(This is part of a trip report to the South Pacific, flying Singapore Airlines and Etihad first class and Lufthansa business class home! This summer trip has a value of $33,996 and we paid $3,996 for all these flights/hotels plus lots of miles and points!)

It was hard to leave Bora Bora, but we had more adventures ahead! We flew from Papeete to Noumea via Air Calin, the international airline of New Caledonia.

Noumea is the capital city of the island, New Caledonia, a French administered territory, 1,500 miles north of New Zealand. Scientists have just recently hypothesized that both NZ and New Caledonia are the eighth continent, “Zealandia.” It is “earths’ hidden continent” because it’s mostly underwater and 2/3 the size of Australia! 

We used points to stay at the Hilton La Promenade Residences in Noumea and got upgraded to a nice suite! Since we are diamond, we also got free breakfast, which is always a nice benefit.

The hotel concierge helped us make arrangements and one day we took a two hour boat trip to Ile des Pins (Isle of Pines), which was discovered by James Cook in 1774, who named it because of the majestic pines that dominate the island. We spent the day at Le Meridien, snorkeling in the beautiful Piscine Naturelle, a natural pool bordered by cliffs and protected from the open sea. I will let the pictures do the talking…

Another day we rented a car and drove about two hours to Bourail and the Sheraton Deva Resort, where we had lunch. This resort is like no Sheraton you’ve ever been to before! 

The rest of the time we just enjoyed Noumea and the breathtakingly beautiful sunsets from our balcony!

Next up, Sydney and flying Etihad first class!

P.S. None of my pictures are photo-shopped in any way, these are all original…it’s hard to believe the colors are so brilliant!