Beaching Lifou

Coming in from a swim.




Dad and Nathan posing for next years calendar







No comment!




Living the life of Riley

Lifou Island

Welcome back oh faithful ones. I left as though I was being hunted, one minute here next minute gone, quick like a bunny, I high tailed it out of Dodge.
Speaking of tail, I'm back with mine between my legs. My exit was quite a Forrest Gumpish thing to do. I simply wasn’t feeling like I had anything left to say. I half heartedly attempted to run a few more yards in Febuary and post a few house pics. but it just never happened.
Well at this point I have no interest in filling in the blanks. It would definitely be no fun and that goes against the reason this silly blog exists.

So…sometime Tuesday April 29th, I decide that I should do something with the boys as Nathan was heading into ANOTHER 5 day weekend. Unfortunately Davey insisted on staying behind to complete a project. There will be a next time! By 5pm Tuesday I booked a non refundable flight for Nathan and I to a nearby remote island, the problem being I had to be in Noumea for 5am. It was a good deal at $330. for both of us on residency rates. Our flight was to leave at 6am out of Noumea and our check in was 5:15. By 1:30am Nathan and I had packed in the dark, and were off to the Loyalty Island of Lifou, a tropical island paradise.

We boarded at 6am with a hatchet strapped to one of our two huge 60 litre packs and pocket knives on our belts. They took my morning milk but said nothing of the weapons which I would have checked if necessary.

7am Wed. morning we arrived in Lifou, rented a car and were off exploring. Knowing me, it’s not necessary to explain how we ended up with the chief of the west district (as Nathan and I refer to it as), Noel Pia drinking Kava, but we did. Kava by the way is a life sentence where you become very relaxed and find pleasure in frequenting these Kava huts and allowing life to just pass you by. You can actually see a physical change in the users over time.

I now know it was luck in finding Noel and it could not have worked out better.

Nathan and I pitched our tent on his property and explored the remarkable jewel of an Island over the next four days. Very few non-residents, no shopping, no internet, no cell coverage. The village names are on the asphalt if it exists, but being tribal it was of little use. We made some cool friends that we happened to cross paths with. An Oceanographer,(and when you catch up this blog, send me a backpacking picture of you as I would like to insert it Thanks!) a French drill sergent Nordine and his wife Camille who Nathan seems to be be smittin with as well as another Kone resident who I will no doubt meet up with while doing my groceries at the Mobil gas station at home and his girl friend Emily. All french and somewhat bilingual who either were visiting or residing on New Cal.

The seven of us got together each night at our camp to chat about our life and travel experiences. Nathan was in heaven. He laughed at the funny stories and cultural differences, we all did! The only day time we share together was when we first met. We all shared a boat ride swimming with giant turtles, some the size of garbage can lids. We snorkeled down as far as each of us could go in an underwater canyon that Cousteau could have devoted an entire show to.

Someday when we return we will bring our underwater camera. The few places we used our camera in the past were challenging and required luck to end up with anything at all. That would not be the case here. I cannot begin to explain the clarity ,and diversity of the sea.

The lagoons were endless with sand that is actually true white and 100 percent void of a single stone. The bottom was as though it had been meticulously vacuumed, absolutely clean.

To see coral or Nathan beside or beneath me was as though there was no water what so ever. We have been swimming corral for 6 months. Up to now the coral we are familiar with has certain common sizes and shapes such as those that resemble a broccoli or a very large broach shape . The coral we swam in Lifou varied in countless shapes but a typical stem looking plant that we would recognize from home averaging about the size of a coffee table figurine here was found to be more the size of an enormous moose rack or mushroom shaped cluster the size of a VW.

Huge hills and valleys of corral that I would lose Nathan in as he chased down an exotic fish into an underwater grotto of fluorescent coral. In the past that thought would lend itself to a dark cold world feeling, but this was not. It was brilliant full of sun rays penetrating the clear glass like water and electrifying everything beneath the surface to where it felt like a more perfect day than it even was.

These waters are Gods finest works, as were the beaches the foliage and the people.





Buy it here, or go without!



Trucks with rags stuffedd in the gas tank, being pushed down the road, always more riders in the box than the cab and everyone carries a knife. (even if your in diapers)



Making camp






View through the trees,waiting for the turtles. They arrive each afternoon sticking their pipe like necks out of the water to say hello.






Searching the beach for unfriendly night crawlers.
Goodness me! I believe I've found one.





Starting from ash, my little man takes on the challenge and wins.




The chief's camp

Happiness is camping.






