Ticking all the Boxes in Noumea

[Jacques Vert]

MEL-SYD-PER-SYD-NOU and then the reverse.

Of course you are.

 

[Jacques Vert]

After the war cemetery it was back to Noumea for another night at the Hilton (3rd stay out of the 8 needed for my challenge).

We stopped at Carrefours on the way to pick up some more baguettes, fromage, and vin rouge for dinner on our deck at the Hilton. I was surprised to see that the liquor section was roped off. A kind french lady explained to me that from noon onwards on Wednesday and Friday afternoons, and all day Saturday and Sunday, the supermarkets are not allowed to sell alcohol

You can still buy grog but you have to go to a bottle shop.

I later discovered the reason is apparently that some of the supermarkets had been less than diligent in enforcing the law regarding juveniles purchasing alcohol. I presume that school finishes early on Wednesday and Friday afternoons.

Fortunately, the Sheraton had given @Fifa a bottle of red and I a bottle of champagne so we were able to survive the evening

 

[Jacques Vert]

From our deck at the Hilton, another pleasant evening...

 

[Jacques Vert]

Next day +1 & I moved to the Meridien while the Fifas stayed at the Hilton.

I guess the room was OK:













We even had a small swimming pool in the centre of our room...




and the grounds:

 

[Jacques Vert]

The beach area at Le Meridien:

 

[drron]

I love small swimming pools in a hotel room!

 

[Jacques Vert]

That night @Fifa & Mr Fifa joined us for the Seafood Buffet; about $A100 per person but with a 50% discount voucher it was pretty good value. The spread was excellent.

I remembered to take a couple of photos at the start (but then the food got the better of me and...oh well):

 

[Jacques Vert]

Next day it was into la petite Peugoet:




after picking up the rest of our party from the Hilton, it was off for a drive in the country...



We visited the Blue River National Park, a water storage dam and reserve (entry closes at 1400 and the park closes at 1700).



Things are a little dry at present...






although it had been raining earlier in the day:

 

[Jacques Vert]

Then a quick look at Yata.

Yata turned out to be a lot further to drive with very little at the destination (actually nothing), except a few nice views...

 

[Jacques Vert]

Then back to the Hilton for stay number 4; guess what we had for dinner...

 

[Jacques Vert]

Next morning, back to La Tontouta airport for our flight to SYD/MEL/BNE/ADL

The Hibiscus lounge (small but adequate):

 

[Jacques Vert]

Our flight from NOU to SYD was uneventful except for the fact it was @Gem56 's first ever flight as GOLD

Through customs and onto our flight to MEL where we were staying overnight.

On this flight we had Norry as our CSM. I've flown with Norry before and consider him to be the best CSM going around. Always professional and good fun and this flight was no different.

 

[SponsorSFC]

Great report, brought back some nice memories from our New Caledonia trip. Thanks for sharing.

Looks like you may have had the same suite at Le Meridien NOU that we had.

We loved Le Meridien ILP and had the beach bungalow in your picture facing the bay and the pergola so it had both the river and bay views from the deck. It was very expensive but the old Star Privilege card made it tolerable. Good to see Mariott have something similar.

 

[Jacques Vert]

Leaving Noumea:










Our meals NOU-SYD (half of my meringue was missing):







After staying overnight at the Holiday Inn in Melbourne, it was off to Adelaide via the Brisbane J lounge (I remembered to take some photos this time):

 

[Jacques Vert]

I also remembered to take some photos of the room at the Atura and the view...

 

[Jacques Vert]

So that was the end of the status run, mattress run, Hilton challenge and holiday.

Thanks to everyone for travelling along; and thanks to @Fifa for organising the status run, and Mr Fifa and @Gem56 for their company.

Now for AFF12

 

[Jacques Vert]

And as a final "tick in a box", Mr Fifa made Life Time Gold when we touched down in Adelaide

 

[VPS]

Thanks for the TR and nice to meet you both in person

 

[Henchy]

I enjoyed reading about your trip but am puzzled as to why you would want to come to Adelaide to commence the journey.In fact your trip started in Sydney and Gold Coast.
I understand the extra SC's to be gained ( how important were they) but to pay for accommodation in Adelaide (twice) without visiting the city or surrounds and Sydney,getting through many extra security examinations,the bus trip from Intnl to domestic in Sydney etc. twice seems like a lot of hard yakka or a liking for inflight food. Only a comment not a criticism.
I might take on the trip but living in Adelaide will not need the extra flights!

 

[JessicaTam]

I enjoyed reading about your trip but am puzzled as to why you would want to come to Adelaide to commence the journey.In fact your trip started in Sydney and Gold Coast.
I understand the extra SC's to be gained ( how important were they) but to pay for accommodation in Adelaide (twice) without visiting the city or surrounds and Sydney,getting through many extra security examinations,the bus trip from Intnl to domestic in Sydney etc. twice seems like a lot of hard yakka or a liking for inflight food. Only a comment not a criticism.
I might take on the trip but living in Adelaide will not need the extra flights!

It's the AFF way - "Why fly direct when you can connect".