Noumea to Isle of Pines via Bay of Prony
So, after a ten days in Noumea, we left for the Isle of Pines. The winds were in our favor as we waited for them to shift out of the southeast to the northeast and that gave us a nice push from behind. We spent the first night at the Bay of Prony in a secluded and rustic spot. Then, early the next morning we left for Kuto Bay at the Isle of Pines.
Kuto Bay, Isle of Pines
Kuto Bay is one of the best places to anchor at the Isle of Pines. You're protected from the swell from the southeast trades here and its a pleasant place to stay just off an expansive beach. One Dutch cruiser came around each morning and took orders for fresh bread which she baked aboard her boat. We tried it and it was pretty tasty.
Road to hiking trail
The second day we were there, we decided to hike up to the top of the tallest peak and see the view. So, we headed down one of the pretty roads and made our way to a trail that led to the top.
Cross at top of highest spot on Ile de Pins
The trail was pretty rocky and steep in places. But, once at the top, the view was very nice. There was a concrete foundation from an old World War II bunker that had been erected at this spot. A wooden cross was raised to commemorate the memory of the war.
Kevin at the totem poles
The day after our trip to the top of the island, we decided to rent cars and circumnavigate it. We visited a few of the small villages and then drove to the Le Meridien resort on the east side. It was a pretty impressive spot. They had a very relaxing pool area and a nice restaurant that overlooked the lagoon and a beautiful white beach. The totem poles, above, were at this sight. We also went to a couple of interesting caves that had folklore about the early native Melanesian settlers.
Old prison ruins
Ile de Pins was also notorious for its prison. The French sent some of their most difficult political prisoners and others who were mentally deranged to this idyllic spot to live in something much more God forsaken. It looked like a very difficult place to survive. The cells were tiny and dark. The practice of sending prisoners to the other side of the world stopped in the early 1900's. But, many found there way here and some of their descendants still live on the island.
Final Straw at Ile de Pins
All things considered, it was a very nice spot and we enjoyed being here for about a week. But, cyclone season started in a few weeks and we decided to go back to Noumea to prepare for the crossing of the Coral Sea to Australia and to wait for a good weather window.
Click here for the crossing to Australia.
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