Nouméa: The Jewel of the South Pacific

• HelloBonjour
  [Bohn-zhoor]
• GoodbyeAu revoir
  [Oh reh-vwahr]
• YesOui
  [Wee]
• NoNon
  [Nohn]
• Please/You're welcomeS'il vous plaît / De rien
  [Seel voo pleh / Deh ryen]
• Thank youMerci
  [Mehr-see]
• Excuse me/SorryExcusez-moi / Désolé
  [Ex-kyoo-zay mwah / Day-zoh-lay]
• How are you?Comment ça va ?
  [Koh-mohn sah vah ?]
• Fine. And you?Bien. Et toi ?
  [Byen. Ay twah ?]
• Do you speak English?Parlez-vous anglais ?
  [Par-lay voo ahn-glay ?]
• I don't understandJe ne comprends pas
  [Zhuh nuh kohm-prahn pah]

• I'd like to see the menu, pleaseJe voudrais voir le menu, s'il vous plaît
  [Zhuh voo-dray vwar luh menu, seel voo pleh]
• I don't eat meatJe ne mange pas de viande
  [Zhuh nuh mahnj pah duh vyand]
• Cheers!Santé !
  [Sahn-tay]
• I would like to pay, pleaseJe voudrais payer, s'il vous plaît
  [Zhuh voo-dray pay-ay, seel voo pleh]

• Help!Au secours !
  [Oh se-koor]
• Go away!Allez-vous en !
  [Ah-lay vooz ahn]
• Call the Police!Appelez la police !
  [Ah-peh-lay lah po-lees]
• Call a doctor!Appelez un médecin !
  [Ah-peh-lay uh mayd-sahn]
• I'm lostJe suis perdu
  [Zhuh swee pehr-doo]
• I'm illJe suis malade
  [Zhuh swee mah-lahd]

• I'd like to buy...Je voudrais acheter...
  [Zhuh voo-dray ah-shet-ay]
• I'm just lookingJe regarde juste
  [Zhuh ruh-gard zhust]
• How much is it?Combien ça coûte ?
  [Kom-byen sah koot ?]
• That's too expensiveC'est trop cher
  [Say troh shay]
• Can you lower the price?Est-ce que vous pouvez baisser le prix ?
  [Es-kuh voo poo-vay bay-say luh pree ?]

• What time is it?Quelle heure est-il ?
  [Kell uhr ay-teel ?]
• It's one o'clockIl est une heure
  [Eel ay oon uhr]
• Half past (10)Dix heures et demie
  [Dee-uhrz ay deh-mee]
• MorningMatin
  [Mah-tahn]
• AfternoonAprès-midi
  [Ah-preh mee-dee]
• EveningSoir
  [Swah]
• YesterdayHier
  [Yehr]
• TodayAujourd'hui
  [Oh-zhoor-dwee]
• TomorrowDemain
  [Duh-man]
• 1Un
  [Uh]
• 2Deux
  [Duh]
• 3Trois
  [Trwah]
• 4Quatre
  [Cat]
• 5Cinq
  [Sank]
• 6Six
  [Sees]
• 7Sept
  [Set]
• 8Huit
  [Weet]
• 9Neuf
  [Nuhf]
• 10Dix
  [Dee]

• Where's a/the...?Où est...?
  [Oo ay...?]
• What's the address?Quelle est l'adresse?
  [Kell ay lah-dress?]
• Can you show me (on the map)?Pouvez-vous me montrer (sur la carte) ?
  [Poo-vez voo muh mohn-tray (soor lah kart) ?]
• When's the next (bus)?Quand est le prochain (bus) ?
  [Kahnd ay luh proh-shang (bus) ?]
• A ticket (to ....)Un billet (pour ....)
  [Uh bee-yay (poor ....)]

Nouméa, the capital of New Caledonia, was founded in 1854 by Admiral Febvrier Despointes, who named it Port-de-France. The settlement was established as a French penal colony and later grew into a major port and administrative center.