Closer to Tarzan with each passing day.


A quiet native comes to warm his bones by the morning fire





Starting a new day with a swim.





Catamiran and hut




This picture expanded gives you a idea of how cystal clear the water is.









Vacumned waters, not a stone to be found.








Another of the six beaches we found.






Divers back from exploring the under sea world.







A first for me! Vanilla beans, brought them home to grow.








Being a responsible father.






Best birthday gift ever! Nathan turns 9 in 3 days!

Another member of the Koniambo team and his girl friend Emily enjoy the sun, snorkling, turtle sea life, and entire Lifou experience.

To view these magnificant creatures from below the water only feet away is a life long dream and a perminent memory for us all.

The well travelled Camille! By day a super dedicated marketing proffessional with a savey for business. Beneath a female Indiana Jones with a French African accent and an attitude.

Chefferie Noel our accomodating tribal chief

Our new friends Camille and Nordine
Farewell Lifou, until we again come to play on your beaches and swim with the turtles.

Awaitng a hungry man meal.


To tired to travel so its a Best Western bed for the night.


Sunday morning regatta in Noumea


Catch of the day!

.
Time for a quick bite before heading back to Kone.


A perfect ending to a perfect week


Rondez vous with mom returning from Malaysia
Nathan switches vehicles to talk her ear off for the next 3 hours.


Old friends reunite at home.

"GONE FISHIN"

Well, not really! I am attempting to get settled in Kone. Nathan starts full french immersion on Thursday morning, and we are presently living out of the Koniambo Hotel. I hope to be in the house Monday or at least thats when the furniture arrives. I watched the poles go up for my internet line today which will allow us to be here more often and to facilitate Davey's online schooling. Tomorrow I will have some pictures for you. (finally!)
In Novemer we recieved a small air freight shipment of bikes, sports equipment, clothes etc. The remainder of our freight arrived in December via sea freight and is being container stored in Noumea which will be delivered monday morning 8am to Kone. Actually the house is in Pouembout 10km south of Kone for those that utilize Google earth.
It is after midnight, so I am off to bed. Good to be back!

Prealert Lifted

CYCLONE GENE passes to the east heading south of New Caledonia, and is no longer a threat.

Islands Get Hit Hard By Cyclone Gene

APCEDI Alert SP/Fj 15P Gene #7-2008: Cyclone Gene Pounds Southern Vanuatu and Causes Serious Damage on Futuna, but Begins to Move Away
The RSMC-Nadi Tropical Cyclone Centre, the Joint Typhoon Warning Centre continue to issue guidance on Tropical Cyclone Gene that is now moving away from Vanuatu after pounding the southernmost islands.

The centre of Cyclone Gene is located 75 km east-northeast of the southernmost Vanuatu island of Anatom at 5 PM this evening Vanuatu time with the centre of the storm likely to sideswipe the island to the southeast before moving away from Vanuatu. Gene is maintaining a slow forward speed to the south-southwest at 4 km/hr. Cyclone Gene continues to maintain strength and has again formed a clear eye feature.

The current forecast map shows Gene continuing to recurve towards the south and will begin to move away from Vanuatu this evening. Southern recurvature now looks strong enough to avoid a direct hit on New Caledonia.

Cyclone Gene is currently at a strong Category 2 strength on the Saffir Simpson Scale. This equates to a Category 3 on the Australia Scale and will remain at this strength as it begins to move away to the south and into the open South Pacific Ocean.

Cyclone Warnings remain in place for all of Tafea Province of Southern Vanuatu including the islands of Erromango, Tanna, Anatom, Aniwa and Futuna and all adjacent small islands. A Cyclone warning has now been discontinued for Shefa Province of Central Vanuatu.

Here is an island by island breakdown for Tafea Province.

Futuna, population 400; Futuna, Vanuatu's easternmost island, has received the worst impact from the storm having been battered for nearly 18 hours by the intense centre part of this slow moving cyclone. Severe and widespread damage is being reported throughout the island including the damage or complete loss of many homes, and the island's churches and schools and other buildings. However, the 400 residents have so far been reported safe riding out the storm in stronger shelters. Given the rough, steep volcanic terrain, flash flooding off the volcano slopes continues to be a severe threat. Seas will be phenomenal and likely to cause severe coastal erosion and tidal flooding. Futuna will likely need immediate and long-term relief assistance as soon as possible given the widespread destruction to buildings and crops.

