Today we headed into town to visit the markets. The students had to purchase their bus tickets from the driver in French and had to pay using the local currency. They then spent some time looking through the local stalls as well as the fresh fruit market where they had to converse in French as much as possible to the stall holders. They looked at all the items and foods and practised their maths by converting from XPF back to AUD. It was interesting to see some of the prices of things here compared to Australia.
We then headed over to the museum where the students had a look at some of the local history. They were able to look at a replica hut that the locals lived in as well as a lot of the totems, boat and tools that were used in daily island life. They were also able to look at some exhibits from the surrounding Pacific Island nations like Vanuatu, Fiji and Papua New Guinea and look at some of the similarities and differences between the neighbouring cultures.
After this we had some lunch and went for a wander through the Latin Quarter of town. The students had been told about a local french chocolatier and so were keen to find it. We searched high and low for about 10 mins before we decided to just ask a local. We were promptly pointed in the right direction and we got to have a look at them making some chocolates as well as purchase a few too (of course).
We then headed back to the hotel for a 2-hour mid afternoon French session with Madame Anderson where the students worked through some of the language they have learnt here as well as some that they will need for dinner tonight.
Tonight we are off to dinner at L’eau Vive Restaurant which is run by the local nuns. We will all be expected to ask and answer the nuns in French using their correct titles.
After dinner we will be off to bed for another early night as we have a busy day tomorrow at the Tjibaou Centre and then a visit to a local supermarket to purchase a picnic lunch using their French.