Whew, we’re in!
The last 24 hours the weather abated to a leisurely 20-25 knots. We got the sails back up and close reached into Bay of Islands having sailed all the way. We didn’t even turn the engine on for the entire (1200 mile) trip being able to keep the batteries charged with the solar panels and hydro-gen that we towed.
Wow! What a great experience
Both of us agreed that the trip ended on a great note with beautiful sailing and gorgeous starry night followed by an almost ethereal arrival in the early morning fog-shrouded bay. Just when we thought it was going to be a radar guided entry, the fog thinned from the morning sun just enough to see a hundred yards ahead and we ghosted into the customs dock.
Making landfall at Bay of Islands early dawn.
Sunrise over Bay of Islands just a couple hours before completing this voyage.
Out of the fog and into Opua.
Heading toward the "Q-Dock" or quarantine dock where we'll wait to get cleared by customs and immigration
Happy to be back in New Zealand.
Oh, yeah, that Champagne tasted good!
We’re now in a nice slip, showered and we’re going out for dinner before collapsing into bed.
More tomorrow.
Hot damn. Safe in port. Most excellent sailing by a helluva crew and boat. Your tat mojo is still strong and working wonders. Welcome to NZ!
Find your land legs and celebrate, relax, relax, and relax. Oh right, sleep first.
HOORAY! Well done.
Congrats! I think s/v Bella Star is right behind you!
So happy you made it safe and sound. And Ann deserves a purple heart–I would have been weeping below decks in those waves and wind. True partner you’ve got there!