Anatom (Anietyum), population 800; Anatom, Vanuatu's southernmost island, is also taking a strong pounding from the storm and will continue to experience very bad conditions for some 6-10 more hours as Cyclone Gene passes to the southeast. Little information has been heard from Anatom as communications are down, but similar type damage as that experienced on Futuna is likely. Given the rough, steep volcanic terrain, flash flooding off the volcanic slopes could be severe. Seas will be phenomenal and likely to cause severe coastal erosion and tidal flooding. The extent of the damage will depend on how close the storm moves past the island as it begins to recurve away. Anatom will also likely need immediate and long-term relief assistance as soon as possible given the likelihood of widespread destruction to buildings and crops.

Tanna, population 26,000; Tanna, the island with the Province's largest population, has escaped the brunt of the storm. However widespread minor to moderate damage is being reported from around the island particularly on south and east sides. Communication has been lost with many villages, but it is likely that lots of trees are down, crops damaged and some damage to structures. No one has been reported injured so far. Given the rough, steep volcanic terrain, flash flooding off the volcano slopes could be severe. Seas will be phenomenal and likely to cause severe coastal erosion and tidal flooding. This assessment also applies to the small island of Aniwa, population 400, which lies off the northeast coast of Tanna and which has lost all communication to Vila.

Erromango, population 1,500; The northernmost island escaped the full brunt of Cyclone Gene but did experience some destructive gale force winds, very rough seas and heavy rains. Damage has been widespread but mostly minor and limited to trees and powerlines down although many villages on the south and east coast have lost communication. Given the rough, steep volcanic terrain, flash flooding off the volcano slopes could be severe. Seas will be phenomenal and likely to cause severe coastal erosion and tidal flooding.

New Caledonia remains on Cyclone Alert but the threat to the territory has been reduced as the cyclone looks like it will recurve tot he south. Nonetheless heavy rains, and very high seas will occur in some area. The New Caledonian islands of Lifou, Maré and Ouvéa should be particularly watchful as the storm passes to the east of these islands.

All residents and interests in Southern Vanuatu and New Caledonia should monitor the progress of the storm and follow all cyclone advice that the Government issues. Cyclone Gene continues to be a strong and dangerous storm capable of considerable widespread and severe damage on any islands near to where the centre of the storm passes.

GENE Misses New Caledonia

WE ARE SAFE!

New Caledonia is still on "prealert" (only)

Gene Slow Coming

GENE is slow in coming yet his intensity remains the same 200km/hr inside, 150 km outside.

It appears he is now 50 km east of Mare heading toward I'lles Des Pins.

Not expected to reach N.Cal. before Saturday sometime. Noumea may be north of Gene's direct path, yet the eye of the storm is as large as New Caledonia from what I see on the weather reports. Time will tell!

Cyclone Changes Direction and Strengthens

My island friends are quite concerned as the cyclone is intensifying, but slowing in speed. This means it will not hit until early Saturday. There does not seem to be much chance it will not hit as it is heading straight for Noumea,
We will keep you posted. Time to tape the windows!

Cyclone Warning Update

Cyclone Season

SUVA, Fiji, Jan. 29 (UPI) -- Emergency officials in Fiji said Cyclone Gene had killed at least six people Tuesday with 90 mph winds that flattened buildings, Radio New Zealand reported.

Spokesman Pajiliai Dobui of the National Disaster Management Office told the broadcaster half of the country's population of more than 900,000 had been affected by a loss of water or electricity.

Fiji's Meteorological Service said the storm was likely to intensify as it moved west toward Vanuatu over the next 36 hours.











Yikes! This is the second this week. Cyclone Funa moved East to Fiji from Vanuatu on Monday. (which is away from N.C.) Fiji is almost due west of Vanuatu which we are just south of. Fortunately, Noumea is at least on the south end of the island.

Now I understand the steel shutters. I am glad we have not yet moved north. I knew something was up even before hearing. The boys and I noticed a dozen or so ships of all kinds in the harbours. We seem to have a few more critters than usual visiting with us. I am not sure if that has anything to do with it.

God willing we will all be together if it hits. I may need to coax Alana home from up north. I am afraid that may be like trying to hold back the storm.

Like the mail doesn't take long enough!

Manta Ray

This is a Manta Ray, not the one that freightened the air from my lungs this morning snorkelling in the bay, actually the one above is a picture from december. The similar Ray that sailed several feet below me was larger that a garbage can lid, very much the size of a snow sledding round saucer that kids ride on. Huge for a Ray!It's tail must have been 6 feet long. It is my guess the storm blew it in as there were also jellies and other nonresident fish in our bay. Just before I saw it I had noticed that my goggles seem to be fogging which they never do,so perhaps the waters were colder and mixed with beyond reef seas.

