The day before we left for New Zealand, the islands internet went down and our satellite phone data provider decided to do a server upgrade so we were unable to update the website about our departure from Tonga. During the voyage, we had no mail capacity so again, no updating the website during the trip. Below is just a summary, of our voyage to New Zealand, with a longer and more detailed post to follow.

We have arrived in New Zealand!!! We tied up to the Quarantine dock at 0715am yesterday. We cleared Customs and Biosecurity, and then moved into the marina. We are happily tied up, nice and snug in a boat slip.

The passage started very easy featuring flat seas and lots of motoring; I believe we called the sailing experience very benign. Then it all turned to nasty weather forcing us to heave to for two days during 40-45kt sustained winds with gust at 55kt and 30-35 foot seas. Our mizzen sail is shredded, 1 boat is still lost while another boat was capsized and the crew was rescued by a freighter. We anticipate some hairy stories as the cruising group straggles in.

During 800 of the 1300 miles, we sailed through pumice rocks, magic volcanic rocks that are light as air and float on the water.
We had to put socks on for the first time in 7 months!! Our toes are screaming for freedom already.
More to follow...