Just Back From New Caledonia

I have just returned from two weeks in New Caledonia and I would like to share with Planeteers some of the highs and lows of the trip.
Firstly there is a strange sort of arrangement between Qantas and Air Calin where even if you book with Qantas you can find yourself on a Air Calin aircraft.They call it Code Sharing ,whatever that means.
The first five days were spent in the Ramada Hotel and I must say it was very clean with friendly helpful staff,rooms and food. Car rental in Noumea is quite good value,food is atrociously expensive and of varying quality throughout. Good cheap eats can be had at the City markets carpark at night from caravan and minibus vendors.
A new hotel just opended is the Best Western's La Promenade at Anse Varta, where much of the run down old shops,cafes are being demolished for new more up market development.This is where the future focus for tourists will be I think.
The best value attraction is the Aquarium,newly opened which I consider world class.
Bay de Cirons has good but expensive restaurants and night life.A Trip to Amedee Island as well as Isle de Canard are very good value and an enjoyable day out. Swimming at Anse Varta or Bay de Citrons is pleasant and clean.
The next stage was a week on Isle of Pines,at the Gite Nataiwatch.Simple but pleasant, close to the superb Kanamera Bay and Kuto Bay. Be prepared for rustic and third world conditions unless you have a big credit card limit. The better hotels cost close to $A500 upwards per night without any meals. Restaurants are really only available in the hotels and cost a lot. There are very few outlets where you can buy supplies for self catering and the opening days and hours vary. On the positive side however,the island boasts the best white sand and clear water for diving and snorkelling in probably all of the Pacific.The local people seems to be very happy and give you a smile and a wave despite having very little in the way of luxuries.
A little French goes a long way as well as patience.Be prepared to walk quite a bit as there is no public transport and only one town,VAO has anything in the way of ammenities such as Post Office,Bank. etc.
My negative experience started when I was told that instead of flying out the next day to return home via Noumea,I had 20 minutes to pack and leave on the inter island ferry,the Betico to get back to Noumea or stay another two nights and still not be assured of a flight due to some sort of strike at the country's airports.I arrived late at night in Noumea and not knowing where to stay, wound up in a flea pit of a hotel,The Lantana.The next day I expected to fly out in the afternoon only to be told there would be no flights and if I wanted to leave,the next day I could fly to Sydney then to Brisbane(where I had left from)or wait until Saturday to fly direct to Brisbane from Noumea.
Qantas were not interested in helping me,I was directed to Air Calin where they were not interested in providing me with any assistance other than to book me on the flight. I received nothing in the way of food,accommodation or transfers although this had been pre paid for the days of travel.
I am going to make a point of exposing the lack of customer service by Qantas and Air Calin when their passengers are faced with emergencies leaving them stranded and stressed.
I had a great time in NC up until the crisis and would like to return,but when it comes to being tourist conscious,and providing for Australians,who by the way are only two hours away,the airlines and tourisim people leave a lot to be desired.
Unlike Australia ,very few hotels provide any sort of refreshment facilities in their rooms such as a jug,fridge,cups,glasses,etc,expecting you to use their restaurants and bars to suck even more money out of you.You cannot buy cold beer for take away from shops,it is all warm and if you want it cold,you have to buy from bars or hotels at their prices.If you are used to a good pillow,they seem to use of lumps of foam stuck into an old sack and give you that for a pillow!
Oh how glad I am to be sleeping in my own bed tonight .

Im sorry you had that horrid experience at the end, but New Caledonia cant be blamed for Qantas lack of service (or any decency).

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<hr>Unlike Australia ,very few hotels provide any sort of refreshment facilities in their rooms such as a jug,fridge,cups,glasses,etc<hr></blockquote>- maybe not at Lantana, but I did get all that in the Novotel on Anse Vata.

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<hr>You cannot buy cold beer for take away from shops,it is all warm<hr></blockquote> - I recall getting cold beer at the supermarket and also at the little grocer on Baie de Citrone near Budget Rent a car.

Also on IDP there is a bakery near Kuto, a large grocer in Vao, and at least 2 "snaks" (takeaways) to keep prices down there.

I agree with Mandja - you get what you pay for! We also have stayed at Le Surf & Navata Park & haven't had a problem - & if we had we would have just considered this to be part of the os adventure. Stop complaining!