Shopping, Snorkelling and More Sun!

Each day is busier and more tiring than the last!  We're not used to this heat!  It has been another cracker day today!

We had a lovely tour of the school this morning that was conducted by one of Vero's Year 7 classes. They've only been learning french since the start of the year and all their explanations were in English. They were great!  It was so much nicer having the kids do it for us. They were extremely nervous doing it though.

We caught the bus in to town to the city museum at 8.45am. Unfortunately their headsets weren't working so the kids didn't get a running commentary in English as they walked around each display.  Learning how the country was settled by Europeans is interesting and they have a large 3 dimensional map that shows how Noumea looked from an aerial perspective in 1867. Many features remain today.

Inside the museum

The Museum is situated on the edge of Place des Cocotiers ( Coconut Square ) which is the centre of the city. Much to the kids disappointment, there are no such things as shopping malls here, and their money has been burning a hole in pockets!  They have been bursting to go shopping - the boys are as bad as the girls! They were given the boundary to stay within and let loose in groups for just over an hour.  They loved it - be prepared for some touristy delights as presents!  Rebecca couldn't believe that there was no mall -"but where do they go to buy their stuff?"  I think they soon understood why NZ  and Australia are such popular holiday destinations for them!

                                          Outside the band rotunda in Place des Cocotiers

Retired to the shade to wait for the bus

We went straight down to Anse Vata beach which was the calmest it had been all week, so we decided to get some paddleboards and kayaks for those who wanted to do it. The wind actually came up again within 15 mins but it was still OK for the boards. Baz took them out to the swimming raft and they all had a ball.

                                           Trudging to the hire centre in the blistering heat!

                                            Looking out to Isle du Canard (Duck Island)

                                                  Our kids performing on the water

                                                                   Mike showing off!

                                                             George a pro as well!
                                                               

With all the equipment returned, we caught the water taxi over to Isle du Canard for the kids to snorkle the Underwater trek.  This is a series of buoys with rope joining each so that those not confident can hold onto something while swimming between each. The anchor rope attached to each bouy has a laminated card on it showing and describing all the creatures that are found on this reef.  It is very educational and the kids were amazed at the size of the fish they saw.  The beach is very hard though, comprising of broken up bits of coral, but they enjoyed the trip over there - especially the bouncy ride back in the water taxi!

                                             The 3 minute taxi ride over to Isle du Canard

                                         What a beautiful outlook looking back to Noumea!

Some snorkellers, some sun bathers!

We left the island at 3pm and then walked back to school to meet the billets.  They were one very tired group we said goodbye to!  They can't believe how austere the school looks - especially with the grilled fence and locked gates. Deanna said it looks as though everyone's locked away in a mental institution! I look forward to the comments after they've been to a few classes tomorrow!

You may get a very grateful child home on Tuesday who is ready to fair race off to that wonderful place called Taupo Intermediate School the next day!

Au revoir!

Colleen