I'm Here!

I'm here!!! and so is my luggage! First the pictures: on top is me after the flight just getting into the hotel. I'm sporting the super duper t-shirt I bought at Sydney airport with the money Qantas gave me because they forgot my luggage somewhere between Toronto and Los Angeles. The lower picture is the first look I got of Noumea from my hotel room the next morning bright and early. I'll post a picture of my current view because I changed rooms. Seems they don't have rooms on the site for me for a little while so I'll be staying at the hotel until then. After more paperwork, (eurk, more paperwork just what I need) I was given a tour of the city by one of the employees of Goro. I'm pretty much on my own until monday morning when I'll take the boat to the site. Yeeee, mini vacation right at the start. I've already dipped my toes into the south pacific and bath water warm is all I have to say! This afternoon I'll be going to the aquarium to see all the fishes and water creatures of New Caledonia. Pictures to follow! I've already seen some angel fish in the shallow water by the bay! All sorts of adventures I've made a friend called Anthony. He's a Kanak, that is to say he's a native. He said he'd bring me to a kava bar one of these days to sample the national drink...Kava! There is certainly some tension in this place because the police came by and asked our papers. Anthony said it doesn't happen very often anymore but it still does. The reason: A white man speaking to a Kanak is suspicious in the eyes of the police. So I've been told! Although I don't think that kind of policing is generalized I'll certainly know in the future. By the by I'll show you where I live and what this place looks like.