Photos from New Caledonia

New Caledonia

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Noumea & West coast

Noumea : paroramic view from the Mount Moné (height=1075 m)

Noumea : University of the Pacific	market of Noumea
Noumea : "Touques" regatta. It's more an originality contest than a real race.	Dumbea : the giant omelette day
Farino (monthly market) : local products	Bourail : the "Drilled Rock" beach. On the right, a few pine trees in the shape of columns (araucarias ; quite common in Oceania).
the lighthouse Amedee on its islet	Amedee islet : the "Striped Sweater", quite common in New Caledonia, is a very venomous water snake, but it won't bite you.

North area

in the neighbourhood of Koumac : break in the middle of a long horse ride

dinner in a ranch near Koumac

East coast

Hienghene : "the brood hen"

Islet in the north of Hienghene. In the foreground (in the centre), a nice arborescent fern.	in the neighbourhood of Hienghene
Hienghene vocational school	In the neighbourhood of Poindimie. In the foreground, a few "niaoulis". These little white trees, quite common in New Caledonia, can hold out against fire.
in the neighbourhood of Poindimie : traditional hut	The Tiwaka crossing connects the East coast to the West coast from Kone. A 4WD vehicle is required.
crossing between Bourail (west coast) and Houailou (East coast)	Houailou vocational school (60 students)

South area

The reddish colour of the ground is due to a high nickel content.

in the neighbourhood of Yate : nature reserve of the Blue River

Iles Loyauté ("Loyalty" islands)
Mare (7 000 people), Lifou (10 000 people), Ouvea (4 000 people)

Mare : a coral beach	Mare : a coral coast
On Mare, you can find coral everywhere. In the background, a few traditional huts.	Mare : traditional hut being built
The "Warrior Jump" (Mare) : according to the legend, formerly, a warrior could get away from his enemies by jumping over this obstacle.	Mare : the sand is composed of very fine coral residues that look like flour.
Mare : the new buildings (in 1992) of the vocational school	jubilant kids of Mare
A beach on Lifou : like on Mare, the sand is composed of very fine coral residues that look like flour.	Lifou : coral islets
Ouvea : near the Mouli bridge	Ouvea vocational school