If you’re a bit of an explorer and a getter-amongst-the-locals kinda traveller, then when you go to New Caledonia, book a slow cooked homemade lunch up in the hill country with a local tribe.
Jehudit (pronounced Jay Dee) and his wife run a small business on their family land hosting travellers for lunch and taking them on a walking tour through the hillside.
The bougna (pronounced boo-nya) is the Kanak version of the hangi. Except it’s different. Here’s what it is…

Then dad piles the chicken, onions, taro, ignames and seasoning onto banana leaves softened quickly over a fire…

Cover in more rocks and sheets of gum tree bark. These same sheets have been used for 5 years already. Leave for 2 hours…

And off we go for a stroll up hill, through fields and across creeks to see where the 300-or so from the Napoemien tribe live

The ironically named Angels Trumpet (Brugmansia x candida) which can cause blurry vision, dizziness, hallucinations and even death. I was told some stupid young people around here take it anyway…
And this, my friends, is what you can expect at a New Caledonia bougna at a tribe in the north.

And with my guide Axelle of Toutazimut, which is French for Anywhere, we leave this beautiful family after a really great 3 hours
To book this tour, contact Axelle on her Toutazimut Facebook page >>>
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My trip was supported by Aircalin NZ and New Caledonia Tourism NZ. Thanks guys!
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