Poindemie is a very pretty town with miles and miles of coral beach. The locals (Kanaks) are very friendly and everyone waves hello to each other. The europeans here are either teachers, hospital workers or the police. The prices seem to be the same as home. There are two or three restaurants and a few 'Kava' bars. Kava is the local drink... its non aloholic, has a very strong taste (acquired taste that is..), and apparently has some 'relaxing' effects.
We:ve eaten many different types of fish that Ronan has caught. My favourite so far has to be the Parrotfish sashimi. Muy yummy. Ronan seems quite the fisherman as he fishes by diving with a harpoon gun instead of a rod and reel!Ronan and Aki were teaching Eric how to throw the net so he can fish for sardienes.
We'e done a bit of snorkelling, there are tons of fish and coral to see . I am waiting to see if Eric sprouts gills as he always seems impatient to get back in the water.
We've explored a bit more of the island in the car, lots of twisty roads through the jungle. The scenery is beautiful and very exotic. It feels as though we are in Jurassic Park, except for all the Bob Marley images and graffiti on the bus stops.
We spent a few hours in the river next to a pretty waterfall where i tried to work on my tan. I have a bit of colour, though to anyone else it would be a few extra freckles.
Aki and I found a coconut on the beach yesterday and eventually managed to open it up with a machete without losing any of our apendages.
For those of you wondering, yes Eric brought the Wii. Aki and Ronan have enjoyed it very much... Eric is still sad we couldn't get Guitar Hero before we left, though he did find a solution to practice in the interim ... Aki'sUkelele.
For our birthdays - mine today, Eric's tomorrow.. we'll spend three days on Iles de Pins, a tiny island south of New Calendonia. We're on our way to Noumea this afternoon. Eric and I will stay one night there then head to Iles de Pins (Pine Island) tomorrow morning on the ferry while Aki and Ronan stay in Noumea and attend a friends wedding. Apparently Iles de Pins is stunning, can't wait to see it!
And in true birthday fashion, its raining! I guess you can't escape fate...
Mom and Dad - its your day too... 29 years... yikes! xoxo
Anyways... thats all for now... will upload more pictures soon. Thanks for the comments!
Miss you all! Hugs to the girls!
Andrea
