Overall, our holiday adventure on a traditional outrigger during the Pirogue trip was lots of fun. Even though it was a bit disappointing not having a guide to teach us all about the history of the traditional outriggers and the Melanesian culture on the tranquil waters. For the price we were paying we were expecting to learn a few things. In the end we just saw lots of beautiful things.

It seemed that all the guides spoke very limited English. Whilst they appreciated our efforts to try and speak French, and my ability to understand the basics, they were there to take us on a sight-seeing sail. Their job was not to teach us about the culture of their gorgeous island.

Our skipper did have a big smile on his face when he saw the way two tiny tourists jumped on his boat. But he wasn’t expecting to have sailors onboard. He was pleasantly surprised when Lara asked to have a turn with the mainsheet the first second she saw the sail flap.

Of course anything Lara does, Olivia can do too. So she needed a turn with the mainsheet. Once the kids were on it, so were Mark and I. Even though Mark had sailed all the way from Sydney to Noumea only days before.

I think it’s fair to say that the family’s biggest take away from this sailing adventure was that we saw manta rays dancing right next to us. This completed the whole Moana experience. We also talked to the turtles that swam along with us, and tried to pat them because they were so close. And we marveled at the amazing coral formations spotted along the bay.

We may have encouraged our skipper to race the other boats. When I say ‘we’ I’m referring to the small, competitive speed demon children.

This was by no means an inexpensive adventure, but it certainly was an enjoyable one.

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