23 May 2011:

The nightly store-van, where I bought some bread and cheese after waiting a long time for it by the side of the road surrounded by curious villagers, and flagging it down by running in front of it and waving. The kids seemed to have their own house, and we hung out sitting on the floor eating and drinking pop, which one of the kids contributed. I was bombarded with questions by villagers all evening. The kids also showed me around their village, and told me I was the first tourist they've seen here. I was a bit anxious, as usually people can't just go into a tribe unannounced, and there should be a gift-giving ceremony with one of the tribal elders. However, I met their mom once during the night, and she seemed OK with having me around. Before bed, we tried to exchange contact info, but having nothing to write on, I wrote my e-mail on a tube of toothpaste they handed me.

Rough notes:
http://mandarinmanmarktravelnotes.blogspot.com/2012/04/2011-nz-to-sf-day-10.html

23 May 2011:

As a car stopped, they offered me a place to camp in their tribe. In NC, tribes are villages made up of extended family, and where much of the Kanak live. I figure I'll have a much more interesting experience camping in their tribe than some random campground. In started raining later, so I ended up tearing down the tent and sleeping in one of their houses.

Rough notes:
http://mandarinmanmarktravelnotes.blogspot.com/2012/04/2011-nz-to-sf-day-10.html

23 May 2011:

The view of the mountains while the kids waited with me for a car. They showed me around and picked and gave me fruit! They also asked me for kung fu demonstrations after it was discovered I know some kung fu, and I had to stop them from kung fu-ing each other for the next while.

Rough notes:
http://mandarinmanmarktravelnotes.blogspot.com/2012/04/2011-nz-to-sf-day-10.html

23 May 2011:

There were quite a few Kanak houses and people around, and I asked directions with a few of them. Eventually, I gained a following of local kids who started asking me questions about China, and other places outside of this area.

Rough notes:
http://mandarinmanmarktravelnotes.blogspot.com/2012/04/2011-nz-to-sf-day-10.html

23 May 2011:

I overshot Pouebo, by staying on the bus until the end of the line. No big loss, the only thing I saw in Pouebo was a church and a few houses, probably hard to find accommodation anywhere here. The bus driver recommended me hitchhike down about 12km to a campsite.

Rough notes:
http://mandarinmanmarktravelnotes.blogspot.com/2012/04/2011-nz-to-sf-day-10.html

23 May 2001:

Coming down the hills, there were some good (but hard to photograph) views of the reefs. Supposedly, ther eis a reef that looks like a shark head here. The bus was filled, with all the seats folded down in the aisle, as we stopped at random places to pick people up. It was old and rusty, and the air was filled with the smell of stale sweat. I was the only non-Kanak on board.

Rough notes:
http://mandarinmanmarktravelnotes.blogspot.com/2012/04/2011-nz-to-sf-day-10.html

23 May 2011:

I managed to find a bus that will take me as far as Pouebo for the day, and decided to risk it, since I borrowed a tent from Jérôme as a back-up. I left after lunch by a lake in Koumac, where Boris' friend asked me (in French) all about working with video games. This is a view of the niaouli forests as the bus is climbing the hills forming the spine of the island.

Rough notes:
http://mandarinmanmarktravelnotes.blogspot.com/2012/04/2011-nz-to-sf-day-10.html

23 May 2011:

Cows on the drive back to Koumac, where Sarah is catching a bus back to Nouméa, and where I will be looking for passage to Hienghène. Hienghène is known for some rock formations and tribal stays, and is one of the more touristy areas in the "bush" - areas that aren't around Nouméa.

Rough notes:
http://mandarinmanmarktravelnotes.blogspot.com/2012/04/2011-nz-to-sf-day-10.html

23 May 2011:

Picture with (left to right) Sophie, her mom, Sarah, and me.

Rough notes:
http://mandarinmanmarktravelnotes.blogspot.com/2012/04/2011-nz-to-sf-day-10.html