112544
26/04/2018
10:10
-43.6
172.716666666667
26/04/2018 10:10
43° 36,000'S 172° 43,000'E
Whakaraupo. We're home.
Whakaraupo. We're home.
sailabroad.112544.jpg
sailabroad
false
112486
25/04/2018
02:15
-41.75
174.333333333333
25/04/2018 02:15
41° 45,000'S 174° 20,000'E
Shepherdess Reef, Cape Campbell. It's always Againsterly
when you're headin' home 
Shepherdess Reef, Cape Campbell. It's always Againsterly
when you're headin' home ;)
sailabroad
false
112459
24/04/2018
16:17
-40.9666666666667
174.266666666667
24/04/2018 16:17
40° 58,000'S 174° 16,000'E
Alpine Start for Cook Strait. Hot tea is in demand.
Alpine Start for Cook Strait. Hot tea is in demand.
sailabroad
false
112432
24/04/2018
01:01
-41.15
173.35
24/04/2018 01:01
41° 09,000'S 173° 21,000'E
Enroute to French Pass. Kahawai are biting, wind is hiding.
crew still happy
Enroute to French Pass. Kahawai are biting, wind is hiding.
crew still happy
sailabroad
false
110159
22/01/2018
06:42
-40.8166666666667
172.9
22/01/2018 06:42
40° 49,000'S 172° 54,000'E
Pohara 
Tarakohe port, quite a different "bay experience"
this little fishing port. went for an arvo climb @cathedral wall. it's GOOD
to be back!!!!
Pohara :) Tarakohe port, quite a different "bay experience"
this little fishing port. went for an arvo climb @cathedral wall. it's GOOD
to be back!!!!
sailabroad.110159.jpg
sailabroad
false
110148
20/01/2018
23:18
-40.9333333333333
173.45
20/01/2018 23:18
40° 56,000'S 173° 27,000'E
Left French Pass this morning heading to one of bays in Abel
Tasman for the night. Pohara/Port Tarakohe tomorrow. Golden Bay here we
come!!
Left French Pass this morning heading to one of bays in Abel
Tasman for the night. Pohara/Port Tarakohe tomorrow. Golden Bay here we
come!! :)
sailabroad
false
110124
18/01/2018
17:13
-41.2833333333333
174.866666666667
18/01/2018 17:13
41° 17,000'S 174° 52,000'E
Off to the Mainland with a truly alpine start@0430! Let's
see what the Strait has on offer today.
Bye Wellington, you reminded us that nothing beats ya on a sunny, hot day
... but also how windy and rainy you can be. Thanks for the well rounded
show.
Off to the Mainland with a truly alpine start@0430! Let's
see what the Strait has on offer today.
Bye Wellington, you reminded us that nothing beats ya on a sunny, hot day
... but also how windy and rainy you can be. Thanks for the well rounded
show.
sailabroad.110124.jpg
sailabroad
false
109780
04/01/2018
05:23
-41.25
174.9
04/01/2018 05:23
41° 15,000'S 174° 54,000'E
Wellington!
We've made it safe and sound before the "weather bomb" hits the country
tomorrow. It was such a lovely, sunny passage, that it was hard to imagine
or recall how nasty it can get around windy Wellington. It was actually so
calm we could have even anchored off Baring Head for a spot of bouldering
or Ngawi near Cape Palliser.
Wellington!
We've made it safe and sound before the "weather bomb" hits the country
tomorrow. It was such a lovely, sunny passage, that it was hard to imagine
or recall how nasty it can get around windy Wellington. It was actually so
calm we could have even anchored off Baring Head for a spot of bouldering
or Ngawi near Cape Palliser.
sailabroad
false
109687
01/01/2018
19:21
-39.45
176.916666666667
01/01/2018 19:21
39° 27,000'S 176° 55,000'E
Good morning from Napier! We're off towards Wellington
today. Weather looking good, hope to get there before next storm arrives.
