A Brand New Adventure

What the Heck is New Caledonia?

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November 17, 2013 Noumea, New Caledonia

Our last big adventure of this part of the trip was to the island of New Caledonia. Before this trip, I had never heard of New Caledonia, and we were surprised at the size and sophistication of this place. It is a French possession and greatly due to tourism and nickel mining & export, the annual per capita income is around $39,000 as compared to the $5,000 for Fiji and the other islands that we have visited.

The mining and export of nickel is New Caledonia's second largest industry.
The mining and export of nickel is New Caledonia’s second largest industry.

Our planned excursion was scheduled for the afternoon so we spent the morning on a short van tour of the capital city of Noumea. It is a fairly large, hilly city compared to the other islands, and reflects the wealth of the island. It boasts of beautiful white sand beaches and the world’s largest coral reef rimmed lagoon. It is a beautiful island.

When we first went ashore, we took a van tour around the city.
When we first went ashore, we took a van tour around the city.
As in every port, the dancers in native costume were there to greet us.
A little cafe in town.
A little cafe in town.
Charli at the war memorial.
Charli at the war memorial.
On our city tour we saw several of these tiny trains, called tchou tchous, also touring the city.
On our city tour we saw several of these tiny trains, called tchou tchous, also touring the city.
Noumea, New Caledonia - a much larger and more modern city than we encountered on the other islands.
Noumea, New Caledonia – a much larger and more modern city than we encountered on the other islands.
Noumea
Noumea – The Capital of New Caledonia
There are more than 100 small islands scattered throughout the largest lagoon in the world.
There are more than 100 small islands scattered throughout the largest lagoon in the world.

At noon we began our tour – another checkmark on the bucket list. This was a tour of a botanical garden and wildlife preserve. Okay, you might say – been there, done that – BUT this one we did on Segways!!!!!

Tom & Charli on Segways.
Tom & Charli on Segways and we didn’t just pose, we really rode them – very cool!
Stephon - Our other segway guide.
Stephon – Our other segway guide.
Jason - Our Segway Instructor and Guide
Jason – Our Segway Instructor and Guide

I was a little nervous at the beginning, but we had good instructors and they insisted that we practice a lot before they allowed us to head out into the general population. The trick of the Segway is all in the shift of weight – to move forward you lean forward, to stop you stand up straight, reverse lean back on your heels. To turn right you lean the handlebar apparatus to the right and left to turn left. As I said, we practiced for about a half hour on a small track – I only ran over one cone.

Once we were fairly competent, we set out and spent the next hour and a half zipping up and down the hills

Ostrich - This funny guy was there to greet us at the beginning of our trip. I think he was laughing at us on our Segways.
Ostrich – This funny guy was there to greet us at the beginning of our trip. I think he was laughing at us on our Segways.

and around the park stopping at various exhibits along the way.

Jason called this a Harry Potter Owl. I don't think that's the scientific name.
Jason called this a Harry Potter Owl. I don’t think that’s the scientific name.
I don't know what kind of tree this is, but we saw them throughout the city and park - very pretty.
I don’t know what kind of tree this is, but we saw them throughout the city and park – very pretty.
The Cagou
The Cagou
The park was hilly and beautiful.
The park was hilly and beautiful.
This is called a flying fox. It is a batlike animal that looks like a small fox. They do in fact fly but use sight instead of sonar to navigate.
This is called a flying fox. It is a bat like animal that looks like a small fox. They do in fact fly but use sight instead of sonar to navigate.
The white peacock is beautiful and rare. It is not an albino but is a member of the peacock family. They are indigenous to New Caledonia.
The white peacock is beautiful and rare. It is not an albino but is a different breed of the peacock family. They are indigenous to New Caledonia.
There were brilliantly colored peacocks strutting everywhere.
There were brilliantly colored peacocks strutting everywhere.
This is a New Caledonia crow. They are very large and very intelligent. They have been studied for their problem solving abilities.
This is a New Caledonia crow. They are very large and very intelligent. They have been studied for their problem solving abilities.
Yet another parrot.
Yet another parrot.
A macaw - up close and personal.
A macaw – up close and personal.

     It was Sunday and the park was very crowded, but no one was injured and the people seemed to enjoy watching us. We found them to be very warm and friendly waving and saying “bonjour” as we passed. The outing was very fun and we loved it. We were pretty tired by the time we got back to the ship, but the adventure was well worth the effort.

Next stop, Australia!!!!!

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