Celebrity Solstice - day 4 - Lifou, Loyalty Islands, New Caledonia - part 1

Saturday was our first port day, in Lifou, located in the Loyalty Islands, New Caledonia.

They were moving the lifeboat that is just off our balcony, so Carl was watching/supervising (as were many other of the veranda passengers on this side of the ship!).

This one would not be used for tendering passengers to the island, so it was returned to its place on the ship... a video of it coming aboard here: https://youtu.be/9dfGXf7FHX8

Carl had wanted to experience having breakfast on our veranda, so we ordered room service coffee, tea, and toast for Saturday morning -- a collection of pictures can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/1sTNbaDgAKM

The island looked like it had dense foliage...

... adding to the reason for identifying it in Melanesia (dark islands).

One of the lifeboats that was to act as a tender to transfer passengers from the ship to the island and back

We were cautioned to protect the island by not taking items that they view as a risk to their environment.

When we were ready to travel to the island, we went to an area off the atrium and picked up a tender ticket. We had just a short wait before our group was called.

Before getting off the ship, we snap a picture of the time schedule by which we need to return to the ship! Don't rely on our memories!

On the tender, leaving the Solstice

We don't get this view when we're on the ship -- our cabin in on the row right above the orange lifeboats that you can see on the side of the ship.

The wharf for tenders

Getting off the tender onto the wharf

A look back out at the Solstice

We planned to walk to a church that was located on the headland in this picture.

Looking the other way down the coast - sandy beaches, some rocks, and some swimming/snorkeling areas

It was quite hot and humid... more in the next post!