Something New!

Our 1-yr Australia VISA requires that we leave the country within 3 months. It’s time to move on to something NEW! So, we’re flying to New Caledonia!
New Caledonia is a French territory, an idyllic archipelago (group of islands) about 750 miles east of Australia in the Pacific Ocean, about the size of New Jersey. It truly is a stunning tropical paradise with palm-fringed white sand beaches, majestic mountains, lush rainforests, coral reefs and over 140 islands.

New Caledonia is home to the world’s largest lagoon - a UNESCO World Heritage Site - at over 9,000 square miles, is one of the three largest barrier reef systems in the world. The marine biodiversity found here is exceptional with green, hawksbill, loggerhead and leatherback turtles, tropical birds, rare crabs and, for part of the year, humpback whales. The New Caledonian Sea Krait is a beautiful banded but venomous snake whose bite, tho rare, can be fatal. (10X more toxic than a rattlesnake). Yes – we saw several of various sizes along the shore.

The National Bird of New Caledonia is the endangered Kagu - a rare flightless bird at home on the forest floor. This large bird (22”) has pale bluish-gray feathers, long orange beak and legs, and if you are lucky, they can put on quite a show with their top crest and large striped wings.

We stayed in Nouméa, the country’s capital on Grand Terre, the main island. Casa del Sole was the perfect place – right at the popular beach for swimming and good snorkeling (so many clown fish!), great views from our balcony, numerous restaurants to choose from (good to the last bite!) and Les 3 Brasseurs just down the street with good dark beer and tasty Flammenkueches.

Around three-fifths of the almost 300,000 New Caledonians live in the Noumea area. (OK, you math-wiz Gkids, how many is that??) The indigenous Kanaks, with a rich history of wood-carving, make up over 40% of the population; the rest are a melting pot of European, Tahitian, Indonesian, Vietnamese and more.

We rented a car for the week to explore Grand Terre: the western “cowboy” farming communities, secluded coves and beaches, museums, parks, rainforests and mountains. The Tjabaou Cultural Centre highlighted the traditional Kanak Grand Hut design, rich history and art. We also took

a day trip out to Amedee Island for more amazing snorkeling (several turtles & sea kraits), a lighthouse & more beach time.

New Caledonia has one of the world’s largest nickel ore reserves in the world (needed to make stainless steel & electric car batteries). In fact, the country’s economy has primarily relied on processing and exporting nickel since the first mining expedition in 1875. However, foreign competition, environmental challenges and political powers have created economic turmoil. The collapse of the nickel industry along with proposed electoral reforms (separatists vs French loyalists) has led New Caledonia to the brink of a civil war. Per news reports, seems we left just in time! Wish we would have taken some pics of some of the activities we witnessed with local tensions and the heightened security & guards brought in from France.

Time to go back home to Nutmeg.
XOXOXOXO
Gma & Gpa