Tropical Boy Finally Takes Me Home

So after 8 months of hearing how great New Caledonia is, I  have finally got an opportunity to see the place Mat loves so much.

We have been treated to some amazing food from Mat's family including grandparents. Mudcrab, Tahitian fish salad and homemade spring rolls are soooo good! I am also amazed by the amount of food grown on the island. Everywhere has mango trees, lychee trees and coconut palms.

We have been on a road trip around the island. The wind has been very strong allowing Mat and his dad to spend many hours kitesurfing, and me to relax on the beach reading and sleeping. I have made a map of our roadtrip here: http://goo.gl/maps/Kr47m.

CLIMBING

At the most northern part of the island a new climbing area has been established in the middle of a rainforest. There are approximately 100 climbs within 10 mins walk from one side to the other. It is magnificent with each crag having its own character, style and a range of climbing difficulties.                         Unlike some of the Australian climbing, the only way you are going to die at this crag is from stupidity or some loose rock falling onto your belayer from the newly formed routes. Apparently the rock is granite, but on some of the crags large bands of sharp quartzite look like they would slice through the rope.

The bolting is very close together, so the chances of rope slicing feels less than if you had some more 'exciting' Aussie style bolting (aka. could only afford 1 bolt per 4 metre, harden up sport climbers). With a bit more foot traffic the rock will be as solid as Arapiles. Like Arapiles the walk in is very small, but the nearest known camping is a 20 minute drive nearby the sea. Here are some photos of the crags:

Beautiful rock!

 

 Left: Beginners boulder, perfect for teaching lead climbing. Right: 30 metre tall cave with 30 metre roots!

The Sanctuary Crag: A classic in the making! Overhung. Coquillage et crustaces (6a)

Left: How to feel like a hobbit! Right: Some stock standard challenging face climbing

Left: Lots of nooks and crannies to explore. Right: Secret passage to the coolest crag ever- the 'Hanging Gardens' crag.

  

  

 Photos cannot capture the beauty of  crag "The Hanging Garden". It is located within the mountain itself, where the rock has split into two! Discovered after someone climbed on the outside of the mountain (left) and peered into the crevice! Nice and shady, with the actual climbs free of greenery.

NATURE AND CULTURE

 When we travelled to the East coast, where it easily switched between bright blue one minute and rainy 'Jurassic park' the next. These photos where taken within one hour of one another.

 One of the highlights was the local prawns and the Melanesian dish 'Bougna'. The Bougna dish is prepared by cooking root vegetables (yam, sweet potato, taro) with a meat in banana leaves for hours. For ~$20 we got a self contained dish big enough to feed 4 people, including two whole huge crabs!

           

Left: Bougna comes with its own carry bag made of leaves! Middle: Rustic. Right: Get your hands into it!  Eaten from the back of 4WD at the beach, with fresh lychee and pineapple for dessert!

I loved the local villagers gardens! I hope I can grow some of the Bougna ingredients myself to have a go at making it at home!