Good morning from Napier! We're off towards Wellington
today. Weather looking good, hope to get there before next storm arrives.
sailabroad
false
109370
24/12/2017
08:46
-38.1
178.516666666667
24/12/2017 08:46
38° 06,000'S 178° 31,000'E
Rounded East Cape this afternoon, finally a nice vento di
popa, wind from the back
Have a good Christmas everyone! We gonna miss the beach and barbie this
year but sail instead along a beautiful coastline. xxx from us
Rounded East Cape this afternoon, finally a nice vento di
popa, wind from the back ;)
Have a good Christmas everyone! We gonna miss the beach and barbie this
year but sail instead along a beautiful coastline. xxx from us
sailabroad
false
109343
22/12/2017
22:07
-37.6333333333333
176.166666666667
22/12/2017 22:07
37° 38,000'S 176° 10,000'E
bye bye Tauranga, it was very nice. let's hope the weather
holds out at least until Napier.
bye bye Tauranga, it was very nice. let's hope the weather
holds out at least until Napier.
sailabroad
false
109139
15/12/2017
10:06
-37.6333333333333
176.166666666667
15/12/2017 10:06
37° 38,000'S 176° 10,000'E
Tauranga: no, we didn't get very far today.
Our chartplotter decided to fall into a coma just when we had to navigate
out the very shallow channel behind the sand/surf bar in Whangamata.
Luckily the surf was not up and the tablet kept going and OpenCPN working.
We pulled into Tauranga to see if Doc MattQ can revive the patient...a few
hours later it seems stable now. Keep your fingers crossed it stays that
way.
Thanks heaps Doc MattQ for another amazing recovery!! x
Now lets see if we can sweet talk Neptune into some better weather fx,
unfortunately that's not looking so positive 
Tauranga: no, we didn't get very far today.
Our chartplotter decided to fall into a coma just when we had to navigate
out the very shallow channel behind the sand/surf bar in Whangamata.
Luckily the surf was not up and the tablet kept going and OpenCPN working.
We pulled into Tauranga to see if Doc MattQ can revive the patient...a few
hours later it seems stable now. Keep your fingers crossed it stays that
way.
Thanks heaps Doc MattQ for another amazing recovery!! x
Now lets see if we can sweet talk Neptune into some better weather fx,
unfortunately that's not looking so positive :(
sailabroad
false
109114
14/12/2017
09:23
-37.2
175.866666666667
14/12/2017 09:23
37° 12,000'S 175° 52,000'E
Whangamata: NZs answer to 'Home&Away' (thx for that
comparison Kester, it's spot on!). We decided to wait here some strong
southerly winds (which didnt really come at the end grrrr) and to check out
the famous surf break.
While sitting on the beach contemplating the surf I bumped into our friend
Chris Watson who happened to come here from Raglan for a morning surf...
just if we had arranged to meet!! How awesome is that for randomness...some
would say, only in NZ
Off further south tomorrow. Next stop hopefully Napier...or Gisborne...or
Tauranga. Let's see what the weather really brings this time.
Whangamata: NZs answer to 'Home&Away' (thx for that
comparison Kester, it's spot on!). We decided to wait here some strong
southerly winds (which didnt really come at the end grrrr) and to check out
the famous surf break.
While sitting on the beach contemplating the surf I bumped into our friend
Chris Watson who happened to come here from Raglan for a morning surf...
just if we had arranged to meet!! How awesome is that for randomness...some
would say, only in NZ ;)
Off further south tomorrow. Next stop hopefully Napier...or Gisborne...or
Tauranga. Let's see what the weather really brings this time.
sailabroad
false
109001
10/12/2017
22:49
-36.35
175.4
10/12/2017 22:49
36° 21,000'S 175° 24,000'E
Great Barrier Island, another beautiful place. Love to be
back home.
Great Barrier Island, another beautiful place. Love to be
back home.
sailabroad.109001.jpg
sailabroad
false
108370
13/11/2017
04:21
-35.85
174.533333333333
13/11/2017 04:21
35° 51,000'S 174° 32,000'E
Whangarei: tomorrow we haulout and the "joy" of boat
maintenance work starts. To speak with Eileen Quinn: "Life's hard on the
hard."
