New Caledonia

Noumea, New Caledonia – February 28, 2014

Yay….more dancers greeting us on the quay!!

Yummmmmm! We can already feel the French influence here in this very European-like city….even before we take our first sip of cappuccino or our first nibble of a croissant. Who knew that there was a little slice of Paris sitting out here in the South Pacific!?! Yep….Noumea has been labeled as the “Paris of the Pacific.” No surprise there! The trick will be to see how much of our French we can remember.

The barrier reef that stretches along the coast of New Caledonia is second in size to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef and was named by UNESCO in 2008 to the World Heritage List. Also like Australia, New Caledonia spent some of its early years as a penal colony.

It is sometimes challenging for tourists to make themselves understood. Our friend Ginny heard about the fabulous snorkeling at nearby Ile aux Canards (Duck Island.) She managed to get herself onto a bus going in that direction, but didn’t know how to tell the driver (who spoke no English) where she wanted to get off. So she started quacking at him….and he seemed to get the idea! As they drove along, she would emit an occasional “Quack, quack!” to remind him of her stop!! And voila!! Ginny enjoyed an excellent day on Duck Island!!

Queen Victoria did not leave the port of Noumea until later in the evening so Chuck and I headed south of the city to Baie des Citrons. This is a beach community reminiscent of the South of France. The long expanse of beautiful beach is lined with open-air restaurants and is known for its nightlife. I read that the beach is clothing-optional….but since we arrived after dark, I can’t really attest to that. While not sounding terribly French, “Duke’s” provided just the atmosphere (and free Wifi!!!) we were looking for….and gave us a good photo to send to our Duke-educated daughter! Sarah, this one’s for you….