Carnival Spirit Wednesday 10 July 2013 Mare, Nouvelle Caledonie

After breakfast we went up to Deck nine to get our tender number, basically a boarding pass for the boats taking us ashore. Got our number, went back to our cabins and got our stuff and headed straight to Deck A midships to board the tender for the 5 minute ride to Mare.

From the wharf we were told it was a10 minute trip to the beach we were spending to morning/day at. Well after about 15-20 mins on the bus we arrived at a beautiful tropical beach lined with coconut palms and crystal clear azure water of a reef bound lagoon with coral reefs scattered through-out it. The beach itself was made of coarse broken down sea shells and all sorts of other marine life. The high tide mark was clearly marked by a band of small pumice stone all along the beach. On the way to the beach, we had to pull over to let a small convoy of cars going the other way pass us. It was a wedding procession, the front cars had all the normal wedding trimmings

, the following cars / utes were full of people very much in a happy frame of minds. Standing in the back of the utes and hanging out of windows calling out and generally have a ball. 🙂 <3

We had a fun time at the beach, the snorkling was excellent, although much of the coral is dead, the water was crystal clear and there were lots of fish to see. I spent some time snorkling with Ethan and Ella, before getting to go out deeper by myself for a while.

Everyone had great fun in and around the water, building sandcastles, water fights and throwing cocnuts around. Speaking of coconuts, the locals had stall set-up all along the beach. The first tried was fresh coconuts, we all indulged in one, first the top was cut off so we could drink the coconut water, then we got them to cut them in half so we could eat the flesh inside. Later Deb and most of the others took a walk down thrugh and past the stalls that the locals had set up. It was mainly food  and there were a couple of huts where girls were getting their hair braided.

We eventually left the beach at about 12:30, and headed back to the wharf area. The locals ahd set up a small market there, with the usual touristy bits and pieces. We ahd a few Pacific Francs left so we used the all up there, and locals were pleased to get the trade. The last thing we bought were stamps in our Passports to mark the visit. We all then got back on a tender and went back to the ship for a late lunch and a bit of relaxation. Yes, the more we relax, the more we have to!!

We had a quiet afternoon and then got ready for our date night, just the two of us at diiner in the Nouveau Restaurant.

Our dinner was delicious and the company even better. 🙂 I had Escargot followed by Surf and Turf (Fillet Mignon and 1/2 Lobster Tail) while Deb had Grilled Portabello Mushrooms followed by Broiled Lobster Tail with Drawn Butter. We both had a Choclate Sampler Plate for dessert. Yummm.

After dinner we went down to the Pharoh’s Palace for a Magic and Illusion Show, which was pretty glitzy and showy. A “Magical” way to finish our evening.  lol

Tomorrow is Mystery Island.

I don’t know what it is about nights at sea, but they all seem to be a bit rocky, this night was especially so, with the ship not only having its usual sideways rock, but it also took on a bow to stern rock as well. This prompted Carly and all her family to hit the drugs and decided to have a late start for the morning.