This picture helps me visualize the 3700 miles we need to go to get to Hawaii. I show Tabuaeran which is Fanning Island. If it works, we'll stop there but if we are on a good course, we may not even stop there. Tonga is another possibility if needed but not planning it right now.

Opua, NZ has been a good last stop. The Marina held a package for us for over a month, there's a rally leaving from here so there's seminars and get togethers that we can attend. Provisioning is a slight more difficult but not impossible. The two marine supply stores here are good for the boat's needs.

We will remember New Zealand for old and new friends. We got to see two couples and a third boat that we last saw in 1990 in American Samoa! As one of our last blogs mentioned, it was fun to meet Toby who was involved in the 1988 America's Cup. We've enjoyed meals with locals and getting to know other boats here for the season.

We took a car to Cape Reinga, the farthest north of the North Island and saw the massive sand dunes of 90 Mile Beach. We saw the huge Kauri trees of the West coast and bussed our way from Tauranga to Wellington so we've seen most of the North Island. Due to repairs and waiting out Cyclone Pam and other storms, we didn't have time for the South Island but we feel we know it better just from hearing about it during our 4-5 months here.

So the next blog will be from Hawaii, Lord Willing, without too much drama.