Noumea for 2 wks on my own

After a long (and expensive) Middle East trip in Jan am thinking of a holiday closer to home (NZ) this year and considering 2 wks in New Caledonia end Dec/early Jan (single lady, travels alone), possibly staying at Anse Vata/Baine des Citrons. It looks like a lovely area to stay but I'm not into lying on the beach. I prefer seeing the scenery, the history and the shops and markets. Would there be enough of that to keep me occupied for 2 weeks? I don't drive, so are there day trips or walks I could take that don't just involve beaches? I realise most people go there for the beaches and water activities but I just want 2 relaxing weeks of seeing new and interesting things, maybe with others on daytrips, and pottering around Noumea. Is this a good place for me, or will I run out of things to do?

Thanks.

Noumea is not a large town and it would be difficult to find things to do for 2 weeks, especially if you discount water based activities. We had only 5 nights there and did enjoy our time but visiting the museums, cultural center, the aquarium and churches will not take up more than a few days. Noumea has a couple of small parks that are interesting, along with a market area. We hiked up to top of the park at the end of Anse Vata. There are also the petit trains that you can take to visit some of the sights. Other than that, you would have to do excursions to some of the outlying areas by car or maybe visit one or two of the other islands. I would think a week would be sufficient for seeing what Noumea has to offer.

Thanks - that's what I suspected. Doesn't take me long to do shops! But will look into the excursions and island trips.

I agree with #1 in that it is not large by world standards, though it is very large by Pacific standards. You could be active seeingthings over a week and take some time to explore "Grande Terre" the main island (by car - its big) and/or, spend a few days on the Isles Of Pines.

In Noumea visit the Tuhrsday nite market on Anse Vata, play boules, watch unique Pacific womens cricket, the daily fresh food market by the Port, the Casinos, French Restaurants and also cafes of Anse Vata/Citrones,and shops, museums, the fabulous Enzo Piano designed cultural centre (see http://www.galinsky.com/buildings/tjibaou/ ), the Acquarium etc, a day trip to Amadee lighthouse is fun too.

Thanks mandja. I think I just need to learn to relax and enjoy the Pacific Island vibe instead of rushing around trying to fit too much into each day as I tend to do when overseas.

Why don't you get out from Noumea. the best from New Caledonia is outside. I live in NC for 3 years and never wanted to live in Noumea. Prefere to get up at 5 in the morning and drive 45 minutes to work than live in Nooumea. Yate, Mont Koghis, Blue Rivier National Park, North of NC there are so many things to see that staying in Noumea is just waisting of time. If you need some more info let me know on yendrec@gmail.com

goog luck
andrzej