New Caledonia in BBC News

For a recently updated overview of New Caledonia, its history and its politics, see the BBC's Regions and territories: New Caledonia page. Though they mention our nickel and the wealth on the island, what they fail to mention is that the building of a second nickel mine in the south is highly controversial (and is being blocked by the locals) and that the money on the island is in the hands of the Caldoches (two major families) and the Metros. (See A Country Thrice Divided for a short description of the difference between the populations.) The Kanaks live as they can, however, many of them in squats.

View from a South Pacific Island

It's been a year since we landed in New Caledonia and I swear it only gets better and better. We recently moved into a bigger villa (babies - and their equipment - require more living space, even in the South Pacific) and boy oh boy did we hit the jackpot! Here is a view from our balcony (and our living/dining area). Boats, blue skies and turquoise waters. Palm trees and hills. I literally stop what I am doing several times a day and just stare at the view. Talk about a great office view. Working at home - and taking care of a baby - has never been so good!

Photo by Laurent Guiader, 2006.

Everything Grows Faster in New Caledonia

Photo by Laurent Guiader, 2006.

Voilà Pablo at almost four months. Far, it seems to us, from the baby he was all those weeks ago. But we should not be surprised. Everything grows faster here, or so they say. We can attest to the fact - our hair and nails both need to be cut more frequently. We've never seen anything like it. I was told by a beautician who was told by a doctor that everything grows faster here because we are closer to the sun ... who knows? In any case, here sits Pablo a mere four months later. Would you believe his first two teeth are already coming through? Oh la la!

Granny on the Road

A rather magical friend arrived in Nouméa on 11 July 2006. Her name is Anne Bercot. If you don't know Anne, you'll be fascinated by her. If you do know Anne, you'll be excited to learn that she has just begun another rather impressive project ...

Anne has begun a new life at the age of 63. She has just started a SEVEN-YEAR TOUR of the WORLD and we are lucky enough to have her start with us. Anne is planning to travel the world on her own, hopping from here to Fiji, Vanautu, Tahiti, New Zealand, Australia and then off to South America, the United States (by cargo boat, plane, foot, thumb, whatever!), and who knows where else. She has already stayed with two tribes here in New Caledonia, has learned more about the native culture than we have, has hitchhiked down the island, slept in a "case" (hut) on the sea, dined with a local TV presenter and has a list of New Caledonian contacts a mile long!

If you want to know more, see Anne's blog (which she is maintaining in English and French). You will learn more about her reasons for her seven-year journey, why she has started here, what she is experiencing, and where she is going next. I highly recommend http://grannyontheroad.blogspot.com.