Lonely Planet™ · Thorn Tree Forum · 2020

new caldedonia book stinks!

Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea

sorry- but there was so much more information that you could have included that would have helped me both before and during my trip. you could have mentioned what the road to prouny was like - desoltae and no possibility of gas or food- you could have detailed little hikes all around the parks -- i can't even start. this book was of almost zero help when i got the new cal. and i think you need to revise it and include so many more details. thanks.

for any traveler consaidering new cal- forget noumea entirely unless you're a kiteboarder and head straight for the bouter loyalty islands..

This Has Come Up Here in The Past
Sorry to hear that you were led astray by the contents of an LP Travel Guide but we've heard it all before.

Underpaid apathetic amateurs doing a book by phone in a languge they can't speak/don't care to learn.

If you care to contact someone @ LP email talk2us@lonelyplanet.com.au

relax and enjoy your life!

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Different perspective
"Forget Noumea" - what rubbish! Noumea has plenty to see and do and warrants at least a few days' stay.

As for the guide, I found it really helpful. But there is always room for improvement and LP appreciates tips and advise from readers so like Walu says write to them. However you can't count on a guidebook for everything so I think blaming them for not knowing about service stations is ridiculous. Even the latest guides were written a few years ago and things do change. You could ask at local tourist offices or with locals, plus the pleasure of travelling is discovering things for yourself, not having everything spoonfed to you by LP.

TT's Resident Sydney Sweetheart and Decadent Good Time Girl

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New Caledonia-Noumea
Have just returned from NC and spent most of our short time there in Noumea. We loved Noumea. I had a New Cal. guide book from 1992 and still got a lot out of it. The urban bus system in Noumea is absolutely excellent and we used it a lot to get to Ansa Vata, the Cultural Centre (excellent), the market (fantastic food and seafood), downtown (very pretty with great park and terrific eating and shopping. The older New Cal. museum was very interesting and well set up. The aquarium was also worth a visit. There was still lots to see and do so as custardapple says - spend at least 2 days in Noumea and you will be rewarded.
On our next trip there we will get out to la brousse and the outer islands.

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