World Country Guide

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Food & Drink
The choice of eating places and food on New Caledonia is excellent; costs vary from moderate to expensive. Gourmet restaurants and bistros serve African, Chinese, French, Indonesian, Italian and Spanish cooking. Dishes include Pacific spiny lobsters, prawns, crabs or mangrove oysters and salads of raw fish (marinated in lime juice). An island speciality is bougna: fish or chicken wrapped in banana leaves and cooked on hot stones covered with sand. First-class delicatessens and grocers in Nouma and at Anse Vata Beach provide a wide choice of picnic fare. There is a good selection of French wine available.

Nightlife
There are plenty of discos and also two casinos, situated in the Anse Vata area. Nightclubs in Nouma are lively with both European and local floorshows. There are also several cinemas, which show French films.

Shopping
In Nouma, boutiques sell fashionable French clothes, mainly casual but sometimes haute couture. Other purchases include luxury French goods such as perfume, jewellery and footwear, and silk scarves, sandals and handbags from France and Italy can also be found. Duty-free items are also sold. Local items include curios made of shells, coral, woodcarving, ceramics, hand-painted materials and aloha shirts. Shopping hours: Mon-Fri 0730-1100 and 1400-1800, Sat 0730-1100.

Special Events
For a full list of events, contact New Caledonia Tourism (see Contact Addresses section). The following is a selection of special events celebrated annually in New Caledonia:
Mar The Festival of the Yam. Apr Nouma Carnival. May Avocado Fair, Nece; La Regate des Touques, Nouma; Pacific Tempo, Nouma (music festival). Jun Music Festival; Nouma Commercial & International Fair. Jul Gardening and Motorculture Show. Jul 14 Bastille Day Festivities and Fireworks. Aug Bourail Fair (country fair with rodeo, cattle, horses etc). Oct Great Nature Festival. Oct-Nov Sound and Light Show, Fort Tremba, La Foa. Dec Christmas Celebrations; Christmas Show. Dec 31 Fireworks.

Social Conventions
There is a casual atmosphere, and local traditions still prevail alongside European customs. Casual wear is the norm, but smart restaurants require a more formal style of dress. Long trousers are required for men at night in restaurants and casinos. Tipping: There is absolutely no tipping.