Where is New Caledonia
New Caledonia is located in the western section of the South Pacific between Vanuatu and Australia. Travel to New Caledonia is easy - just 2 hours 30 minutes flight from Sydney so is a convenient holiday destination for many Australians and New Zealanders. New Caledonia has seven islands, comprising the very large cigar-shaped island of Grande Terre, while the others are much smaller offshore islands. Most tourism activity is on the western side of the main island, with the capital Nouméa on the southern end of this coastline. It was colonialised by the French in the mid-19th century and has been likened to a South Pacific version of the Riviera, with modern hotel accommodation, fine restaurants, and smart boutiques.
New Caledonia is unique in that instead of a volcanic origin, it was actually a segment of the southern continent that separated in eons past. Grande Terre is the third largest island in the South Pacific after PNG and New Zealand. Latitude 19° - 23° south and longitude 158° - 172° east.
Getting to New Caledonia: Distances are 1,500 km from Australia, 1,700 km from New Zealand, 5,000 km from Tahiti, 7,000 km from Japan, 10,000 km from the West Coast of the USA and 20,000 km from France.
New Caledonia Attractions
What New Caledonia has to offer
* Well-established New Caledonia tourism infrastructure
* New Caledonia lodging and vacation rentals include a wide range of resorts, hotels, and other options from low-cost up to 5-star. Suitable for honeymoons, weddings, family and budget travelers. Many great specials and packages, including all inclusive packages.
* French style cafés and fine New Caledonia restaurants feature many different cuisines.
* Boutiques and Parisian style designer label shops
* Easy access from Australia's east coast
* Flora, Fauna and Marine species unique to New Caledonia
* White sandy New Caledonia beaches and Mountain Retreats
* Grande Terre has a fringing reef forming the largest lagoon in the world
* Opportunity to explore indigenous traditional Melanesian Kanak culture on the eastern side of Grande Terre
* Mostly English is spoken. A few words of French can be fun to employ! Melanesian language is also heard.
* A vast array of New Caledonia activities, watersports and adventure travel
* New Caledonia's semi-tropical climate makes it perfect for those who find the full tropical climate a bit warm and humid.
There are many more unique and interesting features of New Caledonia to explore and enjoy
Bonjour and Welcome to Nouvelle Caledonie (New Caledonia) !
New Caledonia Island
Tahiti and Its Islands
If you plan to visit our islands these cruises have the best values when you consider visiting several islands with 5 star accommodations, activities, picnic , all meals compared to local flights between 4 islands, hotels in 4 islands without meals.....and you visit each island and see the islands from the sea. Too many times cited as ''the gateway'' of the islands of Polynesia because of its International airport, Offering unique sceneries not found elsewhere, here are some photos. Moorea has been the mythical island of Bali Hai, and the locale for many motion pictures, It is just 11 miles across the Sea of the Moon from Tahiti, but a world away. Huahine: The Garden of Eden Huahine is located 110 miles northwest of Tahiti and is just a short plane ride away. It is formed by two islands, joined by a narrow isthmus and encircled by a barrier reef. The mysterious Polynesian island jewel known as Tetiaroa is actually a 4.5 mile Marlon Brando first "discovered" Tetiaroa in the early 1960's while scouting locations for Look more image at OnlyTahiti.Com For: Raiatea: The Sacred Island Tahaa: The Vanilla Island Manihi: The Black Pearl Paradise Rangiroa: The Island of the Long Sky Fakarava: the second largest atoll
Tahiti is a Destination on its own.
including Mutiny on the Bounty and Love Affair.
wide atoll comprised of 12 motus (small islands) and located just 36.5 miles (59 km) north of Papeete, the capital of French Polynesia on the island of Tahiti.
the classic film "Mutiny on the Bounty". (it was on that same shoot that he met his future wife, Tahitian beauty Tarita Teriipaia, who played the lover of his character.)
Maupiti island: The most beautiful islands
Hawaii's Oldest Island: Kauai
One of the Hawaiian Islands, Kauai, is sometimes referred to as "Hawaii's Island Of Discovery". That's because Kauai is Hawaii's oldest island, yet it's constantly changing to enlighten and satisfy all the many visitors who go there.
One can find shops and restaurants bustling with activity alongside the many vendors working the highways and by-ways to sell flowers, a variety of fish and lots of fruit.
On Kauai's west side on the beach on Kekaha, an old sugar camp house sat for years awaiting restoration. Finally, this facility along with an historic 5-bedroom house, has now joined Waimea Plantation Cottages as a restored plantation- style home bringing the cottage count now to 50.
Heading east to Kalaheo, two houses have been added as rentals for vacationers. Although both sites are away from any beaches (and are more residential than resort-style), the accommodations are affordable, clean and comfortable. Plus, guests do not need to be concerned with minimum stays or cleaning fees.
Vacationers here can even enjoy more perks like a hot tub, free tennis court usage, beach gear, boogie boards and snorkel equipment.
