They flew to New Caledonia for a romantic escape. Now they're trapped as Macron tries to quell deadly riots

New Caledonia was the last stop on our voyage to Australia in October of 2018. Even then, there was some talk about independence from France. I found New Caledonia a lovely place with beaches of white sand, aqua clear waters, French styled buildings, Palm trees, etc. I was unaware of the deep political divide. I bought a refrigerator magnet from there as a reminder of the day I spent there.Things are really bad there now.

When Maxwell Winchester and his wife arrived in the South Pacific island of New Caledonia nearly two weeks ago, they were excited for what would be their first child-free holiday since becoming parents.

But what was supposed to be a romantic getaway has instead left the Australian couple stranded and far from their children back in their home state Victoria, after deadly riots broke out across the French territory sparked by electoral changes from the national government.

“We are sheltered in place because it’s largely been too dangerous to leave. We’ve had barricades, riots … shops looted, burnt to the ground. Our suburb near us basically has nothing left,” he told CNN on Thursday.

More at....https://www.cnn.com/2024/05/23/europe/new-caledonia-tourists-stranded-australia-intl-hnk/index.html