The Legends of New Caledonia, IPS 2000

[Kim]

Once upon a time, back in September 2015, Brad Mondel asked a question on the IPS discussion forum, Palmtalk: Which Biennial was your favorite, and why?”

This was in a more obscure part of the forum, and there were very few answers, but one particular Biennial stood out. Answers below, as written:

bgl (Bo-Göran Lundkvist): “Out of ten Biennials since Venezuela in 1994 (only missed Orange County in 1996), I have to say New Caledonia in 2000. Yeah, Thailand in 1998 was amazing and a very close second, but experiencing New Caledonia and seeing lots (and I mean LOTS) of palms in habitat was an unforgettable experience. Add to that the Melanesian culture in New Caledonia, and it was a definite winner as far as I am concerned. … Being in a helicopter, sitting up front next to the pilot and looking down on an ocean of palms spreading out in all directions across the slopes of Mt. Panie, with tens of thousands of red fronds opening up is not something you see every day! I would call that a ‘fond memory’! “

Jerry@TreeZoo (Jerry Behan): My favorite Biennial was also my first Biennial, New Caledonia.  Maybe it was because it was my first trip abroad, other than cross border excursions to the Bahamas, Canada and Mexico.  Maybe it was because it was so far away.  It was going someplace new that 99.9% people NEVER get the chance to see.  My most "frond" memory (get it?  Frond?)  was the helicopter ride and climbing Mt Panie. … You never really understand how to grow a palm until you see it in habitat.

I have an older brother who went to New Caledonia with the IPS and he has recounted tales about it for the last 23 years, as has everyone else who was fortunate enough to go. All the stories about the helicopter ride part way up Mont Panié and the hike further on to see huge groves of mature New Caledonian palms were like something out of an Indiana Jones adventure novel. Great accolades were given to the NewCal palm people who went to extreme lengths to make arrangements, going so far as to install ropes to assist climbing up to see the palms and even label palms in habitat. I’ve carried these stories deep in the folds of my cerebral cortex for a couple of decades now, and when New Caledonia came up as a “serious maybe” for an IPS trip, those nooks and crannies where those legends are stored lit up like a rainbow, showering colorful sparks of excitement throughout my thought waves.* “This is essential,” I thought. I know I won’t  get the helicopter ride up Mont Panié, but the rest will still be legend. Palms in habitat? Bring it on!

Then reality hit me like a bad hangover. “Can I really do this?” Travel costs worldwide have accelerated dramatically post-pandemic. Can I do this? Do I really want to do this? I really struggled with that for a while.

Probably none of you reading this have experienced this yet, but recently I celebrated a milestone kind of birthday, and a dear friend sent me a card. The front of the card featured a 1940s vintage photo of a smiling woman dressed in her finest, standing on the running board of a very glamorous period automobile. The inside read:

“Life is short! Buy the damn shoes!”

Yeah! I bought the damn shoes! That is to say, I registered for the IPS 2024 New Caledonia Biennial, my own version of “the shoes.” I want my own legends to tell. How about you?

If you have a legend or the dream of legends to share, please post here.

 

*No, I am not a neurologist, nor have I ever played one on TV.

[Cindy Adair]

Kim, although I haven’t thought of a legend to share I wanted to express my total agreement with your eloquent and compelling post. 
 

Thank you!

[Elvis Cruz]

Kim, thank you for that way fab post.

Yes, so true.  Life is short, and money doesn't do any good until you use it.

We are fortunate to have found others who suffer from palm addiction, and our therapy includes field trips to wonderful places for fellowship, laughter and adventure.

Carpe vida!

[realarch]

Kim, what a wonderful, thoughtful post. You’ve a gift for putting pen to paper for a bit of inspiration. Alas, I won’t be joining you, but your thoughts will surely motivate others to weigh their options,

Tim

[peachy]

 As a person who absolutely loathes the boredom, discomfort and close proximity to a horde of strangers, not to mention all the security and passport control points, endless waiting lines etc etc ad nauseum, the very thought of long distance flights give me the horrors.  I really thought hard about going to the Biennial in Thailand but the heat probably would have killed me and I couldn't rake up the necessary funds in the end. This coming biennial would suit me much better as it's only a 3 hour flight, the climate is pleasant and it is safe to eat at the better places. Noumea is the only place where I attempted driving on the wrong side too. (not a pleasant memory)  My list of pros and cons grows faster than any of my palms ever did.  I might be attending this one if I can be very frugal in the interim and can bear to be away from the kids. Whatever, if I don't get there I can enjoy the tours vicariously thanks to all the lovely photos people post.

Peachy

 

[Cindy Adair]

So sorry to hear you can’t make it to New Cal, Tim! You will be missed.

Peachy I am happy with the possibility that you might attend!

I am sincerely hoping that your pros will outweigh the cons and I will meet you next Fall. 

[BS Man about Palms]

"YCTIWY"  or "why-see-tee-wee" , YCTIWY is a phrase my brother coined a couple years ago. Basically as we were lucky enough to receive a  inheritance. But, at the the expense of a life of frugality and excuses and never buy or get that big ticket item..  (yet SO many cheap items, over and over again). 🫤

So while not everyone is able to, YCTIWY means "You can't take it with you". So if an opportunity comes to do something you've always wanted to do, DO IT.

 

I will add, that from the beginning when I  heard people talk about the 2000 New Caledonia,  just a few years before I  joined, I  decided if it happened  again, I would go. NO MATTER WHAT. Some of that was helped by me saving by doing EVERY OTHER Biennial for my first few. This is the one to make!

I hope to see many of you there!

[Kim]

Thanks, Cindy, Elvis and Tim. 🙂 Yes, Tim, you will be very much missed, but I understand.  Peachy! Will we finally meet in person? 🙀 Should I be thrilled or terrified? 🤣 Will that rapier-sharp wit draw blood? Or will I be rolling on the floor laughing? I really hope you can make it, just listen to BS Man!