New Caledonia
A dependent overseas
territory of France.
The population of approx. 270,000
consistis of a mix of Kanak people (the
original inhabitants) and people of
European, Polynesian and Southeast
Asian descent.
100 miles to the north-east lay the
Loyalty Islands of Mare, Lifou, Ouvea
and the tiny Tiga, all of which are home
to about 18,000 Melanesian people,
each with their own unique cultures. To
the west lay the Chesterfield Islands.
Noumea
Noumea, the capital is a port city with a
diverse population of approx. 100,000
and colourful European architecture
reflecting its colonial history.
We visited the Parc Forestier,
overlooking the city, which covers 85
acres that are home to a large variety of
wild and domestic birds, including the
Cagon, the symbol of New Caledonia,
that is a flightless bird with a call often
mistaken for that of a barking dog.
Onward to Ouemo’s Lookout Point, the
site of a canon from WWII, before
strolling through the town to the ship.
