Ile des Pins, New Caledonia - Nov 19, 2014

Paradise found .... Named by Captain James Cook in 1774, Ile des Pines (Island of Pines) is white sand beaches, clear turquoise lagoons with a lush landscape of rain-forests, it is a picture perfect natural paradise. Yes, there are archaeological excavations on this island that have revealed settlements back some 4,000 years but as England used Australia as a penal colony, the French used Ile des Pins as a place to send their convicts. So our focus today was on two places of interest, the talcum powdery white sand beaches and a visit to the old prison.

Once again with very special treatment, we were shuffled into the crew quarters and the hidden stairwells to enter the tender platform to be amongst the few that are able to go over to the Kuto area of Ile des Pins before really anyone else - thank you HAL. This is our second visit here and to get on shore to get the uncluttered pictures was amazing. We quickly headed to the lagoon area to capture our photos before heading back to the dock to view the welcome show - the first tender was so early that the locals had not had a chance to set up. More great photo opportunities with the locals in their native attire.

Then it was off for the 30 to 40 minute walk to the ruins of the French colonial jails where 3,000 convicts where imprisoned in 1872. They where followed by French exiled prisoners until the year 1912. The convicts built the prison in 1894 which consists of 40 vaulted cells. How and where they lived between 1872 and 1894 my write up here does not say but you can be assured that it was not pleasant. I don't believe that the would have appreciated the island paradise that it has become today.

Back to the lagoon for some beach time was in order before catching the 1 pm tender back to the ship. Great day...

Hope you enjoy our two part upload from today ...