02 January 2012 | New Zealand
02 January 2012 | New Zealand
20 September 2011 | Cook Islands
05 September 2011 | Bora Bora
05 September 2011 | Bora Bora
05 September 2011 | Bora Bora
05 September 2011 | Rarotonga, Cook Islands
17 July 2011 | Island of Rangiroa
17 July 2011 | Tuamotu Islands
Moved to Auckland
02 January 2012 | New Zealand
cooler
We have arrived Opua marina in the Bay Islands and enjoying the New Zealand country and culture in the North. We have had our family over for the weekend which was great. We also had a great party saying goodbye to a lot friends we have made along the way. We have now moved the boat down to Auckland and are now moored in Westhaven Marina right next to Auckland Bridge. We are now looking forward in making our new life here.
New Zealand at last
02 January 2012 | New Zealand
A lot cooler
Well what a fantastic sail to New Zealand we have had. The wind was from SSE all the way with wind speed averaging about 20-25Knts – perfect for a beam reach of 1300Nm. This meant that we didn’t have to stop at the Minerva reef and wait for another weather window, just reached our waypoint at 24deg south and 180deg east/west and turned slightly south. Trip took 8days which was superb, arrived on my Mum’s birthday 1st November.
Another super Island
14 November 2011 | Tonga
Hot & Humid
We are now on the second of many Islands of Tonga, the Island of Vava’u. Again this is a self governing Island so does not have a lot of resources. The main town isn’t bad with many bars, restaurants and internet cafe but all down on a very low key basis. But the people are very friendly and extremely helpful. The anchorage is huge with loads of mooring buoys available. We have now got into a good routine where we stay in the anchorage for the weekend (this includes watching the rugby) and then go out to the many small Islands for the week. The Islands are stunning and there are many of them, it has to be the best place we have been to. We have to sit here for the next few weeks waiting for the weather, (can’t be bad). We have joined a rally that is organised from the marina in Opua New Zealand and there will be some 102 yachts. Not sure how long the trip will take all depends on the weather, as we have to sail west for quite a few days and then turn south. The rally is a fun rally no racing involved but just cruising in company and lots of parties when we all arrive. We have had a representative from Opua here all this week giving us all the lowdown on port entry procedures and information about New Zealand. We have met many people and it will be a great way of saying goodbye, and a great way of celebrating our journey
Rarotonga
20 September 2011 | Cook Islands
Hot & sunny
We stayed in “Rarotonga” in the Cook Islands for about a week. The town however was very nice with a good assortment of shops. We hired a scooter for the day and drove around the Island which didn’t take long as it is only a 19 miles round trip. Not a lot to see, the waterfall that is supposed to be lovely was completely dried up. But we did get to some lovely view points. Due to the amount of construction work that was going on in the harbour and also how exposed it was to the North it was time to leave.
Last Island in French Polynesia
05 September 2011 | Bora Bora
Hot and sunny
We have now arrived in Bora Bora, which is supposed to be the most beautiful Island of them all although we think Moorea has the edge. The back drop is very dramatic but not anything we haven’t seen before. But what does make this place special is the colour of the water we have never seen such different variations of blue’s & green’s absolutely beautiful. We found a great place to anchor, not far off the reef along with a few other yachts. It is so refreshing when you drop the anchor you can actually see it dig into the sand for the water is so clear. We have met up with another yacht since being in French Polynesia “Dolfijn” Richard from UK and Dawn from NZ and we have become cruising buddies. Eerily they also belonged to the same yacht club, CCYC, as we did but we never met !!!
Like most anchorages the town is nowhere near the anchorage so poor dingy has been put to test. The town is good with all you need but still extremely expensive. Still can’t open our duty free booze until we leave here – very hard!!!
Sharks & Rays
05 September 2011 | Bora Bora
Sunny and warm
The snorkelling here has been fab, as you can see from the picture we got the chance to swim with Rays and Black tipped Reef Sharks. The whole area was full off Rays about 20 and about 5 sharks. We were a bit hesitant but it is the place where the hotels take their guests so we knew it would be safe. A truly amazing experience and was pleased we got a photo of the Ray and Shark together.