Ouvea
This is the greeting at the island Ouvea. The locals greeted us with song and drove the tourists in brand new cars 20 mins to the designated point - Mouli Beach. The home of markets to sell Sarongs, shell jewellery and other tourist items. Quite odd to see brand new cars driven when the locals live in Mud huts. Such a simple way of life many of us thought , these people don't get stressed at all!!!! Some of the best snorkelling are in at a place called 'The Bridge'. Its away from the tourist spot and you have to get there at your own peril. Mouli Beach has the white-ist of white talcum powdery sand. The waters are sparkling blue and clear. Its really a lovely place to lose all thoughts of the daily grind. With no shops either!



Isle of Pines - Our last stop, this was my fav. The island is split in two so to speak. The pic with the tree covered rocks is a sacred site and the best snorkelling is around the base of the rocks. No one is allowed to climb the site. The water close to shore is very warm and the dark color of the water just drops away to cold water with the most beautifully colored fish. They come in quite close to the shore, however, most stay out at these deep parts of
the water.

This pic is to the left of the Sacred Site. It shows the very deep blue water and how far from the sand it is before dropping away to nothing. Again really beautiful palm trees, hence the name Isle of Pines and there has been plenty of filming in this region for movies etc. The sands are a brilliant white - just picture post card. There is a resort - but not in the same sense as we know it. The markets are just huge benches covered with banana leaves and the locals sell cooked foods ( a no no according to the ships Doctor!)