Another unexpected port, we have to make a stop in Cairns, Australia. This is turning into an odyssey. Our AIS, the system that enable us to see other vessels and be seen is not functioning any more. As we are to cross some of the busiest shipping lanes in the world we thought it judicious to get a new machine! Checking in given the circumstances is fairly straightforward and rapid, we were lucky. It feels like we'll never get to Indonesia... our chances of catching up with the rally are dwindling fast... may as well take it easy and enjoy the sights, sounds and the Cairns Festival.

Cairns - Australia - Aug 22

We ended up waiting  a couple of weeks for our new part for the mainsheet traveller. We made the most of it though, think that  we visited everything worth looking at in Noumea. Museums, galleries, shops, notable houses, the cathedral, cemeteries, markets, a few restaurants and sampled the products of all the boulangeries in 3 miles radius! Loved it!

Noumea - Aug 22

We had to make an unexpected stop in New Caledonia. The passage from New Zealand was a bit rough and we broke the mainsheet traveller. Ian managed to rig an emergency system that got us to close to Noumea. As we made our approach, about 10 miles out, our engine stopped, without warning. Unable to restart it, we just sailed, with very little wind, only made it to port before dark. Nothing major fortunately, water got in the fuel tank, it was sorted in a couple of days and we did not loose too many litres of fuel. As we have to wait for a new part to be tooled for our mainsheet traveller, we make the most of Noumea.

Noumea - New Caledonia - July 22

Djibaou Cultural Centre - July 22

More testing required, we need at least 20 hours of motoring before Ian feels comfortable that the engine is bedded down. So we go round and round the Bay of Island. We hire a car for our last provisioning trip to KeriKeri before we go and as we have time we finally go up to the Rangirouha National Park. We'd been wanting to go and see  the first settlement in New Zealand and its landmark, the Marsden Cross. As per usual, the park is a delight to be in, with very informative panels and audio narration available on our phone. Beautiful despite the overcast weather or maybe because of it... it feels almost haunted... very atmospheric. A couple of days later, we wave goodbye to New Zealand.

Rangirouha National Park - July 22

Leaving New Zealand - July 22

With the engine back in, we spent a few days in the Opua are, testing all the systems. We are not going too far, plenty of lovely, empty anchorages within a couple of hours from the marina. Everything is seems to be working, we may be able to finally escape New Zealand. After 2 and a half years it is not going to be easy as we both enjoyed the country, the lifestyle, the scenery, the cruising ground and all the walking available... not forgetting the people... we could definitely live here if they would let us!

Bay of Islands - June 22