Happy New Year from New Caledonia!
Photo by Laurent Guiader, 2006.All of us in New Caledonia wish all of you wherever you are a VERY HAPPY and HEALTHY 2007. One of the first in the world to celebrate the New Year, along with Sydney and Auckland, Nouméa's skies lit up at midnight as fireworks painted the sky. From Ilôt Maitre to Baie des Citrons to Anse Vata and beyond, it seemed as if all the world were happy with the dawn of a new year. Boats, little and tall, tooted their horns, cars beeped out their drivers' joy and laughter and popping champagne filled the air in Nouméa's early hours. All the best for a magnificent and memorable year!
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7 comments:
Happy New Year to you, too, Julie. I will continue to read your blog with great interest, as I have resolved to come to Noumea later this year. Time feels critical, as I regret that my grandmother isn't here to tell us more about our family history there. I want to visit while my Aunt Janette and my biological grandfather are still there. This means a lot of extra web work in addition to my full-time gig, and improving what little French I command, but your posts are great motivation! Thanks again.
What a GREAT New Year's resolution! BRAVO. If there is anything in particular you want to know, please don't hesitate to ask. As you know, I fully support trips to New Caledonia.
All the best,
Julie
PS If you would prefer to contact me by e-mail, don't hesitate. You can get me on julie.harrisguiader@gmail.com
PSS Tell us what you do. We are intrigued.
Happy New Year to you and your family. I just happened to find your blog by sheer accident as I was looking up information about New Caledonia. I love the picture of the Christmas Trees (they are so beautiful) as well as the rest of the pictures you have posted here. I hope to be able to write often. I do have a question. I live in Northern California and I hear that Dengue Fever in your country is a problem. I happen to be very sensitive to mosquito bites (which don't occur too much where I live) so I would like to know if it even wise if I should try to visit your country. I'd love to see it, especially Christmas time because things around that time of year in the U.S. tend to be stressful and unpleasant-it would be nice to celebrate Christmas in some relative peace.
Have you any advice for me in terms of this dengue fever problem? I would sure appreciate it. Thank you.
Sincerely,
complete_interest
I'm an archaeologist who made the 'mistake' of specializing in the ancient Maya instead of the Lapita. Had I done otherwise, I'd be able to apply for research grants to visit New Caledonia!
I will definitely take you up on your offer of advice as 2007 unfolds...
Hello complete_interest,
We do have Dengue Fever here, yes. The government actively campaigns to stop it, but as you probably know, there is no vaccine. This being said, I have not known anyone here to get it - as we live in the capital where they try to keep it under control.
I think New Caledonia is a wonderful place to visit, but given your sensitivity to mosquito bites, I would consult with a doctor specialised in tropical diseases before buying your ticket.
Hoping this helps.
All the best,
Julie
Enjoyed catching up on all of you this morning. Sounds as though you are still having quite the adventure. Congrads to Sophie on her driving test, no easy feat. You all look so tanned, happy and healthy, even Paublo! I loved the parrot fish, leopard shark and the photo of you and Paublo with him in the little car. I'm currently in L.A. with Juliette and Kyle for spring vacation, heading down to San Diego tomorrow to see Katie. Looks like we may have found a house in Marin, owned by two generations of writers, so perhaps the energy of the place will help me launch this book that needs birthing. Missing you lots.
Love,
Mary
Oh I almost forgot, Happy Birthday to Paublo!!!
Love,
mary
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