New Caledonia
New Caledonia

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    • Day 2

      Je suis arrive

      December 24, 2022 in New Caledonia ⋅ 🌧 26 °C

      I have arrived in Noumea to a beautiful sunny warm day with no wind. I am in the same hotel in virtually the same room. It will do just fine but I could do a lot better - just saying. The free wifi ran out almost immediately and my wonderful overseas Telstra phone service hasn’t reached the pacific islands yet - so I may have to buy a sim or something next week. Found the shops were still open so I went to a little one nearby I know well and bought some great stuff. I tried to buy a baguette but the shop keeper refused to sell it to me. When I asked why he knocked it on the counter and said ‘merde’ - is that the word for stale? Hehe!! Quite right too -no civilised French person would buy a baguette at 5pm in the evening…. Unpacked then took in the sunset with a beer on the Promenade. They are doing up the waterfront ala Kirra (in prime time) and it will be nice but - the palms and narrow beach have gone in favour of a Surfers P style boulevard and more sand - hey it’s back to Holloways soon!! Still - looks good for a dip (bob) tomorrow. I hope Santa is on song for you all!Read more

    • Day 4

      A plan

      December 26, 2022 in New Caledonia ⋅ 🌧 26 °C

      The weather was holding up this morning (rain overnight and a touch windier) so an early water taxi across to Ile Aux Canards was the plan. A tiny island less than 10 minutes boat ride away. I remember being horrified at the ‘got ya’ experience last time but a lot more relaxed this time. The taxi book in was a leisurely footpath affair (what could go wrong) with a beach pick up. It was actually a much more pleasant affair than the other official ferry office. Very friendly and quick! I remember the eye watering costs last time and the crowds. Going early I had the pick of the chairs and the package bought with the trip included a beach lounge and was very reasonable. Lovely morning, crystal clear water, a couple early beers and no sore feet due to reef shoes (total difference K - thanks). Really enjoyed the sojourn and will repeat this visit. Back to shore and a read at the pool. Got sent home after an hour as the rain set in. I write this 3 hours later and it is still steady. Had a wonderful filled baguette for lunch with some added wash rind for flavour. I have another mini baguette for brekkie tomorrow(the pain sac is amazing -keeps really fresh) and then it will be Le Marche brekkies onwards as they reopen from tomorrow . Big shout to Kerry again for the reef shoe discovery - it was at least 50% of making Ille deCanard a much better experience! Not sure much else will happen today as the rain is set - a few more restaurants are open today nearby so who knows…Read more

    • Day 63

      Lifou

      December 27, 2022 in New Caledonia ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C

      Lifou ist die größte wichtigste und bevölkerungsreichste Insel der Loyalitätsinseln im französischen Überseeterritorium Neukaledonien. Auf einer Fläche von rund 1.200 Quadratkilometer, die in 3 Stammesgebiete unterteilt ist, leben knapp 10.000 Bewohner Genau genommen ist Lifou keine Insel, sondern das größte, über dem Meeresspiegel liegende Korallenatoll der Welt.Read more

    • Day 5

      Action required - then settle back!

      December 27, 2022 in New Caledonia ⋅ 🌧 25 °C

      The drizzle yesterday arvo turned into rain in the evening then a full blown storm for most of the night. No light show but plenty of rain and wind. The morning was more set with the lightest drizzle and lighter wind. A nice baguette brekkie and quick provision shop then I had some work to do. I needed cash, a phone that works and pick up the car. Auto tellers and obtaining sim were major frustrations on my last trip so I headed out with an open mind….the nearby auto teller (that has never been forthcoming in the past) gushed money! The Post Office a couple of kilometres walk up the road was the first attempt of 3 last time to set up my phone. 10 mins and done this time! The car hire was across the road and last time I gave up applying for a car on the island as the additional deposit was 3x the fee. Booking on the Qantas site there was none of that ! A very reasonable cost compared to now prices in Oz. This morning has me with a surprised face!! I have been steeling myself for some time about driving a LH drive car on foreign roads. K has just reminded me it is not my first time - we had a go in La Grona in Northern Spain. I have no recollection and even photos she has dug up don’t help - it must have been awful! Anyway off I go in the drizzle in a manual on a tiny road. Went for a 20 km training circuit and sorted - everything on the wrong side and upside down!! Will drive to town tomorrow for a market breakfast and then more of a tour (note to self - turning left it is the far lane to aim for!!) Back to the hotel for a rewarding beer at the hotel pool - still a bit drizzley. A walk to a beach to the south buying an umbrella on the way. A nice dip then back to the pool as it had big umbrellas- still only a drizzle but enough to wet stuff. A quiet time and then see how far the weather lets me explore this evening.Read more

