We are here!! Gone to party, more later.

11/13/08
We have been busy since arriving in New Zealand with such things as renting a car, obtaining a cell phone, exploring and the numerous party's. To recap the trip down. We left Tonga November 2, 2008 and arrived Opua November 9, 2008. We spent 2 nights anchored at Minerva Reef. That put our total travel time at 5 days and 12.5 hours. Total miles were 1058 although we traveled more because of strategic zigs and zags to avoid low pressure systems and other weather events.
The days leading up to departure day were full of weather analysis. Trying to get from Tonga to NZ at this time of year is like crossing a six lane hi-way on your knees. Weather systems develop fast and so trying to plan a smooth trip is not easy. In the end I think some luck is key to a good trip. However if we could influence the outcome we did. For example when we left Minerva Reef we choose to motor south at a good clip to avoid a low. Of the three boats that left that day, the two of us that motored missed the low and the third boat had 40 knot winds and did not arrive here until yesterday, a full 3 days after us.
Many boats will make the passage down to 35 degrees south this season and most will arrive here in Opua. It is a special thing to share the excitement of the crews as they arrive, some having been below praying with no sails up while the wind raged outside over 50 knots and others, like ourselves who never saw more than 35 knots and had a pleasant passage.