Cabo San Lucas offers a plethora of activities with options that include traditional tequila tastings, glass-bottom boat rides, and enjoying the stunning beaches like Playa del Amor. The local beaches are known for its picturesque granite formations. The region’s perfect weather also makes it an ideal spot for golfing and outdoor adventures. One not to miss option is a sunset cruise out to Lands End Arch featured here
Cabo Harbor
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Lifou Island, historically also spelled Lifu or Lefu in English, and known as Drehu in the local Kanak language, is an island in the New Caledonia group, and is an overseas territory of France in the South Pacific Ocean.
It has a history is rich and diverse, shaped by indigenous culture, European exploration, and colonial influences.
Where Your Ship Docks
This is a tender port landing boats at a modern pier. There are public facilities convenient to the pier.
Wheelchair Accessibility
Disembarking – This is a tender port as large cruise ships cannot be accommodated at its pier. Wheelchair bound passengers will encounter challenges both in getting on tenders as well as disembarking at the pier. The area around the tender pier has steep inclines and little in the way of sidewalks or even surfaces on roads.
Transportation
There are no taxis or regular bus service. There is a bike rental company near the tender pier and rental cars on the other side of the island near resorts.
Currency
The CFP franc is the currency used in French Polynesia, New Caledonia, and Wallis and Futuna. The initials CFP originally stood for colonies françaises du Pacifique but since 2022 is officially Collectivités françaises du Pacifique. On Lifou Australian Dollars are widely accepted but credit cards are not often accepted. 1 CFP = US$0.10
Attractions
Lifou is a mostly rural and sparsely populated island with resort areas at the other end of the island.. The biggest draws are the beaches and the numerous coral reefs near shore. Sights near the tender pier include a couple of historic churches, restored Kanak home and a natural cave ($).
History
Lifou is home to the Kanak people who represent the majority of the population, and have inhabited the island for thousands of years. Their culture is characterized by strong traditions, social structures, and a deep connection to the land and sea. Even today the Kanak people have maintained many of their customs, including traditional ceremonies, art, and music.
European Exploration And Contact
European contact began in 1774 when British explorer Captain James Cook visited the area during his voyages in the Pacific. In the 19th century, missionaries arrived, significantly impacting local culture and religion. They established schools and introduced Christianity, which changed many aspects of Kanak life.
New Caledonia was annexed by France in 1853. Lifou, along with the other Loyalty Islands, became part of the French colonial administration. With the introduction of cash crops and the exploitation of other resources, the establishment of plantations, all affected the local social structures.
Modern Era
Because Lifou is now become recognized for its stunning landscapes, coral reefs, and cultural experiences, the growing number of tourists have helped stimulate a resurgence in Kanak traditional life. This resurgence of interest in Kanak culture, language, and traditions, have fueled efforts to preserve and promote indigenous Kanak heritage. Traditional practices, such as ceremonies and rituals, again play a significant role in the island’s community life.
In the late 20th century, there was a rise in movements advocating for Kanak independence and greater autonomy from France. The Matignon Accords of 1988 and the Nouméa Accord of 1998 were significant agreements aimed at addressing these issues. Lifou remains a part of New Caledonia, which is in a unique political situation with ongoing discussions regarding independence and self-determination.
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They’re a reptile that has been very successful in tropical regions of the Americas and thanks mostly to the pet trade they have extended their range into the United States.
St. Thomas USVI
Iguanas are native to tropical areas of Mexico, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean, with some species also found in the Pacific Islands (the Galapagos have a unique marine iguana), and they have even expanded to places like Florida and Hawaii as introduced species mostly from the pet trade. You’ll find them in a range of sizes from a few inches to several feet ling with colors from bright green to grey and black. Still the range is limited as they cannot survive freezing temperatures.
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We love Sydney, Australia and Sydneysiders (what residents call themselves) might be some of the planet’s healthiest people.
Formalized in 2009 Coastrek is Australia’s iconic team hiking challenge and featured Sydney hikes are the crown jewel. The Sydney routes journey along some of the most celebrated coastal trails in the world from Bondi to Manly.
Just by chance, on April 4th 2025 we unknowingly joined in one of the scheduled hikes out at Bondi Beach. It was a 50km (30 mile) hike, with 30km or 20km options. This Sydney hike was on the stunning and world-famous stretch of coastline from Bondi Beach to Coogee, and we joined thousands of trekkers if only for a few kilometers. The trek included all ages from seniors, young families and teens who were organized in teams of two or more. That morning they were headed out on an epic adventure promoted as fun, fitness, friends, fresh air and charity fundraising, proudly supporting Beyond Blue.
Manly To Spit Bridge Coastal Walk
Spit Bridge
While visiting Sydney on this trip, one of our goals was the “Manly to Spit Bridge Coastal Walk” described by Aussies as easy to moderate and covering only 10K (about 6 miles). It turned out their definition of “easy” and ours are seriously different as well as the distinction between a walk and a hike!
As a matter of convenience, our group selected to start from Spit Bridge and finish at the ferry dock in Manly, making it easy to catch the ferry back to Circular Quay. From the Manly ferry dock we caught the 144 bus from the park across the street from the visitor’s center. We exited the bus on the far side of Spit Bridge and found the entrance to the trail well marked. The hike is 10K and rated easy to moderate suggesting a time of about 3.5 hours to complete.
Most of the walk’s first third, starting from Spit Bridge, is best characterized as wooded trail and bush with numerous ups and downs on carved rock staircases. After that there is a flat stretch that follows the shoreline for a couple of kilometers. Two sections require navigating a rocky shore that can be submerged during high tide but there are detours on higher ground to avoid the water. For the next couple of kilometers, the trail climbs up to 900 feet above sea level to a grassy crest. The remaining walk is through urban neighborhoods of Manly with some steep sections, finally ending at the Manly ferry terminal.
We started our hike from Spit Bridge with breakfast at Plonk Beach Cafe and finished with beers and snacks at 4 Pines Brewpub just a block from the ferry terminal. All in all an auspicious start and a perfect finish…
A Personnel Observation – I’m aware that Aussies are outdoor people and hiking is a national pastime but, after doing “The Manly To Spit Bridge Coastal Walk,” there’s no way to classify this as an easy walk – it’s a serious hike. There is a constant series of ups and downs on rough rock stairs followed by a stretch of rocky shoreline in places that are under water at high tide and it climbs up to a height of 900 feet above sea level for over a kilometer!
Plonk Beach Cafe – Located under the Spit Bridge and in a marina, this cafe offers great views from an outdoor deck. It’s operated by a friendly Moroccan family that blends Moroccan spices with eggs and croissants for a surprisingly good breakfast.
4 Pines Brewpub – Located a half block from the Manly Ferry Terminal, this micro-brewery and pub is very popular with the locals offering a wide range of beers on tap along with light pub fare. A great place to end a good day...
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In Northern Ireland there is a remarkable geological formation that is tied up with an Irish folk legend. It’s called The Giants Causeway and the legend harkens back to a period when giants were supposed to have walked the Earth.
It’s an amazing place where 60 million years ago molten basalt came into contact with chalk beds, forming a lava plateau. After that the lava cracks and fractures. Cracks opening along the cooling surface get propagated downward, resulting in the long, well-defined columns known as columnar basalt. Leran more about the Giants Causeway HERE.
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On our first Scandinavian cruise, we approached the Norwegian coast from the North Sea early in the morning. What a stark, cold, forbidding place it seemed at first. Over the next few days as we visited five Norwegian ports we seemed to jump back and forth from Winter to Spring and back to Winter.
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