Whangarei: tomorrow we haulout and the "joy" of boat
maintenance work starts. To speak with Eileen Quinn: "Life's hard on the
hard."
sailabroad
false
108241
31/10/2017
05:11
-35.3153333333333
174.119166666667
31/10/2017 05:11
35° 18,920'S 174° 07,150'E
"Welcome back home", said the friendly MAF officer.
"Kiaora", I said! it's good to be back.... just need to adjust to kiwi
temps again.
"Welcome back home", said the friendly MAF officer.
"Kiaora", I said! it's good to be back.... just need to adjust to kiwi
temps again.
sailabroad
false
108171
28/10/2017
23:14
-32.5
175.7
28/10/2017 23:14
32° 30,000'S 175° 42,000'E
175nm to go! Should be there bright and early on Monday
morning...or rather salty and wet I should say. All well aboard.
---
Noch 175 Seemeilen! Sollten Montag ankommen... salzig und feucht. Alles
OK an Bord.
175nm to go! Should be there bright and early on Monday
morning...or rather salty and wet I should say. All well aboard.
---
Noch 175 Seemeilen! Sollten Montag ankommen... salzig und feucht. Alles
OK an Bord.
sailabroad
false
108142
27/10/2017
22:47
-29.7833333333333
177
27/10/2017 22:47
29° 47,000'S 177° 00,000'E
Heading now straight to Opua. Word on 'radiowaves' is that
we should arrive early Monday AM to be ahead of next trough. Matylda is
in race-mode, SOG 7k. all well aboard.
--
Kurs direkt Opua. Letzter Wetterbericht empfiehlt Montag morgen
anzukommen bevor die naechste Front kommt. Matylda ist in 'race-mode',
Geschwindigkeit ueber Grund (SOG) 7k. alles ok an Bord.
Heading now straight to Opua. Word on 'radiowaves' is that
we should arrive early Monday AM to be ahead of next trough. Matylda is
in race-mode, SOG 7k. all well aboard.
--
Kurs direkt Opua. Letzter Wetterbericht empfiehlt Montag morgen
anzukommen bevor die naechste Front kommt. Matylda ist in 'race-mode',
Geschwindigkeit ueber Grund (SOG) 7k. alles ok an Bord.
sailabroad
false
108106
25/10/2017
23:55
-25.3666666666667
-179.95
25/10/2017 23:55
25° 22,000'S 179° 57,000'W
Nearly at the geographic dateline and soon back in the
'East' of this world means we definitely have sailed halfway around the
world... things you contemplate when you have some time on your hand on
passage All well aboard.
---
Fast an der geografischen Datumsgrenze and somit bald zurueck auf der
oestlichen Seite der Kugel bedeutet wir sind definitiv um die halbe Welt
gesegelt ... Dinge die einem durch den Kopf gehen wenn man ein wenig
extra Zeit hat auf einer langen Passage Alles OK an Bord.
Nearly at the geographic dateline and soon back in the
'East' of this world means we definitely have sailed halfway around the
world... things you contemplate when you have some time on your hand on
passage ;) All well aboard.
---
Fast an der geografischen Datumsgrenze and somit bald zurueck auf der
oestlichen Seite der Kugel bedeutet wir sind definitiv um die halbe Welt
gesegelt ... Dinge die einem durch den Kopf gehen wenn man ein wenig
extra Zeit hat auf einer langen Passage ;) Alles OK an Bord.
sailabroad
false
108093
24/10/2017
22:03
-23.6166666666667
-178.916666666667
24/10/2017 22:03
23° 37,000'S 178° 55,000'W
Minerva Reef: the 'shelter' in the middle of nowhere. By
cruisers aptly named 'Minervous Reef'- we are here with 6 other boats,
all checking nervously the weather for the onwards journey to NZ. Lots
of talk about highs, lows and front activities on the VHF. Some can take
their mind off it and so Matt went diving with Barry from Jadean on the
outside wall of the reef. It's a huge wall falling off 500+m and
apparently it was amazing! The report says LOTS (100s)of sharks (one up
to 4m), a turtle, a huge school of barracuda, colourful coral and the
rest. I wish I could dive too... cleaning the hull today and possibly
leaving later or tomorrow am.
