We've been to Noumea a few times now and, like every other time, didn't have any plans for the day. All of the Shore Tours seem a bit expensive for what they offer. We've done the hop on hop off bus which we though wasn't bad value. I think about $15pp? We're not planning on doing it again this time, just go for another walk around the town and check out the supermarket (like every other trip!).
But first, breakfast! I really love the Dawn's buffet! It is set out so well and the choice and quality is superb. Very tempting to go over board (pardon the pun) with food as it all looks so good. I want a Horizon Buffet in my house ;-)
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| Danish, choc chip pancake, muesli and pineapple - my kind of brekky! |
As the Dawn docked at the container terminal we could walk off the ship but we had to catch a bus around to the cruise terminal in town. You aren't allowed to walk through the container terminal for safety reasons. The bus trip is only a few minutes although we did think we were going to end up in the harbour - the bus gets VERY close to the wharf edge!
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| So close to the edge! |
We were all leaning to the left to stop the bus from going in the water - I'm sure it helped ;-) Once at the cruise terminal we got off the bus and then wandered around Noumea. We headed over to Chinatown and then through Coconut Square, in the centre of Noumea, and then to the Casino Supermarket. It must be shopping day because the supermarket was busy! Probably didn't help that a ship load of people had arrived in town! I only had about 300FPC which I had planned on spending on some nibblies (I think I've bought Noumea nibblies every time I've been here!) but I decided not to and ended up buying a ring at the markets in the cruise terminal. I also bought a wire rooster shaped egg cup for my sister. I thought it was very groovy and knew she wouldn't have one already!
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| The shuttle bus (note the old couple with their fold up bikes!) |
We caught the bus back to the ship, they were running continually throughout the day, and headed (guess??)
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| Delicious Chicken Burger from The Grill |
After lunch we watched a ship come in and dock just in front of us. The skill of the captain and the tug boat driver was certainly on show.
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| So close! |
One day I would really like to see what else Noumea has to offer and not just the city. It would be nice to be able to go further out and see the outer suburbs, maybe we need to hire a car but I'm not sure who would drive. Driving on the other side of the road looks tricky, I'm sure I'd go round a roundabout the wrong way!
One of the couples we have dinner with went to Amadee Island, which is a whole day trip, and said they really enjoyed it. I was put off and definitely will not go to Amadee Island when they mentioned the sea snakes and how they just come up onto the beach - right next to you!! oh my, no thank you! It was very expensive (in my opinion anyway) for the day trip - $250pp, it did also include lunch but that is a lot of money! I'll stick to my $15 hop on hop off bus or walking.
Dinner was, as always, delicious! I had calamari steak, something I've never had before (or seen on a menu), and it was so tender and the sauce - yum! Dessert, mmmmmmmmmmm. Mum said hers was the best dessert she has ever had on a cruise and possibly anywhere - big call but it did look good. Chocolate crepes - I had chocolate ganache cake.
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| Chocolate Crepes |
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| Chocolate Ganache Cake |
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