New Caledonia

New Caledonia was far and away our favorite stop which neither of us expected going into this trip. This is a French territory in the South Pacific and the French influence is very strong. I personally really loved the island for the beauty and the specific plants and animals that live only here.

They have a bird here, which we did not see, that cannot fly and barks and hisses. Their national bird also can build tools with its beak similar to the level of primates. The trees I am standing with are a type of pine only found here and as we sailed up looked like seaweed springing out of the mountains.

In the morning we did the Tchu Tchu train tour which went around the island and had two stops. They have many bays in New Caledonia (Latin for new Scotland according to our guide) one of which is named orphan bay. New Caledonia started off as an island for French political prisoners, so at one point they sent a girls orphanage here to marry the political prisoners which is how one of the main bays got the name.

The natives here are called the Kanaks. The Kanak flag is the flag you will see flying here along with the French flag, and there is a movement to rename the territory the Kanak Republic.

They have had multiple votes to gain independence from France, but after 3 votes they have continued to elect to say a territory. It is a current movement in the country so it would be interesting to see if that changes soon. All residents here have full French passports and full access to the EU. They are full French citizens and have access to their health care. This differs from American Samoa in the sense American Samoans do not have full US passports and are not considered US citizens.

There was so much to do here, and somewhere I hope I can get back to one day.Read more