Mint Mocha Musings

The hotelier's wife: an expat affair around the globe

  • Home
  • About Mint Mocha Musings
    • Contact Nicole
  • Blog Posts
    • Asian Adventures
    • Pacific Playgrounds
    • Expat Encounters
    • Repatriation Realities
    • Hotel Confessions
    • Motherhood Moments
    • Media Matters
    • China Culture
  • Work With Me
  • My Books!
    • My BOOKS
  • You’ll Find Me At….
    • Reviews/Interviews
    • Sunday Life
    • Sydney Morning Herald
    • Australian Hotelier Magazine
    • Mamamia
    • Kidspot
    • Essential Baby/Essential Kids
    • Huffington Post
    • FairPlanet.Org
    • Hong Kong Moms
    • JumpStart Magazine Hong Kong
    • AsiaSpa Magazine
    • W Hotel Hong Kong
    • Women With Words Hong Kong
    • The HK Hub
    • Expat Focus
    • SASSYmama/SASSYHongKong
    • Playtimes Magazine
    • Expats blog: an experience shared
    • expat blog
  • Snap of the Day in China
  • Word of the Week
  • Sponsored Posts/Reviews & Partnerships
  • Free Updates, Tips & Giveaways!
  • Travel Asia
    • China
      • Xi’an
      • Shanghai
      • Beijing
      • Guilin
      • Shenzhen
      • Hangzhou
      • Chengdu
      • Luoyang
      • Sanya
      • Guangzhou
    • Tibet
    • Hong Kong
    • Macau
    • Thailand
    • Singapore
  • Travel Pacific
    • New Caledonia
    • Fiji
  • Expats Transferring $$ Home
You are here: Home / Mint Mocha Musings / The Paris of the Pacific: Is New Caledonia Worth Visiting?

The Paris of the Pacific: Is New Caledonia Worth Visiting?

by Nicole Webb

Visit New Caledonia

If you’re expecting cobbled-stoned lane ways, an abundance of outdoor cafes where you perch on chairs squeezed together around a minuscule table, just big enough to fit your mini espresso and pain au chocolat, whilst you gaze longingly at an exquisite monument that whispers a thousand tales — then no, New Caledonia is nothing like Paris.

But it is French! Oui Oui!

While it was actually discovered by Captain Cook in 1774, in 1853, under the orders of Napoleon the 3rd, the French took control and Noumea was founded as Port-de-France.

Trivial fact #1: It became a penal colony until around the late 1800’s with about 22,000 criminals and political prisoners sent here.

Trivial Fact #2: In 1849, the crew of the American ship Cutter was killed and eaten by the Pouma clan. Cannibilism was apparently widespread!

I digress…..

New Caledonia location

An archipelago, Nouvelle Caledonie is a cluster of islands in the Pacific Ocean and just a very short 2.5 hour flight from Australia (3 hours from New Zealand). So if you’re in this part of the world, it definitely can’t be overlooked as a super easy getaway destination.

If you’re not, it’s still a gorgeous part of the globe to visit.

Today, its community is largely made up of Melanesians and Europeans. French is spoken everywhere, even in the most secluded villages. (Great if you want to improve that school yard French). If only I could stop saying ‘Xie Xie’.

Small Person and I were piggybacking on the hotelier’s work trip (as you do), so he met us in Noumea and drove us north to our first stop: The Sheraton Deva located in Bourail!

Sheraton in New Caledonia

He’d just come back from il de Pins, or Isle of Pines, which is a 20 minute flight from Noumea and a popular tourist’s choice which he tells me lives up to the idyllic hype.

New Caledonia is 18,000 sq kilometres, so it’s pretty sizeable and we had a three hour drive north to our destination. Most of it was through the countryside, passing through the occasional small French town.

Just between you and me, the hotelier (who drives like he’s still in China) in a hire car, on the wrong side of the car, and wrong side of the road was a little precarious!

We may have mounted a curb and arrived with a flat tyre!

Nonetheless, we arrived, in tact.  😉

Surprisingly dry, arid and mountainous, the Sheraton Deva backs onto these spectacular ruddy peaks and is flanked by a sparkling, turquoise ocean….. And breathe.

mountains in Bourail

It’s also in the middle of nowhere, so is the perfect place to unwind and just let yourself be.

Pacific Islands Travel

But don’t despair if you can’t lie around the pool for longer than three cocktails. The resort has tonnes of activities plus a world class ‘magnifique’ golf course (if that’s your thing). I was more at home grabbing one of the bikes they keep outside your bungalow and cycling around the resort, mostly in the direction of the spa! There’s also a fully equipped kid’s club…(bonus) snorkelling, scuba diving, kayaking, a glass bottom boat tour… and to my child’s delight (until she found out you need to be at least ten), horse riding!

Sheraton Hotel New Caledonia

After four nights, it was time to head back to Noumea for destination number 2. If you’re craving more action, this is the place to be. A city about the size of Cairns in Australia, it’s not too dissimilar in appearance.

To me, it didn’t feel as French as I’d hoped, but then I was benchmarking it against Paris. The hotelier tells me it reminds him of holidays as a kid in southern France.

Home to a stunning harbour, Noumea serves as the chief port for New Caledonia, so there are boats of every shape and size bobbing about, not to mention a couple of ocean cruise liners docked!

Visit Noumea

Le Meridien is right on the beach and while it’s technically in the city, it’s definitely got that resort feel and has a more tropical ambience compared to it’s northern sister.

It is the middle of winter, but temps were still pretty warm. The pool was slightly on the icy side, but that didn’t stop small person from jumping right in, again, and again!

