EXPLORING NEW CALEDONIA

Fruzsina Kaiser is a traveler, architect, designer and mom of two who was born and raised in beautiful Milano!

She finds inspiration in every new place she visits, takes amazing pictures and enjoys her family trips as much as we do!

"I love traveling but I don’t have a favorite destination, or better said, I have many different favorite destinations. One of them is definitely Japan, I love the people’s mentality and how they mix their incredible traditions and culture with their modern way of life.
Another one of my favorite places is Sydney, where I will always return with pleasure, I really like their ‘laid back’ way of life and the beautiful landscapes wherever you go.”

This time she fell in love with New Caledonia, an archipel of different islands located to the east of Australia and south of the thousands of islands and archipelagos making up Melanesia and Micronesia "It has a delightful semi-tropical climate, white sand beaches, nice people, and amazing biodiversity everywhere you look around.” 

“The absolute must see when in New Caledonia is the Tjibaou Cultural Center in Noumea [its capital] which was designed by Renzo Piano, a world famous Italian architect. The structure is completly out of wood which inserts itself in the sorrounding nature. It is just a few minutes car drive from the center and you will be stunned with this architectural masterpiece in the middle of the South Pacific!"

“You probably know the cover of the book Earth From Above, from Yann Arthus Bertrand, with the heart shaped mangrooves from above; well this place is situated on Grand Terre which is the main island. When you do the round trip by car you should take a small deviation to get there and from the top of the hill you can appreciate all the beautiful things nature can create.”

“I strongly suggest you to visit Isle of Pines, which is called ‘The closest island to paradise’. In here, you can take a trip on a traditional caledonian pirogue (sailing boat) to admire the beautiful crystalline waters and nature. This island has long been one of New Caledonia’s most touristic locations, without losing anything of its soul or authenticity!”

"Lifou is another island that I loved because it is so magical! It is found around a hundred kilometers east of the Grande Terre, in here you can visit Noel Pia’s cave where you can go swim and explore ¡It is a really cool experience!”

“As New Caledonia is in middle of nowhere you won’t find any fancy restaurants or bars, either try local food like bougna a traditional Kanak dish which is made of sliced root vegetables like taro, manioc, yams and coconut milk; pork, chicken or seafood may be used in the filling and it is wrapped in banana leaves before being cooked over hot stones in an earth oven.”

We stayed at hotel Drehu Village in Lifou which was cute and just right at the sea shore. It is a small hotel with a lovely pool and maybe the only place where you were able to eat something in a restaurant. I really enjoyed my stay there.

Cristina Ramella jewelry for me is a unique collection of pieces which represent the free spirit that you have and drive you to explore new places.

Traveling for me means exploration and learning. Discovering new places means you learn new cultures, people, languages, food and traditions.

It's always emotional!

Following this trip we will spend a few days in Prague where we will visit friends and after that we will be heading to Cape Town to warm up ourselves during this European winter! Can’t wait to explore it!

TRAVEL TIPS

WHERE TO GO?

Drehu Village in Lifou:
http://www.hoteldrehuvillage.nc/index_eng.html

Visit New Caledonia:
https://www.newcaledonia.travel/au