New Caledonia Warnings Or Dangers Tips by minstrel74 Top 5 Page for this destination

Maré Island is home to the friendliest people I have ever met. That being said, while I was there a huge wedding party was taking place in Medu. Consequently, the whole west side of the island was overrun by belligerent drunks. On one occasion, I was warned not to approach a village because political tensions were high and since I was white, someone might want to beat me up. Incidentally, the person who told me this was completely plastered and thrashing a half-empty bottle of rum about. Also, the people I hitched a ride with from the airport when I first arrived were similiarly intoxicated; the man in the front seat nearly gave me a heart attack with his brazen and completely reckless driving. It was total madness.

If you know there will be a wedding party in a village anywhere near where you will be staying, please do take care. The Kanaks are incredibly friendly people, but as is the case anywhere, once alcohol, drugs, and celebration are combined, there could be trouble.