New Caledonia –Grande Terre Island (Noumea) and the Island of Lifou

After two days at sea after Sydney, we arrived in Noumea, New Caledonia – an Overseas Department of France.  From reports of various friends, we were expecting hot, humid, and uncomfortable weather.  Pleasantly surprised by nice weather in mid-80s.  We had not planned anything specific. No one from our Cruise Critics group had planned any tours. 

We got tickets for a hop-on-hop-off shuttle in the Cruise Terminal.  Melbourne cruising friends mentioned a good Aquarium with local sea life.  Very glad we stopped to go through the Aquarium – it opened just as we got there so we were among the first visitors of the day.  Tanks were well marked in French and English.  The Aquarium concentrated on local sea life. We saw Nautilus for the first time – not just their empty shells.  An outdoor tank held local sea turtles.  This was a small but well laid out Aquarium.  Spent much more time here than we anticipated. 

From here we walked along the beach and found a small café with great baguette sandwiches – very French! Back on the shuttle to ride around the loop again – stopping at a shopping center where we found a very good bakery/patisserie where we just “had to have” an opera cake.  Back on the bus for a ride back to the downtown where we walked in the main square and found a café with Diabolo Menthe – a favorite drink from France that is great in warm weather – mint syrup with lemon/lime soda.  May sound strange but it is excellent!  This was really Paris in the Pacific! 

The ship left Noumea late for our short sail to the island of Lifou.  This stop was mainly for beach-time and for those who wanted to snorkel.   The small village near the tender stop had many locals selling crafts, food, and clothing under open-air structures and canopies.  Several were selling short shuttle trips on the island.  We took one to the local church, to a traditional hut, and to a viewpoint.  The driver only spoke French – besides his local dialect - so having my translator with me was very handy – and much appreciated by the other people in the van!  After M.E. took a short dip in the ocean, we headed back to the ship – weather was nice.

On to Vanuatu!