I started this sit at Noumea on the French territory of New Caledonia on 1st May 2024. Great location with 270 deg ocean views and 2 hungry cats. I’m in a small unit community with caring neighbours, 3 of which speak english very well. On 13th May the indigenous people started burning buildings, rioting and building street barricades. On 14th a “State of Emergency” was declared and everything that hadn’t been burnt down closed down, President Macron call in on Thursday for a look. It’s a 3hr wait to get into a supermarket that does not have much and no petrol at stations. The Australian government has been repatriating Australian citizens to Australia with Hercules airforce planes.
My sit finishes 28 June. Has anyone else been in a similar situation?
Go! You have to let the HO and THS sort out alternative arrangements for the cats. Those Hercs will be flying for a limited time only and you need to be on one. There is no guarantee you will be able to get out in a months time either. Things are unlikely to improve significantly in that time and although their may not be a threat to life right now these situations are volatile and will deteriorate with the increasing lack of supplies. This is a situation that definitely comes under extenuating circumstances. Stay safe!
As someone who has lived in developing countries and experienced terrorists, earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes this is the best advice. Edit: Most importantly use common sense mixed with the advice from government authorities.
I don’t believe the Forum is currently the best place to get advice on such a crucial issue. You really HAVE to take the advice of the Australian and French governments who are trying to organise flights out. The general advice is to stay put, stay where you are until you know for sure that you can be safely repatriated. Obviously the airport is closed and the roads in and out are blocked and dangerous. When the time is right and you have been advised exactly that, THEN you go, but not before. You actually have nowhere to go until a flight out is organised by the two governments, you have no choice but to stay put.
If there are English speaking people where you are, when the time comes, leave the cats for them, I hate to say it but your life is more important than a commitment at present, this situation is just far too dangerous. Governments work behind the scenes to organise these repatriations so keep well aware and registered/up to date with the two embassies/government channels, that is your safest bet.
Again, you have nowhere safe to go anyway and if you move around it will only make it more difficult for the government to find you quickly and to get you on possibly that only flight out for some time when it is organised. Stay put until you can be guaranteed a flight! Then leave immediately, by the means you will be advised to use.
Wow. I have registered with the DFAT and consul general. I have had communication with them every day since 14th may. A phone call tonight saying a had a seat tomorrow
There have already been 8 flights and 2 more today, Sunday. There will be no flights Monday or Tuesday, but may be more after that. Thanks for the link to smartraveller but I have been using it since 2016.
Me to Keith, been using Smart Traveller for years but you would be surprised how many people travel overseas and have no idea about it. Just trying to be helpful in a difficult situation and glad everything is working out. I was only responding to your post in whatever way possible. Safe travels.
Nor would I expect that you would have known about Smart Traveller @Cuttlefish It is a branch of our Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, an Australian site. I’ll attach an explanatory link just for the heck of it.
I knew Keith was an Australian, that is why I made the remark about people not knowing about Smart. But I was referring to Aussies travelling, not people from other countries, hence the reference to Smart, I should have made that more clear. I think the UK DID have such a service or maybe still does? In the US I think it’s called the US Dept of State? Anyway, it’s a great resource and obviously Foreign Affairs assisted Keith in getting home. Something for you to read whilst having a cuppa
Good on you @ziggy connecting @Keith1 with DFAT via Smart Traveller. We’ve been subscribing to their alerts for years and saw all the info over a week ago about New Caledonia and repatriation flights for Aussies there and how to register with DFAT. Every Australian who travels overseas or is planning to travel should subscribe via your link.
Thanks @Crookie, yes Smart Traveller is definitely a must use, I subscribed when I first started travelling way back in the day. Keith had already been using it he mentioned so I can’t take credit for that but maybe my link may help some others who haven’t registered with it as you mentioned. Thanks again, hope you are still enjoying your travels
Smartraveller is an Australian Government web site so you may not be aware. Maybe your government has something similar. Have a look at this link https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/. Cheers, Keith
Hi Carla,
No, I’m still here. The State of Emergency was lifted yesterday 29/5/2024 and the airport may open 2nd June. Fuel stations are open a few hours per day and allow about 12 litre purchase. Supermarkets still have short opening time and long queues and I think alcohol can now be sold. I’ll find out in about 1 hour, Cheers, Keith
It is a branch of our Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, an Australian site. I’ll attach an explanatory link just for the heck of it.
