Cruising New Zealand!

Our private anchorage, the site of Captain Cook's anchorage.

Today we pulled ourselves away from Opua and have ventured out to the Bay of Islands. It is fun to be at the dock in Opua and watch the new boats arriving but it can be addicting and keep you from cruising New Zealand! That’s what happened last year and by the time we left the dock it was time to head to Whangarei and get Charisma taken care of before returning home for the holidays.

We promised not to do it the same way this year. And we have been keeping that promise by getting out and hiking around Opua. New Zealand does hiking extremely well.

Last weekend we rented a car and drove up to see the northern tip of New Zealand, Cape Reinga. It was a beautiful three hour trip culminating in a spectacular view. The Tasman Sea meeting the Pacific Ocean. You could see where the wave patterns from the two big bodies of water came together. It looks so diffent from a cliff looking down. It looked so peaceful, not as wild as it did when we were on the water getting buffeted by 35 knot winds and 10-12 foot waves while trying to get into the protection of the land mass.

After stopping at “The World’s Best Ice Cream” store for a treat we headed to Whangarei to help get Orcinius back in the water.

Ice Cream break!

Orcinius was hauled out eleven months earlier and structural issues were discovered. It was painful leaving for Fiji without Orcinius. So when John agreed to our offer to help get her back in the water after months of rebuilding we were thrilled! John sums the weekend best in his blog so I will leave it at that and encourage you all to follow the link at the bottom of the page to their blog. The good news is that it was a huge success! (and John, you do not owe us the additional car rental money!).

Orcinius in her parking spot "on the hard".

A trailer gets jacked up underneath her to roll her down to the ramp.

After 11 months, she's happy under sail again and better than new.

 

 

And now tonight we are sitting in our first anchorage in the Bay of Islands, Roberton Island (the site of Captain Cook’s anchorage). When we first dropped anchor (yes, we remember how!) there were two other boats here. One was on their private mooring and the other anchored. Inside of two hours there were seven other boats! They ranged from small fishing boats to catamarans to large house boats. The house boat pulled in and dumped eight yellow kayaks of people to go ashore. they looked like a fleet of rubber ducks! Wow, is this what cruising in New Zealand is like? Fortunately this must be a great day spot because as we sit here sipping Charismas in the setting sun only the boat on the private mooring remains. Yay! A private anchorage…this is cruising New Zealand!

Oh, and Bob deployed his hammock for the first time this season while I pumped up my kayak and paddled ashore.

Bob has finally deployed his hammock!

From Bob: Such a nice nap I had in my lovely hammock on such a warm day!

2 thoughts on “Cruising New Zealand!

  1. Ahh! sounds just lovely! glad you are getting some hiking in! Cant wait to see you guys! May come bring you your bike as you get back so you both can go ride! xxoo Joan

  2. OK, the picture of Captain Bob in the hammock is my idea of what sailing in NZ should be all about. Relax, relax, and relax some more. The happy wanderer just drifting as carefree as the breeze. And celebrating the joyful day with good food, good friends, and a Charisma or two. Enjoy.

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