Hi from Noumea suckers

[MacD]

Most of the Pacific Is are like that now Merv. They have gained Independance from their former colonial masters but have lost the financial, technical and organisational backing that came with it.

However they haven't gained independence from France. A referendum on independence isn't due until 2014.

See 007XX's Wikipedia link.

[merv]

However they haven't gained independence from France. A referendum on independence isn't due until 2014.

See 007XX's Wikipedia link.

Yes we read over there how it had been imminent but all parties agreed to postpone it further, and they did all seem to be living in harmony for now except as follows:

Their biggest problem me and Mrs merv sensed (now probably no different than most countries) was youth crime and violence - there were current news stories about trashing schools and attacks on other people and as usual there was tagging everywhere - Manurewa you say!! It will be the usual problem of the widening gap between the haves and have nots, drug use, high expectations and boredom - no different than here and oil prices causing inflation only fuel (sic) this issue.

[007XX]

Anyone know truly what happened to Club Med Noumea - was it the post Sept 11 2001 that lost it so much business that caused its abandonment or was it in decline before closure at the end of 2001? The building and grounds have been left derelict next to Le Meridien Hotel like an eyesore so if you stay next door try for a room with a better view.

What happened to it? Greed...
One of the ex mayor of NC (3rd richest man in the Pacific), built the massive luxury hotel and casino next to the (then) Club Med. When the lease of the Club Med came up for renewal, the guy in question bought it, kicked them out of it, and the buildings have been falling apart since then. It made me so very angry when I saw that in 2006 on a visit to my parents...

I actually will think of asking my dad whether he knows anymore as to the reason fort his BS.

And people wonder why I left such a "paradise"! They're killing my island, that's what they're doing.

In summary then a great 8 days away to definitely what was a bike friendly city.

Would we recommend it? Yes.

Would we go back soon? Probably not in a hurry, did most things we wanted to and there are other places we want to visit before doing repeats.

You've barely scratched the surface, but quite honnestly, if you were to go again I'd recommend having a local showing you around and a bit more time as well. Going up North, visiting the tribes, there are horse back riding trecks that are very worthy, 4x4 trips that'll have you grinning for days, etc
I only gave you a acouple of things to do based on your sejourn's length.

However they haven't gained independence from France. A referendum on independence isn't due until 2014.

See 007XX's Wikipedia link.

Thanks MacD...I was going to point that out, but am not always calm shall we say on the subject, and I didn't think I should get into a political conversation here, taking over Merv's happy holiday thread.