Tag Archives: transpacific cruise

Next Stop — Nouméa, New Caledonia


Nouméa Graffiti

Nouméa Graffiti

The upper left portion of the above picture gives you our first port of call following the MS Oosterdam’s departure from Sydney, Australia.  Yes, it’s Nouméa, the capital of New Caledonia.

Nouméa

Nouméa

New Caledonia is currently undergoing a transition from French control to total autonomy.  As such, New Caledonia is no longer a French Overseas Collectivity.  Rather, New Caledonia enjoys a unique though temporary designation known as Special Collectivity.

Nouméa Bougainvillea

Nouméa Bougainvillea

As for Nouméa, Ursula and I found it to be a colorful destination to say the least.  Even the graffiti is entertaining.

Nouméa Graffiti

Nouméa Graffiti

We spent much of the day walking around town, and you’ll see more of that on Wednesday.  But as the day grew long and our feet grew tired we hopped a city bus and did headed to areas beyond the city proper.

Nouméa Beach

Nouméa Beach

We rode the bus to the end stop and then took it back into town.  Along the way we got a look at some great beaches.

Nouméa Beach

Nouméa Beach

In town we found sights such as Moselle Bay.

Nouméa

Nouméa

I also enjoyed seeing the various automobiles used by the residents.

Tight Parking

Tight Parking

Until Wednesday I’ll leave you with two more shots of that exquisite street art.

Nouméa Graffiti

Nouméa Graffiti

Nouméa Graffiti

Nouméa Graffiti

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Special Preview Blog


Sydney Opera House

Sydney Opera House

Okay, I’m back.  Just in case you’re wondering why I’ve not been responding to “Likes” and other stuff, I’ve been away for since April 8 and just returned to El Paso only last night.  Where have I been this past month?  Three nights in Sydney, Australia, followed by a transpacific cruise to Seattle, Washington.

Sydney Harbor Bridge

Sydney Harbor Bridge

So, just in case you’re growing weary of China, here’s a preview of what to expect some time after that series concludes.  From Sydney we traveled to Noumea:

Noumea — New Caledonia

Noumea — New Caledonia

Lifou and its sparkling blue waters:

Lifou — New Caledonia

Lifou — New Caledonia

Port Vila on Espiritu Santo in Vanuatu:

Port Vila — Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu

Port Vila — Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu

Espiritu Santo with it’s crystal clear fresh water pools:

Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu

Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu

The uninhabited Mystery Island of Vanuatu:

Mystery Island — Vanuatu

Mystery Island — Vanuatu

Viti Levu, Fiji, with its cascading waterfalls and intense sunsets:

Viti Levu Waterfall — Fiji

Viti Levu Waterfall — Fiji

Viti Levu Sunset — Fiji

Viti Levu Sunset — Fiji

The beaches of Dravuni, Fiji:

Dravuni — Fiji

Dravuni — Fiji

Pago Pago and the Westernmost U.S. National Park:

The Westernmost U.S. National Forest in American Somao

The Westernmost U.S. National Forest in American Somoa

Honolulu on the island of Oahu in Hawaii:

Honolulu at Night

Honolulu at Night

The Grand Canyon of the Pacific — Waimea Canyon on the Hawaiian island of Kauai:

Waimea Canyon — Kauai

Waimea Canyon — Kauai

The frontier-style streets of Lahaina on Maui:

Lahaina — Maui

Lahaina — Maui

And finally the Olympic Peninsula of Washington State with images of Marymere Falls and a blizzard on Hurricane Ridge:

Marymere Falls — Olympic Peninsula, Washington

Marymere Falls — Olympic Peninsula, Washington

On the Way to Hurricane Ridge — Olympic Peninsula, Washington

On the Way to Hurricane Ridge — Olympic Peninsula, Washington

Yes, we really did end this trip in the midst of a raging blizzard.

Look for more images from this adventure in my next travel blog series sometime after the completion of China.

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