--
Minerva Riff, ein sicherer 'Hafen' im nirgendow des Pazifiks. Segler
nennen es oft auch 'Minervous Reef', weil wir alle hier sitzen und
nervoes das Wetter checken fuer die Weiterfahrt nach NZ. 6 andere Boote
sind hier. Am Funk hoert man viel ueber Hochs, Tiefs und
Frontaktivitaeten. Manche schaffen es auch an Anderes zu denken, u
Minerva Reef: the 'shelter' in the middle of nowhere. By
cruisers aptly named 'Minervous Reef'- we are here with 6 other boats,
all checking nervously the weather for the onwards journey to NZ. Lots
of talk about highs, lows and front activities on the VHF. Some can take
their mind off it and so Matt went diving with Barry from Jadean on the
outside wall of the reef. It's a huge wall falling off 500+m and
apparently it was amazing! The report says LOTS (100s)of sharks (one up
to 4m), a turtle, a huge school of barracuda, colourful coral and the
rest. I wish I could dive too... cleaning the hull today and possibly
leaving later or tomorrow am.
--
Minerva Riff, ein sicherer 'Hafen' im nirgendow des Pazifiks. Segler
nennen es oft auch 'Minervous Reef', weil wir alle hier sitzen und
nervoes das Wetter checken fuer die Weiterfahrt nach NZ. 6 andere Boote
sind hier. Am Funk hoert man viel ueber Hochs, Tiefs und
Frontaktivitaeten. Manche schaffen es auch an Anderes zu denken, u
sailabroad
false
108080
23/10/2017
21:54
-23.3833333333333
-178.516666666667
23/10/2017 21:54
23° 23,000'S 178° 31,000'W
approaching Minerva Reef, all well aboard,enjoying good
sailing conditions so far. we will check fresh weather forecast now and
then decide if we continue today or stop overnight as talk on the VHF is
about stronger winds.
*** nur noch wenige Meilen bis zum Minerva Riff, alles gut an Bord,
soweit gutes Segelwetter. Wir holen uns jetzt einen neuen Wetterbericht
und entscheiden dann, ob wir noch heute weitersegeln oder eine Nacht in
Minerva bleiben. Am Funk wird von staerkerem Wind gesprochen, also
nochmal checken.
approaching Minerva Reef, all well aboard,enjoying good
sailing conditions so far. we will check fresh weather forecast now and
then decide if we continue today or stop overnight as talk on the VHF is
about stronger winds.
*** nur noch wenige Meilen bis zum Minerva Riff, alles gut an Bord,
soweit gutes Segelwetter. Wir holen uns jetzt einen neuen Wetterbericht
und entscheiden dann, ob wir noch heute weitersegeln oder eine Nacht in
Minerva bleiben. Am Funk wird von staerkerem Wind gesprochen, also
nochmal checken.
sailabroad
false
107926
11/10/2017
11:23
-21.1333333333333
-175.15
11/10/2017 11:23
21° 08,000'S 175° 09,000'W
@BigMamaYachtClub, Pangaimoto,Tongatapu: Nukualofa the
"big"smoke is just across the bay... like everywhere here in Tonga things
are relaxed at an easy pace. I start to think there might be no word in
Tongan for "rush".
@BigMamaYachtClub, Pangaimoto,Tongatapu: Nukualofa the
"big"smoke is just across the bay... like everywhere here in Tonga things
are relaxed at an easy pace. I start to think there might be no word in
Tongan for "rush".
sailabroad
false
107823
02/10/2017
23:04
-19.7
-174.283333333333
02/10/2017 23:04
19° 42,000'S 174° 17,000'W
Ciao ciao Vava'au - G'day Ha'apai!
Ciao ciao Vava'au - G'day Ha'apai! ;)
sailabroad
false
107636
25/09/2017
01:12
-18.7
-174.116666666667
25/09/2017 01:12
18° 42,000'S 174° 07,000'W
Hunga Lagoon, Vava'au: slowly meandering through the little
bays and islands. "No rush" is definitely the motto here in Tonga.
Hunga Lagoon, Vava'au: slowly meandering through the little
bays and islands. "No rush" is definitely the motto here in Tonga.
sailabroad
false
107355
12/09/2017
05:37
-18.65
-173.983333333333
12/09/2017 05:37
18° 39,000'S 173° 59,000'W
Neiafu,Tonga: I think we like it here...
