29. December 2010 09:37
by Rene Pallesen
0 Comments
One day we went to the cultural centre in Noumea. This is a short drive on the outskirts of the city (Noumea the capital isn't much more than a little suburb consisting of only 76,000 people).
I have seen photos of this place and I also vaguely remember seeing it in a movie or two without ever realising where it is. The architecture of the Cultural centre is absolutely stunning. It cost France more that 50 million Euros to build the centre and it has got a unique local style that fits in very well with the surroundings.
The centre is surrounded by some gardens huts, and as you walk around there is various art work and totem poles symbolising various aspects of the Kanak culture.
There is also the story of the creation...amazing how similar it is to Darwinism. Maybe Darwin heard these stories on some of his travels and based h:right">
Last weekend it was our Niece Emma's first birthday.
This was celebrated with lots of cakes and a jumping castle on which Aiden had lots of fun.
I just updated the map of the countries I have set my foot in...now 66 countries.
| Africa | Rene(68) | Kim | Aiden | Lucas
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|---|
| Kenya |
YES |
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| Tanzania |
YES |
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| Uganda |
YES |
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| Egypt |
YES |
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| Tunesia |
YES |
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| Morocco |
YES |
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| Gambia |
YES |
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| Senegal |
YES |
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| South Africa |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
| Zimbabwe |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
| Zambia |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
| Europe |
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|---|
| Turkey |
YES |
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| Spain |
YES |
YES |
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| France |
YES |
YES |
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| Swizerland |
YES |
YES |
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| Austria |
YES |
YES |
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| Greece |
YES |
YES |
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| Italy |
YES |
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| Lictenstein |
YES |
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| Vatican |
YES |
YES |
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| Yougoslavia |
YES |
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| Croatia |
YES |
YES |
YES |
|
| Slovenia |
YES |
YES |
YES |
|
| Bosnia |
YES |
YES |
YES |
|
| Montenegro |
YES |
YES |
YES |
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| Poland |
YES |
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| East Germany |
YES |
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| West Germany |
YES |
YES |
YES |
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| Belgium |
YES |
YES |
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| Holland |
YES |
YES |
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| Denmark |
YES |
YES |
YES |
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| Sweden |
YES |
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| Norway |
YES |
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| Finland |
YES |
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| Portugal |
YES |
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| Luxenbourg |
YES |
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| San Marino |
YES |
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| Monaco |
YES |
YES |
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| Cyprus |
YES |
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| Hungary |
(YES) |
(YES) |
(YES) |
|
| United Kingdom |
YES |
YES |
(YES) |
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| Americas |
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|---|
| USA |
YES |
YES |
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| Canada |
YES |
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| Mexico |
YES |
YES |
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| Chile |
YES |
YES |
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| Peru |
YES |
YES |
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| Bolivia |
YES |
YES |
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| Argentina |
YES |
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| Brasil |
YES |
YES |
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| Asia |
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|---|
| Japan |
YES |
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| Russia |
YES |
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| Malaysia |
YES |
YES |
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| Thailand |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES
|
| Singapore |
YES |
YES |
(YES) |
|
| Cambodia |
YES |
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| Laos |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
| Phillipines |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
| Burma/Myanmar |
YES |
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| Hong Kong |
YES |
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| Yemen |
YES |
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| Qatar |
YES |
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| Indonesia |
YES |
YES |
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| Diego Garcia |
|
YES |
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| Vietnam |
|
YES |
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| India |
|
YES |
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| Australia/Pacific |
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|---|
| Australia |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
| New Zealand |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
| New Caledonia |
YES |
YES |
YES |
|
| French Polynesia (Tahiti / Bora Bora) |
YES |
YES |
YES |
(YES) |
| Vanuatu |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
| Fiji |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
They finally caught us and wanted to put us in the big pot...
...but we told them that we are too skinny and that some of the fat tourists would taste better and be able to feed the village for months, so they let us go (whew...)!
Kims Dad joined us in Vanuatu.
It was great to have him along and quite funny at times.
When we were out and about he wanted his photo taken with people we met.
And he was brave enough to try the local Kava...I didn't tell him how they make it.
And it was great to have him there to help with the kids.
