2 Likes
Avocado Festival - "Fete de l'Avocat" at Nece (pronounced Netchay) is a joint effort of the people of Mare and Destination Iles Loyaute - and of course the many visitors that hop on the 40 minute Air Caledonia flight from Noumea or arrive on the high speed catamaran the Betico II from Noumea - a 2.5 hour passage. The villagers have lots of things organized, including this a market where you can buy all the Avocados you can carry. Well, you are limited to 23 kilos of baggage on the airplane (unless you want to pay extra) but if passengers on the Betico II can lug back as many of these delicious Avacados as they like. You can get the latest information on the festivals of the Loyalty Islands from the official Destination Loyalty Islands Tourism website
For general information about travel to New Caledonia and tourism in the Loyalty islands check out the Rocket Guide to New Caledonia.
...
Mare Island is the southernmost of the four Loyalty Islands in New Caledonia. It is an uplifted coral atoll with jagged cliffs on the southern shores 130 metres high. The center of the island, the ancient lagoon, is flat and there are several caves and sink-holes - some with salt water and others with fresh water. Air Caledonie offers two flights a day to Mare - a 40 minute flight. There is also a 3.5 hour high speed ocean going catamaran Betico II. There is just one Mare hotel, the Nengone Village Hotel, one Gite, two tribal stays, and one camping ground. The primary attraction for visitors are the wilderness walks, the snorkelling, the lovely beaches, and the festivals. There is no public transport on Mare but there are small tour buses, taxis, and rental car agencies. The island is small enough that you can also rent a bicycle and visit many of the main tourism destinations. As in all the Loyalty Islands the people speak their own local Melanesian language plus French.