I didn't enjoy my swim as much with the changed waters, I got a pretty bad jelly sting on my lip before I made it back to shore, but the Manta Ray certainly was an experience.

It was a windy night with torrential rains but Hurricane Funa did not come. The hurricane passed over the northern islands of Vanuatu, and continued in an easterly direction towards the islands of Fiji. By late afternoon Sunday, the skies were clearing and we even had a pretty sunset! Today we woke to a PERFECT day.

Just returned from Kone

Following yesterday's grass cutting




Older picture from the spring


Reminants of a tree house on the back of the shed


The shed



Well we started the renovations on Monday of our home in Kone.
MUCH TO DO!
The first job was to slash our way in. We have a good idea of what the priorities are, so once we receive a few quotes and empty the contents we will have the contractor ripping out infested ceilings and fumigate. The house is presently a zoo/Avery for just about everything that needed a home in the spring. The house was without soffits for a couple months and you can imagine how inviting that was. Here are a few pictures of the present situation.


hall

bedroom 1 of 3

bath

office

laundry




I will be in Kone most week days but with my laptop and camera so perhaps you can follow our new adventure. I returned to Noumea for the remainder of this week and will head north again early Monday morning.

Beach Closed!

One of our popular beaches, actually our beach was closed for two days as there were sharks in the bay. I just heard that a dying sea turtle attracted the sharks and precationary measures were taken until today when they made their way back out to sea. Front page!



Needless to say we swam closer to shore this afternoon. Nathan has no knowledge of this so keep it under your hat!

Now For The Real Thing

Wow , what fun.
Davey completed his lifeguarding in Oakville, now he need only wait until he is 16 to be tested. It works for me as I feel like we are a team in the waters. The fish got a liitle to big to swim with so we will be back to try something a lot safer and completely different .



OK this one is for hire!
34 foot. 2006 model. We will be back on a sunny day.


HELLO AGAIN, ITS A PERFECT DAY AND WE ARE OFF TO HUNT DOWN THE SHARK THAT TRIED TO GOBBLE US UP!
(Nathan's idea)

Well this is the boat and back to the reef's door about 25km south.




Dad, Nathan might fit in this cooler , but there is no way that Mr. Shark will.



Don't you worry Daddy'O,
I'll bag him, you fry him!




Dad we just lured in his little brother.
Nathan may have been right, its not easy to see, but there is a shark in that water!
You may need a crisp, bright monitor to find him. CHALLENGE; expand the image above and find the outline of the Mr. Shark.



The shark followed our foot long Rapella for three more casts, then gone.
Now that seem to wake the sleeping giant. Davey casts that line non-stop for the next couple of hours.
Other than a Manta Ray we didn't see much else big enough for our lures.



Dad , I just want to mention I'm not going near the water until he's on our Barbecue.


Davey gets skunked, but enjoys a great ride home.

Baguettes

Baguettes…I had a marvelous post in mind where by using images I would illustrate how comical a site it is to see the frequency and variety that baguettes are seen through the course of even a single day in Noumea.
If I leave the confines of our building and take a drive towards downtown at even 6 am I will surely see no less than a dozen baguettes being toted in bunches or singularly. Forty years ago you may have seen a comparable amount of less say milk bottles on door steps or newspapers in front yards. Baguettes in the back of trucks, being bent and folded in packsacks, shopping bags, and baskets. Nothing gets eaten more in stores by hungry hard working men on the way home from work, pretty thin French ladies that cave from missing their lunch on their way home from the office, teary eyed youngsters with grumbling bellies and the likes of me, who just need to eat something every ten minutes.
Well despite my good intentions I have none of those pictures for you. Instead without even chasing my topic I was able to find in my acquired pics. a rack of baguettes, a fish feeding frenzy of baguettes and a wild boar processing what is no longer fit for consumption dinner of baguettes.
Sorry for the copout!
I owe you one!

Entertainment on Phare Amedee (The next posting should be first)

The trip assisted in overcoming our fear of snakes as the Tricot Rayee were underfoot throughout the pathways and tree roots.



Nathan volunteered me to climb a coconut tree; my inner thighs will be paying for the remainder of the week. Nathan thought it was worth the chaffing from the descent, he proudly informed me as I lay in the sand that I climbed the tree the highest and he knew I could do it.




