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Social Profile
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 French, Italian, Spanish, Indonesian, African and Chinese 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: roast pig, fish or chicken wrapped in banana leaves and cooked on hot stones covered with sand. First-class delicatessens and grocers in Nouméa 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 Nouméa are lively with both European and local floorshows. There are also several cinemas, which show French films.
Shopping: In Nouméa, 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 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. Discounts may be obtained in duty-free shops. 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 events occurring annually:
Mar The Festival of the Yam. Apr Nouméa International Fair; Nouméa Carnival. May Avocado Fair, Nece; La Regate des Touques, Noumea; Pacific Tempo, Noumea (music festival). Jun Music Festival. Jul 14 Bastille Day Festivities and Fireworks. Aug/Sep Bourail Fair (country fair with rodeo, cattle, horses etc). Oct/Nov Sound and Light Show, Fort Tremba, La Foa. Dec Christmas Celebrations. 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.
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