11. Noumea, New Caledonia

Thursday, 18 OCT 2012

Noumea is the capital and the largest city in the South Pacific islands. New Caledonia is still a French possession, and the currency is the French Pacific franc. The economy of modern colonialism is the reverse of traditional colonialism: the mother country pours far more revenue into the colony than the colony returns to the mother country. Even so, this island of Grand Terre has very important nickel deposits which form the base of the economy, the importance of tourism notwithstanding. English is common here but not apparently on such a co-equal footing as on Vanuatu. The state police force are gendarmes rotated through every few years directly from France.

 

This odd tower can be seen from the harbor and from many other vistas within Noumea. We weren't told what it is.

This is the ship terminal building with the welcoming committee:

The Yellow Tchou Tchou Train is a popular way to see the sights.

 

We visited the aquarium, which is excellent -- not the biggest we've ever seen, but very well managed with great exhibits. Here's a particularly attractive creature:

There's something fishy about this display.

 

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