The glass bottom boat was more than close enough for Alana and the boys, but I spent the entire time swimming. The waters were thick with a multitude of fish in every shape colour and size, so thick that my heart raced as I plunged into the warm waters with my snorkeling gear as I could feel myself landing on them below, some seriously as big as Nathan.

Later, we all snorkeled off shore for the remainder of the afternoon, in an unbelievable reef , fields of fish filled coral. Spectacular florescent rainbow coloured fish inches from your face, yet many did not seem to even recognize us being there. Every few minutes a school of fish swam between us each time being a more peculiar looking fish than the last.
I have been told that New Caledonia is one of the least frequented by tourists larger south pacific Islands as it is more expensive than perhaps Fiji or Tahiti, yet the tourist that do come are often the well travelled adventure type that have chosen it for its incredible waters.





The entertainment and buffet on the island was a huge surprise. The meal was incredible from the salads and fruit desserts to the hot trays of delicious local meats and seafood. Plenty of wine women and song! What a start to the New Year.








"For Everything Else There is Mastercard" so they say. It was the coconut bra that brought on Nathan's excitement.

New Year's Day

Well new Years day was definitely an experience we will all remember. Our destination for the day was a small island approximately 25 km from Grand Terre which is our mainland (home). It was a gray day with little wind which worked in our favor for the snorkeling.

Although the water did not present the spectacular colors of a sunny day the visibility was excellent with no real wind.

We enjoyed the thrill of feeding the hungry sharks and God knows what else that circled below and devoured everything we threw overboard. (we had an endless supply of stale baguettes and fish parts) The sharks are found just outside the reef so it was a little further out than the Phare Amedee Island. It is quite a sight just to see how defined the reef edge is and to watch the tide break against it.

No.1 (also my 101 posting for 2007)

I anticipate January rolling in with much too do. Preparing Nathan for school, renovating another house, (take a deep breath David) another move and I must attempt an honest effort at learning french. Blogging will take a back seat is what I'm saying. I did as promised, 101 posts in 6 month. I must say it was more fun than work and I felt very connected. I will promise a weekly update in the New Year.
Thank You for viewing!

David

feel free to e-mail us at;
davidagiu@hotmail.com

No.2

Kip our dog patiently awaits the Heinz ketchup.
We are not so patiently awaiting Kips arrival the 1st week of March.

Memories of 2007

New Year's Day picture 2007



March break sking for the day

March break ice fishing week







Nathan's First Communion ( Roberto,Serina)

Nathan's birthday May 7th



Mother's Day



Triathlon Glen Edan





Kelso camping July



Biking Toronto Waterfront West





Wasaga beach long weekend






Wild Water Kingdom August



Exploring New Caledonia







Visiting PEI







First day of School September




Checking out of West Ham Rd.




Checking out of Homewood Suites end of October




Christmas Eve 2007

No.3

My unforeseen luck in capturing this boy’s flip is in fact fair and inevitable considering how many Kodak (actually my inexpensive Canon) moments are missed each day.
This is truly a life experience filled with breathtaking sites, unforgettable smells and completely unrecognizable sounds of the south pacific.

Happy Holidays To All

David

Xstrata Christmas Party

Christmas Greeting

http://www.jibjab.com/sendables/view/ypGyIILsizgcz0TPZHmjpp9O

Click on our link.

No. 4

No. 5

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Only A Sleep Away

Made it through a toasty warm 6pm(1800 hrs) Christmas mass.
Sure glad I wore that suit! I stuck out like a sore thumb but I thought it important to maintain that tradition not to mention the fact that I brought it 22,000km.




Did the Advent wreath and off to bed.
MERRY CHRISTMASS TO ALL

I told you we only needed two kayaks

Wow girl that is a hell of a swim! Davey and Nathan in one, and me in the other left Alana having to swim. The water was rough out in the middle. Waves were hitting Nathan above the chest and eveytime one did he would laugh uncontrollably. I guess he felt a little vulnerable sitting out front on the bow. I continually lost sight of Alana each time she was in the trough of a wave. I was just fine riding my kayak alone.



We were happy to get to shore.







...until Nathan fell into some real trouble.



It all worked out in the end, now if only the cook would bring the meat.

Happy Birthday Brother!

Between all those years where we all headed back home and packed into Mom's house for Christmas week,(I see you at least got the couch) our times together in northern and southern Ontario and Prince Edward Island we only have spend three Christmas's apart in the last fourty eight. Have a great birthday and we will be opening our Christmas presents before your birthday is done, so we will Skype you then.

No. 6 (Mom this one is for you.) HAPPY BIRTHDAY