Sebastian

Do they know it´s Christmas?

They sure do! There is simply no escape from Christmas. Not that that had been my intention when I set off to far-off destinations six weeks ago. Of course I was prepared to see Christmas celebrated in the south Pacific too. But the sheer scale of it certainly exceeds my expectations… First some impressions fromContinue reading “Do they know it´s Christmas?”

Particular parrots

In Germany, not many people will know the meaning of the words ‘endemism’ or ‘endemic species’. Well, not unless they’re biologists or at least interested in natural history. I guess the same applies to the rest of Europe as well. An endemic species is one which only occurs in a particular restricted area, e.g. anContinue reading “Particular parrots”

Ouvéa landscapes

Like Lifou (and some other islands), the New Caledonian island of Ouvéa is part of the Iles Loyauté which lie in the south Pacific east of Grande Terre. It shares many of their characterics such as the origin of an atoll based on corals, a very flat relief and plenty of access to the sea.Continue reading “Ouvéa landscapes”

_OTAL

On my first evening on Ouvéa this week I took my photo equipment and went to the beach to take pictures of the sunset. Well, not the sunset as such, but rather the lagoon and the beach after the sun had gone. I thought it looked rather beautiful. However, the more interesting stuff was yetContinue reading “_OTAL”

What´s in a name?

I have a new name now. Call me ouah-ouah. Last week, as you know, I spent a couple of days on Lifou island. I stayed with Ferdinand and his family (they merit an article of their own, yet to be written; so please be patient). They speak a wonderful mixture of Drehu (their local vernacularContinue reading “What´s in a name?”

Nolly´s birthday

Last Saturday (last week, i.e. before my trip to Lifou island) I was invited to a birthday party. My friend Larissa, whom I got to know back in June 2014 and with whom I’ve kept contact ever since, organised a party for her son Nolly’s fifth birthday. All the family and many friends from theContinue reading “Nolly´s birthday”

Fellow travellers

At some point I introduced the category ‘Meet the locals’ to my blog, to which already several posts here belong. In addition to that, perhaps I should also create ‘Meet other tourists’. That’s the topic of this little article anyway. Because, you see, New Caledonia may not be a very touristy place. And I mayContinue reading “Fellow travellers”

Lifou landscapes

I know it’s a bit surprising that I haven’t shown many landscape photos until now. So far I’ve done just one article dedicated specifically to landscapes on the main island of New Caledonia, and that was it. Time for some more, I’d say! So I will now show you some images I have been ableContinue reading “Lifou landscapes”

Part the waters. Or take the Betico 2

I wanted to travel to Lifou to spend some time on that island. There are basically two ways to get there from Grande Terre (if we leave aside for a second the biblical option), one being the airplane, the other the large catamaran „Betico 2“. I chose to take the latter. The disadvantages are theContinue reading “Part the waters. Or take the Betico 2”

Joseph and the coconut

Several things are not quite accurate about the title of this article. “Joseph” is fine, and so is the word “coconut”. But it should read either „Joseph and the coconuts“, or „Sebastian and his coconut“, or perhaps even „Joseph, the vanilla garden, and the coconut tree“. I don’t know why, but for some reason IContinue reading “Joseph and the coconut”

The hammock

I need a hammock. That’s basically all there is to say. I need a hammock. It’s not about me wanting one, no. It’s essential. A MUST, as they say in French (and I hope you’re getting the pronunciation right here). And don’t get me wrong: I don’t demand palm trees. Or 30 degrees Celsius inContinue reading “The hammock”

Let there be landscape!

Having spent the last ten days or so in New Caledonia, I have managed to travel a bit and to see some corners of the main island, Grande Terre. I guess it’s time to share some classic, old-school landscape shots with you, okay maybe with one or two exceptions. They aren’t in any particular order,Continue reading “Let there be landscape!”

Some New Caledonian birds (part I)

During the first ten days of my stay here on New Caledonia (Grande Terre), I’ve already had the pleasure of seeing a number of different bird species. Some of them are endemic to the archipelago, which means they cannot be seen anywhere else in the world. Others, on the other hand, shouldn’t be here atContinue reading “Some New Caledonian birds (part I)”

The heron and the fish

This is the sad story of a fatal encounter between a hungry heron and a fish. Well, sad for fifty percent of the protagonists… All others were quite content, as one can assume. The Pacific reef heron (also known as the Pacific reef egret, Egretta sacra, Riffreiher, Aigrette sacrée) is a very handsome bird. IContinue reading “The heron and the fish”

AAAA

You might know that AA stands for the Automobile Association of Great Britain, the UK’s largest motoring organisation. And then there’s AAA, of course, the American Automobile Association, a federation of motor clubs throughout North America. But AAAA? I admit that, until very recently, I also hadn’t the faintest idea that this could possibly beContinue reading “AAAA”