Noumea. Flying Qantas and Aircalin in J.

[craven morehead]

Fantastic TR @Austman many thanks.

 

[dairyfloss]

and to make matters worse SB seating isn’t loaded into EF, so difficult to check what’s available.

I was just looking at EF and a QF92 seat map and only 1A/C, 2D/F and from memory all four seats in row 3 were showing (which means the others are reserved for the SB codeshare).

I've had my family of 3 booked for October for some time now, and couldn't get us seated together, even over an aisle, and this would be why! I was lost as to why a QF 738 only had this number of seats available in the seat map... not blocked... just not there at all! Makes sense now.

Cheers,
Matt.

 

[dairyfloss]

Thank you, @Austman for the very informative trip report! I had booked on a whim as soon as I saw QF flights going on sale. I was still a bit unsure about things and what to expect until your report showed up, and am ready now to just get up there and enjoy it!

One extra question for you - I'm a beer drinker, and will generally head out after arriving in a place to grab some 'supplies' for the room. Did you go into any supermarkets or minimarkets near to the Hilton (I'm actually at Le Meridien, but close enough), and notice if they sell beer there? I did a little research and it seems that they can sell liquor and beer from within the supermarkets with ID, but not sure if there's much around this area. A search for groceries in the area didn't yield much that looked useful.

Cheers,
Matt.

 

[SYD]

One extra question for you - I'm a beer drinker, and will generally head out after arriving in a place to grab some 'supplies' for the room. Did you go into any supermarkets or minimarkets near to the Hilton (I'm actually at Le Meridien, but close enough), and notice if they sell beer there? I did a little research and it seems that they can sell liquor and beer from within the supermarkets with ID, but not sure if there's much around this area. A search for groceries in the area didn't yield much that looked useful.

From memory, there might be a small convenience store near Le Meridian, if not there is a range of stores underneath the Hilton. Not sure if they have grog but the first street on the right past the Hilton also had some shops. There was also a store on the street before the Hilton/Ramada that had a store opposite the racecourse. Hopefully that saves you going up to the main town centre too often.

As reported, they have some odd off licence laws and times.

 

[SYD]

Thanks.After getting the "no cars available" I did try many other dates including next year as a test and always got the same message. Looks like a ph call needed unfortunately, pickup from the airport would be handy.

I noticed on the QF website that I can book a Hertz or Budget rental (but no Avis availability). So there may well be some issues with Avis at the moment. I’ll look later if I can book Hertz or Budget directly.

 

[Longtoo]

I noticed on the QF website that I can book a Hertz or Budget rental (but no Avis availability). So there may well be some issues with Avis at the moment. I’ll look later if I can book Hertz or Budget directly.

i have booked a car with Hertz. You will need to go to Hertz NC website for the booking, switch to English and the rest is pretty easy to follow. It seems that booking must be secured by credit card payment in advance. I did not try to book via the QF website. Car can be dropped off at the hotel. My booking is next week. I will provide a brief report on how i go.

 

[Austman]

One extra question for you - I'm a beer drinker, and will generally head out after arriving in a place to grab some 'supplies' for the room. Did you go into any supermarkets or minimarkets near to the Hilton (I'm actually at Le Meridien, but close enough), and notice if they sell beer there? I did a little research and it seems that they can sell liquor and beer from within the supermarkets with ID, but not sure if there's much around this area. A search for groceries in the area didn't yield much that looked useful.

Cheers,
Matt.

Adding to what SYD said, there are some supermarkets that sell wine and beer (and spirits too, I'm pretty sure) in the area - but it's in an almost hidden room. I think the wine shops might also sell beer and spirits but I didn't go into one.

Here are the locations:

 

[dairyfloss]

From memory, there might be a small convenience store near Le Meridian, if not there is a range of stores underneath the Hilton. Not sure if they have grog but the first street on the right past the Hilton also had some shops. There was also a store on the street before the Hilton/Ramada that had a store opposite the racecourse. Hopefully that saves you going up to the main town centre too often.

As reported, they have some odd off licence laws and times.

Adding to what SYD said, there are some supermarkets that sell wine and beer in the area - but it's in an almost hidden room. I think the wine shops might also sell beer but I didn't go into one.

Here are the locations:

View attachment 286416

View attachment 286417

Thanks, @SYD & @Austman! - will create a map in my Google account for the hunt

As an aside, I know Auchan from visiting my in-laws in Romania... hopefully it's not the same high quality beer in PET bottles as I have to buy from that place!

à votre santé,
Matt.

 

[docjames]

Great TR, thank you for sharing your travels and insights.

 

[Austman]

A bit of a post TR follow up:

Money in New Caledonia/Noumea.