On the south side, reconstruction of a hotel (Waiohai Hotel), damaged by Hurricane Iniki in 1992, has been completed. This property was converted into timeshares---200 2-bedroom accommodations in nine buildings.
Catering to the upscale market, 22 units in the Poipu Kai Resort were added measuring 1,700 to 2,000 square feet. These condos have air conditioning, featuring walk-in showers made of glass block, complete with designer furnishings. Oh and for kitchen lovers, there's Corian countertops throughout. Visitors here will agree this place is a pleasant, nicely-manicured resort, complete with pool and ocean-front units.
Also in the Poipu area, roughly a block from the ocean, is a quiet setting with restored former residential rentals featuring hardwood floors, hot tubs and walk-in showers. Here one finds a feeling of seclusion in this lovely place called Hideaway Love Villas.
For those visitors wishing to be pampered while staying at Poipu, there is another setting of three 2,600 square-foot units: two at ocean front; one with an ocean view. Here, at Kauai Cottages at Poipu Beach, a guest gets elegant furnishings, high-speed Internet access---complimented with tennis and honeymoon packages. The honeymoon packages come with a cold bottle of champagne upon arrival PLUS a chef will even prepare a delicious meal! So, be assured to find a lot of romance when staying in these private, beautifully- landscaped cottages.
As the continual proliferation of vacation rentals marches on, the south side of Kauai will doubtless feel some growing pains. More commercial development will need to keep pace---town squares, shops, restaurants and grocery stores will blanket the landscape.
Approaching Lihue, one finds what used to be one of the "off limits" in Kauai---until a 3,000 acre ranch owner opened his property to small tours. This was a former sugar plantation now managed by Kipu Ranch Adventures. Here, a visitor can enjoy the land as it sprawls from hilly terrain to coastal beaches. These beaches offer common sites of turtles, seals and yes, even dolphins!
Should visitors have a passion for Polynesian dancing, attending a three-day Kauai Polynesian Festival event is an absolute treat. Located at the Kukui Grove Park and Pavilion on Highway 50, guests are entertained by local Hula troupes, dancers from Somoa, Tahiti and as far away as New Zealand. The festival usually held in late May, boasts international craft displays, intereresting booths and an abundance of local cuisine.
While in Lihue, check out the fascinating yet unusual museum known as the Kauai Veterans' Center Military Museum. Here, the die-hard war-buff can view displays of weaponry donated by local soldiers of Hawaii who fought in World War II and in Vietnam. There are even archives from combat units dating back to the Spanish American War.
Making your way on Kauai's east side north of Lihue, visitors discover the little community of Kapaa. Here you find the Kauai Children's Discovery Museum specializing in the developmental needs of kids under five years in age. Parents are welcome to gather information about community resources and services as well as on child development. One will be very impressed with the numerous special toys and playground equipment---all designed for the stimulation of kids' brains and muscles.
As you leave Kapaa and continue northward on Highway 56, prepare yourself for all the congestion due to a construction boom. Surprisingly, an oasis appears revealing the Na Aina Kai Botanical Gardens and Sculpture Park. Guests are permitted to tour the grounds where gardens feature exotic vegetation, hardwood trees, even dozens of statues made of bronze. Two of the most recently added statues depict a young Hawaiian with his father planting a mahogany tree; and the other was installed adjacent to the ponds along the garden's birdwalk, called "Still Life" which is a likeness of a blue heron.
For the hiking enthusiasts, Princeville Ranch has a fantastic hiking tour lasting five hours over ranch land hosting some awe-inspiring viewpoints. This tour even features an exciting area where you must swing on a chain to advance off a small cliff. At the end of the hiking is Kalihwai Falls, providing the visitor/hiker with a refreshing dip and a fulfilling lunch.
There is a place on Kauai debated to be the most remote place on the island: Hanalei Colony Resort. There are no phones and no televisions. Renovations are underway upgrading these condos from one bath to one and a half baths. Workers minimize their building efforts, however, to focus on the most important detail: Don't Disrupt the Quiet-Seeking Patrons! As remote and quiet as this resort remains, wedding, honeymoon and small meeting groups are always welcome.
Yes, Kauai is continually offering its visitors something pristine and glorious. It's an adventure into Paradise not soon forgotten.
Hawaii - Island Culture Shines
Great concern has been rampant about the lack of "Hawaii" in the so-called "Hawaiian" activities, merchandise and demonstrations witnessed throughout the island's hotels. Such items like leis and bracelets being strung with shells from the Philippines or tropical print bags, dolls and pot holders bearing the status of "Made in China"---even many souvenirs sold to visitors in Hawaii are created in and sold from such places as Bali, Thailand.
As odd as it can be, much of what is offered as authentic "Hawaiian" arts and crafts is actually imported from other foreign countries and guests of the islands haven't the slightest clue!
