Located pretty much on the other side of the planet, in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, New Caledonia is obviously a very exotic destination. But it’s not just the colours, the vegetation, the clear waters or the waves; the atmosphere in New Caledonia is unique for many other reasons. Particularly the mix of cultures; the traditions from the local population that stem from nomads of the Pacific Ocean mixing effortlessly with the French culture. It was reassuring to see how well the local Melanesian culture had been preserved. For example, there are still tribes with their lands and chiefs following centuries old traditions, living in family groups and keeping the many tribal languages they speak alive. Staying with one of the local families made us realize that their lack of a TV or internet had nothing to do with inaccessibility, it was a choice.
