The New Caledonia Weekly

A new free English-language weekly for tourists and expats living in New Caledonia hit the stands in Nouméa in May, 2008.

It features regular well-written sections on the week's events in New Caledonia; places to visit and stay at; a travel kit; weather and more.

Written both for the visiting traveller and more permanent newcomers, you can find it at airports, hotels and tourist offices.

It is also available on line every week at:

http://www.office-tourisme.nc/
http://www.newcaledonia.com.au/
http://www.newcaledonia.co.nz/

As someone who once lived in New Caledonia and craved English-language literature on the island, I am thrilled to see this new weekly. Attractive, fresh, easy and interesting to read, I'd recommend thumbing through a copy when next you can (and keeping it as a souvenir when you leave the island). Happy reading!

New Caledonia: The Travellers' Guide

The New Caledonia Tourist Office has released a travellers' guide in English. This guide provides a wealth of practical information, information about Noumea, the surrounding islands and other villages on the island, activities and maps.

The New Caledonia Tourist Office website, available in English, is also a great source of information for tourists and more permanent visitors.

Sojourn in the South Pacific Blog: How to Find What You are Looking For

This blog is about life in New Caledonia. I lived there from 2005 to 2007 and wrote about the experience whenever I could. Here you will find information about daily life in Nouméa; visits to Lifou, Maré, Ouvéa and Ile des Pins; and tales of the early childhood of our son, Pablo and the teenage years of his sister, Sophie.

If you are looking for something in particular about New Caledonia here, you can:

• Type keywords into the search box at the top left of your screen; the search will return anything I've written about your topic.
  
• Browse the categories under "Labels" on the left-hand side of your screen.


• Send me an e-mail at julie.harrisguiader@gmail.com.

I am a writer/editor/webber who now lives in Paris, but who would most likely jump at the drop of a hat at the chance to return to Nouméa. We spent two magical years there and would recommend a visit or a move to anyone who has the vaguest interest in trying life on a tiny South Pacific island.

Hoping you enjoy your visit, be it virtual or real. Drop me a line and tell me how it went!

New Caledonia Newcomer's Guide: 2008 edition

If you are looking for good, solid information on moving to and/or living in New Caledonia, I highly suggest the New Caledonia Newcomer's Guide. This free 26-page guide was updated, researched and compiled by a team of local English-speaking expatriate contributors. The guide touches on such topics as:

• Recommended Reading
• Getting Around New Caledonia
• Driver’s Licence
• The Magnificent Mobilis (mobile/cell phones)
• Learning French
• Do’s and Don’ts
• Carte de Sejour
• Finding a Place to Live
• Health Concerns
• Medical Care
• Childcare
• Culture Shock
• How To Handle Culture Shock
• Shopping For Food
• Recommended Pastry Shops
• Shopping For Home
• Shopping For Clothes
• Saving Money
• Local Expressions
• Useful Tips for Tropical Transformation
• Creepy Crawlies and Other Tropical Delights
• Poverty
• Hobbies and Clubs
• Places to Volunteer
• Fun Places to Spend the Day
• Vacations
• Who Succeeds Abroad?

A 1997 Newcomer's Guide also exists, but this 2008 edition is a much-needed addition to the limited information you will find on living in New Caledonia (many thanks to Jo Ann for sharing this!).

Happy reading!