    • Day 64

      Noumea

      December 28, 2022 in New Caledonia ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C

      Noumea ist die Hauptstadt des französischen Überseegebietes Neukaledonien. Sie liegt auf einer 10 km langen, in vielen Buchten gegliederten Halbinsel im Südwesten der Hauptinsel Grande Terre. Rund 100.000 Einwohner leben heute in der Stadt, die 1854 als Port-de-France gegründet wurde und von deren Geschichte noch etliche Kolonialbauten zeugen. Der Hafen ist einer der größten geschützten Naturhäfen der Welt. Neben den Tourismus ist die Nickelverarbeitung die wichtigste Einkommensquelle. Noumea ist eine moderne, lebendige Stadt mit vielen Restaurants und guten Einkaufsmöglichkeiten.Read more

    • Day 6

      Noumea Ville

      December 28, 2022 in New Caledonia ⋅ 🌧 29 °C

      Drove to the city for brekkie at the market - Le Marche de Noumea. Small but always interesting. Great croque madame with cafe au lait (not a Theo coffee!!) has set me up nicely. Enjoyed the market - bought some chillies, a t shirt and a stubbie cooler (predictable 🙄) then walked around the (small) city centre. Quite tacky but with some character thrown in. Changed some currency then jumped back in the car and just followed the one way streets. I knew I wanted to end up at a super Super Marche (Auchon) that I had been to before. Parking was like Bunnings - where I struggle in ‘normal’ cars. However - in and bought a hot fresh baked baguette, some nice cheese and some oysters. I was tempted by the bottle shop (AMAZING selection of French wine inc Gigondas etc etc) - however I was saved by having left my passport in the boot! Home to a relaxing hour by the pool - baking in a returning sun. Lunch was oysters, all of the above and White Bordeaux. Streaky Bay oysters have nothing to worry about (just saying) but it was a treat just the same. Noumea chillies now! (good too). Long walk along the Promenade and a quick dip - rolling thunder sent me home quick smart. Back to the pool with the big umbrellas for a good read. Just a few drops so far but it does look ominous. Won’t venture far tonight - probably to my (very close) footpath cafe again. They will know my name soon!
      PS - the interweb doesn’t want upload this again tonight so…..tomorrow
      Read more

    • Day 7

      Out and about

      December 29, 2022 in New Caledonia ⋅ 🌧 26 °C

      The plan is go touring - follow the more scenic looking coastline for a while and see what it brings. Croissant for brekkie from a local small baker. The croissant was superb and I wish the same could be said about the ‘cafe au lait’…….it was as ordinary as it looked. Jumped in the car and followed my route as best as. I planned to go the longer of the two loops and it was good until I reached the second loop. The first bit took an hour and while I was keen on doing La Grande Boucle the second section narrowed to a single lane, gung ho local cowboys in big utes (hello FNQ) and desolate scenery. As soon as the ‘penal’ signs appeared I turned around! A lovely drive however and missing a turn outside the city meant I saw a lot of the northern suburbs that I could have done without. Back to the pool for another sun drenched hour then a baguette and cheese lunch. A long walk looking for a new southern beach (fail) saw me back at south Anse Vata beach for a final pacific swim - gorgeous but I wasn’t alone! Back to the pool and then prepare for dinner. Tonight I think maybe…….Read more

    • Day 75

      Noumea

      March 21, 2023 in New Caledonia ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

      Nous voici a Noumea, une escale inattendue mais très bien venue. Le lagon de Noumea est le plus grand du monde, et sa barrière de corail de 1600kms la seconde après la grande barrière d’Australie.
      A 09h15 nous embarquons sur un gros semi rigide en direction du phare Amédée qui signale une des passes d’entrée du lagon. Après 45 min de navigation dans une mer très formée nous arrivons sur l’îlot. Une nouvelle île paradisiaque absolument splendide. Nous grimpons les 232 marchés du phares pour découvrir une vue sur le lagon à couper le souffle. On pose nos serviettes sur la plage pour une séance snorkelling, une ballade palmée des plus belles avec beaucoup de tortues, de beaux poissons tropicaux et des coraux en bonne santé . Nous avons eu la chance de voir un rémora collé à la carapace d’une tortue, spectacle insolite.
      Côté négatif l’île est infestée de serpents tricot rayés qui vont et viennent sur la plage. Serpents au venin mortel (leur morsure équivaut à dix fois celle du cobra royal et 40 fois le crotale diamantin), ils ne sont pas du tout agressifs et restent très craintifs.
      Retour en ville vers 16h00, assez moche et sans intérêt…
      Read more

