October 2005

Hello everyone,

Tonight, it's for me a "knightly vigil" in Moselle Bay.
Tomorrow, on the morning's high tide, I will pull Banana Split out of the water to repaint its hull and to store it for a few weeks : after spending two months and a half deepening my knowledge of New Caledonia, it is time again to fly back to France, to face the part of my job that is not the one I like best, the promotion of my works . So I cheer myself up in advance by reviewing a few of the stops I've made during these last weeks :

Taking advantage of a temporary weakening of the Trade winds, I went on sailing along New Caledonia's Western shore, making a few stops at desert islands, Grimoult island, Tenia islet, in Bourail, Mosquito Bay or Papaya bay.

A stop, as short as possible, off the big town of Noumea, and soon I am sailing towards the Isle of Pines, with a short stop, on my way, in the fabulous lagoon that surrounds the small hilly island called Grand Mato, home only to hundreds of "tricot rayé" snakes ( literally : "striped pullover") that warm themselves in the sun : their venom, it is said, is much stronger than the venom of cobras. but they never bite except if you really insist on teasing them !

And here is the Isle of Pines again. I was a little worried at the impact that could have been felt here from the shooting of a big production for French TV, the equivalent of "Survivor". All said and done, the island's inhabitants are wise people, they have taken advantage of the temporary jobs that have been created, and of the heavy investments the local government has made on this occasion, then they have watched all these people go away again, and have taken again to their peaceful life, not having been changed at all !
So I've found, intact again, my favourite spots, Gadgi Bay, for instance, and the happiness I feel when I beach my boat, with each tide, on the vast sand bank next to my favourite small island in Oro Bay Have I told you that since my first visit to this idyllic bay, a small luxury hotel has been built there ...But in true respect of the environment and of the local "custom" which Melanesians are much attached to. And this patch of Paradise is a hit with a wealthy and discreet clientele, essentially made of Japanese honeymoon couples who take her the trip of their life.

I've also discovered a few spots I had missed before, such as beautiful Ami islet, the south-easternmost part of New Caledonia; I have also finally entered a little visited bay, Bay of Gu, that could make a perfect shelter in case of a hurricane.

Three days from now, I will be in the plane to Paris, where I will preside over the jury of the first Festival for Environmental Films, then I will give a series of lectures to present my new film -Tahiti, return to Paradise-, that will be available very soon in English on DVD (in a standard that works both for Europe and America !).

That's all for today, Bye for now