The last island we visit before Australia is New Caledonia. We want to take a bus trip across the island to the Tjibaou Cultural Center. Unfortunately, we won't be able to go snorkeling at the beach today as rain is forecasted. From the port, we pass through Chinatown to the bus station.
We quickly find our route, now we just need the ticket. While the men wait in line, suddenly a local approaches, takes our money, goes to the counter, and gets us the necessary tickets without waiting. We would call that very visitor-friendly. While waiting for the bus, it starts to rain.
To shorten the 1h waiting time, we go to the local market next door. Besides fruits and vegetables, there are all kinds of souvenirs.
Then it's time, we drive for 45 minutes across the island, up and down hills. The center and the surrounding area are densely populated. We drive around the airport and then we're already on the other side of the island. The cultural center is hidden in the green and surrounded by a dense variety of plants.
Thick bushes with aerial roots obstruct the view of the sea.
A stroll through the garden reveals many fruit trees, palm trees, shrubs, and traditional wooden art. This park is beautifully designed with attention to detail. The building itself is very impressive with its various sections. These rooms serve as exhibition halls, museums, and conference rooms. Here we learn a lot about the culture, the people, and the construction of the building. Right next to it is a lagoon suitable for snorkeling. If only there wasn't so much rain.
So we take a look at the traditional huts of the indigenous people.
With new knowledge, we return to the center of Noumea. We walk through the shopping miles and visit the city park with large fountains.
Now that our shoes are really wet, we return to the ship. We warm up with a hot shower and sauna.
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