Tropical Paradise Noumea

There are plenty of restaurants outside the hotel. And of course the food on the island is pretty delicious, especially my favourite indulgence, Le Fromage! After consuming my body weight in French cheese and French wine, and then this….chocolate fondant, it was definitely time to hit the gym.

Chocolate Fondant

Noumea also has a casino if you want to lay your chips down, plenty of museums and a few markets.

While this island of norfolk pines and palms is by no means a cheap holiday destination (like, for instance, Bali, where you can eat outside the hotels for a mere pittance) it definitely makes up for it in appeal and sophistication.

Visit Noumea New Caledonia

So, if time isn’t on your side and you just want to escape the daily grind for some R & R with or without the kids, this tropical oasis is totally worth a trip with a difference.

This is New Caledonia.

 

Related Posts

  • Bula! Is Fiji Worth Putting on Your Travel List?Bula! Is Fiji Worth Putting on Your Travel List?
  • Singapore: Slick, Sophisticated and Sassy – but does it lack Soul?Singapore: Slick, Sophisticated and Sassy – but does it lack Soul?
  • Typhoon Utor turns Hong Kong into a Ghost TownTyphoon Utor turns Hong Kong into a Ghost Town
  • A high price to pay…A high price to pay…
  • Homeland…Homeland…
  • China’s Culture Club: Flower Power, Fruit Platters and Laughing Gas!China’s Culture Club: Flower Power, Fruit Platters and Laughing Gas!

Enjoyed that post? If so, why not sign up to Mint Mocha Musings so you don't miss a thing! Updates, Tips and Freebies

The following two tabs change content below.
  • Bio
  • Latest Posts
My Twitter profileMy Facebook profileMy LinkedIn profileMy Instagram profile

Nicole Webb

Nicole is a journalist and writer (former News Reader with Sky News Australia) who, back in 2010, took a leap of faith and embarked on a journey to the city that never sleeps, Hong Kong! Fast forward four years, and Nicole, her hotelier husband and toddler stepped things up a notch and moved to Central China, where they lived in Xi'an for 2.5 years. Back in Sydney after a whirlwind adventure, Nicole continues her musings! Check out Mint Mocha Musings for plenty of intriguing, humorous and uplifting tales from her expat life in Asia so far. You can also find her on Twitter: @nicoledwebb. and Instagram at Mint Mocha Musings.
My Twitter profileMy Facebook profileMy LinkedIn profileMy Instagram profile

Latest posts by Nicole Webb (see all)

  • Back to School: Helping Children to Adjust During the Coronavirus Pandemic -
  • China Blonde Musings -
  • CHINA BLONDE: How a newsreader’s search for adventure led to friendship, acceptance….and peroxide pandemonium in China. -

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)

Like this:

Like Loading...

Filed Under: Hotel Confessions, Mint Mocha Musings, Pacific Playgrounds Tagged With: Le Meridien, New Caledonia, Noumea, Sheraton Deva, South Pacific travel

Search here …

Order China Blonde here!

http://www.nicolewebbonline.com

Expats – Need to Transfer Money Home?

sending money home

NordVPN

Need a VPN

ClearFx Currency Converter Add this to your site
Australians living in Hong Kong
Support for repatriation!
Paperblog
Australian Women Bloggers Directory by Blog Chicks
Tripoto
Expat Interview
iCompareFX.com Expat Blog Awards 2017
Follow
Top 20 Expats Blogs 2017

VOTE NOW

Banners for Asian Expat Blogs Award 2018

Follow Me on Twitter!

  • RT @JKCorden: This is the content I’m here for. Wait for it... x https://t.co/BMBjI6wrlC about 4 hours ago from Twitter for iPhone ReplyRetweetFavorite
  • Revisiting Wuhan a year after the coronavirus hit the city  | The World from PRX https://t.co/SNYBMrwEkh about 11 hours ago from Twitter for iPhone ReplyRetweetFavorite
  • RT @mazymixer: Today is the 21st day of the 21st year of the 21st century. 04:36:19 PM January 22, 2021 from Twitter for iPhone ReplyRetweetFavorite
@nicoledwebb

Instagram

Follow Me!

Like Our Adventures on Facebook!

Top Posts & Pages

  • Having a Baby in China...the Good, the Bad, the Ugly!
    Having a Baby in China...the Good, the Bad, the Ugly!
  • About Mint Mocha Musings
    About Mint Mocha Musings
  • From Castle to Cage: Hong Kong - A City of Contradictions
    From Castle to Cage: Hong Kong - A City of Contradictions
  • Moving to Hong Kong - 10 things you shouldn't leave home without!
    Moving to Hong Kong - 10 things you shouldn't leave home without!
  • ....all the tea in China
    ....all the tea in China
  • A high price to pay...
    A high price to pay...
  • The Expat View: Why Traveling will Never be the Same.
    The Expat View: Why Traveling will Never be the Same.
  • Eight Cultural Taboos in China You Really Ought to Know....
    Eight Cultural Taboos in China You Really Ought to Know....
  • Why Sleeping in Ikea is Perfectly Acceptable, in China. 
    Why Sleeping in Ikea is Perfectly Acceptable, in China. 
  • China's Culture Club: Flower Power, Fruit Platters and Laughing Gas!
    China's Culture Club: Flower Power, Fruit Platters and Laughing Gas!

© Copyright 2014 Mint Mocha Musings · All Rights Reserved · Graphics by Miss Pickles · Design by Project Prettify ·

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.
%d bloggers like this: