Noumea and our fun ride on the 'Tchou Tchou train" Part 1

The next port we visited was at Noumea, the capital city of the main island and of the entire archipelago of New Caledonia. Often these two names are mixed up by visitors. In fact the main island is called Grande Terre.

Like the Isle of Pines, Grande Terre is a very multicultural society, including Kanaks and native people from other Pacific nations, people of French origin and people from many other nations, including Australia. But of course the population is much larger. 

This island has a large nickel mining operation, which has played a significant role in its economy and is one reason why it has a large and very busy port. So we did not have to use tender boats as we did at the Isle of Pines. 

The shore excursion we chose was to go for a ride on one of the famous and very cute ‘Tchou Tchou trains’. This first took us through parts of the city, which was quite intriguing, then up onto a hill overlooking the city. 

We alighted at a lookout area dominated by the rather unique ‘Our Lady of the Pacific’ statue, a very large and impressive statue that reflects the Roman Catholic traditions established by the first French settlers. Interestingly, before they arrived, Captain Cook stopped at the island on one of his voyages. I can only gather the British monarchy decided that Australia was a better location for a settlement.  

From this site we were able to view the city and its port operations. We were then given a superb morning tea of locally made apple cider and home-made French pastries. We had been warned on the ship not to eat or drink anything on this island or the Isle of Pines, even an ice cream, because of concerns about contaminated water used in their manufacture, but as our guide was French and assured us this was all from French sources, we decided there was no risk. And none of us had any problems.  (On the Isle of Pines we only had a can of drink at a hotel, and again suffered no consequences. The local food was very tempting though, and smelled delicious, especially the food cooked in banana leaves in a fire pit. I must admit I cannot see how that would have been dangerous.)  

We then went on a journey along one of the beaches and up to a spot where old cannons still stood guard, but I will talk about that and the role they played in WW2 next time. 

The photos below show our view of sunrise on the ship, the port and views from the early stages of our very fun ride on the ‘train’. 

Even more of the Isle of Pines

I am horrified to discover that it is two months since my last post.

What with Christmas and all the celebrations and catching up with family and friends in that special season, including writing two newsletters, I have been flat out. I am now in our state of New South Wales visiting my son and grandsons, but making use of the break whilst they are off swimming. It is very hot here! (As you know, we have opposite seasons to those of you in the Northern Hemisphere who read my blog.) 

In my last post I promised to show you a little more of the Isle of Pines, which I visited again on another South Pacific cruise in 2016. 

Our tour guide this time was a delightful Kanak who spoke fluent French and English as well as his own language. He had us all greeting each other and him in his language, and told us so many interesting tales. We visited some of the same places as I had done previously, but this time we spent more time in the forest hearing the story of Queen Hortense, the first Queen of the local Kanak people. Traditionally they only ever had a king, but at that time she was the only direct descendant of the King. Giving her this role angered many of the men, and so poor Hortense was spirited away by some loyal subjects to a cave in the middle of the forest. There she lived in hiding for many months until things calmed down and she could take her rightful place. Sadly, of course, over the history of humankind she was not the only woman subjected to male prejudice . . .  but apparently she carried out her role with great wisdom and now things are very different. One of the photos below was taken at a memorial to the Queen at the entrance to the forest. 

The forest was just beautiful, I thought, though we had to watch our step. I loved some off the tropical flowering plants we saw growing there. 

Later on that trip we also visited a beautiful beach where women were sitting in the shade weaving and we saw some outrigger canoes - now with motors! It was just so picturesque and peaceful! 

In my next post I will show you something of the main island in the archipelago, and its capital city Noumea. It was worth visiting too, but I must confess I preferred the Isle of Pines, with its much smaller population and simplicity and charm.