aquarium and swimming today

We saw these today - but just at the aquarium. We'd been told about the stone fish, which are very poisonous, but the St Joseph de Cluny teachers said that the best antidote to the poison was for us to pee on them! So we are all drinking plenty, so we have plenty of ammunition! They hadn't heard of anyone being stung for 18 years, so think we are safe. Did see them in the aquarium, and they just look like little rocks with algae on, so hope we don't meet any.

This is St Joseph's cathedral, where we spent some nice quiet time.

Here we are arriving at the museum of the history of Noumea - very interesting.

first day at school

What a long day it has been. We had to be at school by 7.00am to meet with homestay children. We were a bit late, having had to lug suitcases along the street, with the heat rising rapidly. However, we got organised soon and had three classes, although some had a free period!
We got sandwiches for lunch - half a baguette, a cake, fruit and a drink. We had this beside the beach, then got the bus into the centre of town, where we visited the museum of Noumea, giving us the history of the city.
They learned the meaning of a penal settlement - it wasn't what they imagined it may have been. After that we went to St Joseph's Cathedral, which had been built by the first bishop of Noumea. We hadn't been able to get to Mass the previous day because everyone was so tired.
Next stage was shopping - but probably a bit disappointing because things are quite expensive. However, most are realising they don't have to buy on the first day and they will get a chance to return.
We then returned to school to wait to be picked up. Everyone was a little apprehensive, but the welcome has been overwhelming, nothing is a problem, and they are going out of their way to do things for us and help us. The families and the children all seem so lovely, that we can't anticipate any problems fitting in.
Tomorrow will be another early start (as every day is), but they will be tired again tonight. Hotter than yesterday, which adds to the apprehension.
However, all is well. Bisous a tous.

This is at a shrine to Mary, where there is a big statue of her, a large cross, and a little grotto with flowers and candles. There are also lots of prayers of gratitude for things. In the inside of this fare are the Stations of the Cross.

This is the little train we took in the afternoon because not all our rooms were ready immediately. It showed us around many parts of the town.

This is when we arrived at Tontouta airport. Dressed for cool, but it was quite muggy, although overcast and had been a lot of rain.

Sorry these go in reverse order - the photos ended up ahead of each other and I couldn't shift them to correct order.

Tonight is packing up night ready for 6.30 breakfast, 6.45 leaving here to be at school to meet host family children at 7.00, and school begins at 7.30.

nous sommes en Nouvelle-Caledonie!

Exciting day yesterday, but very tiring, and early bed last night. Relaxing start to the morning - six had a long swim in the pool, and we are about to go on a bus tour of the city - different from yesterday's. Then back to the pool, meal together and early bed before we leave here at 6.45 in the morning to go to school.
Salut tout le monde.

27/9/08

I'm at Auckland airport at the moment on this really wierd computer lol.
I got like a 15 minute sleep last night (this morning) and I'm soo tired. We're going through customs soon and we leave at 8 for Noumea. I think we're going out for tea tonight yay haha well I'll blog again when I gat there.
=]

Those who are going on the trip

These are the students who are so eagerly looking forward to getting away to New Caledonia. They will surely be hoping to get an early start over the rest of the school in the suntanning area.

NEW CALEDONIA!

leave in 11 days :)

Welcome to our website

This website will provide you with details of our trip to New Caledonia. It has been in the planning since November last year, and in two weeks we will be there.

You are welcome to read what appears here, and we would love to hear your comments and questions.