We’re still in New Caledonia, today on the largest island of Lifou. Although grand in size it’s small in stature. As far as we can see there’s just a small rise leading up from the pier, mikes of flatness, and it’s this small hill that Aspen & I trekked up on our way to the beach at 7am.

It was a peculiarly early start but there really isn’t anything to do here but walk up to the church on the hill, or snorkel at the Marine Preserve; the latter supposedly capped at 150 persons per morning & afternoon. Ergo, at 5:40am I was sitting in line to ensure we got 1st tender ashore tickets.

At 7:30am we were in the brisk, bright blue waters of Jinek Bay, paddling to our heart’s content. A fabulous display of hard corals, all growing jam-packed to each other, fighting to reach for the sun. Not a tremendous amount of fish close in as I’m sure the splashy tourists scare them off but I swam out to each point of the big halfmoon bay and the reef there was teeming with small neon-colored fish. I managed to cover a lot of ocean in the hour I spent in the water especially as I resorted to gently swimming the last half hour just to maintain body temperature. As we dried off from our first swim a horde of ship passengers descended on the little bay so we took that as a sign to leave. At 9:30am I was back aboard having a nice warm shower! I lent my snorkel gear to Aspen as she might go again after her return to shore to hike up to the church on the hill. For me, 2nd breakfast, a few laps around the ship, and a few chapters of my book were what sounded good.

It’s Thanksgiving Day today! Well, on board the ship at least as we’re now one day ahead of the States. There’s an excellent sounding menu offered in the restaurants so another nice meal is planned for our little group.