21 May 2011:

We arrived at a small camping / guesthouse complex in Poignam late at night, after traversing some very small and dark roads. We stopped in Koumac, one of the last towns of the way, to get groceries. and once again, I was shocked at how expensive everything is. Half a head of not-so-fresh looking cabbage was on sale for 500F, or about $5.50 USD. Poignam is the northernmost town on Grand Terre, the main island of NC, although don't bother looking for it on a map, unless it is a very detailed map of NC.

Rough notes:
http://mandarinmanmarktravelnotes.blogspot.com/2012/04/2011-nz-to-sf-day-8.html

21 May 2011:

After thanking Christelle and Hubert for everything, and leaving them a gift of fruit (expensive, not fresh, and imported from NZ), I met up with Sarah, a Couchsurfer who responded to my posts. I also congratulated Christelle and Hubert, as the doctors told them she was pregnant the day I arrived! We zoomed north in a very full car/jeep, with me and three young students. Here is a view of a small portion of the Koniambo mining project near Koné. Too bad I didn't have time to view the Heart of Voh, although I personally don't think it would have been very exciting.

Rough notes:
http://mandarinmanmarktravelnotes.blogspot.com/2012/04/2011-nz-to-sf-day-8.html

20 May 2011:

A small market that Christelle brought me to in the morning. She's never been before, as she was apprehensive of some of the Kanak, and didn't want to go alone, while Hubert is at work. As mentioned before, there is a distinct colonial feel to the place, and there is a definite separation between the Kanak and white people. I regretted eating breakfast, as there was delicious looking food there, music, and all sorts of fruits and vegetables.

Rough notes:
http://mandarinmanmarktravelnotes.blogspot.com/2012/04/2011-nz-to-sf-day-8.html

20 May 2011:

My cash reserves, most of it in 10,000 CFP Franc (Pacific Franc) notes. CFP was changed from Colonies Françaises du Pacifique to Communauté Financière du Pacifique, and then finally, Comptoirs Français du Pacifique for political correctness. It still certainly feels like a colony to me! Turns out one burns through cash extremely fast here, as everything is overpriced.

Rough notes:
http://mandarinmanmarktravelnotes.blogspot.com/2012/04/2011-nz-to-sf-day-7.html

20 May 2011:

Night. Their home was very modern, just like any suburban home found anywhere in the developed world. A new city of internationals is being built here for the new mega-sized nickle mining and refining project. New Caledonia in the most colonial-feeling place I have visited, and it almost feels lost in time. It also reminds me of the recent movie, Avatar.

Rough notes:
http://mandarinmanmarktravelnotes.blogspot.com/2012/04/2011-nz-to-sf-day-7.html

20 May 2011:

Some Kanak-themed decorations on the main highway round-about in Koné. Apparently, one of the main government administrative centres is located here, which explains why the bus let people off seemingly in the middle of nowhere. I was shocked by how small and dusty town was, dashing my hopes of finding a reasonable place to spend the night. I am very thankful that Christelle and Hubert took me in after a call. There was also a very professional multilingual exposition about the new UNESCO designation here - why they chose to put it in a place with no tourists is a mystery to me.

Rough notes:
http://mandarinmanmarktravelnotes.blogspot.com/2012/04/2011-nz-to-sf-day-7.html

20 May 2011:

Arrived in Koné. The bus ride was just like a Greyhound bus, with the exception of upbeat music blasted through the speaker system the entire way. I sat by a young Kanak guy with terrible home-made tattoos all over, who introduced himself to me the day before - perhaps a juvenile delinquent? The bus was also used for deliveries, with a variety of boxes loaded into the bottom. The nice couple that gave us a ride in Ouvéa offered me a place to stay in Koné.

Rough notes:
http://mandarinmanmarktravelnotes.blogspot.com/2012/04/2011-nz-to-sf-day-7.html

19 May 2011:

A cannon pointed at town near some important-looking buildings flying the French flag.

Rough notes:
http://mandarinmanmarktravelnotes.blogspot.com/2012/04/2011-nz-to-sf-day-6.html

19 May 2011:

I really loved the warm stone facade of the cathedral, and the large clocks with "NOUMEA" on them.

Rough notes:
http://mandarinmanmarktravelnotes.blogspot.com/2012/04/2011-nz-to-sf-day-6.html

19 May 2011:

Looking out the door to paradise.

Rough notes:
http://mandarinmanmarktravelnotes.blogspot.com/2012/04/2011-nz-to-sf-day-6.html