It's Pacific Francs in New Caledonia, designated XPF or CPF. And sometimes just F or FRS in the shops. I paid pretty much for everything by card. I only used cash for public bus tickets and to buy small things like a single baguette. There were enough ATMs around. I only needed to withdraw XPF 2,000 ($24.60). The smallest ATM withdrawal amount was XPF 1,000 ($12.30). The ATM fee per withdrawal using an ING Bank card was $5 which ING Bank refunded me as I had qualified for 3 x free international ATM withdrawals.

NOU airport departures.

I have a few photos of it. It's a small, modern airport but pretty low key. There's not all that much there.

The check-in area:




The air-side public area food and drinks:




There's also a duty free and a shop or two but I didn't go in ...

The Hibiscus lounge and food:







Not shown is the quite good range of drinks in the Hibiscus lounge. There's a coffee machine as well as tea and quite a range of soft drinks and alcoholic drinks (including Champagne).

At either place, public or lounge, it's probably not a great idea to plan to eat much there.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

And a slight correction to an earlier post:

Fish (local): 2,962 ($36). One glass wine: 1,370 ($17). No tip requested or necessary.

I added the food tax (6%) to the glass of wine cost and vice versa. It should read:

Fish (local): 3,000 ($37). One glass wine: 1,332 ($16). No tip requested or necessary. So not much different haha

At the bottom of each receipt is a LOT of numbers! But thankfully the marked prices both in shops and restaurants includes the appropriate taxes.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

And finally, while in the "gritty" CBD of Noumea, I found a Chinatown. I had some lunch there in a Chinese restaurant called "Fin Valab". It was a random choice. Not at all fancy but I enjoyed it:



It can be interesting to see if different countries have done local variations of Chinese food. But I was a bit surprised when on the first page of the menu I found this:



Haha. But I thought it looked pretty good value for steak, chips and salad - just $21.

I went for a more familiar Chinese dish:



And I managed to drink a whole bottle of wine with it!




I actually couldn't eat it all. Not bad for $20. And the whole bottle of wine was 25cl. haha.

 

[Longtoo]

i have booked a car with Hertz. I will provide a brief report on how i go.

I had 2 bookings.

Booking 1: pick up from the Airport. I booked for a Citroen C3, they gave me a rather old Renault (for Hertz standard) but the car is fine. The office is outside of the arrival hall, a short walk to the right. The lady at the reception does not speak English, with my limited French, it was pretty ok. Car return was at the hotel. They were supposed to pick up the car at 11 am but did not come until 11.45 am. I could have just drop the key at the reception but since i realised that the hotel will not take any responsibility of the car, i decided to wait until they come.

Booking 2: They dropped the car at my hotel, however, I was coming back late (my fault), they did not see me, and drove the car back to Hertz in Noumea. i then took a taxi to them (<1000 PXF for the taxi fare, pretty ok). This time, they gave me a Citroen C3. Not the fancy city car version you would see on the internet but it is nice enough. I will return the car at the airport later.

few things about driving in New Caledonia: Parking was easy, plenty of car space, mostly free. you would only pay to the meter in the city centre. Your rental car will most likely have a Hertz or Avis sticker on it. Enough for the local to see i think. I feel that one they see that you are out of town, they are very tolerant to your driving. I booked a manual car (you can book for an automatic car at higher cost i think), very basic, no car camera or any other assisted tech. Luckily, i learnt how to drive when they were not around, thus basic instinct kicked in, i survive including hill start with hand break. it is very hilly in NC.

 

[Longtoo]

Car return at the airport was relatively simple. there is no dedicated car rental area as in other airports. you would need to check with your rental company, but the general procedure is to get into the car park, get a ticket at the boom gate, park close to the rental office, then give them the key and the ticket (you do not need to pay for the ticket).

In my case, they spotted me and came out to get the car. As noted in previous post, all rental cars has a visible sticker at the back.

it is a very small airport. Everything is within view.

There is a petrol station just before the airport for you to refuel.

 

[Longtoo]

Here’s one I prepared earlier… View from QF737 Seat 1A.

View attachment 286134

 

[Longtoo]

e, a very few of the overwater bungalows are a bit cheaper than the rest. They are the same bungalow but are furthest away from the reception/restaurant/pool.

What a coincidence. I was also ended up in the far end. I asked reception if they can move me to closer to the pool but no other overwater bungalows are available. They explained that my luggage will be transported to and from the bungalows. It turned out to be a good surprise. I went snorkeling in the afternoon, lot of seaweed under my bungalow. Apparently, the turtle likes the seaweed. They came in the next morning around 7 am. I had a good time with them, about 6-7. they did not mind me and i did not try to come to close or touch them. Underneath the bungalows further way from mines, the seabed is mostly sand and rock, i could only see one turtle in the middle section of the row of bungalow.

the picture was taken from the bridge as i do not have an underwater camera.

