We had the nice surprise to glimpse at Prince William during his Royal visit of New Zealand. He entered the Maritime Museum only meters from our boat and then went for a sail on the Team New Zealand yacht across from Blue Dawn! We even got a smile...he must have recognized some British pride in Geoff's eyes!
Click Here to See Pictures!
| Australia & NZ |
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2010 is starting amazingly! Friends, fun and the big city...but it is only the beginning I awoke this morning finding a lovely poem celebrating our good old Blue Dawn on the website. Thank you so much Bruce for that beautiful ode but you know what, you will be expected to make a new one every year now!
Ode to Blue Dawn
Our lady is in dock
Resting from her duty of care
Soon loving hands will raise her up
To strip away all signs of wear.
Content to be constrained
till all required work is done
Proudly she will stand
Gleaming brightly in the sun.
Gently then to be lowered
and again embrace the water
Still resting and tethered
Awaiting a call from her master
The MTU supplies the pulse
Shore based power and lines are freed
Eagerly now she clears the harbour
and our lady heads for the open sea
She shakes her wings free
The ropes strain and winches groan
A bone is in her teeth
Home again with the sun, sea and foam
| Australia & NZ |
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We are departing today for a two weeks exploration of the coast and islands between the Bay of Islands and Auckland. Today Roberton island where we intend to climb to the summit. We are anchored in the exact same spot as Captain Cook, that's quite incredible. I cannot wait for tonight as you can apparently hear the Kiwi birds here, according to one of our local friend 's tip, so thank you Ray & Gaye. Next day we will be off to Urupukapuka for the 5 hours archaeological walk around the island. We will head South for few days in Whangaruru, Great Barrier Island, Waiheke before taking our marina at the Hobson West marina in the Viaduct Basin. Happy Christmas to all of you.
| Australia & NZ |
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Opua welcomed us on a windy morning, customs and officials met us on the quarantine dock, they checked the boat after giving us presents and brochures! First taste of New Zealand rather good! We had decided to anchor by the little town of Paihia, great spot as we can reach either lovely quaint Russel, the Haruru waterfall, the Waitangi Grounds or Paihia. All the fun is nearly overwhelming, so much to see and do! The days are flying by having a good time so I apologise for being so slack with the website.
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We are still motor-sailing at 5 knots, we know we are getting a bit closer; it's overcast and colder. It's putting us in the mood for NZ! We should be getting a stronger West to North-West wind soon which we were waiting for to speed us towards our destination. WooHoo... Everything good on board except for the fact that the plate at the head of the sail broke!! It was quite something too see the full main coming down but we were lucky that we were sailing to weather in very light wind. We have hooked up a strong spectra rope to take us to Nz and if this gives there is always the drill to make new eyes to attach the halyard to. Geoff had to go to the top of the mast to retrieve the halyard and was tossed like a puppet, very scary, he is so courageous! His legs were bleeding when he reached deck again... Unbelievable the strengh of these sails, I was holding the halyard while Geoff was fixing the plate and it lifted me off the deck?
| Pacific Islands |
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We arrived after the fleet going into the rally to Opua, New Zealand, so we had the island to ourselves, rather nice! We really enjoyed being anchored by Big Mama Yacht club, beautiful little piece of sand and a very friendly place. They could not do enough to help us all! Took a tour of the Nuku'Alofa with our friends on s/v Babalu, a lovely day out exploring the four corners of the island. We are waiting for Ricky to arrive for our last ocean sailing this year...
| Pacific Islands |
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It is early morning, I just woke up, and in my cloudy brain I do not seem to comprehend what I am hearing. The VHF is bursting with Tsunami Warnings!!!
A volcano had apparently exploded underwater at 17:48 Zulu time on the 29 of September 2009; coordinates 15.558 South - 17.073 West at a depth of 18km with a magnitude of 8.3.
As Geoff seems as little concerned as it is possible, I decide to log on to my computer and check what is really going on. All facts are quickly confirmed and all blood drained out of my body, my mouth is dry and my heart is accelerating. Geoff is amused and smirks at me, great!
All the horror from the Indonesian Tsunami came back to me, I know we are safe on a boat anchored in deep water but it really freaked me out...
More and more reports are coming in from the outer anchorages: "water is draining out" and then to everybody shock, a woman voice screamed in urgency and desperation: "Tsunami, tsunami, it is coming, it is coming". A total silence has taken over Neiafu's anchorage, everyone is standing on deck looking out towards the entrance of the bay. I do not know what we are expecting to see but the mind do go crazy. I've forgotten that I was holding my breath when I heard the woman voice and was now gasping for air! Geoff has lost his smirk and he is puffing harder on his cigarette but apart from that he is as stoic as ever! Quite amazing to be able to never panic...
Reports are coming in stating the fact that the water level is dropping, now I am squinting so hard towards the shore and the depth sounder that I still have deep worry lines between my browns!
The voices on the VHF keep on coming in: 1 meter, 2 meters, water is rising now, water dropping again...
Fortunately Vavau was not touched by the Tsunami but all the damages at the neighboring islands make us realized that we were indeed very lucky! Thank you all for the numerous messages.
The island north of us, Niuatoputopu or New Potatoe, was hit and it is reported that 10 people died and 90% of the village was destroyed. Our thoughts goes to all the people which have lost a family member...
In the last few days an incredible effort has been put out by the people of Neiafu and all of us yachties, bags of clothing and food were pilling up everywhere around town and donations were coming in. A total of 500kg of goods were loaded onto the plane going to Hihifo for help relief. Several boats had sailed North to Niuatoputopu island to bring some more supplies and to aid the locals with repairing the damages, generators, water systems; an amazing group of people! A French naval boat has also arrived with a huge amount of merchandises.
Reports from the NOAA Tsunami center:
Click Here to read to Tsunami warning!
Click Here to see the Cancellation report & Data
| Pacific Islands |
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I always wondered since I first visited those islands in 2000 why most of the Tongan are such strong and big people.
After spending several days at the local market learning how to weave baskets with Primrose; a gentle and patient man who passed onto me his knowledge and magnificent work; I was able to meet many of the local vendors. A real private insight onto Tongan lifestyle started!
By learning their trade and wanting to be like them, all barriers broke; they immediately accepted me and gave me their friendship. I did not know yet how lucky this was going to be. Groups of local peoples crowded around, amazed to see "Palangis" (foreigners) crafting as they do. Everyone wanted to talk or help, sharing their food and bringing drinks to quench our thirst after 5 hours of weaving! And I had to control myself to stop my laugher when I saw schoolgirls taking pictures of us?
Spending such a long time with Primrose, Mary, Analite and all the many others something came to me. Maybe they are just big people because they have to house such an amazing personality, an enormous heart and a huge sense of humor. When I think about it all I can remember is smiling faces and the lovely sound of giggles echoing underneath the corrugated roof.
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