As a result, a lot of time and energy has been spent on allowing the "real" Hawaiian culture to stand out and become noticed by all those millions of people who come to Hawaii annually. For much too long, the tendency was to push touristy trends like torch lighting ceremonies, Polynesian dancing revues and flashy hotels---all of which were ultimately lacking in substance when authentic "Hawaiian" cultural experiences were what was really desired.
In 1998, the Kauai Heritage Center of Hawaiian Culture and the Arts opened---a 1,200 square-foot facility with a purpose to educate and create mind awareness for appreciation and respect of the true "Hawaiian" culture. Exhibits in the Center focus on the Hawaiian quilts, hand-carved fishing tools, hula instruments and implements, as well as a vast array of mats, fans and baskets, to name just a few. Most of the artefacts making up the exhibits are treasured heirlooms belonging to Hawaiian families for decades.
The Center also instructs hands-on classes that probe and discuss all aspects of a specific subject, i.e., hula, leaf printing and the Hawaiian language. These sessions also cover lei making techniques along with the sharing of its protocols and customs that span the entire experience--- from the preparation of materials to the actual leis disposal.
Realizing that to preserve Hawaiian culture and perpetuate its message is a daunting undertaking, the Center's goal is not one of just providing an activity exercise but to share information and knowledge so that responsibility is assigned to the participant. Thus, programs are constantly in the planning stages, including work shops teaching cultural insights inspired and motivated by Hawaiian themes. The presenters are artists and practitioners specializing in their specific field of expertise.
Special permission was granted by the owners of the historic Coco Palms in Wailua, heavily damaged in Hurricane Iniki in 1992, to the students of the Center to sketch its structures and lagoons. More lectures will be presented on ancient places of worship and on these lagoons---which were first used as fish ponds by the Royalty.
The Center will also organize cultural excursions, like taking 5th-6th graders to learn about Hawaii's environment, it's native plants and about conservation. The group size will be limited to anywhere from 6 to 30 people because of the impact on the sacred cultural sites.
With the advent of new technologies and conveniences, many of today's Hawaiians have forgotten the value and wisdom of the "old ways". So, a comprehensive training program aimed at Hawaiian Islands' visitor industry---hotel employees and business organizations---commenced based on traditional Hawaiian values.
This training program offers 8 hours of instruction covering subjects on healing with herbs, sacred offerings, massage, music, proverbs and poetry.
Perpetuating the integrity of the Hawaiian culture is what the Center is all about. Its goal, in short, is to accomplish every- thing possible to keep Hawaii "Hawaiian". There is a constant vigil to correct false and inaccurate representations of Hawaiian practices. Both visitors and locals alike are encouraged to discover the "real" Hawaii and not fall victim to activities referred to as "traditional" when in fact, they are "gimmicks for amusement".
Big Island, Hawaii Promotes Health & Wellness Travel
By Adam Singleton
Because of the rise in wellness tourism business owners on the Big Island of Hawaii have got together to promote a travel initiative that they collectively hope will prove so successful that it will eventually be adopted by the rest of the state.
The Hawaii Island Wellness Travel Association, composed of 120 business owners and holistic professionals, has set up a meeting with both the Big Island Visitors Bureau and Hawaii County officials to take the initiative further at which they hope to agree marketing strategies, develop effective packaging and adopt a set of rules for health and wellness travel to Hawaii, which they regard as a booming business.
As recently as 2005 almost $50,000 was set aside by Hawaii Tourism Authority to be used to quantify how well wellness tourism could be developed in the archipelago. A leading research company was approached to produce a comprehensive study of the health and wellness tourism market for the state of Hawaii. However, significant progress stalled once the report had been produced, and only now, some two years later, is the idea being re-launched.
One of the most vociferous proponents and advocates of wellness tourism Lew Whitney, co-founder of the Kokolulu Farm and Qigong Center based in North Kohala said: "We've been trying for years to persuade the Hawaii Tourism Authority that this (wellness) offers a great opportunity for the whole state of Hawaii and not just the Big Island." Over the last nine years the Center has offered a range of cancer retreats and meditative healing programs and Whitney admits that it has been a struggle getting the message across to tourism chiefs. However, Whitney highlights that the Center, located on the northern tip of the Big Island, has been successfully trading for almost 10 years, and with little promotional help from the Hawaii Tourism Authority has managed to remain in business, albeit with the help of some charitable contributions.
Indeed, leading research group Mintel produced a comprehensive Market Research document which looked at wellness tourism being offered throughout the world in places as far flung as Japan, Hungary, India, Austria and Thailand. It concluded, amongst other things that markets were expanding as more and more people, of all ages, made their vacation choices based on health and wellness travel demonstrating that that the sector had a bright future.
As more people take to using alternative and natural remedies, tying wellness into hotel deals in Hawaii could herald a bold new initiative that in the long run may well add an extra string to the already well developed tourism bow for the state.
