Information Office Point I : Just 50m. in front of the church, in the village square, Vao, is Point I. It is staffed by a well-travelled Kunie, Marie-Jeanne, who, in addition to her own native language, speaks English, French, Italian, Czech and Polish.

Office hours are from
8-11.30am and 2-4pm, Monday to Saturday.

• Isle of Pines French Survivor Series

The 2005 French Survivor television series, Koh Lanta, filmed on Isle of Pines, finished on a high note the second week of September.

Nokanhui, the island’s famous atoll, was the scene of the last contest where the youngest competitor, 20 year-old Clemence, displayed enormous self-control remaining unflinchingly on a wooden pole for more than 45 minutes. The seven other finalists afterwards unanimously voted her the winner.

100,000 Euros (approx. $130,000 US) will give the young university sports major a good start in her professional life.

The 13-episode programme, shown in France and New Caledonia, was a definite advertising fillip for Isle of Pines. 8 and a half million viewers were estimated to have watched the final screening.

• Kudos for Kuto Beach

Readers of a Japanese travel magazine, Umi to Shima no Tabi (Sea and Island Travels), recently elected Kuto beach “the world’s most beautiful beach 2005”. Neighbouring Kanumera ranked 8th. The monthly magazine’s circulation is 150,000.

• Study in New Zealand

Two young Kunie women have just set off to further their English studies in New Zealand. They are among 11 New Caledonians awarded bursaries for up to a year under the N.Z. Government Aid program. Madeleine Douépéré, ground hostess at the island’s airport, is studying at Waiariki Institute of Technology in Rotorua, and Corinne Kombouaré, head waitress at the Meridien Hotel, has joined Aoraki International College in Timaru.