6 Reasons to visit New Caledonia
Shaping Cultural Experiences
Travel has been an integral part of my life since I was a young child. I grew up in a multicultural, bilingual home in the Netherlands with a Polish mother and a Dutch father. My
Update & BBC News Link
A brief update: One interview video will be uploaded tomorrow evening. I believe the BBC News One-Minute World News provides well-balanced reporting of news, hence why I wanted to share it. Top stories on May
From Nigeria to Boston
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VNkCazT_T4&feature=youtu.be
When you first meet Oluwagbeminiyi Osidipe, you encounter a very vibrant, friendly, and unique personality. Oluwagbeminiyi or Niyi – as she shortened her name for simplicity – was named by her mother, who had a “very personal experience” when she had her, Niyi explained. Niyi is a Yoruba Nigerian transplant who arrived in the U.S. in 2006. As one of the most densely populated (West) African countries, Nigeria derives its name from the river that spans its land. To the South, it borders the Gulf of Guinea to the Atlantic Ocean. Originally colonized by the British, Nigeria gained independence in 1960. Its main ethnic groups are the Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba, who speak English and their own respective languages, while major religions include Islam, Christianity and indigenous beliefs. Niyi shares her story, her views on politics, cultural differences she’s embraced with humor, and what we can learn from each other by expressing curiosity. Her message is simple: travel enriches us through its exposure to new cultures, and enables us to grow.
Mark Twain on Travel
“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one’s lifetime.” (American author Mark Twain, Innocents Abroad).
Have you had the opportunity to travel (extensively, within your country, or even once abroad)? Can you relate to Twain’s sentiments? How does travel enrich us?
Pleasing The Taste Palate
Food has the wonderful quality of uniting us no matter where we are. There is nothing partisan or narrow-minded about food. It simply invites us to indulge, create recipes, and share with others. Two of my favorite Polish dishes (included in collage) are pierogies and barszcz czerwony – a beetroot soup – served on Christmas Eve in Poland. How does food bring us together? What are some of your favorite dishes and why? Can food trigger memories?
Stereotypes: Truth or Fiction?
DEFINING STEREOTYPES: “An idea or statement about all of the members of a group or all the instances of a situation.” (Merriam-Webster). Stereotypes enable bias and preconceived notions to perpetuate, but can also reveal valid
Annual Human Rights Report
“The world changed immeasurably over the course of 2011. Across the Middle East, North Africa, and far beyond, citizens stood up to demand respect for human dignity, more promising economic opportunities, greater political liberties, and
Euro Crisis & Emerging Stereotypes
Brief Crisis Breakdown Since the onset of the global financial crisis, or Great Recession, in 2007, the Eurozone has feared impending growing global debt levels, as well as sovereign debt within European countries themselves. In
Remembering Tiananmen
Today marks the 23rd anniversary of Tiananmen Square pro-democracy protests in Beijing, China. Inflation, a lack of career prospects, the fall of Eastern European communism, and political corruption, are all said to have fueled anger
Coffee's Uniting Power
A cup of coffee can bridge cultural gaps. At least, that’s what Gizem Salgicil White, founder of Turkayfe.org, believes. Her organization aims to create awareness of Turkish culture, particularly within America. Gizem is a Turkish native,
Today’s guest post is by Roxana Oliver
New Caledonia is the third largest island in the Pacific, after New Zealand and Papua New Guinea. This island was discovered by James Cook, the British explorer, who named it New Caledonia. The name came to him because of similarities in terrain between his native Scotland and this newly discovered territory. What separates New Caledonia from other Pacific islands is a remarkable diversity in landscapes. Grande Terre separates the island in two coasts with very different characteristics. The capital of New Caledonia is Noumea and the official currency here is the Pacific franc. The official language is French, but you can also hear English, Japanese and thirty different Malaysian dialects.
Nature
For those who love sports, New Caledonia is a dream destination. Warm waters of the lagoon are perfect for diving. Sea fishing or freshwater fishing is very popular among tourists. Sailing, water sports, and other activities are also available. There is one of the world’s largest lagoons that offers various sports. Apart from water activities, New Caledonia has plenty to offer to nature lovers. Hiking, walking, horseback riding and golfing are just some of the choices one has in this magical country.
Culture
The Kanak Culture and heritage are appealing to those who strive for a different kind of tourism. Kanak culture is tribal and guided by elders, there is no personal possession and the land belongs to everyone. Native tribes mostly grow yam and the pace of everyday life is dictated by cultivating farmland. The cultural expression of Kanak people mainly takes form in wood carving. Totem poles, masks, doorposts and wooden sculptures are as much the part of the history as they are incorporated in modern art. Apart from the native culture, there is also the history of other nations that had been living here for centuries. There is a sense of mixed identity in every corner of Noumea.
Noumea
The capital, Noumea, is a modern city, sometimes referred to as the “French Riviera“ of the Pacific. By day there are a couple of museums you can visit: Museum of New Caledonia, Museum of Maritime History, The aquarium of lagoons and The Tjibaou Cultural Center. You can also visit Chinatown or the Latin Quarter. By night there are numerous bars and nightclubs situated near endless beaches.
Gastronomy
When at a destination like this one, you can expect gastronomic bliss. New Caledonia is a mix of French, Asian and Oceanic cuisine. French cuisine is represented by regional specialties from Alsace, Brittany, Normandy and more. The Asian influence on the cuisine is mostly from Indonesia, Vietnam, and China. The traditional Kanak dish – Bougna – is a specialty made with fish or shellfish, marinated in coconut milk and simmered in banana leaves. This dish also consists of sweet potatoes, yams, and sometimes candlenut worms.
Accommodation
New Caledonia has a vast variety of accommodations that range from five-star hotels, cottages, farms etc. There are accommodations to suit every kind of visitor. The bungalows in crystal lagoon waters are definitely suitable for those who love nature. For tourists leaning more to cultural and traditional experience, there are Melanesian farms.
However, the most options for accommodations are in Noumea where we found some really affordable New Caledonia deals. In recent years one can find serviced apartments by the sea, not very far from the center of Noumea. The bays are the feature of Noumea’s coastline, and most of the hotels are situated there. There are different types of hotels, with or without swimming pools and restaurants, which means that everyone will find something to enjoy.
New Caledonia is definitely a fresh and truly exciting destination to visit. With these 6 reasons we gave you, it would be a shame to miss it.
Author Bio: Roxana is a travel enthusiast and lifestyle consultant from Sydney and she loves to write about her adventures. She is all about the healthy lifestyle, loves to run with her husband and dogs and has fun cooking exotic meals for her family. Being a typical Aussie, she often hits the waves and loves beaches and sunshine! You can find out more about her writing and follow her on Twitter.
Hi! I'm the founder of Culture With Travel and #CultureTrav. Please chat with us on social media and contribute in the comments! Follow @Nicolette_O
