First Impressions

First impressions are important and sometimes everlasting. I remember in 1986 in the little bus that carried us from the plane to the terminal Phil Colins belting out "In the Air Tonight". We had just landed in Florida and to this day when I hear that song I remember the warm humid evening air that night in Orlando. I guess another song will be forever inscribed in my sensory memory. The night I landed in Noumea the ground workers of the airport where on strike. Maybe they still are! Therefore we had to walk from the plane to the terminal by ourselves. It was 36deg celcius, 75% humidity and I'd come a long way. On the right in a hangar some mechanics where working on a small plane and their radio was blasting out "Jumping Jack Flash" by the stones. It felt strange, like I'd just landed in Orlando and at the same time not at all. This was going to be fun!

During my three or four days in Noumea I got the chance to explore the city. I walked and swam at all three of the main beaches. Yes, I did get sunburn the first day as my super sun goop was in my luggage which the airline saw fit to lose along the way. Got the luggage back a few days later. Enjoyed local food and shopped around for food to cook at my room. Got to know the little gecko who came out of hiding every evening to eat flies perched on my terrace table.

Along the way I found the place you see in the top picture. It is called Ouen Toro. Half way between a beach and a walking trail. The wind picks up from offshore every afternoon around four and it is quite delightful to go for a walk in the shade of the coconut trees.

One thing I've had to adjust to and get to know is something called "island time" or "le beat des iles". Simply stated if you're in a hurry for anything you'll get frustrated every time. Be cool, relax, enjoy the air you're breathing and when whatever it is you're waiting for is due, it will happen.
One thing I'm impressed with is how much stuff grows around here. It never stops and it seems everything has flowers attached to it. Case in point are the hibiscus. They're everywhere, absolutely everywhere. They even make hedges out of them! That's what you're looking at in the picture! I'll post more pictures of really interesting plants and flowers as I get a chance to photograph them.