06/16/2013, 16 46.687'S:179 20.120'E, Savu Savu
We made it. We are on a mooring in Savu Savu, Fiji. Its 8:30 am. 82 degrees. 85 in the water. Humid. And it smells of coconut palms and apple cake. We are waiting for officials from Health, Customs, Immigration and Biosecurity.
Then we can nap.
Busy schedule today.
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Comments [2]
06/15/2013, 18 19.867'S:179 39.719'E, Somewhere in the Koro Sea
Its Sunday, about 12:30 in the afternoon. We are enjoying a very pleasant sail. We ought to be into Savu Savu about Sunrise tomorrow. We've been weaving in and out of islands since the middle of the night last night. We just put the fishing lines out again, so hopefully we'll catch something good. It nice to be nearing the end of this passage. The trip to and from New Zealand is generally one of the more difficult passages in the world due to the nature of the weather patterns. Though now, and perhaps for a good long time, we'll have to contend with poor charting.
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06/14/2013, 20 50.424'S:179 42.342'W, Somewhere in the South Pacific
We left North Minerva Reef yesterday about 3pm (friday). Its now 3pm on Saturday. We made a out 178nm. Not bad in 15-17 kt winds. Its getting warmer. The air temp is about 78 and the water is about 81. All is well. COG is 350T; SOG 7.5 kts; Pos 20d50m S 179d42mW.
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06/13/2013, 23 39.194'S:178 53.921'W, North Minerva Reef
We had a nice afternoon yesterday walking along the top of the reef at low tide. This afternoon (Friday) we will hoist anchor and depart for Savu Savu. The weather looks pretty good, a high pressure system is south of us, and we are in pretty stable trade winds at the moment. We ought to arrive in Savu Savu on Monday morning.
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06/12/2013, 23 39.194'S:178 53.921'W, North Minerva Reef
We are enjoying the peace and quiet of North Minerva reef. Went snorkeling today and saw a couple of curious sharks, one was a grey reef shark, not sure what the other one was yet. Very clear warm water. Presently we are enjoying a nice sunset. We probably wont post again until saturday when we are underway for Fiji.
One note about the google earth picture: the circling reef that you see is mostly underwater. At high tide it is all underwater, and at low tide, water is flowing over the reef and dropping into the inner lagoon. You can walk on top of the reef at low tide in water that is about a foot deep. But at the inside edge of the reef there is waterfall of about 1-2 feet into the lagoon.
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06/10/2013, 23 39.194'S:178 53.921'W, North Minerva Reef
We are at anchor within North Minerva Reef. Check out the google earth map. We had to stand off last night, as we arrived after dark, and the pass is pretty narrow. So we came through the pass first thing this morning and anchored in the southeastern part of the lagoon. Air temp is 85 and the water temp is 79.4. Life is good. Now for a nap....
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Fantastic! Love the google map. Mom
06/09/2013, 24 41.16'S:179 25.62'W, Approaching Minerva Reefs
We are just about to start Day 5 of our trip to the Minerva Reefs. We are about 15 miles from South Minerva at the moment. We plan to head into North Minerva, but if we get to South before dark, we may go in there. We are presently at 24d 41m S and 179d 25m W (we've crossed the date line, again). SOG 6.5 kts, COG 20 mag. Though our course will change soon. We are adjusting sails to keep them full. The heading to the west side of south minerva is about 000 mag. We are getting close to being in the tropics, and our thermostats are adjusting accordingly. Its now 73 degrees, and it feels a bit cool. The water is about 76.5, which ought to be nice for a short swim, but require a wetsuit for diving or snorkeling. Hopefully we'll find a few lobster tomorrow.
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06/08/2013, 26 59.39'S:179 10.36'E, Well NE of New Zealand
Our latest position as of 1pm NZ time (utc +12) is: 26d 59m S; 179d 10m E. Sog 6.5, COG 10mag. We are approaching the international date line again. The weather has warmed up and it is now about 70 outside. And the water temp is up to 72.3. We are in shorts again! Why the hell did we ever go to New Zealand.
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06/07/2013, 29 41.3'S:177 36.1'E, NE of New Zealand
Its good to be out of New Zealand and sailing again. Today the wind has mellowed a bit to right around 20 kts. And theseas have dropped a little too. Last night we had Hawaiian Poke and today we are having simple nigiri sushi with the fresh tuna we caught. Its still a bit cool out. Temps in the 60's, but it is warming. And the water is starting to warm too, now right around 70. Can't wait to get to minerva!! Hopefully the weather will permit it. For the landlubbers out there... Minerva reef, is out in the middle of the south pacific south of Fiji and Tonga. The reef comes close enough to the surface to break the swells, and you can see parts of the reef at low tide, but it disappears at high tide and all you see is water... When you anchor its like anchoring in the middle of the ocean, because, well you are, and there is no land around.
current position is 29d 40m S, 177 d 36m E. SOG 8.5kts COG 10 Mag Seas 2.5 meters Wind 20kts from the SE (140d True)
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06/07/2013, 31 08.74'S:176 45.17'E, NE of New Zealand
Its about 11:30 pm NZ time. We are presently at 31d08m S and 176d 45m E. SOG 9 kts and COG of 11 Mag. All is well. Its a bit bumpy still, with 3 meter seas, and SE wind of about 25kts. The first couple of days of a passage are always a bit tough, but the freshly caught tuna was delicious again today.
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