FROM THE OTHER SIDE OF OCEANS #2 : NEW CALEDONIA part 3

Part 3

FROM THE OTHER SIDE OF OCEANS #2 : NEW CALEDONIA part 3

THE ISLAND OF PINS, A PIECE OF POSTCARD ...

The Isle of Pines probably represents the perfect postcard of the coconut fallen from its tree on a white sand beach. The setting is idyllic. The calm of the island, even the apparent asleep, will give the opportunity to finish the New Caledonian journey well set on a deck chair a fresh fruit juice in the hand.

The Isle of Pines also contains treasures that will make you get up from this comfortable deckchair. The bay of Upi is certainly one of them. But before discovering the riches of the bay, it will be necessary to have the authorization to penetrate it. We are thrown into full swing in the paradox of Melanesian culture, which tries hard to link its legendary hospitality of yesteryear, called "custom", to a profitability that has become necessary and much more modern. This gives results a little confused, mixing spirit of welcome, mafia spirit, generous reception, minted reception, all depending on individuals, generations, and the mood of the moment. Not easy to navigate when traveling with a well-claimed spirit of freedom. And the bay of Upi in all this, beautiful, quiet, dotted with rocks shaped by the sea, a place of calm and rest.

The underwater world is rich here. Fish is abundant in the southern lagoon of New Caledonia whose reefs extend for several tens of kilometers. If the eastern part is open to the trade winds is more formed of large drop-offs, the western part, is more sandy and also offers the most beautiful beaches. Sharks, landscape of gorgonians, flat reefs, many biotopes are offered to fans of diving or snorkeling.

During the high season, the calm of the island and interrupted by the arrival of cruise ships spilling up to 2000 tourists generally from Australia, New Zealand and Asia. Many activities mounted from any room are then organized by the local population for a full day until the departure of the ship the same evening. A little superfluous for a lot of local economy!

New Caledonia is full of riches, be they minerals or tourism. It is certainly the only French overseas island that can claim to support itself without the help of its motherland: France. This will also be the case at the end of 2018 during the referendum organized on this occasion, the result of which could have great consequences for the future of this extraordinary island and its inhabitants.

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