to design this center and the 10 finalists came up with this! Ultra modern local art inside (no pics allowed) with a nice cultural walk outside.

Jean-Marie Tjibaou

The center was named after a priest, socialist and politician. He brought the many cultures scattered all over New Caledonia together for their first cultural festival and actively worked on maintaining and sharing their languages and traditions. They say there are still 48 languages in New Caledonia.

What to do with old rope....

...spend hours opening it up with your brother then pop it on your head!

Headstands Around the World

Yes, he does this on passage too.

Phare d'Amedee, New Caledonia

This island took a full day to get to from Noumea. Lots of tourists visiting the beach, lighthouse and watching the show ashore. Sure got quiet at 1600. Just us and the snakes.

Casteele as seen from the LIghthouse

Dolphin Play, Noumea, New Caledonia

Hurray for dolphins coming to play! Everybody to the bow quick!

Last Night, Noumea, New Caledonia

For our last night in Noumea we let the kids burn off some energy on the bouncy castle and rides. Then we checked the weather in the morning and changes our minds about departing. We had another few days of now trying to get the kids past the rides...oops.

The Aquarium, Noumea, New Caledonia

Nautilus

Hard to take pics without the flash. don't want to disturb these deep, deep sea creature. There was something very surreal and beautiful about watching the nautilus propelling through their cylindrical aquarium. We are not ever likely to dive deep enough to see them in the wild.

More out and About, Noumea, New Caledonia

Iles des Canards, Noumea, New Caledonia

Touristy? Yes/ But we couldn't resist taking OUR ducks to Duck Island. Ducky sees the world too.

Water Taxi

Hey we don't have this view on Casteele??

Windsurf City

There were at least 100 wind surfers between the main land and Iles des Canards. That's Iles des Canards in the background of the last photo. The next islet over had just as many (or more??) kite surfers.

Cold

Not much swimming today. Just lots of questions on those windsurfers and kite surfers.