 

[Austman]

It turned out to be a good surprise.

I thought it made an experience, where you might be looking for some over-water bungalow style isolation (?) actually a bit more over-water isolated?

It's a long return walk to the reception/restaurant/pool (ca 1km return!)

But for one night, I loved it!

 

[Stewey]

From memory, there might be a small convenience store near Le Meridian, if not there is a range of stores underneath the Hilton. Not sure if they have grog but the first street on the right past the Hilton also had some shops. There was also a store on the street before the Hilton/Ramada that had a store opposite the racecourse. Hopefully that saves you going up to the main town centre too often.

As reported, they have some odd off licence laws and times.

Definitely cheapest place is the store opposite the racecourse and I had no issues buying beer from there
Number One beer is a good drop and about a 15 min walk from Le Meridien

 

[Stewey]

Adding to what SYD said, there are some supermarkets that sell wine and beer (and spirits too, I'm pretty sure) in the area - but it's in an almost hidden room. I think the wine shops might also sell beer and spirits but I didn't go into one.

Here are the locations:

View attachment 286416

View attachment 286425

I highly recommend the wine shop Le Vin Passion you didn’t go in for quality drop at a decent price, they don’t speak English but are very friendly and helpful

 

[Stewey]

A bit of a post TR follow up:

Money in New Caledonia/Noumea.

It's Pacific Francs in New Caledonia, designated XPF or CPF. And sometimes just F or FRS in the shops. I paid pretty much for everything by card. I only used cash for public bus tickets and to buy small things like a single baguette. There were enough ATMs around. I only needed to withdraw XPF 2,000 ($24.60). The smallest ATM withdrawal amount was XPF 1,000 ($12.30). The ATM fee per withdrawal using an ING Bank card was $5 which ING Bank refunded me as I had qualified for 3 x free international ATM withdrawals.

NOU airport departures.

I have a few photos of it. It's a small, modern airport but pretty low key. There's not all that much there.

The check-in area:

View attachment 286854


The air-side public area food and drinks:

View attachment 286855


There's also a duty free and a shop or two but I didn't go in ...

The Hibiscus lounge and food:

View attachment 286858

View attachment 286856
View attachment 286857


Not shown is the quite good range of drinks in the Hibiscus lounge. There's a coffee machine as well as tea and quite a range of soft drinks and alcoholic drinks (including Champagne).

At either place, public or lounge, it's probably not a great idea to plan to eat much there.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

And a slight correction to an earlier post:



I added the food tax (6%) to the glass of wine cost and vice versa. It should read:

Fish (local): 3,000 ($37). One glass wine: 1,332 ($16). No tip requested or necessary. So not much different haha

At the bottom of each receipt is a LOT of numbers! But thankfully the marked prices both in shops and restaurants includes the appropriate taxes.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

And finally, while in the "gritty" CBD of Noumea, I found a Chinatown. I had some lunch there in a Chinese restaurant called "Fin Valab". It was a random choice. Not at all fancy but I enjoyed it:

View attachment 286859

It can be interesting to see if different countries have done local variations of Chinese food. But I was a bit surprised when on the first page of the menu I found this:

View attachment 286860

Haha. But I thought it looked pretty good value for steak, chips and salad - just $21.

I went for a more familiar Chinese dish:

View attachment 286861

And I managed to drink a whole bottle of wine with it!

View attachment 286862


I actually couldn't eat it all. Not bad for $20. And the whole bottle of wine was 25cl. haha.

Superb TR @Austman

 

[Stewey]

Back in Noumea and there’s an overwater restaurant about 10 mins walk from the Hilton. Le Roof.

I thought it would be very touristy but decided to try it for lunch on yet another lovely day.

They have an express lunch special on weekdays. A salad or a main with coffee for 3,200 ($39). There’s only one choice of each that change each day and are listed in the restaurant’s Facebook page. I also had a glass of wine at 1,450. ($18). The amuse-bouche (salmon) was free of course. No tip required or requested.

I think it was a good decision. It was gorgeous on the balcony in 23 degrees fine weather:

View attachment 285932View attachment 285933View attachment 285934View attachment 285935View attachment 285936View attachment 285937View attachment 285938

It didn’t feel too touristy at all. Very nice staff.

Nice place and we went there for our anniversary trip in 2019 and really enjoyed it

 

[Stewey]

There was a great bistro bar called Bodega del Mar right on the water not far from Le Roof which if it’s still open is a wonderful place for drinks and to listen to live music and not a tourist destination as mainly seemed to be locals and really friendly