NEW CALEDONIA
New Caledonia is made up the main island of Grand Terre and several outlying islands.
Let’s take a look at 5 key destinations in this Pacific Island nation.
NOUMEA
The capital of New Caledonia. It is a small city built around bays, beaches & inlets. The star attraction in Noumea is the Tjibaou Cultural Centre. Designed by architect Renzo Piano it has 10 scaffolded wooden peaks to represent a traditional village hut sliced through the middle to take advantage of natural breezes off the sea. Check it out HERE
YATE
Locals know if you have been to Yate because you will leave a trail of red soil everywhere you go! The metal oxide that dyes the soil red creates an amazing contrast. The Blue River Park is a 9000 hectare sanctuary that hosts endemic flora & fauna with the showstopper being the Yate Lake.
Have a look at the amaozing contrast HERE
LA FOA
La Foa is an ideal stop on a self drive holiday through New Caledonia. Just over 100kms from Noumea it is a coastal town with the mountains as a backdrop. Lots to do here including horse trekking, hiking, skydiving, surfing, diving and more. La Foa is a cultural destination with a calendar full of festivals and in the centre of town is a gorgeous local park with tall indigenous sculptures, palm trees and the locals love to meet here to play football or have a picnic.
ISLE OF PINES
James Cook discovered this stunning island in 1774 & is named after the tall pines that distinguish it. This tiny island is defined by its coastline. Lots of cruise ships make this gorgeous place a stopover and you are sure not to be disappointed. Photos HERE
THE LOYALTY ISLANDS
These islands are governed by Kanak custom & provide an ethical & engaging tourism experience. The 60 tribal villages across the islands are administered by a chief. From the moment you arrive on the Loyalties you will feel relaxed by immaculate views & a culture that has withstood Western influences.
Facts about New Caledonia
A French territory (Europe in the South Pacific)
Population 250,000
Official currency: French pacific Franc 1AUD=.95 XPF
Average annual temperature is 23 degrees
Air Calin operate 28 flights a week between Australia and Noumea – 2 hrs from Brisbane, 2.5hrs from Sydney
It has the world’s largest lagoon and the worlds second largest Barrier reef
If you need help with a holiday to New Caledonia please contact Mission Travel on 1300 554 654 or email quotes@missiontravel.com.au
HOW TO OVERCOME A FEAR OF FLYING?
The world is an amazing place and so enticing, but for many people where they go and what they do are severely limited because of a fear of flying.
Fear of flying is a phobia in itself but can also be onset by other phobias like claustrophobia (fear of enclosed spaces) or agoraphobia (fear of open spaces).
WHAT ARE PEOPLE AFRAID OF?
It comes down to redirecting your unconscious mind. On the surface, you know your fear of flying is illogical. But it has persisted because your subconscious has linked a whole load of powerful negative emotions – mainly fear – to the very thought of flying.
The fear of flying may be created by various other phobias and fears:
fear of crashing which most likely results in death.
a fear of closed in spaces (claustrophobia), such as that of an aircraft cabin
a fear of heights (acrophobia)
a feeling of not being in control
fear of vomiting, motion sicknesscan make the person vomit, thus making flying hard.
fear of having panic attacksin certain places, where escape would be difficult and/or embarrassing (agoraphobia)
fear of turbulence
fear of flying over water or night flying
A previous traumatizing experience with air travel or somehow connected to flying can also trigger a fear of flying. For example, the experience of flying to a meeting only to be told that one has been fired might be traumatic enough to subsequently create an association between any air travel and bad or unpleasant events.
Some suggest that the mediaare a major factor behind fear of flying, and claim that the media sensationalize airline crashes (and the high casualty rate per incident), in comparison to the perceived scant attention given to the massive number of isolated automobile crashes.
Symptoms:
A feeling of uncontrollable anxiety when you think about or are exposed to flying
- The feeling that you must do everything possible to avoid flying
- The inability to function normally because of your anxiety
- Often, the knowledge that your fears are unreasonable or exaggerated but feeling powerless to control them
- A type of panic attack can take hold
- Physical symptoms include: heart palpitations, clammy hands, dizziness, numbness, nausea
TIPS:
1. Do a course – there are courses you can attend or you can also do them online from home
Most courses are run by psychologists using CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) but this can be an expensive process. The online course are much cheaper than a private visit to a therapist.
Other courses run by airlines and travel companies can cover off on the practical aspects of flying.
2. Learn about how an aircraft works – Information from trusted and authoritative sources on commercial aviation, including safety, aerodynamics, engineering and maintenance, the sources of those in-flight noises and movements, weather and controlled airspace
understand what all the noises are – how the wings are tilted for take off and landing, the sound that is made when the wheels are put out for landing, etc.
The practical knowledge can often help overcome an unfounded fear.
3. Hypnotherapy can be very helpful if the fear of flying has developed as a result of an ISE – initial sensitising event. Often the ISE has nothing to do with flying but manifests as this.
Many people that have a fear of flying do not have an ISE experience. Researchers suggest that it is the inadequate development of an ability to regulate emotion when facing uncertainty, except through feeling in control or able to escape. Chronic stress & emotional dysfunction in the first 2 years of life hinders the integration of the emotional control system! (Does that mean it’s the parents fault again!)
4. Gradual 'real life' exposure to airports and aircraft, culminating in a flight. Psychologists often help their clients by teaching them relaxation skills and thought-changing strategies, then guiding them in their use of these techniques on a stationary aircraft until the anxiety lowers and becomes bearable. Some people might need to do this at the airport first, then in the waiting lounge, then the jet way, and then at the aircraft entrance. This form of gradual exposure and anxiety reduction is preferred to the use of alcohol or other mood-altering substances.
