Back to the mainland to haul out in Whangarei. As it turns out we did not go further than Marsden Cove at the mouth of the river. The boat was on the hard for 6 weeks, while we were coming home every night to a roaring log fire. Made working on the boat a bit less of a chore. In walking distance to beautiful beaches, we had some fabulous walks despite the cold and wet weather.
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New Zealand – May 20
Great Barrier Island, the perfect place for a lock down. We spend 8 weeks in the same anchorage, the longest we have ever spent in one place ever. Plenty of walks, taking the dinghy for a row, doing a few jobs on the boat, we have not really had time to get bored. Amazing how the same walks can provide so much delights. By the end of May we are back to Marsden cove to haul out Mr X.
New Zealand – April 20
After a mad rush to get back to Whangarei for our haul out at the end of March, Covid 19 finally caught up with New Zealand. Total lock down is announced for 6 weeks and we head back to Great Barrier Island where we know we can get shelter in all weather. Kaiarara Bay is our home for the duration. Glad we are here it is just simply beautiful.
New Zealand – March 20
Going north in the Hauraki Gulf, we are scheduled to come out of the water at the end of March in Whangarei and there are plenty of places in between to explore. Taking in Waiheke island, the Coromandel peninsula and Great Barrier island. As per usual, all in a bit of a rush, could definitly spend more time in all the above.
New Zealand – Feb 20
After over 2 months in Opua, the engine is fixed and we are finally on the move. Highlights in February include Waitangi day, the national day in New Zealand, meeting a few kiwis, as in the bird, in the wild and in daylight. Wandering around Rangitoto, the volcano and finally spending a few days exploring Auckland.
New Zealand – Jan 20
Opua in the bay of island is our base for now. We can't move as we are having our engine fixed. Still the marina is very pleasant and there is plenty to explore around. From Kawakawa to Auckland, Cape Brett to Russell, we have been busy.
New Zealand – Bay of Islands
New Zealand is going to be our home away from the cyclones for the next 6 months. We arrived in the Bay of Islands and have been stuck in the marina trying to have the engine fixed for the last 6 weeks, Christmas and New Year got in the way. Still, we have explored and enjoyed the area between doing jobs on the boat. And being in the marina has its advantages, mainly hot showers and social events.
This is New Zealand – Bay of Islands in Dec 19
Minerva Reef to New Zealand
A tough passage made even tougher without our engine. From no wind to too much wind in the wrong direction. Finally arrived in New Zealand after 13 days at sea.
Minerva Reef
A perfect doughnut shape atoll, mainly submerged, 5 kms across, about 500 kms from Tonga. We waited over a week for the right weather window for our crossing to New Zealand. Never seen so many shades of blue.
Tonga
After French Polynesia, visiting the Royal Kingdom of Tonga, the Happy Kingdom, was like going back in time.
We stopped in each of the 3 main groups of islands, and were lucky enough to see many whales on the way. A very special place.