Discover untouched nature in New Caledonia

NEW CALEDONIA - With the summer holiday season approaching, conversations naturally turn to the subject of travel destinations. Some are realistic, others just wishful thinking.

New Caledonia is undoubtedly a dream location for a summer vacation for anybody, as long as they can afford it.

New Caledonia, a collection of exotic islands in the southwest Pacific located between Australia and New Zealand, is often described as "heavenly" by those who have been there.

But it was only recently that the former French colony started to become a popular vacation spot with Koreans. The recent hit television drama, "Boys Over Flowers," which was shot there contributed largely in boosting its popularity, drawing in Korean honeymooners and tourists.

"I heard a lot of Koreans talking about the drama and New Caledonia when I visited the country a few months ago. It has sure contributed to making Korea a bigger market for us," said Patrick Moison, the general director for New Caledonia Tourism bureau.

New Caledonia, which used to be mostly popular with the French and Japanese, has recently been more accessible by the launch of Air Caledonie, which offers direct flights between Incheon and Noumea, the capital city.

New Caledonia, which is included on the U.N. list of Non-Self-Governing Territories, will decide whether to remain part of the French Republic or become an independent state after 2014. It is best known for its endlessly spread turquoise ocean and the romantic European mood of the country, plus its unique culture where traditional Melanesian and European ones coexist. The weather, averaging around 20 degrees Celsius throughout the year, also makes the islands a perfect vacation venue.

It is best-known for its lagoons, a UNESCO World Heritage site, which present gradated ocean colors that range from emerald to deep blue. The Lagoons are special to the country, which is an atoll, unlike many other volcanic Pacific islands.

The European-style capital Noumea and other small islands - including Ile des Pins and Ouvea - have stunning beaches and glowing sand that are the hallmark of the country.

Yet, New Caledonia offers more than just a relaxing vacation by the beach.

The islands differentiate from others by being an appropriate spot for eco-tourism.

Blue River Park, which is located near Noumea, presents a completely distinct aspect of the island - the rich unspoilt nature, and the rare plants and animals that are special to New Caledonia.

Noumea

The capital city is located in the southwestern part of the main island, a 45 minute drive from La Tontouta, the islands` international airport.

The neatly organized port city with low-level European-style buildings is small and cozy, similar to Niece.

Centre Culturel Tjibaou (Tjibaou Cultural Center), which was designed by Renzo Piano, who also designed Centre Pompidou and Kansai Airport, is worth a visit.

Centre Culturel Tjibaou was established in 1998, commemorating late Jean-Marie Tjibaou, a Kanak (indigenous Melanesian inhabitant of New Caledonia) leader who largely contributed to the unity of tribes and the country`s independence. She was later assassinated.

The center features a set of 10 structures made of wood and steel, which was inspired by traditional Kanak houses but have been modernized. The center also has diverse permanent exhibitions on traditional Kanak art.

Taking an hour-long cruise to watch the sunset can be a fantastic way to spend the evening. One can also see the resorts built on the sea during the cruise, which were featured on "Boys Over Flowers."

Don`t miss out on shopping. Even if you are on a tight schedule, be sure to visit Le Marche de Noumea, the morning market, located by Port Moselle.

Although prices are relatively high, one can get such precious items as rare original Arabica coffees that contain little caffeine and essences made of the Niaouli trees that are unique to New Caledonia.

Ile des Pins

Translated as the "Isle of Pines," this small island just 20 minutes south by air from Noumea is popular for its one-of-a-kind scenery as well as eco-friendly resorts that are adjacent to the sea.

Although Iles des Pins is a tropical island, it has thick pine forests everywhere you look, making the scenery there quite unique - tall and lean pine trees surround the blue ocean, which seems to melt into the sky.

One of the must-visit spots on the island is the Oro natural swimming pool in Oro Bay. Visitors can enjoy sunbathing, swimming and even snorkeling there. Created by the corals and rocks that started to block the water and later formed a shallow natural pool, it has a cozy private beach-like atmosphere and diverse multi-colored fish from the ocean.

"A lot of tourists say that when they come to Oro Natural Pool, they feel like they are at an aquarium because they can see fish that are usually spotted deep in the ocean," said Lee Ji-su, a manager for the New Caledonia Tourism Bureau in Korea.

Ouvea

Ouvea, an island located east of Noumea, is less known to tourists than other small islands of New Caledonia. The island is less developed than the capital, with more environmental-friendly traditional Melanesian culture still existing.

However, it has long been a popular venue for Japanese honeymooners because of the novel "The Island Closest to Heaven" (1984) by Katsura Morimura, which was set on the island.

Indeed, like the title of the novel, those who have been to the island call it the most beautiful island in New Caledonia, saying that the view from the beach there is most memorable.

The view can be best enjoyed at Mouli Bridge, which connects Ouvea and tiny Mouli Island in the south.

"Just looking at the ocean for hours, you will never get bored," Lee said.

Blue River Park

Unlike the capital city and islands, Blue River Park, located 45 kilometers east of Noumea, would be what ecotourists might be looking for.

One would actually be surprised to find that New Caledonia actually has reddish barren soil that contrasts with the beaches.

"The soil of New Caledonia is red because it contains a lot of iron. But whereas not many plants tend to survive in it, Paleozoic species like niaouli and ancient pine trees grow well here since the condition of the soil is closest to that of the Jurassic period," explained a local guide, Francois Tran.

The gray niaouli trees half-sunk in lake Yate makes an interesting scenery that cannot be seen anywhere else. Along with plants, Cagou, the rare gray national bird, which looks like a pigeon but cannot fly, and insectivorous plants called Nepethes can be seen in the park as well.

To find out more about New Caledonia, call the tourism bureau at (02) 732-4150 or visit www.new-caledonia.co.kr

(youngaah@heraldm.com)By Koh Young-aah/Korea Herald Correspondent