Neiafu,Tonga: I think we like it here...
sailabroad
false
107240
06/09/2017
01:00
-19.9833333333333
-167.733333333333
06/09/2017 01:00
19° 59,000'S 167° 44,000'W
Beveridge Reef: made it here a couple of days ago. It's
quite an eery place especially with the recently wrecked 46ft catamaran
desperately hanging 2/3 submerged on its anchor. As everyone we went
over and had a look; not much left of the bottom of the hulls, you can
look straight onto the ground through the deck hatches! What an
incredible lucky family to have survived this wild ride over the reef
with no one injured or worse!! Off West probably in a few days if
weather fx allows, not much to do here. PS: Belated Happy Birthday to
Catherine Quirke, love from us!!
Beveridge Reef: made it here a couple of days ago. It's
quite an eery place especially with the recently wrecked 46ft catamaran
desperately hanging 2/3 submerged on its anchor. As everyone we went
over and had a look; not much left of the bottom of the hulls, you can
look straight onto the ground through the deck hatches! What an
incredible lucky family to have survived this wild ride over the reef
with no one injured or worse!! Off West probably in a few days if
weather fx allows, not much to do here. PS: Belated Happy Birthday to
Catherine Quirke, love from us!!
sailabroad
false
107143
01/09/2017
19:51
-18.05
-163.2
01/09/2017 19:51
18° 03,000'S 163° 12,000'W
Been here in Palmerston for a week due to the weather,
it's been howling and seas are big. Reports from a few brave who arrived
here in the past couple of days are not convincing (30/40/50kt wind and
very heavy seas up to 5m), but it seems to calm down from today onwards
and so we should get going again. Next stop Niue or Beveridge Reef
before that, see how conditions pan out. Cheers Palmerston and its
lovely people who looked after us in true Polynesian style. It was a
very nice experience.
Been here in Palmerston for a week due to the weather,
it's been howling and seas are big. Reports from a few brave who arrived
here in the past couple of days are not convincing (30/40/50kt wind and
very heavy seas up to 5m), but it seems to calm down from today onwards
and so we should get going again. Next stop Niue or Beveridge Reef
before that, see how conditions pan out. Cheers Palmerston and its
lovely people who looked after us in true Polynesian style. It was a
very nice experience.
sailabroad
false
107033
29/08/2017
10:31
-18.0166666666667
-163.183333333333
29/08/2017 10:31
18° 01,000'S 163° 11,000'W
Palmerston/ Cook Islands: here we are hanging on a mooring
off the edge of the outer reef of this little atoll in the middle of #@*ing
nowhere. the wind gusts whistling through our rig, rain squalls rushing
past.. and we sit in our cosy boat watching rugby, NZ vs Australia, live on
our TV and catching up with the world through one if the bestest internet
connection aboard since a long time!
While we wait (again) for the weather to improve our days are filled with
visits to our host family on the island and get to know this quite special
place and its locals, google it .
Meantime the whales continue to hang around close to our boat. This morning
I woke to their calling sounds.rad.
Palmerston/ Cook Islands: here we are hanging on a mooring
off the edge of the outer reef of this little atoll in the middle of #@*ing
nowhere. the wind gusts whistling through our rig, rain squalls rushing
past.. and we sit in our cosy boat watching rugby, NZ vs Australia, live on
our TV and catching up with the world through one if the bestest internet
connection aboard since a long time!
While we wait (again) for the weather to improve our days are filled with
visits to our host family on the island and get to know this quite special
place and its locals, google it :).
Meantime the whales continue to hang around close to our boat. This morning
I woke to their calling sounds.rad.
sailabroad
false
106833
23/08/2017
22:10
-17.35
-159.866666666667
23/08/2017 22:10
17° 21,000'S 159° 52,000'W
Still underway to Palmerston Atoll... no wind, too much
motoring for our liking, but good for our friends Paul&Gina on SY Solace
whose forestay broke in heavy weather earlier in the passage; luckily
the mast is still up, jury rigged with 3 haylards. Going to be an
interesting fix on a mooring outside an atoll in the middle of nowhere.
