- Rain and wind stopped in morning. Ate our breakfast in main area.
- Film crew go to Wadrilla, we not go with as we have not ate yet.
- Easy hitchhike. Back of truck to Wadrilla then back of van (on floor) to St. Joseph.
- Saw memorial to killed Kanak during the cave siege events.
- St. Joseph area more natural. Smaller road. Seaweed. See small atoll islands close.
- Guide show us church, graves, previous generator plant.
- Long walk along beach. Some interesting plants: eyedrop, for fish poisioning, mucousy plant for skin, hair.
- As tour in Fr, difficult to understand. Film crew working hard.
- Lots of weathered, twisted wood. Guide: "Expensive decoration in Noumea," illegal to export?
- Talk about problem with rubbish. Shrinking dunes & rising water due to warming? Island tilt?
- Shark nursury: Tai Tapu. Sand bar, shallow, blocking preditors. See shark when crossing.
- Crossing quite deep, up to thighs. Another shallower crossing before (?).
- Get to end of island, see next island across channel. Typical tropical scene, but no sun.
- Low tide, very fine sand. Large beach. Phantom crab.
- After a small rocky area, reach a bay: outlet has cliffs on both sides.
- Quick snorkel, a few fish, but murky. Smelly water again. Return: swim into interview?
- Crew did quick interview with me, but I did poorly. English. Looked @ camera a few times.
- Crab(s). Try to hide under feet.
- Needed car, a French couple living in Kone took us in.
- On way back, stopped at 2 places. 1: Hole with turtles. Rubbish. Walked through a field to see ocean, Jerome went to see beach. No one else went to path, I didn't like the idea of walking through the field. Jerome dissappeared as not told anyone. Look for when leave. 2. Hole, more blue & see start of cave. Pandanus, some roots dangling down. Turtle & baby turtle. Fish. Less rubbish. By abandoned (?) under construction (?) tribal gites (?). Gites seem overgrown, but very nice. 2 dogs.
- Jerome no longer feels like windsurfing, so try go south. Turns out the couple is going to Mouli, so go with.
- Bridge: very windy. Blue water. Cliffs in distance. A few sand islands, typical tropical scene. Wavy.
- Snorkel: much more clear. Deep. Careful, as other side of bridge: no swimming.
- Lots of small fish near shores, some large fish (barracuda. etc) in deeper water. Not smelly.
- Jerome convince Christelle & Hubert to continue south: Go to south end of Mouli.
- Diving club say here is best snorkelling, so we try. Strong current & shallow. Some fish & coral, but not much. Jerome say club described a wall (most fish)? But not found.
- Coast has lots of coral rocks. Some mini cave networks with water & waves in it.
- Look for snack/beer, local recommended a store.
- Go back to our campsite. No one there, when they about to leave, owner return.
- Told them we would like dinner, not too late. Have beer & tea. They tell Jerome I can stay in Kone. They chat in French.
- We play some more African game. Take shower. Wait for dinner. Moved out of rain blowing in from the sides. Dogs around again.
- After dinner, sit for long time. Blowing rain. Sometimes a bit wet.
- Everyone in their tables sit, chat, etc. Dogs. Cat in basket & around.
- When late enough, go to sleep.
Photos available at: http://mandarinmanmarktravelbriefs.blogspot.com/
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