In 1878, the indigenous Kanak people led a major rebellion against French colonial rule. The conflict was driven by land disputes and the imposition of European customs. The rebellion was eventually suppressed, but it marked a significant moment in the resistance against colonialism.

During World War II, Nouméa became an important Allied base in the Pacific. The city served as the headquarters for the South Pacific Command under Admiral William Halsey, playing a crucial role in the Pacific Theater. The presence of American troops brought significant economic and social changes to the city.

The discovery of rich nickel deposits in New Caledonia in the late 19th and early 20th centuries transformed Nouméa into a bustling economic hub. The nickel industry attracted workers from various parts of the world, contributing to the city's diverse cultural landscape.

Nouméa is known for its multicultural society, influenced by indigenous Kanak traditions, French colonial heritage, and the contributions of various immigrant communities including Polynesians, Indonesians, and Vietnamese. This cultural diversity is reflected in the city's festivals, cuisine, and arts.

In recent decades, Nouméa has undergone significant modernization and urban development. The city now boasts modern infrastructure, shopping centers, and a vibrant tourism industry. Despite these changes, Nouméa continues to celebrate its rich history and cultural heritage.

Nouméa is the capital city of New Caledonia, located on the island of Grande Terre. The main international gateway is La Tontouta International Airport (NOU), approximately 45 kilometers northwest of the city. Direct flights are available from major cities such as Sydney, Auckland, Tokyo, and Paris. From the airport, you can take a shuttle, taxi, or rent a car to reach Nouméa. The shuttle services are frequent and relatively affordable, while taxis offer a more comfortable but expensive option.

Nouméa has a well-developed public transportation system. The Karuïa Bus service operates throughout the city and its suburbs, providing a convenient and cost-effective way to get around. Taxis are also available but can be expensive, especially for longer distances. Renting a car is a popular option for tourists who wish to explore beyond the city, with several rental agencies available. Additionally, you can explore the city center and its main attractions on foot or by bicycle, as there are many pedestrian-friendly areas and bike paths.

The official currency of New Caledonia is the CFP Franc (XPF). Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in Nouméa, especially in hotels, restaurants, and larger shops. However, it is advisable to carry some cash for smaller establishments, markets, and remote areas. ATMs are readily available throughout the city for cash withdrawals. Currency exchange services are also available at the airport, banks, and some hotels.

Nouméa is generally considered safe for tourists, but it is always wise to take standard precautions. Avoid walking alone at night in unfamiliar areas, particularly in neighborhoods such as Montravel and Tindu, which have higher crime rates. Keep an eye on your belongings in crowded places like markets and tourist attractions. Always use registered taxis and avoid accepting rides from strangers. While violent crime is rare, petty theft and pickpocketing can occur.

In case of an emergency, dial 17 for police, 18 for fire services, and 15 for medical emergencies. Nouméa has several hospitals and clinics, with the main one being Médipôle de Koutio, which offers comprehensive medical services. It is advisable to have travel insurance that covers medical emergencies and evacuation. Pharmacies are well-stocked and can provide over-the-counter medications for minor health issues.

Fashion: Do dress comfortably and modestly, especially when visiting religious or cultural sites. Avoid overly revealing clothing. Religion: Do respect local customs and traditions. When visiting churches or tribal areas, dress modestly and remove your hat. Public Transport: Do use the Karuïa Bus service for an affordable travel option. Don’t eat or drink on public transport. Greetings: Do greet people with a friendly 'Bonjour' (hello) and a smile. A handshake is customary in formal settings. Eating & Drinking: Do try local specialties such as bougna and seafood. Don’t refuse food or drink when offered, as it may be seen as impolite.

To experience Nouméa like a local, visit the Port Moselle Market (Marché de Nouméa) where you can buy fresh produce, seafood, and local crafts. Engage with locals, who are generally friendly and willing to share their culture and traditions. Don’t miss the opportunity to explore the beautiful beaches and nearby islets, such as Île aux Canards and Île Amédée. For a unique local experience, try kava, a traditional drink made from the roots of the kava plant, available in local kava bars.