poor students head to N.C

Hello there,

me and my girlfriend (both 25) have booked a flight to N.C, leaving on the 5th of November and returning three weeks after that date. The flight was realy cheap, but i understand N.C isn't. We are bringing a light tent to sleep in and want to hire or buy bikes to travel around on.

We realy want to get away from all the built up resorts etc and find lovely places to swim snorkle, sketch etc.

I guess its easier for you guys to reply if i just ask a list of questions, here we go!

1. Can you rent bikes for the whole three weeks?
2. Are there many free camping spots?
3. Should we take some cash around with us?
4. How much is it to get to the islands in the east?

any help would be great, and if there's any New Calidonian's reading this, any contact help would be great!

thanks people.

email: jakspack@hotmail.com

<blockquote>Quote
<hr>The flight was realy cheap, but i understand N.C isn't.<hr></blockquote> - yes this is true of much ofthe Pacific but particularly of NC.

1. Can you rent bikes for the whole three weeks? - probably - ask here.
2. Are there many free camping spots? -yes - free camping in Municipal campgrounds all along the main island (Grande Terre) on the west coast and inexpensive camping at Gites on the East Coast.
3. Should we take some cash around with us?oh yes ! I took an ATM card and credit card and found that to be a good mix.
4. How much is it to get to the islands in the east?-depends which ones. The Ferry (Betico is abouthalf the cost of flying. Noumea-Isles of Pines costs about AUD$60 each way in second class.

Eat at local sandwich shops for great "foot-long" baguettes. The markets are brilliant in the mornings, and at bigger places (esp Noumea) the Supermarkets are excellent.