Arrival in Opua, New Zealand!
14 October 2017 | Bay of Islands Marina, Opua
Gillian
We have made it! Crossed the finish line at 11.45am (15 minutes ahead of schedule) and made a flawless landing on the Quarantine dock at the marina. Neil and I were so excited when we saw Cape Brett and the Hole in the Rock that we were hugging and jumping up and down in the cockpit, after an exhausting bumpy night with little sleep. We did not wait long before Quarantine and Customs officers visited, the one taking all our rubbish and the odd food item which were a Quarantine risk in NZ (they didn't like my US bacon or my Argentinian popcorn!); and the other slamming us with Duty and Gst on the boat - yuk! But all in all, the officers were friendly and very professional. After getting our clearance we moved the boat to our allocated berth, but this time not such a flawless landing. The stern swung onto a pole and bent the bracket for our flag, but hey, at this stage it did not seem so important. All of a sudden, so still and quiet, no sea, wind and boat noise rushing by, and we can walk without grabbing things on the way and sliding all over the floor. We were so happy to see the crew of Son of Moondance who had arrived last night from Fiji, and we have made arrangements to meet with them tomorrow evening for a celebratory drink and meal. We had a delicious lunch at the local cafe and then the most wonderfulest shower! So now, a quiet evening, a glass of wine or two, and an early night to bed with dreams of all the wonderful far off places we have visited and all the seas we have sailed...... and who knows what tomorrow may bring!