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| My local beach |
So for xmas and New years I this time travelled to New Caledonia and Vanuatu. Two island countries in the South Pacific. Well, Caledonia is technically not a country since it is still under french control but since they have their own currency and own flag I consider it a country. This post will be about New Caledonia.
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| Sun goes down also in New Caledonia |
When you hear New Caledonia you might think... well at least I did... so where is then the old or original Caledonia? It turns out that it is actually an old name for Scotland. Obviously the first europeans who came thought it looked a bit like Scotland. The french made it their colony. When the brits send their convicts to Australia and New Zealand the french sent their to NC. It turned out there was also lots of Nickel here which has made the country rich. As with Aussie and NZ the government wanted people to move here to build up the country so many frenchmen also moved here voluntarily. The french today is the largest group of the population.
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| Riviera feeling 1 |
As a tourist destination you get struck by four things
- It's rediciously expensive
Food and drinks as well as taxi is about 50% above Australia
- It's very well developed
Roads, buildings, cars, buses. All is modern
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| Riviera feeling 2 |
- It's very french
The feeling you get here is actually not being on a secluded south pacific island but rather being on the Mediterranean riviera. Lots of exclusive boats, people speak french, signs are in french and even most of the food have a french touch.
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| Riviera feeling 3 |
- People seem happy
The original ethnicity, the kanaks, are often gathered in big groups on the beach or in a park, always seeming to having a good time. Although they do have lower incomes and higher unemployment rates there are no beggars and it feels extremely safe on the streets.
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| Locals in the central park of Noumea |
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| Always important to make friends with the locals |
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| Day trip to Amadee Island for some pacific feeling |
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| I like when the local beer has a name that is easy to remember! |
To me NC was a "been there done that" place. Nothing wrong, not at all. But also not a place you would fall in love with
Another of my new local friends!! A bit shy though..
Cheers!
