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South Island gallery / New Caledonia Cycle Touring   Photos from our cycle tour of New Caledonia in August 2009. We went up the remote East coast then back down the West (the main west coast road is too fast and busy so we took the bus most of the way). 880km biking in total over 17 days. Click here to view in Google Earth...  Start here... Noumea airport    First evening and first swim    Tom 1 Coconut 0    Tom tests his climbing skills    First col on our way across the main mountain chain to the East coast    We visit a tourist attraction - petroglyphs on the rock    Campsite under coconut palms - be careful where you put the tent!    Campsite beach at Thio    There was a nice coral reef and lots of fish in the sea    Waterfalls as we head from Thio to Canala    It's a one way road - alternate directions on alternate hours    All good except it has a big col and took us more than one hour!    Hil at the col    Campsite near Canala    Heading into the unknown as we leave Canala    The map seems to have a bit of a blank in this area    We reach Kouaua, Hil admires the nickel coneyer, but where are the people or shops    We decline to stay in Kouaua and continue on our way    ...eventually camping in a random layby when dark comes!    Next morning the road goes up and up - this hill was not on our map    We reach the col at around 800m, our effort rewarded with great views    We can see back down to the coast    We ride past the red earth of the nickel mines    After a long descent it's time for lunch on the beach    Our only rainy day, we find a sheltered spot for lunch by the river at Ponerihouen    Hil's turn to attack a coconut, a machete would make this easier    Tiakan campsite provides a fare (kanak hut) to hide from the rain    Tiakan campsite    Colourful scene as we head north under blue skies    East coast views    The port at Tuoho had four boats in    Tom picks me a coconut, the green ones have the sweetest milk    Better than an energy drink!    Views out to the islets    90km later we're happy to reach Hienghene    Impressive black limestone rock formations    Hienghene provides another lovely beachside campsite    The campsite has views of the rocks    And another coral reef for snorkelling    Hil and the Hienghene rocks    Tom crossing the river at Hienghene    There were mangroves growing in the river    Tom and more cliffs    More rocks    Tom and a totem pole    Lunch at a cafe in Hienghene    Heading north again    We wait for the road to arrive in Ouaieme    We chug slowly across the river    Road on the way to Puebo    We leave the highway and head on dirt roads around the Amoss peninsula    The northern point of our trip, we admire the views before turning south    Heading back towards Ouegoa    After 200 easy km on the bus, campsite at Plage de Poe under a banyan tree    A walk on the beach at Plage de Poe    More beach views    Tom relaxing on our rest day at the beach    Hil cooling off in the river    Riding somewhere between Bourail and La Foa, we have been lost for several hours and don't yet realise    Tom checks our the paddling options    As the road degenerates it becomes clear that this is not the right way, however we are too stuborn to retrace our steps such a long way    We really can't pretend we are on the right road now...    Colourful market at Noumea as we enjoy a couple of relaxing days at the end of the trip    Tom and the parakeet fish he caught at the fish market    This port is a bit busier than the one at Tuoho    Yachts at the marina    Ma Kwa sculpture in the part at Noumea    Beach at the Baie de citrons    We enjoy the parakeet fish for dinner on our last night in Noumea, well deserved after 880km in total   69 Images  |  Home  |  Generated by JAlbum 8.0 and based on Chamelion skin