Noumea is très French

The first order of business for us as we arrived in Noumea, the capital of New Caledonia, was to dry out. As you know an upwind passage, with a gale thrown in for good measure, can truly soak everything onboard with salt water.



After that’s taken care of, we run our errands in downtown. We feel as if we’re in a town in France. French is the only language heard, all the signs and advertisements are in French, and the bread is wonderful. Peter follows Ginger as she gathers provisions. First stop is the market, similar to markets we’ve seen all across the Pacific. Only now, as the US dollar weakens, everything is very expensive for us.



The market ladies are as friendly as usual and the produce is delicious. They direct us to a pastry shop a few blocks away.



Sacre Bleu! We can afford nothing here!



Ah, perhaps we can buy a couple of these little beauties…..



Then Ginger finds an affordable grocery store. Our last errand takes her to the marina office to organize reference materials for the next leg to Australia.



A short dinghy ride back to Marcy, and we enjoy the fruits of shopping. And praise the skill of the French bakers.