Being an archipelago, New Caledonia (or Kanaky, if you prefer) is much characterised by the Pacific Ocean in various shapes and forms. One such form is the lagoon of Ouvéa. Those of you with a good memory will recall that I spent several days on this little island last December in search of , amongContinue reading “Staring at the sea”
Category Archives: Travel
Kaikoura landscapes
All in all, I didn’t spend an awful lot of time in New Zealand as part of my trip to the South Pacific. Many people will tell you (as they told me!) that a mere 16 days on both islands is basically a crime against…, well, … against what actually? Against New Zealand, I suppose.Continue reading “Kaikoura landscapes”
Friends old and new (part 1)
One evening, a few days before Christmas, I happened to wander around Noumea’s Place des Cocotiers. I had met with Kane (my fellow traveller) and another guy called Jérémy to eat a falafel (slow and expensive, but delicious). Afterwards Kane was searching for some yoga friends in the crowded square, and I kind of followedContinue reading “Friends old and new (part 1)”
Parrot progress
It is no longer a secret that I am fascinated by parrots. They are doubtlessly my favourite topic here on this blog, if you look at my previous posts from Sydney (Parrots galore & Do they fly) and New Caledonia (Particular parrots). So believe me, it was all the more painful when I had toContinue reading “Parrot progress”
Hilltop hikes
While I was staying with them in Nelson for four days, my friends Yulia and Yarek took me to a number of really interesting spots in the northwestern part of South Island. We went for lovely walks amid breathtaking scenery (let’s say they were moderate hikes), and some decent birds were also seen. On theContinue reading “Hilltop hikes”
Top of the South
I’m in the northern part of New Zealand’s South Island now, practically in the very centre of NZ. My friends Yulia and Yarek are so kind to host me for a couple of days in their home in Nelson. Spasibo bol’shoe! By the way, this is where we greeted the New Year together: Yesterday weContinue reading “Top of the South”
Tiritiri matangi
A man is an island. No, wait a second. A man VISITED an island. Yes, that’s it. (Hang on, I think I got it all wrong anyway. NO man is an island. Well, let’s better forget about this…) Anyway, so on my first (and in fact, only) full day in Auckland I went on aContinue reading “Tiritiri matangi”
Sydney 1 – Auckland 0
The good news first: Auckland has construction workers, yay! The biggest deficit I experienced in New Caledonia during those five weeks of my stay there was the almost complete absence of women and men in security gear operating heavy machinery in the streets. Or controlling the traffic. And you know how I have a softContinue reading “Sydney 1 – Auckland 0”
Kia ora!
I’m ready for the next chapter! So much yet to be written about my previous destinations, though. I wonder how I’m gonna cope with that… My hostel in downtown Auckland may look like the least glamorous abode from the outside, but it’s really nice inside. Plus, I have a great view from my window! TheContinue reading “Kia ora!”
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?”
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”
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”
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”
My Pacific Travel Blog 