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Category Archives: New Caledonia

Five things to do on Lifou Island, New Caledonia

06/08/2016
Jinek Bay Loyalty Islands
The magic waters of Jinek Bay

If you are heading to Lifou Island here are some great ideas to do that are kid friendly.

For the second time the children and I are ferried across from our floating hotel (the P & O Cruise Ship, the Pacific Dawn) to the one of the islands that belong to the Loyalty Islands, in New Caledonian, called Lifou.

Lifou is part of Micronesia and the islanders are knowns as Kanaks, with the main language spoken being French.

Most people understand English but there is something sexy, something adventourous and something special about speaking French in the South Pacific.

Seeking connection with nature and some underwater experiences we discovered the following and would recommend the following with your day ashore:

Five things to do on Lifou:

  1. Snorkel at Jinek Bay

Jinek bay is a marine reserve a twenty minute walk from where the cruise ship anchors and comes a shore. We purchased our pass on board for $20 per operson or you can buy them there for $10. Apparently the numbers are capped each day but I didn’t really see evidence of that in the bay and the guy taking people’s money seemed happy to give coloured wrist bands to who ever came along.

2. Hire a stand up paddle board

Stand up paddling in Jinek Bay -
Stand up paddling in Jinek Bay –

Stand up paddling or SUP is a fun easy water activity. I SUP at home for exercise and at $10 an hour it was too good to pass up. Skimming over the beautiful azure waters was breath-taking and there were plenty of moments to reflect on an often manic life back “home.” 

The only thing I would caution on SUP if you haven;t done it before is falling off over the coral. You can weave your way through the coral but if you are not great and confident on the board, try to paddle through the sandy, areas so if you do fall off you don’t velcro yourself to a coral shelf.

3. Drink a coconut

drinking out of young coconuts at Jinek Bay, Lifou
drinking out of young coconuts at Jinek Bay, Lifou

Coconuts grow in abundance on the Pacific Islands and offer incredible nutrients. The juice was once used as a blood volume expander and they can be really good for hang-overs. I just love the fact you can climb a tree and lop open a self made drink that is refreshing and nutritious. The locals use papaya stems as straws as they hollow and non toxic. A must!

4. Visit the church

Built in 1895 the church is a beautiful piece of achitecture from yesteryear and is a landmark you can see pulling in and out of the harbour. There are actually a couple of churches on the island, with one up on the right of Easo Bay (where the ferry docks) and is only a modest 30 minute walk past the turn off to Jinek Bay, or the other one on the way into town, also a 30 minute walk.

As with all churches around the world, you can walk through, marvel at the stained glass windows and climb to the nook where the church bell is rung. I like this little church, it is a bit run down but colourful and happy.

5. Grotto and villiage experience

Cave on Lifou Island
Cave on Lifou Island

You can do many tours (organised on board the boat) or simply by walking into town. Most activities will cost $20 and will include a mini van driving you to a spot. Last visit we did the blue grotto cave experience. It was great for the kids as they were shown how to hunt  for food, make bows and arrows, and see how the locals exist. Most still hunt for their food and frown their own crops.

Lifou bush and grotto adventure
Lifou bush and grotto adventure

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There are plenty of other touristy things to do such as braiding your hair, getting a massage, buying pearl necklaces etc. The locals will do a traditional dance as the cruise leaves wishing you well and hoping to see you again.

Snorkeling and swimming anywhere on the island is stunning but as with most parts of the world the colour from the coral has been bleached away. The fish are still incredible and you will usually see a turtle and the water is a stunning tourquise blue.

Negotiate away on the advertised price but be respectful.

I was embarrassed to hear so many people from the cruise not use basic manners such as please and thank-you, it’s really not that hard. Merci Lifou!

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P & O Cruising – do we mention the food?

12/01/201612/01/2016

Timidly I set off on my first P & O Cruise with my two youngest kids.

I had been on a cruise in the Mediterranean years ago but that was different. That was just me, heaps of new exciting places and no kids.

Catching rainbows in my cocktail
Catching rainbows in my cocktail Port Vila

P & O had not only my kids on board, but hundreds of other children (and their parents). I was worried.

The lining up like sardines and processing on mass wasn’t too bad. I am not good with being herded as my natural instinct is to do the opposite but I found things moved reasonably well and before I knew it we were being ushered past the first of our many “photo opportunities”.

The weather forecast was disgusting and when on board the captain very quickly brought everyone up to speed. “It was some of the roughest seas he had ever seen…” ” get sea sick tablets, go to bed early” and “hang on to the walls when you walk“. Fabulous. Nothing like a BIG fat storm to get everyone sea worthy.

Locals singing in the bush
Locals singing in the bush

I ushered the lambs to bed very early but stayed up myself to watch Steddy Eddy – a long standing comedian, who I had wanted to see for years. He was hysterical and helped sleep come so much easier.

The azure waters of Lifou Island
The azure waters of Lifou Island

But I did wake multiple times thinking the massive ocean liner was going to capsize. Whoosh this way, whoosh, creak that way. I have no idea how it didn’t roll over. Anyway it didn’t , the lambs slept, and fortunately day light came soon enough.

The kids were stocked. I was letting them eat all sorts of things we don’t eat on shore. Things like bread (we have a mostly gluten free house hold), cereal, ice cream, deserts, and on it went for the kids like some fantasy camp.

Massive fresh seafood platter in Vanuatu, Port Vila
Massive fresh seafood platter in Vanuatu, Port Vila

I tried to enforce the 3 vegetable thing with every meal but decided as long as they ate with me at the a la carte restaurant once a day and not buffet central, they wouldn’t become too nutrient deprived over the week.

The Sunsets in New Calendonia are amazing P & O cruise
The sunsets in New Calendonia are amazing

I had mixed feelings about the cruise.

I was disappointed to see the way people panic around food.  Panic and pant… that was the general line up at the buffet.  The foodie in me cringed at the human behaviour. BUT the food was actually a really high standard and really varied. It was good.

The A La Carte restaurant was excellent. I ate there every breakfast and had my all time favourite, black pudding.  I ate most of my dinners in a La Carte, chilled in the adult-only zone and saw shows, comedians and even art auctions!

Port Vila
Relaxing and drawing in Port Vila P & O Cruising

It’s hard to believe in hind sight that the cruise was only 7 nights. Really great holiday as far as low-maintenance parenting goes. High value for the kids, and heap of fun and relaxing activities for the grown-ups. We will be doing another cruise soon. Maybe another liner – like carnival?

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