Day 4

Up early to join the Noumea in a Nutshell tour for the partners of 'the working conferencees'

It was a tricky job to get on the tour as they had apparently underestimated the interested people.  I had booked myself in, however Sherron had missed the email and was not booked. We checked my name off the list but waited with all the other 'extras'.  In the end they had a few spaces and we managed to get on.  Lance's company were one of the sponsors for this tour and I pulled the trump card declaring in the most polite tone " sorry, we do need to get on the tour because we are the sponsors". Bingo! We had a seat.  

Our first stop was the market. They only gave us 20 minutes but that was enough as many of the stalls had not even set up yet.  I made a couple of small purchases and we were off to our next stop. 

Tjibaou arts centre is on a hill top looking out over the ocean. The buildings are unique in their structure. Five egg shaped constructions all linked and very impressive. But actually inside there was not much to see. 

Last stop was the wine and cheese tasting. I didn't hold out much hope on this one. Domaine du Faubourg was a nice surprise, quite trendy with an outdoor setting. The wine was good and the cheese also was good. It was a nice way to finish the tour.

Back for a swim before the evening events. The resort is right on the beach and it merges with the public beach. Every time we have been down to the beach there has been a man that we have named 'the sun worshipper'. He is slim and wiry and more than extremely tanned. We know that this is not his natural complexion because when the gentle breeze lifts his long grey beard an arch of white flesh is revealed. He is dressed in a dark budgie smugglers (speedos). 

This evening was a fancy dress French night and that is just what we did. We knew to make it simple as we would be transported to Ils aux Canards (Duck Island) for the evening. Compulsoy cocktails were had before we joined the rest of the conference attendees. Sherron and I tried a new one, champ de elderberry. This came with 3 cherries on a toothpick. I don't know what they had been marinated in but they had more kick than the entire cocktail. The head bar guy (I'm sure he has an official title) came up to us and said "because it is French night, I will test you". And he proceeded to ask us in French what we were drinking. I have to tell you that sometimes I even amaze myself. I understood completely and replied in my best French. He did a little nod and complemented me, in French. Must have been the cherries. 

Pre dinner drinks were had on the lawn by the beach and we were surrounded by people dressed in striped tshirts and berets, just like us. However there were some very impressive outfits. Marius and Magda were dressed as 17th century peasants and I think my favourite was the pair of frogs (green Kermit types, not being disrespectful to the French here) and they had snorkels, goggles and a bomb. You guessed it Rainbow Warrior bombers. 

The water taxis arrived and we walk d strait off the beach onto the taxi and were ferried to the island. Wow, there were lights and music and people welding flames, spinning them furiously. Scantily clad island dressed girls lined the pathway and greeted us. Tables were scattered throughout and area with trees and sculptures. It was really something special. After a few words were said we lined up for dinner and the less said the better. Okay, but pretty ordinary. 

Finally a toilet alert. I know my regular readers will be wondering what has got in to me with no toilet talk so far. They had composting toilets on the island. Some in little sheds and some in tents. I chose the shed option. Once inside,very clean and a step up almost like stepping up onto a throne (little smirk happening here). The toilet seat was lime green and afterwards I was meant to add a layer of some substance, or so the sign said, but I couldn't find anything to spread. 

The music was pumping, we had an island dance to watch and a great pyrotechnic display. All in all a great evening. 

After stepping off the water taxi back onto our beach I noticed what I thought was a bundle f rubbish up by a building.  But in fact is was the 'sunworshipper' fast asleep in a sleeping bag.