Noumea Friendliness

[MicCanberra]

That's funny as the first time we were going to Paris (about 20 yrs ago) we were staying with DH's cousins in the UK. They said how much they liked Paris and France in general except for one thing, it was full of French people. Sums up their attitude really :eek:

I have heard this first hand from an English couple except it was in Spain and full of Spaniards. Who would have thought.

And how many of those British or American travellers expect the food in restaurants to be exactly like what they get at home?

 

Too many, but I know some Aussies like that as well. They like there steak and potatoes, roast lamb or fish and chips and that is it.

[cheznandy]

I have heard this first hand from an English couple except it was in Spain and full of Spaniards. Who would have thought.

 

 

Too many, but I know some Aussies like that as well. They like there steak and potatoes, roast lamb or fish and chips and that is it.

 

I know...have been on so many tours where lunch is included, and people will not eat as it is different:rolleyes:

We loved Singapore cos we could have Indian in Little India, Middle Eastern in Kampong Glam....Thai and Vietnamese everywhere.....we travel to eat!!!

Oh and REAL chinese in China:p, nothing like the chinese takeaway we get here.

Nothing like a break from the high salt/bad oils of ship food:)

 

Ooop, how did this thread turn to food??

Edited September 10, 2016 by cheznandy

[OzKiwiJJ]

We loved Singapore cos we could have Indian in Little India, Middle Eastern in Kampong Glam....Thai and Vietnamese everywhere.....we travel to eat!!!

Oh and REAL chinese in China:p, nothing like the chinese takeaway we get here.

 

A friend, who travelled frequently on business, was once asked what his favourite restaurant was. His reply? Singapore!

 

On our last port stop in Singapore a local friend took us to a Singapoean Chinese restaurant. Simple food but seriously yum! We had to be there at 11:30am for lunch, we were first in the door and within 5 minutes all the tables were full and people were queuing. It was quite a decent sized restaurant too, not just a hole in the wall type.

[OzKiwiJJ]

 

Ooop, how did this thread turn to food??

 

Noumea = French = food?

 

Speaking of French food in Noumea - O Mediterranee in Lemon Bay does some of the best pan-seared duck breast that I have ever tasted.

[Aussieflyer]

Food is one of the real joys of travelling. I remember a wonderful lunch in Portofino which was so simple but so fresh and yummy. All we had was a pasta with pesto and a bowl of mussels with bread but sitting next to the water with a bottle of wine watching the boats on a sunny day - nothing better.

Reminds me of another of DH's cousins from the UK who were coming to stay with us. I emailed and asked if they had any dietary requirements. The reply was along the lines that "we don't like anything spicy, XX loves his English cooking with meat and veggies, we do eat some plain Italian, but no, we're not fussy when it comes to food".:eek: This couple used to travel quite a lot so heaven only knows what they ate.

[OzKiwiJJ]

Food is one of the real joys of travelling. I remember a wonderful lunch in Portofino which was so simple but so fresh and yummy. All we had was a pasta with pesto and a bowl of mussels with bread but sitting next to the water with a bottle of wine watching the boats on a sunny day - nothing better.

 

I agree, we've had some memorable meals on our travels over the years. Some expensive experiences, but many just cheap local food.

 

The green spiky prawns at a restaurant in Tokyo have to be the most memorable though. They were just ordinary tempura prawns (very fresh and delicious) but the tempura chef had dipped them in batter that was tinted a pale green and that had short lengths of rice noodle in it. When cooked the rice noodle bits stuck out like spikes. A couple of the other pieces of tempura had rice bubbles in the batter so also looked interesting, and had added crunch. We were absolutely delighted with this little extra touch to our tempura, and the tempura chef was delighted by our reaction to it.

[MicCanberra]

Noumea = French = food?

 

Speaking of French food in Noumea - O Mediterranee in Lemon Bay does some of the best pan-seared duck breast that I have ever tasted.

 

That's funny, I have Tapas at Barcelona(?) last time I was in Noumea.

[MicCanberra]

Food tasting around the world is one of the best ways to experience the culture as you mix with the locals and eat what they eat, they way they eat it.

[OzKiwiJJ]

That's funny, I have Tapas at Barcelona(?) last time I was in Noumea.

 

I can't help it if you're weird! :p

[eaglebowler]

I'm no great expert with only 2 visits to Noumea under the belt. But I'm sure a lot of bad reviews come from people experiencing only the immediate area around the terminal. That is a pretty average area and I wouldn't hang around there either. But as others have mentioned, get out to the bays & it's a different world. Also lots of comments about Noumea being closed on a Sunday, but definately not the case at, Anse Vata and Lemon Bay, almost everything is open.

