Nouméa, New Caledonia. Excursion: Scenic Train with Cheese & Wine Tasting.

Today's excursion transport - a bright yellow 'train'!

There was a yoga session for crew up in the gym this evening so Paul and I went.  Due to the rocking motion of the ship our yoga instructor decided on floor-based session rather than any standing yoga movements.  There was quite a bit of stretching involved and we soon realised how stiff we were.  Practice, over time, will make us a bit more supple.  Unfortunately I started to feel quite seasick during the session but managed to get through it before making a quick exit to the cabin.  The horizontal effect of the bed was welcoming and my head could sort itself out.  Needless to say I slept rather well - more so after taking meclizine hydrochloride tablet (anti-sea sick).

We arrived in Nouméa, at the container ship pier.  The wind was gusty and the current strong.  Unfortunately we didn't dock at the passenger pier but the container ship pier turned out to be the safest and best option in the windy conditions.

View from  Ouen Toro

Cheese & wine tasting at Chateau Royale

Paul and I joined the captain for an early lunch and then I headed out on to the pier for the tour I was assigned to:  'Scenic Train with Cheese & Wine Tasting'.  The bright yellow 'train' was designed as a fun way for tourists to get around and about rather than riding around in a bus.  Leaving the pier we followed the road through town past Port Moselle Marina and the yacht club.  We stopped at a small viewpoint on the edge of Baie des Citrons and Anse Vata Beach.  The beach was busy despite the day being overcast and windy.  We had another stop at Ouen Toro Lookout from where we had lovely views of the lagoon below us and we could also see cannons - relics of World War II.  Our final stop was at Château Royal, a beautiful seaside resort, where we stopped to taste French wines and cheeses. After the initial wine tasting some of the guests wanted to taste the wines further - and polished off bottles of a red, rose and white wine.  It was a hit and left the guests looking rather happy!  There was a bit of time left over to explore the resort before we climbed back into the train and headed back to the ship.  Frank, our guide, was very knowledgeable and friendly.  He also had a great sense of humour and was a hit with the guests as a guide.  A guide can make or break a tour and he made our visit enjoyable.

View of Chateau Royale's grounds from the lobby balcony

Back on board I sought Paul out.  The kink in the anchor chain had been sorted.  The anchor was lowered into the harbour floor with a few chain links so that there was no tension on the anchor.  With no tension, the anchor rolled gently to one side on the bottom of the harbour floor and when it was finally lifted, the chain had straightened itself out.  So, all is back to normal.

After dinner Paul and I went to the spa and lay on the hot stone beds for a while.  It was a bit chilly in the spa area so we went to the steam room to defrost and then soaked in the spa pool for a bit.

The ship is now sailing towards Sydney, a 2 day voyage.  Many guests will end their cruise in Sydney, a few are staying on for the circumnavigation of Australia.

PHOTOGRAPHS

Setting off

Port Moselle Marina

From the viewpoint on the edge of Baie des Citrons and Anse Vata Beach

Restaurant on stilts at the Baie des Citrons

Views from Ouen Toro

Horse racing is popular.l  The race-course is beside the lake.

Château Royal