New Caledonia / Isle de Pins
April 2007
I wouldn't recommend New Caledonia's main island, but a puddle jump over to Isle de Pins is worth a getaway. This is just so hard to get to. Did a lovely, relaxing trip with my Aussie friend, Steven.
Top 5 Days
- Kayak - straight from the beach you can power over to tiny islands.
- Swimming - our bungalow had steps down into the water. A morning swim is lovely.
- Spa - Balinese Massage
- Pack a beach picnic - Take a boat to an even smaller island of pine trees
- Sit on your lovely deck with a book. You feel like you are on the end of the earth.
Top 5 High Style, Low Maintenance Hotels
We only stayed at 2 hotels and the other is on the misses list
- Le Meridian Isle de Pins - we had an amazing bungalow looking over the water out an island filled with palm trees. The perfect sized resort - only 32 rooms and you are totally isolated here.
Top 5 Foodie Finds
- French Wine - Great French Wine Everywhere
- Sushi - local sashimi is great
- Dinner on the Deck - with a view this lovely, why go out to dinner?
- Breakfast pastries - the French know how to do it up.
- Seafood - fresh, as it can be caught straight from the hotels
Top 5 Misses
- Noumea - yuk. Casinos. McDonald's. Big Chain Hotels.
- Le Meridian Noumea - maybe the worst hotel I've stayed at in the Starwood system.
- French attitude - definitely not service oriented (except at Isle de Pins hotel)
- Prices - the conversion from US and AUS is high, so everything is expensive.
- Tourism - never heard of New Caledonia? Yep, at least on the main island they don't cater to tourism.
Top 5 Tips
- Island Transport - It took us forever to figure out how to get a flight to the Islands. Have the hotel do it for you.
- Pines - yep, this is a unique island called the "jewel of the pacific." Have never seen an island like it.
- French Dictionary - Very few people speak English, so we wished we had one when
- Get New Caledonia Dollars - before arrival. ATM'S and banks are hard to find.
- Natives - are beautiful and an exotic mix of native tribes with French influence.
I'd recommend a vacation with Cricket any day any where in the world! Missing you hon!
Posted by: Stephen | July 05, 2007 at 18:29