We have been busy since our cruise, and already have the next one booked to look forward too. We enjoy traveling and also being at home with family. Since we like to go away, it means that a lot of things need doing at home, so we have been concentrating of that the past few weeks, but.... we will be off again soon.
Day 9 of the cruise saw us visiting ISLE OF PINES. The island was named by Captain Cook, and although
he never came ashore, he obviously noted the number of Norfolk Pine trees
growing on island and the many smaller islands in the area. Isle of Pines only has one village and many beautiful swimming areas. So after breakfast we made our way to the tenders to explore.
The ship has three tours operating,
ranging from $35.75US to $125.75US. If not doing a tour from the
ship, the locals are situated along the beach selling 90min and 2
hour tours for $25AUS. Australian, American and French Pacific Francs
are welcome at all the stalls. One can also purchase cooked lobsters,
crabs, or fresh coconuts – if one is hungry! A beach dress here
costs about $25-$35 AUS, depending on the stall.
The
island became a French penal colony in 1872, not of convicts, but
French political refugees. The refugees were not forced to work, but
worked for wages. It was the refugees who built most of the roads and
buildings on the island. Prior to being declared a penal colony
in 1872, the island was known as an island for exiles. In 1871 about
1000 Roman Catholics, fleeing from Mare, lived there, and in 1878
over 700 Kanak insurgents from La Foa were settled there. From 1887 it became a place of
punishment with repeat offenders from France being banished there for
life.
Walking up the first road from the
jetty and following the boutique signs along a dirt road one comes to
a colonial building which is now the Gendarmerie (Police Station).
The boutique is a local souvenir shop, a little overpriced (compared
with Mystery Island). The markets along the beach were a little
cheaper – not much, just a little. We followed the dirt track back
to the beach that was beside the jetty.
There is a lot of evidence of
the former penal colony with stone walls and barred windows still
remaining.
We didn't do any tours, maybe next time. We did spend time on the beach.
There is lovely beach to the left of the jetty, that most passengers set up and swam at, but there is another more beautiful beach further along on the calmer side.
Both sides were calm, but the beach area further along was great for snorkeling.
I did not stay for the snorkeling, instead opting to go back to the ship to enjoy the peace and quiet, while others were enjoying the island.
So this was day 9 of our cruise.
No comments:
Post a Comment