OTHER ACTIVITIES:

Noumea, the nation’s capital, is a tropical cosmopolitan Metropolis and the stepping-stone to some of the most beautiful islands and reefs in the South Pacific. This land of contrast is composed of a group of islands: the main island, Loyalty Islands, Isle of Pines, Belep and a myriad of small islands. The barrier reef stretching 1 600 km and encircling the mainland island is the world's largest lagoon, and surely one of the most beautiful. This lagoon is riddled with islands, reefs and fish. If there is no surf - options are fishing, island hopping (all uninhabited), snorkelling or swimming. Fishing and snorkelling gear is provided on the boat free of charge.

Beer drinking - New Caledonia has "Number 1" or affectionately known as "numbers". I fine beer made by the Heineken Company here in New Cal. Too easy to drink. There is always a stock cold for sale on the boat at approx AUD$2.00 each.

There are also obviously other things to see on the land. Such as rainforest with flora and fauna found nowhere else in the world. Land based tours can be arranged on request at an added cost.

SCENERY:

New Caledonia is a place of contrasts. From the people - Melanesians, Polynesians, French, ex convicts (Australian style) and Vietnamese - to the landscape - dry inhospitable mountains dotted with pockets of rainforest, grassy hills rolling down to grazing cattle, large tracts of mangroves sheltering prawn farms, and clean clear oceans full of fish and vibrant reefs.