Sunset New Caledonia Style

This photo is taken from the yacht which was tucked up in a little bay off Mathieu Island (approximately 4 hours cruising from Noumea). I used my new 18-200 mm lense which I love.

Isn't it great? We had several glorious sunsets with sun beams reaching all the way to the boat.

Nautilus Retrieval

Nautilus Retrieval

We were cruising around Baie de St Vincent and Pam spotted a nautilus shell bobbing in the water. Allan yelled “I’m turning around! Get something to collect it – these are rare and valuable”.

Turning around a 48 foot yacht is not that easy but Allan executed it expertly. Retrieving the shell, however, was not that easy and it necessitated several maneuvers and the three of us working in tandem to get it. Eventually Pam (with me leaving over the lifelines using the boat hook to gently push it towards her) she managed to scoop the old shell safely onto the boat. It’s a precious and rare find.

News to me, but nautilus are fascinating creatures (part of the mollusk family) unchanged for more than 100 million years. The shells grow to around 30cm (the one we scooped up is about 15cm across), is lined with mother of pearl.

Its shell is divided into 36 chambers which are formed one after the other over years. Before developing a new chamber, the old one is closed off. The chambers are filled with a mixture of water gas and air which it adjusts for buoyancy as it plumbs depths of up to 500 metres on the edge of the barrier reef. I found this truly amazing and made the find even more special.

Photo: Nautilus shell on the after deck.

This IS the Life!

Wow….this is the life!!! I’m sitting in the cockpit writing this as we cruise along. I love it that I'm a touch typist so I can write my thoughts down whilst watching as the world goes by.

The weather is much improved since my arrival on a wet and gloomy day. After a few nights tucked up close to Port Moselle in Noumea we were able to get away to some of the bays and islands south of this polluted city.

Port Moselle is very close to the local market and so we were able to wander over there to stock up on some supplies for our time away from civilization. It was a special treat to shop “like the French” and survey the fresh goods on offer then make our selection. Although expensive the quality and taste is excellent. Some examples: a rotisserie chicken $25, two Toulouse sausages $8, five slices of bacon $13 etc. Wine is relatively cheap (thank goodness for that!) and the few bottles we bought rather nice.

However, as we are on the yacht and doing our own catering we have been able to eat (very well) for around $20 per person per day and that includes wine! The food is incredibly tasty.

Out on the water, marine life seems rather prolific. We were treated to a couple of dolphins cruising languidly near the boat, their shiny fin poking out of the water.

Pam threw some old bread into the water and two remora (see the photo) came to breakfast. These fish travel in pairs and come out from hiding whenever tasty morsels are close by. The flat section on their heads is used to cling to the underside of the boat. Freeloaders!

Yesterday I saw a turtle poke its head above the water; too far away to see the imperious look on its old face. I also saw a colourfully striped sea snake wriggle away from the boat. Friends of my hosts passed by the bay we were in and said they'd just caught two tuna off the boat.

I'm posting this via the generosity of McDonald’s where for the price of a coffee....oooh my!!, we get free internet access.

I’m loving……..being on the road again and in this very relaxed state. It’s addictive. Of course I absolutely love being on the water again and with such excellent hosts.

I’m enjoying…..the food here. The chicken was as tasty as any I’ve ever had. The patisserie a visual and taste sensation. Fresh island grown paw paw with a squeeze of lime juice is exquisite my list goes on and on but I won't bore you anymore.

I’m missing…….hmmmmmm.

I’m fascinated…..by how polite the French are. I love the way they greet customers when entering their domain, say merci and au reviour. It’s very nice.

Best coffee…….the market has divine local coffee. A petit café noir is around $3.50 and the surrounding accents and demenour of the locals beguiling.

A Tour Guide Shows Sydney

The Easter break in Sydney disappeared in a whirl of activity. I took on the role of tour guide to show a friend some of the sights of this great city; to explore some of the harbour walks and try a few eating places.

By the end of my friends visit, we'd had a marvellous time, despite my “low caffeine warning light” being on, which was entirely my fault.

The time disappeared in a blur but some of the activities we enjoyed: Watson’s Bay (further around from Bondi Beach) and a stroll along the fine golden coloured sand. We walked up the track past a notice which reminded those walking the track that they must be fully clothed! Sure enough, when I glanced down onto the pretty curved beach, the sight of the naked bodies was not a pretty one - sorry no photos! However, the spectacular views back over the city and to the Sydney Heads is pretty. It's the entrance for ships entering/leaving the inner harbour.

After our walk, Doyle’s (the famous fish restaurant) waylaid us, and on a gloriously hot day, we sat on the jetty and munched our way through a delicious serving of fish and chips.

Of course the walk I’ve written about previously from Coogee to Bondi Beach had to be repeated. I really love the Bronte (about half way) to Bondi Beach section and en route a compulsory stop at the café beside Tamarama beach. It is always very welcome for both the location and the caffeine hit.

