New Zealand click on map to enlarge

November, 2003 About 2 weeks before we left Tonga for New Zealand  the first wave of cruisers were already preparing to leave. The trip is over 1000 miles and the weather on that route is often unpredictable. The pressure is high to make sure the boat is well provisioned and prepared to take on any kind of weather conditions. The week before we left many yachties were taking off. The VHF radios in the anchorages around Vavau were very busy with people talking of weather forecasts, planning provisions and helping each other prepare their boats for the voyage. At this point many cruisers go on to Fiji, New Caledonia or some opt to go all the way over to Australia. The rest of us go straight down to New Zealand with a possible lay over at Minerva reef. Because of this there are many heart-felt goodbyes around the island group. We left Neiafu, Tonga on Nov. 7, 2003 around 10:30am. The weather was nice, we were on a broad reach with about 18 knots of winds. We were making good speed at about 6.5 knots on average. By that evening the winds picked up to the upper 20s and stayed there for the 3 days to Minerva reef. We were making such great time that as we neared Minerva we were seriously considering by passing it and continueing on to New Zealand. Just hours before we had to make the decision we received an email from our weather Guru in New Zealand telling us of a serious cold front with winds of 40 knots coming out of the North coast of New Zealand that we would run straight into as we were trying to make land fall.  We decided to go into Minerva.

Just 2 of the many boats waiting at Minerva. Watching a ship sail by outside the reef. click photo to enlarge

We ended up staying at Minerva reef for a full week. Before the week ended there were as many as 18 boats taking refuge there.  It turned out to be a fun stay with great snorkeling and plenty of lobsters to catch along the reef. But around day 5 we were all getting antsy to head out.  After checking and re-checking all the weather faxes 3 times a day, and then conferring with other yachts about it, we decided to take our chances and sail for New Zealand on Nov.17.  We had terrific wind and relitively good weather. A few hours before dawn on the sixth day, we had the lighthouse at Cape Brett in sight. We continued to sail and came into the Bay of Islands around 8:30 that morning.  What a beautiful sight it was. Although a bit colder than we were use to, the weather was perfect. We arrived at the quarantine-customs dock at Opua Marina at 10:00am on Tues, Nov.23.

Sailing towards The Bay of Islands,New Zealand click photo to enlarge

Waiting on board at the customs dock click photo to enlarge

Passing Paihia,Bay of Islands click photo to enlarge

We stayed in Opua for one week then sailed down to Whangarei where we were to leave "Gracie" for quite a few months. We were also expecting our daughters, Amanda and Guinevere for Christmas followed by our third daughter, Ariel from Santa Fe,  New Mexico. It was a busy, but fun 5 weeks, with Ariel being the last one to return to the States on Jan. 26.

These 3 photos are just some of the gorgeouse coastline on the sail down to Whangarei. click on photos to enlarge

The Bay of Islands

New Zealand is near the international dateline, opposite the Greenwich Meridian of zero degrees, so has the honor of claiming to be the first country to see the sun rise. The climate ranges from temperate to subtropical and there is extensive bird and fish life. Other than two bat species, the only land mammals are those introduced by early Maoris and Europeans. Because New Zealand is a relitively new settlement the population is under four million, and it retains a clean, natural and untouched environment.

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Stockings for Santa

We bought a used, 1988 Honda Accord  with a buy back guarantee and drug the girls all over the North Island in it.  The North Island of New Zealand is an island of great beauty, from the Bay of Islands in the North to the capital city of Wellington at the Southern tip .

Xmas meal with Patty and Steve

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