Pacific Dawn anchored at Lifou, New Caledonia

We recently went on a Mexican Riviera cruise (now, I know that sounds like I am showing off, but there is a point to my story, honestly!)

Anyway, while chatting with other cruisers (almost all of whom were North Americans), I said that we had cruised to the South Pacific 4 times.

One of them said how much they wanted to cruise the Pacific, and how lucky we were to be able to sail to the South Pacific and back on a seven day cruise.

And it struck me then that they were right … the Pacific is our playground, and it is astounding!

So this week, pics that we’ve taken in the Pacific – many of them on cruise ships.

The first is of the Pacific Dawn, anchored off Lifou, in the Loyalty Islands of New Caledonia.

Lifou is a raised coral atoll, or makatea – and is a truly glorious spot.

It is a regular stop for many cruise ships – and it has some of the best shore-side snorkelling in the region.

Especially good is Jinek Bay … crystal clear water, abundant sea-life, and even some sea-snakes which are largely harmless – they are highly venomous, but have such small fangs that they would have trouble biting a human, except in areas like finger webbing – so just don’t try to handle them and you should be ok 🙂

And it has some picture-postcard views like this – a picture of the Pacific Dawn (in her old all-white livery) taken on our first-ever cruise in 2011.