In just over the time it takes to watch a movie on a plane, you can be on a French-speaking tropical island experiencing sights, sounds, tastes and smells so vastly different to our own.
Swapping a flat white and muffin in Auckland for a café au lait and croissant in Noumea, New Caledonia is to be blown away by a fascinating Pacific paradise and its adventurous, vibrant, multicultural dynamic spirit.
New Caledonia, a French territory made up of dozens of islands in the south Pacific, has long been known for its palm-tree lined white sand beaches, with the kind of clear water fantasies are made of. While these scenes are spectacular - there's so much more.
One of the first sounds that will strike you is the language. While there are 28 Kanak dialects in New Caledonia, the overwhelming sound is the distinct inflection of Gallic tones. It's fantastic hearing French spoken by such a diverse group - not only Kanaks, French, and those from surrounding islands, but also Vietnamese and Indonesian immigrants, all putting their unique spin on it.
Another sound is music - from traditional Kanak songs sung to the melodic strum of the 'pilou' that greets you at the airport (putting you instantly on 'island time' with its relaxing timbre) to the lively night time beats emanating from bars and live music venues round Anse Vate or Baie des Citrons.
While Noumea hums, gossips and chatters excitedly, the outer islands are quieter - leaving time to contemplate to a backing track of birdsong and gentle lapping water. If you visit the bush in Bourail you'll hear mountain and river sounds reminiscent of New Zealand.
Crooked Colours, one of Australia's rising stars of electronic music, sum up the sounds of the island in a video and soundtrack they have developed for New Caledonia Tourism's latest 'Sounds of Caledonia' campaign.
Set to an upbeat track, both the images and sounds highlight the variety of adventures, tastes, cultural experiences, fun and rest and relaxation you can have.
Watch the campaign here:
Every part of New Caledonia brings a different treat for the eyes - from white sand beaches, crystal clear lagoons, mountains, the red soils of the Blue River Provincial Park to lush green west coast bush.
The sights aren't just above ground. Underwater, one can see thousands of different brightly coloured fish and coral; while in deeper water sea turtles, dugongs, manta rays, dolphins, tuna, hammerhead sharks and even humpback whales are common.
The Tjibaou Cultural Centre in Noumea is one of the best cultural experiences in the world - with modern works of art based on traditional Kanak architecture on show.
The tastes of New Caledonia are fresh, vibrant and modern. When old traditions of French cooking are given a Pacific kick, the cultural collision is sublime.
The unique blend of Pacific and French flavours makes for great dining out - think fresh reef-caught fish or prawns with locally-grown salad, or local venison with beautifully cooked seasonal veggies. The salad might come with a very French vinaigrette, but other elements like yams and taro cooked in coconut milk, or fresh pineapple on the side, always remind you of the Melanesian/European mix.
New Caledonia is a whirl of sensations - remote beaches, the gentle caress of lagoon waters, mountain biking, kite surfing, jet skiing, quad biking, windsurfing, hiking and fishing - all are to be found.
For more information on New Caledonia, visit our website