Our sacrifices to the amazing deep blue of the Pacific continue: another
lure gone with the fishes.
Still underway to Palmerston Atoll... no wind, too much
motoring for our liking, but good for our friends Paul&Gina on SY Solace
whose forestay broke in heavy weather earlier in the passage; luckily
the mast is still up, jury rigged with 3 haylards. Going to be an
interesting fix on a mooring outside an atoll in the middle of nowhere.
Our sacrifices to the amazing deep blue of the Pacific continue: another
lure gone with the fishes.
sailabroad
false
106608
19/08/2017
18:28
-16.8166666666667
-151.916666666667
19/08/2017 18:28
16° 49,000'S 151° 55,000'W
After a week of waiting for the winds and seas to abate
we are off this morning to Palmerston Atoll/Cook Islands. Maupihaa was a
great place to hang around and wait. Laters.
After a week of waiting for the winds and seas to abate
we are off this morning to Palmerston Atoll/Cook Islands. Maupihaa was a
great place to hang around and wait. Laters.
sailabroad
false
106400
16/08/2017
21:47
-16.8166666666667
-151.916666666667
16/08/2017 21:47
16° 49,000'S 151° 55,000'W
Maupihaa/Mopelia: a quirky little atoll in the middle of
nowhere, with a technically, very difficult pass to enter - apparently
it separates the men from the boys to master it - go check it out on
Google Earth. We are stuck here for probably a week until hopefully the
weather improves to head West to Palmerston Atoll/Cook Islands. 9 other
boats here, so it's quite social with beach potlucks and Petanque games
with the locals. Yesterday we walked together with our friends Paul&Gina
from SY Solace and Angela&Raeto from SY SheSan to the other end of the
island (8km each way) to deliver some provisions to a local family who
live here and collect copra for a living. There's about 20 people living
on the island and as you walk along you pass everyone's house. So we had
to stop and chat and introduce ourselves to each and everyone along the
way, even the one and only pig on the island which loves to lick your
legs and bite your ankles... a very strange experience I can tell ya.
Maupihaa/Mopelia: a quirky little atoll in the middle of
nowhere, with a technically, very difficult pass to enter - apparently
it separates the men from the boys to master it - go check it out on
Google Earth. We are stuck here for probably a week until hopefully the
weather improves to head West to Palmerston Atoll/Cook Islands. 9 other
boats here, so it's quite social with beach potlucks and Petanque games
with the locals. Yesterday we walked together with our friends Paul&Gina
from SY Solace and Angela&Raeto from SY SheSan to the other end of the
island (8km each way) to deliver some provisions to a local family who
live here and collect copra for a living. There's about 20 people living
on the island and as you walk along you pass everyone's house. So we had
to stop and chat and introduce ourselves to each and everyone along the
way, even the one and only pig on the island which loves to lick your
legs and bite your ankles... a very strange experience I can tell ya.
sailabroad
false
105797
12/08/2017
09:01
-16.7166666666667
-151.033333333333
12/08/2017 09:01
16° 43,000'S 151° 02,000'W
Huahine: off we go tonight. bye bye F Polynesia, thanks for
having us. too short it was. we hope to come back some time again. maruruu
Huahine: off we go tonight. bye bye F Polynesia, thanks for
having us. too short it was. we hope to come back some time again. maruruu
sailabroad
false
105624
10/08/2017
01:37
-17.4833333333333
-149.85
10/08/2017 01:37
17° 29,000'S 149° 51,000'W
Moorea: work's done, we're on the move again.
Unfortunately we have to leave FP by the end of this week, so onwards to
Huahine we sail tonight. It's a bit of a shame we couldn't check out the
surfing here a bit more. Tahiti Billabong Pro at Teahupoo starts on
Friday, which means good surf should be around...bugger. But, FP is not
that far from NZ. We might come back again one day.
(btw someone claims to have seen Kelly Slater "for sure" at the local
break at the anchorage in Marina Taina/Papeete the other day
Moorea: work's done, we're on the move again.
