Monday 29 October Iles des Pines

We're back in the Iles des Pines almost a year to the day since we first came here. Captain Cook sailed in in 1774 and named it Island of Pines because of the pine trees that cover it. The local name is Kunie and the French translated Cook's name.



Kuto Bay from Pic Nga




view to south



water station built by convicts



white sand of Kuto beach

 Kuto Bay is glorious; a long swathe of the whitest, finest sand backed by the eponymous trees and colours that are so intense a photo fails to do them justice.
When we arrived yesterday afternoon the bay was packed – at least 14 yachts and locals from Noumea who had come for the day or weekend. This morning a number of yachts have left and the beach is almost deserted.
Last year we climbed to the top of the highest peak, Pic Nga, and returned by the long route. Time to do it again but this time we know where the return path comes out on the road and to make sure to have plenty of water. If you do a route, or take the same journey twice, the second time always seems to be shorter. It was the same today. It was 4 ½ miles in 2 and a bit hours with a climb to 280m and it felt like a stroll (and not because we're fitter. We're not.).
The views from the top of Pic Nga are wonderful, not awesome. That word's reserved for volcanoes, etc.