AUTHOR’S NOTE

Located in the heart of the South Pacific, New Caledonia lies east of Australia and northwest of New Zealand. A large archipelago over 500kms in length, New Caledonia is composed of the mainland, the Isle of Pines and the Loyalty Islands. Like a pearl nestled in its shell, it is surrounded by an immense coral reef protecting it from the depths and swells of the sea. With its profusion of native flora, fauna, and a richly diverse marine environment, it still remains one of the most beautiful sites in the world.

Apart from the historical figures and well known places mentioned in the text, all of the characters and locations are fictional.