The American flag waved above me as I paraded across stage with forty other Americans all wearing red white and blue. We were surrounded by the reds, whites, greens and yellows of twenty-six other flags and their flag bearers, all cheering for their home country. Reminding us all why we were on stage, a fifty foot tall rock wall covered in colorful plastic climbing holds loomed behind us. We waited on stage with anticipation for the next day when we would all climb on the wall to compete for the title of World Champion. Though there were many countries and cultures represented on stage, we were all united by the rock wall behind us.
Just a few months earlier when I placed fifth in the USA youth rock climbing nationals and received an invitation to compete at the World Youth Rock Climbing Championships, I had no idea where Noumea, New Caledonia was. But thanks to Google, I learned that New Caledonia is a small French Polynesian island off the cost of Australia. So after two months of training for the competition and planning the trip, my dad and I embarked on our 8,287 mile trek to New Caledonia.
The eighteen hour flight to Australia was one of the longest flights in the word but I managed to keep busy thanks to the little personal TV on the plane equipped with dozens of movies. We spent a few days in Sydney to adjust to the fifteen hour time difference. While in Sydney, Australia my dad and I visited the famous opera house, walked around the Sydney Harbour, and swam at Manly Beach. Trying to embrace the Australian culture we even tried kangaroo and crocodile pizza! After our quick stay in Sydney, we flew three hours east to New Caledonia.
From the plane the island looked barren and desolate, covered in trees and mountains and surrounded by miles of clear blue water. When the plane landed in a small one-gate airport in Noumea, the island’s capital, I became a bit weary of the strange island we were visiting. After a long bumpy bus ride through the rural areas of New Calendonia, we reached our hotel which had a perfect balcony view of the ocean below us. From the white sandy beaches to the neon colored coral reefs, New Caledonia reminded me of a tropical postcard. When I wasn’t busy climbing at the competition venue, my dad and I walked the beach searching for sea glass and sand dollars while watching the local kite surfers zip across the water. The kite surfers inspired my dad and I to be adventurous and try stand up paddle boarding and snorkeling.
Once the World Youth Championships began, we were greeted by excited locals waving small American flags and cheering us on. After four days of competing against the best climbers in the world, I placed 19th in my age group. But even more memorable than the competition was the opportunity to meet climbers from all around the world. The World Youth Rock Climbing Championship was a melting pot of cultures, and I was mixed right in the middle. Even though I only traveled to one country I got to experience the culture of twenty six others.
Dear Reader: This page may contain affiliate links which may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Our independent journalism is not influenced by any advertiser or commercial initiative unless it is clearly marked as sponsored content. As travel products change, please be sure to reconfirm all details and stay up to date with current events to ensure a safe and successful trip.
0 Replies to “Climbing to New Caledonia”
Comment on this article
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Looking for a summer vacation that will keep the whole family entertained? Check out the list of 51 great family summer vacation ideas in this blog. Whether you’re looking for something outdoorsy, historical, or just a relaxing getaway, this blog has covered. From beach trips to amusement park adventures also there’s something for families vacation in Klamath. So whether you’re planning your dream vacation or just dreaming it up, be sure to check out this blog.
Hello, I enjiy eading alll of your artkcle post. I waanted tto write
a little comment too support you.
I needed to thank you for this fantastic read!! I absolutely enjoyed every bit of it. I have you saved as a favorite to check out new stuff you post
Some times its a pain in the ass to read what people wrote but this site is very user genial! .
Congratulations on the content. Interesting..
Interesting and something new for me. Thanks for travel inspirations! 🙂
Awesome. I’m getting ready for my next trip, so I’m looking forward to more posts about places like whis. 😀 Thanks! 🙂
It sounds like Barcelona would be a great destination to study Spanish, even if Madrid or another town had more native speakers. Thanks for sharing the info, will look into this school for our teens.
Very interesting topic, appreciate it for posting. “He who seizes the right moment is the right man.” by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.
Great web site yoou have here.. It’s difcicult to find high quakity wrriting like yours these days.I seriously apreciate people like
you! Taake care!!
You are so cool! I don’t think I have read through something like that before.
So wonderful to find someone with some genuine thoughts on this issue.
Really.. thank you for starting this up. This web site is something that is required on the web,
someone with a bit of originality!
Top ,.. top top … post! Keep the good work on !
your article is so unique and very good
Thanks a lot for the blog post.Thanks Again. Much obliged.
Very informative post. Really Great.
Thanks for the blog article.Really thank you!
That was a nice write-up.The article was so informative thanks for sharing and keep posting.
also, you might check at Tours and Travels – Coimbatore
Great article and thank You for Providing Such a Unique and valuable information on
also, you can visit Tours and Travels – Coimbatore<
Really informative and valuable blog, keep sharing. Also, you could look Tours and Travels – Coimbatore
Great article, thank you very much for sharing this awesome post with us, if you want more visit- Tours and Travels – Coimbatore
Great article, thank you very much for sharing this awesome post with us, you can also have a look on Tours and Travels – Coimbatore
well- articulated ! Thanks for sharing, Also, you may visit Tours and Travels – Coimbatore
Excellent blog post, thanks for giving such informative articles. You might also check
Tours and Travels – Coimbatore
Appreciating the time and effort you put into your website and in depth
information you provide. It’s nice to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same out of date rehashed information. Great read!
I’ve saved your site and I’m adding your RSS feeds to my Google account.
Great Blog post. Thanks for sharing, also, you can visit Tours and Travels – Coimbatore
Great article, thank you very much for sharing this awesome post with us. you can also check on Tours and Travels – Coimbatore
such a helpful and interesting blog, Thanks for the post. you can also visit Tours and Travels – Coimbatore
Really informative and valuable blog, keep sharing. also, you might check at Tours and Travels – Coimbatore
That was a nice write-up. The article was so informative thanks for sharing and keep posting. you can also check onTours and Travels – Coimbatore
Great article, thank you very much for sharing this awesome post with us, if you want more visit- Tours and Travels – Coimbatore
The greatest time to travel to Alaskan was during summer because the days are longer and the weather is warmer.
Relax on your spacious terrace as your opulent cruise liner passes creaky blue-white glaciers and verdant forests.
I could not refrain from commenting. Very well written!
Excellent blog post. I definitely love this site. Thanks!
Excellent brief and this article helped me alot. Say thank you I looking
for your information.
After all, what a great site and informative posts, I will upload inbound link – bookmark this web site? Regards, Reader.
Your information is of great quality, thanks for sharing.
I have noted these ideas and will follow them this summer vacation. cause last time have enjoyed https://www.goldenbustours.com/new-york-to-niagara-falls-bus-tours/ and that was cool experince for me.
This is a good tip particularly to those new to the blogosphere.
Brief but very precise info… Appreciate your sharing this one.
A must read post!