    • Day 75

      Insel Amedee

      March 21, 2023 in New Caledonia ⋅ 🌬 26 °C

      Heute sehr schönen Ausflug zur Insel Amedee gemacht, bekannt durch den Leuchtturm dort.
      Nach 45 Minuten mit dem Schnellboot dort angekommen, ein wahres Paradies mit weißen Stränden, glasklaren Wasser und vielen Fischen und Schildkröten.
      Der Leuchtturm ist der erste französische Stahlleuchtturm. Er wurde in Frankreich gebaut, in Paris aufgestellt und nachdem alles in Ordnung war, wieder auseinandergenommen und über Le Havre nach Neukaledonien verschifft.
      Hier wurde er dann von Häftlingen und Einheimischen aufgebaut und Mitte des 19. Jahrhunderts in Betrieb genommen.
      Er ist 57 Meter hoch und nach über 200 Stufen hat man es dann nach oben geschafft, mit wunderbarer Aussicht in alle Richtungen.
      Danach sind wir mit dem Glasbodenboot gefahren, es gab ein sehr gutes Mittagsbuffet, Tanzvorführungen und Schorcheln und Tauchen mit Schildkröten.
      Auch eine Schlange hat uns besucht.
      Am Ende fuhr aber das Boot eher als geplant zurück und ich war gerade bei der Inselumrundung. Bei meinem Lauf zum Schiff hab ich mir dann ganz am Ende auch noch eine ziemliche Zerrung geholt, hoffe, dass das nicht so lange anhält.
      Read more

    • Day 17

      Turtle Time

      October 24, 2023 in New Caledonia ⋅ 🌬 23 °C

      Ok, my local 3 followers, you may have noticed a skipped day. Let's put that down to a pub crawl followed by mixology tasting. Soda water for the rest of the cruise!
      Our ashore time was an afternoon affair which gave me time to freshen up before the choppy snap boat crossing to Signal Island. I'm eagerly awaiting the go-pro footage taken by our cruise buddy, Wayne. In the meantime here are some dodgy photos.Read more

    You might also know this place by the following names:

    Nouvelle-Calédonie, Nouvelle-Caledonie, Neukaledonien, New Caledonia, Nieu-Kaledonië, Kaledonia Foforo, ኒው ካሌዶኒያ, كاليدونيا الجديدة, Yeni Kaledoniya, Новая Каледонія, Нова Каледония, Kaledoni Koura, নিউ ক্যালেডোনিয়া, Kaledonia Nevez, Nova Kaledonija, Nova Caledònia, Nová Kaledonie, Caledonia Newydd, Ny Caledonien, New Kaledonia nutome, Νέα Καληδονία, Nov-Kaledonio, Nueva Caledonia, Uus-Kaledoonia, Kaledonia Berria, کالدونیای جدید, Nuwel Kaledonii, Uusi-Kaledonia, Ný-Kaledonia, An Nua-Chaladóin, Nova Caledonia, ન્યુ સેલેડોનિયા, Kaledoniya Sabuwa, קלדוניה החדשה, न्यू कैलेडोनिया, Új-Kaledónia, Nove Caledonia, Kaledonia Baru, Nýja-Kaledónía, Nuova Caledonia, ニューカレドニア, ახალი კალედონია, Nyukaledonia, Nutaaq Caledonia, ನ್ಯೂ ಕ್ಯಾಲಿಡೋನಿಯಾ, 뉴칼레도니아, Kaledonya mupya, Kaledoni ya sika, ນິວຄາລິໂຄເນຍ, Naujoji Kaledonija, Kaledoni wa mumu, Jaunkaledonija, Нова Каледонија, പുതിയ കാലിഡോണിയ, न्यू कॅलेडोनिया, နယူး ကယ်လီဒိုနီးယား, Ny-Caledonia, नयाँ कालेडोनिया, Nieuw-Caledonië, ନୂତନ କାଲେଡୋନିଆ, Nowa Kaledonia, Nova Caledônia, Niyukaledoniya, Noua Caledonie, Новая Каледония, Ođđa-Kaledonia, Finî Kaledonïi, නව කැලිඩෝනියාව, Nová Kaledónia, Nya Kaledonien, நியூ கேலிடோனியா, క్రొత్త కాలెడోనియా, นิวแคลิโดเนีย, Niu Kaletōnia, Yeni Kaledonya, Нова Каледонія, نیو کلیڈونیا, Orílẹ́ède Kaledonia Titun, 新喀里多尼亚, i-New Caledonia

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