Unfortunately we have to leave FP by the end of this week, so onwards to
Huahine we sail tonight. It's a bit of a shame we couldn't check out the
surfing here a bit more. Tahiti Billabong Pro at Teahupoo starts on
Friday, which means good surf should be around...bugger. But, FP is not
that far from NZ. We might come back again one day. :)
(btw someone claims to have seen Kelly Slater "for sure" at the local
break at the anchorage in Marina Taina/Papeete the other day ;)
sailabroad
false
105375
06/08/2017
21:26
-17.5833333333333
-149.616666666667
06/08/2017 21:26
17° 35,000'S 149° 37,000'W
Papeete/Tahiti: back to a "big" smoke..it's very strange
hearing street noise and ambulance sirens, but still being parked next to
an outer reef (with surfbreak!) and Moorea as the backdrop. Unfortunately
some repairs and maintenance were required which kept us busy for the past
couple of weeks. Soon we must depart from FP to Cook islands... visa
limitations are a royal pain.
Papeete/Tahiti: back to a "big" smoke..it's very strange
hearing street noise and ambulance sirens, but still being parked next to
an outer reef (with surfbreak!) and Moorea as the backdrop. Unfortunately
some repairs and maintenance were required which kept us busy for the past
couple of weeks. Soon we must depart from FP to Cook islands... visa
limitations are a royal pain.
sailabroad
false
104100
15/07/2017
20:51
-16.45
-145.366666666667
15/07/2017 20:51
16° 27,000'S 145° 22,000'W
Fakarava: at the end curiousity was stronger than fear,
so off we went - again with our friends Marina and Diego - snorkelling
in the South Pass. We saw some sharks, but not the 100s people talk
about, but heaps of other fish and spotted rays. It was a very nice day
spend in great company!
Fakarava: at the end curiousity was stronger than fear,
so off we went - again with our friends Marina and Diego - snorkelling
in the South Pass. We saw some sharks, but not the 100s people talk
about, but heaps of other fish and spotted rays. It was a very nice day
spend in great company!
sailabroad
false
103761
10/07/2017
06:15
-16.95
-144.583333333333
10/07/2017 06:15
16° 57,000'S 144° 35,000'W
Tahanea: one "must-do" here in the Tuamotus is a
drift-dive/snorkel through the passes into the lagoons. So off we went
drift-snorkeling with some friends: dinghy out the pass, jump in and
drift back into the lagoon with the incoming current and watch the
underwater world pass by. So far all nice, until we met one of the local
dudes, a (medium size) Grey reef shark ... luckily he buggered off after
checking all four of us for a few minutes (phew). A few days later
snorkeling on a little reef Matt and our friend Marina had a closer
encounter with a tad bigger Grey; despite being quite interested in
Marina luckily no harm (phew phew). Marina and I are having second
thoughts on the famous pass in Fakarava. Apparently you can encounter
100s(!) of sharks there =
Tahanea: one "must-do" here in the Tuamotus is a
drift-dive/snorkel through the passes into the lagoons. So off we went
drift-snorkeling with some friends: dinghy out the pass, jump in and
drift back into the lagoon with the incoming current and watch the
underwater world pass by. So far all nice, until we met one of the local
dudes, a (medium size) Grey reef shark ... luckily he buggered off after
checking all four of us for a few minutes (phew). A few days later
snorkeling on a little reef Matt and our friend Marina had a closer
encounter with a tad bigger Grey; despite being quite interested in
Marina luckily no harm (phew phew). Marina and I are having second
thoughts on the famous pass in Fakarava. Apparently you can encounter
100s(!) of sharks there =:(
sailabroad
false
103454
04/07/2017
23:08
-16.45
-143.966666666667
04/07/2017 23:08
16° 27,000'S 143° 58,000'W
Makemo Western Pass: the water here is so clear that we
can sit on deck and watch the fishies swimming around the numerous coral
heads around us in 10m depth, black-tip reef sharks included. So
watching from a safe spot is quite nice all well, we leave with the
outgoing tide/current for Tahanea this afternoon. It's only 40nm, but to
get the timing right for exit and entrance of these atolls we mostly
need to do night-passages.
