Years ago while in Australia I looked at this island that is 1500 km from Brisbane, but our travels took us other places. Recently I decided we just had to go! After 1 month of winter in Croatia we were ready for next 2 months in New Caledonia. A long journey—flights from Zagreb, Croatia to Paris, to Abu Dhabi, to Singapore, to Noumea, New Caledonia—definitely ‘a long journey’.
After initial awestruck of ‘wow beautiful here’, reality check of comparative costs between Europe and this island were sobering indeed. Although aware of the high cost of living prior to arriving, was still difficult to ignore. Example: 1-month car rental in Croatia was equivalent to 1-week rental here. Everything was more expensive than anywhere we’ve been (even home in Canada) but well worth the cost to be in this idyllic place. First week stayed in capital city Noumea, then north to Dumbea region where unknown at the time, became our base for remainder of stay
When a dentist was required, one was chosen at favorite Baie de Citron beach. Nice waiting room, eh?
We managed to cover much of the Great South and some West Coast, without exploring the east or any of the islands. Save them for our return visit, which we definitely wished to do…until political tension erupted in disastrous violence. Merely a week after our departures, chaos erupted over proposed changes to voting rules. Our future travels will take us elsewhere.