This time I´ll start with the bad news.
We arrived in Nouméa on February 22 and decided to immediately run to the beach, because before that we read that this city is primarily famous for its beautiful sandy beaches. We found a taxi and briefly said: To the beach!
The taxi driver was surprised that no one on the cruise ship warned us that swimming in these part is prohibited due to an accident: 2 days ago a monster shark killed a man.
On the same day of the incident, the Marine Service caught a killer shark.
In a white bowl are human hands found in the stomach of a shark.
Read more about the fatality here: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11782175/Grisly-details-Australian-shark-victims-autopsy-released-New-Caledonian-authorities.html
Nouméa is the capital of the South Pacific archipelago and overseas French territory New Caledonia. Situated on the main island Grand Terre, is known for beaches and its blend of French and native Kanak influences.
Population: 99.926 (2014) United Nations. The first European to establish a settlement in the vicinity was British trader James Paddon in 1851. Eager to assert control of the island, the French established a settlement nearby three years later in 1854, moving from Balade in the north of- the island. This settlement was initially called Port-de-France and was renamed Nouméa in 1866.
The area served first as a penal colony, later as a centre for the exportation of the nickel and gold that was mined nearby.
From 1904 to 1940, Nouméa was linked to Dumbéa and Païta by the Nouméa-Païta railway, the only railway line that ever existed in New Caledonia.
Port Nouméa cruise terminal is located very close to downtown, with Des Cocotiers (downtown´s Coconut Square) located just at 5 minutes walking distance from the terminal at Moselle Marina. The terminal building is surrounded by an outdoor handicraft market.
Visited February 22, 2023.