Eighty
kilometres south-east of Noumea lies the enchanting Isle of Pines (14 km wide,
18 km long) a place where time seems to stand still.
As the name implies, the island has a truly distinctive pine tree skyline which is beautifully offset against perfect white sandy beaches and turqoise lagoons. There are also several small islets within the islands protective reef.
The islands landscape consists of spectacular natural colours of white sand, green, blue water and lush green vegetation. The island is also beautiful under water as there are spectacular colourful corals and fish.
Often
called the 'Jewel of the Pacific', the contemporary name was given by English
explorer Captain James Cook. To the indigenous population (the Kunies) the
island is known as Kunié.
In the past this island was once a convict settlement for political prisoners from Paris and then later became a ordinary prison for preventative detainess. The convicts became known as the 'wretches in paradise' because they were mainly thieves, beggars, tramps and alcoholics taken off the streets of France. The prison finally closed and the island was fully handed back to the Kunies.
Vao on the islands southern most tip is the only real village. The islands
sole church dominates the village centre.
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