On fait des courses

As we're nearing the end of our Study Tour en Nouvelle Calédonie, we thought the girls needed some time to navigate around centre-ville and discover what Nouméa has to offer! It was also an opportunity to find some souvenirs to take back home to families. They have certainly learnt the difference between 'à gauche' and 'à droite'! They used their maps to get around in groups, withdraw/change money from ATMs, order lunch and drinks, buy sorbets and do some shopping. Not only did they have a good time, they were responsible, looked after each other and arrived at the rendez-vous punctually. Ouf!... Nous étions très fatiguées!

 The girls examine their maps of Nouméa carefully before setting off on their discovery tour of centre-ville.

      Enjoying lunch in a public square - 
      Place de la Marne - mixing it with the            locals!

Making plans for their shopping expedition in the afternoon.










Et un mot de Kasia.....

Today was our seventh day in Nouvelle-Caledonie. We started off our day by going to our penultimate CREIPAC classes.  

 

In the afternoon we split into groups of five or more and set out into the streets of Noumea, searching for gifts to buy for ourselves and our families. Some very interesting things were bought! The weather was extremely warm, and we were happy to buy icecream and nice cool drinks. We are very excited for tomorrow when we are going to the beach and aquarium!

Quelques mots de Madison & Brittany

What's up, parents??
We're having an amazing time here in New Cal. This is our fourth day of classes and I think everyone is now realising how much French we actually know! On our breaks we are working on our tans and drinking Orangina.
Tomorrow, we are going to the Aquarium des Lagons and then lying on the beach. On Friday, we're going to Amedee Lighthouse. It should be great and it is also Julia's birthday!!!

From all the girls XOXO

Notre visite au Centre Culturel Tjibaou

Our two and a half hour visit to the Tjibaou cultural centre was an informative and interesting experience of the Kanak and Pacific islander cultures. We were given a very comprehensive guided tour by Gladys, through the Chemin Kanak, which traced the development of a person’s life and then inside the centre for a look at the exhibits.

There are special programs at the cultural centre for primary school children...3000 were in attendance...and they are accomodated in onsite residences.

Ellie & Liliana stand in front of the Chief's Hut, the
only hut that females have been permitted to enter.

Travelling by public bus with the locals. The people
 of Nouvelle-Caledonie have been very welcoming
and helpful.

There's an influx of tourists with the arrival of a
P & O cruise ship in Noumea.

lundi, le 8 octobre 2012
Our day started with French classes at CREIPAC. Once in centre-ville in early afternoon, the girls had a 'gourmet' lunch at Macdo and then we took them on a walking tour of Noumea's Musee, le supermarche and they even got to purchase their own bus tickets at 'la billetterie'.

Here are some photos of the girls hard at work in their classrooms. This group is working with Jean-Pierre for the week.

Here's the other classroom led by Anne.

Getting to know Noumea

Change of scenery for a French class - La recre

Le cocotier

Our first day in Noumea started at CREIPAC French language school where the girls met their teachers Anne and Jean-Pierre. The girls were subdued and a little tired from the previous day, but livened up later when we went on our grand tour of Noumea and suburbs via Tchou Tchou Train. The day finished off with their meetings with the Host families.

Sur le Petit Train

At the Shrine dedicated to Our Lady

The girls FINALLY made it into the pool!!

 The girls anxiously awaiting their Host families on Friday afternoon. Anyone's guess who was going to be picked up first!
Marjorie, the Homestay coordinator at CREIPAC, was there to help with introductions.

A traditional Kanak 'case'.

Street sign adds a French flavour to our coach transfer from Tontouta Airport to Hotel Le Pacifique.

6:30 am breakfast...croissants, pain au chocolat, chocolat chaud...miam miam!

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We made it! Group photo at Tontouta Airport.

View from our hotel window. We are yet to sample the pool, due to our  hectic schedule!!

Salut!!
Nous sommes arrivées à Nouméa et nous sommes très contentes mais un peu fatiguées!!:)The girls are currently in French classes at CREIPAC after having had a wonderful breakfast consisting of croissants and pain au chocolat and chocolat chaud...... This afternoon we will go on a tchou tchou tour around the town before they meet their host families for the weekend.
We will also put up some photos from yesterday.