[MicCanberra]

I'm no great expert with only 2 visits to Noumea under the belt. But I'm sure a lot of bad reviews come from people experiencing only the immediate area around the terminal. That is a pretty average area and I wouldn't hang around there either. But as others have mentioned, get out to the bays & it's a different world. Also lots of comments about Noumea being closed on a Sunday, but definately not the case at, Anse Vata and Lemon Bay, almost everything is open.

 

Yes, and it is an easy cab ride or the HOHO bus also goes there.:D

[MicCanberra]

I can't help it if you're weird! :p

 

Not sure if it is weird or if it just strange to have Spanish style food in a highly French influenced area..;)

[OzKiwiJJ]

Not sure if it is weird or if it just strange to have Spanish style food in a highly French influenced area..;)

 

Weird that you didn't head for one of the French restaurants. :p

 

Just out of curiousity why did you go Spanish instead of French? Spanish tapas are seriously yummy but when in a French Overseas Territory ...

[MicCanberra]

Weird that you didn't head for one of the French restaurants. :p

 

Just out of curiousity why did you go Spanish instead of French? Spanish tapas are seriously yummy but when in a French Overseas Territory ...

 

All the places were pretty busy but this one had some lounges in the shade and under a fan. The menu was good although not really Spanish food but rather tapas style plates to share, we went for a seafood selection that included tempura prawns, oysters, calamari, fish sticks, and much more. There were 4 of us and it was ample food.

[OzKiwiJJ]

All the places were pretty busy but this one had some lounges in the shade and under a fan. The menu was good although not really Spanish food but rather tapas style plates to share, we went for a seafood selection that included tempura prawns, oysters, calamari, fish sticks, and much more. There were 4 of us and it was ample food.

 

Say no more! Say no more! :D

[reedy8]

True, I have always found people in France wonderful. Most of my other travels have been countries with other languages.

I found the attitiude of the French changed considerably when I said with an apolgetic look 'Je regrette , je ne parle pas français' 'Je suis un Australienne'which are about the limit of my French apart from hello , thankyou etc

They seemed to take pity on me then.

[OzKiwiJJ]

I found the attitiude of the French changed considerably when I said with an apolgetic look 'Je regrette , je ne parle pas français' 'Je suis un Australienne'which are about the limit of my French apart from hello , thankyou etc

They seemed to take pity on me then.

 

They take pity on me as soon as they hear me say "Bonjour". ;)

[MicCanberra]

Say no more! Say no more! :D

 

They also had those mist machines which helps keep it cooler.:D

[MicCanberra]

They take pity on me as soon as they hear me say "Bonjour". ;)

 

Likewise, I say 'Bonjour', 's’il vous plaît', toilette, and 'Merci' are just about all I can say.:o

[Willow45]

Great reading as we are going to Noumea in October and I definitely plan to get off and see as much as I can. Sooo, have local currency - all good I was planning to have it, and to know some French words - well I didn't think about that one. Will have to learn a few words.

 

 

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[MicCanberra]

Great reading as we are going to Noumea in October and I definitely plan to get off and see as much as I can. Sooo, have local currency - all good I was planning to have it, and to know some French words - well I didn't think about that one. Will have to learn a few words.

 

 

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Enjoy, make sure you get out of the port area and explore other areas.

[challis]

anyone know why the ships allways dock at the container terminal now

-rather than the cruise ship terminal?it was so much better to walk off ship into town from the wharf.

i so much love entering the reef around 6 a.m,as you cruise in,you see the waves break on the reef,and the narrow passage you cruise through,then the calm water of the inner reef,as a old sailor,its heaven...

 

i go straight to the casino supermarket,buy a coke in OZ dollars,get the change in frans,then buy bus tickets,and catch bus to lemon bay.the locals on the bus are mainly colorful locals,easy ride,last stop is anse vasta.

 

i walked up to the church on the hill last time,catherdral de noumea-nice view,on a hot day it catchs the breeze.and i luv the locals giving us all a free welcome song and dance and send off on the wharf -and the free internet at place des coconut park-whats not to like-such a first world problem,to not mix it with the locals-and not forgetting noumea was a major military base for us during ww2.:)

[chester32]

Going to be in Noumea this year we plan to go to Lemon bay for lunch could anyone tell can you use $AU or credit card or do you need local currency and if so what would be the rough amount needed

[Opua Kiwi]

i go straight to the casino supermarket,buy a coke in OZ dollars,get the change in frans,then buy bus tickets,and catch bus to lemon bay.the locals on the bus are mainly colorful locals,easy ride,last stop is anse vasta.

Where do you buy the local bus ticket, and is that bus stop near the casino ?

Thanks.

[MicCanberra]

Going to be in Noumea this year we plan to go to Lemon bay for lunch could anyone tell can you use $AU or credit card or do you need local currency and if so what would be the rough amount needed

 

Most restaurants will take Credit cards although some will have a CC surcharge as well. Depending on the CC you have and the amount, it may be better for your bank to do the conversion to AUD rather than the restaurant.