Aboard Tango this is New Aealand Biosecurity Day. NZ has stringent requirements for boats entering the country and a long list of prohibited foods and bio-mass things like grass skirts I bought for Carey and Keeley. Virtually anything not packaged can not be brought into the country. Lots of "fresh" meats and vegitables are going over the side becuase we know they have to go. Dry beans of any variety, dairy products, packaged meats, frozen vegi's, anything opened... the list is extensive. The biggest part of entering New Zealand is this biosecurity. It also applies to Tango's bottom paint. If the bottom was repainted within 6-months of arrival you get a pass. Our bottom job, crappy as it is, doesn't get a pass because it is 8 months old. However we have records and photos of our monthly cleaning routine and the bottom is very clean. We plan to haul Tango but we are hoping to do it without the urgency of a biosecurity bust. The bio-police will also inspect our dive
gear, fishing gear, hiking shoes, etc. for critters... Like I said, extensive.

So, with 100 nm to go, one more vampire night for John and relatively calm winds & seas we are motor sailing. The air is clear and crisp, as in a bit cold. We haven't et resorted to wearing shoes but we are talking about it. There are tons of boats arriving in Opua right now so we are not sure that we'll get a berth. There is a big storm coming in day after tomorrow too... hummm... We may have to clear-in and immediately leave for Whangarie (Marsden Cove) to try and beat the storm if a berth isn't available. So... we'll let you know. It's an adventure isn't it.

On the other hand - guess what! We'll be in New Zealand tomorrow. We talked about buying a car to tour around too! There is even a company that caters to yachties with a guarenteed buy back plan. Some boat friends are already in Opua and they have scoped out one of the wine bars. Poor us... :)