Things I learned about New Caledonia and Nouméa 
~ People speak French all the time to you
French all the time to you~ Most didn’t revert to English unless I did first
~ They are very accommodating with accent and mistakes – so many second and third language French speakers from all over the world live and travel here
~ There’s lots of construction and new things being developed
~ In true French style, it’s very quiet on Sundays and at lunchtime
~ The weather was perfect – May is an ideal time to be in NC – it’s shoulder season – the weather is still warm and there’s less rain
The weather was perfect – May is an ideal time to be in NC – it’s shoulder season – the weather is still warm and there’s less rain~ Wastage is important – respect produce and only take and use what you need
~ Things can take longer – there is an islander aspect to service
~ People are very welcoming of travellers
~ Most visitors appeared to be from France with some from NZ, Aus and Japan
~ New Cal is very popular with Japanese visitors and there’s direct flights to Tokyo with Air Calin
with Air Calin~ It’s great to fly Air Calin into NC for a full French and island arrival experience
It’s great to fly Air Calin into NC for a full French and island arrival experience~ Always have a pain au choc on hand for emergency snacks
on hand for emergency snacks~ Restaurants don’t tend to open until 6:30 or 7.00pm, so a midday main meal is a good idea or otherwise you can find some snack places / bistro / bar type places that open through the afternoon
Restaurants don’t tend to open until 6:30 or 7.00pm, so a midday main meal is a good idea or otherwise you can find some snack places / bistro / bar type places that open through the afternoon~ Lots of local people I spoke to said the TRUE New Caledonia can only be discovered outside of Nouméa. I am SO looking forward to exploring outside the capital and showcasing the different experiences and cultures and sights away from the main city!
~ NCs travel to Australia for shopping and other things often, there are lots of connections between our two countries – it’s so close but feels a world away
for shopping and other things often, there are lots of connections between our two countries – it’s so close but feels a world away~ It’s expensive – sure. But rather than converting everything and feeling ripped off – reframe it and acknowledge that most things are flown in so there’s a lot of added costs there. Plus it’s easier to compare prices on the ground – this coffee from this cafe compared to that one etc
I’ll do another post soon with some costs of things I bought!
of things I bought!
What would you like to know about Nouméa and New Caledonia?