Another day and another walk - the Maroubra to Coogee walk was new to both of us. These beaches all link up to those mentioned earlier in this posting. Unfortunately after some glorious sun kissed days, a storm threatened. Nonetheless, we decided to risk it and I am glad we did. Maroubra Beach is less sophisticated and not as built up as the other areas we pass along and it appeals more to me. Along the way some interesting honey combed cliff faces made for some creative photography.

Just after we reached Coogee and stopped for lunch at a nearby cafe (with excellent Numero Uno coffee) the clouds burst and a torrent of water raged down the street. Clearly it was sometime since people in the area had seen such a deluge because there were many excited spectators. When we returned to my wee place at Bondi Junction, just a 15 minute bus ride away it appeared as though there had been little rain.

Another walk - from Milson’s Point, we walked back to the city over the Sydney Harbour Bridge as day turned into night. Bats flew noisily overhead and before our leisurely stroll was over bright neon lights transformed the sky. It is always a joy to watch the sun setting over the iconic Sydney Opera House and once back at Circular Quay we stopped for a drink (or was that two!) beside the water. After dinner and a visit to the chocolate desert café in the Rocks, it was another late night out in this vibrant city.

Unfortunately the view from my preferred stop on Circular Quay (the Cruise Bar) was obscured by a newly arrived ship, but a few days later I was able to sit there (no ship this time!) with another friend and watch the sun setting over the Opera House yet again. I never tire of that view.

What I'm reading....The Secret River by Australian writer Kate Grenville. Also my Spanish language books to brush up on my skills.

I'm surprised....for Anzac Day Australians wear a piece of rosemary on their lapels. The striking poppy is for Remembrance Day. This auspicious day is my birthday which I celebrated here last year but I didn't see any poppies.

I'm loving.... travelling relatively light and being free of possessions. Part of this is not having to clear out gutters, no car to fill with petrol or check tyre pressures and living in a small space. The latter is my choice but I love it.

Photo: Watsons Bay

I arrived in Sydney with one red suitcase (full of clothes) and, in my backpack, my camera and laptop. I've been working here just over six months now.... I now own (in Australia) the following:

• a work wardrobe for both summer and winter,
• an iron....


• several pair of shoes


• and a beaut leather (yellow) couch! How well will this pack?


• I've also added several pillows (well its difficult to get one that suits and besides, they look good piled up on my bed!),


• an assortment of cutlery, crockery, vases, candles


• and I've added a slow cooker to my possessions. etc etc

Ouch! How did that happen?

The truth is that the longer I spend here, the more I surround myself with a few nice things so that I am comfortable.



My employer's have asked me back after my next trip, so it seems as though I will be in Sydney awhile. That's my excuse for buying a few things.

But, in May I leave and during this trip I will be sailing in New Caledonia, then traveling around Cuba, Mexico and NZ.

Besides....I'm still thoroughly enjoying the travel (and planning it), life and my work so why not?



A few weekends back I had a lovely trip to Canberra with a friend. The trip via the small towns of was most interesting and the company excellent.



In a few weeks time I have another of my friends from NZ to visit while on business and I'll enjoy a catch up. Then over Easter another friend will visit for a few days. Together we'll explore more of this wonderful city and perhaps take a rental car (I haven't succumbed to a car purchase yet) up the coast for more sights.

I just love it......

The Important Things in Life

The Important Things in Life
When things in your life seem almost too much to handle,
When 24 Hours in a day is not enough,
Remember the mayonnaise jar and 2 cups of coffee.

A professor stood before her philosophy class
And had some items in front of him.
When the class began, wordlessly,
She picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar
And proceeded to fill it with golf balls.

She then asked the students, if the jar was full.
They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured
them into the jar. She shook the jar lightly.
The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls.

She then asked the students again
If the jar was full... They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand
And poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else.
She asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded
With a unanimous 'yes.'

The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table
And poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively
Filling the empty space between the sand.
The students laughed.

'Now,' said the professor, as the laughter subsided,
'I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life.
The golf balls are the important things – Children, family,
health, friends, lovers and favorite passions –
Things that if everything else was lost
And only they remained, your life would still be full.

The pebbles are the other things that matter – whatever that may be to you -
your job, house, and car.

The sand is everything else - the small stuff.

If you put the sand into the jar first, she continued,
There’s no room for the pebbles or the golf balls.
The same goes for life.

If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff,
You will never have room for the things that are
IMPORTANT TO YOU.

SO.........

Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.
Play with your children.
Take time to get medical checkups.
Take your partner out to dinner....smell the flowers

There will always be time
To clean the house and clean the gutters.

Take care of the golf balls first -
The things that really matter.
Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.

Then one of the students raised her hand
And inquired what the coffee represented.

The professor smiled.

It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem,
there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend.

Apologies…I do not know the source of this tale but I say
Hear hear.

My calendar – the wonderful one with coffee sayings has a speech bubble
With “CAFFEINE QUEEN”….that’s ME!

Stage One of My Journey

It's just over one year since I left NZ!!! Here are some of the countries I visited.

I especially want to go back to Cambodia (Angkor Wat and other temples) and Laos.

But in the meantime, I am planning more exciting journeys and will keep you posted.....of course!!!