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.