Makemo Western Pass: the water here is so clear that we
can sit on deck and watch the fishies swimming around the numerous coral
heads around us in 10m depth, black-tip reef sharks included. So
watching from a safe spot is quite nice ;) all well, we leave with the
outgoing tide/current for Tahanea this afternoon. It's only 40nm, but to
get the timing right for exit and entrance of these atolls we mostly
need to do night-passages.
sailabroad
false
103256
30/06/2017
21:41
-16.5
-143.816666666667
30/06/2017 21:41
16° 30,000'S 143° 49,000'W
Makemo: did our first sail through a reef infested lagoon
yesterday. It takes a lot of care and occasionally a lil bit of luck to
spot all the reeflets. Got rewarded with a lovely protected and calm
anchorage in turquoise water and a beach fringed with palm trees. No one
else here except the usual flock of fish that sets up its temporary
hiding place underneath our hull, waiting for food. So far potato
scraps, mango and cheese were fishies' favourites.
Makemo: did our first sail through a reef infested lagoon
yesterday. It takes a lot of care and occasionally a lil bit of luck to
spot all the reeflets. Got rewarded with a lovely protected and calm
anchorage in turquoise water and a beach fringed with palm trees. No one
else here except the usual flock of fish that sets up its temporary
hiding place underneath our hull, waiting for food. So far potato
scraps, mango and cheese were fishies' favourites.
sailabroad
false
103040
25/06/2017
20:49
-15.95
-142.316666666667
25/06/2017 20:49
15° 57,000'S 142° 19,000'W
NE end of Raroia: beautiful and calm spot, the water is
crystal clear and of an unreal turquoise colour. We enjoy our solitude,
it's not often that you have such a pretty place all to yourself. Loads
of aquatic life, the abundance of reef sharks is beautiful and scary at
the same time. Off in the next few days to visit some other atoll,
possiby Makemo.
NE end of Raroia: beautiful and calm spot, the water is
crystal clear and of an unreal turquoise colour. We enjoy our solitude,
it's not often that you have such a pretty place all to yourself. Loads
of aquatic life, the abundance of reef sharks is beautiful and scary at
the same time. Off in the next few days to visit some other atoll,
possiby Makemo.
sailabroad
false
102904
21/06/2017
21:32
-16.0666666666667
-142.35
21/06/2017 21:32
16° 04,000'S 142° 21,000'W
Raroia/Tuamotus: we arrived here yesterday after a very
pleasant passage from Nuku Hiva/Marquesas. Unfortunately we arrived
later than hoped and the entrance into the lagoon through the pass was
"interesting" on an outgoing 6-8kts current incl standing wave. Good
introduction to what will await us here in the Tuamotus. We are now
anchored off Kontiki Motu, apparently the islet where Thor Heyerdhal's
famous raft was wrecked. You can see some footage of it in the B/W
original docu available on YouTube. Beautiful quiet place, it definitely
feels very remote here. Off to do some dinghi exploration now. Laters!
Raroia/Tuamotus: we arrived here yesterday after a very
pleasant passage from Nuku Hiva/Marquesas. Unfortunately we arrived
later than hoped and the entrance into the lagoon through the pass was
"interesting" on an outgoing 6-8kts current incl standing wave. Good
introduction to what will await us here in the Tuamotus. We are now
anchored off Kontiki Motu, apparently the islet where Thor Heyerdhal's
famous raft was wrecked. You can see some footage of it in the B/W
original docu available on YouTube. Beautiful quiet place, it definitely
feels very remote here. Off to do some dinghi exploration now. Laters!
sailabroad
false
102856
20/06/2017
05:41
-14.2
-141.883333333333
20/06/2017 05:41
14° 12,000'S 141° 53,000'W
Enroute to Raroia/Tuamotus. 117nm to go, so should be
there tomorrow am.ish. Nice passage, got twice a big fish who snapped
first our fishing rod and then the next one took 70m of line and
disappeared. poor feeesh.
Enroute to Raroia/Tuamotus. 117nm to go, so should be
there tomorrow am.ish. Nice passage, got twice a big fish who snapped
first our fishing rod and then the next one took 70m of line and
disappeared. poor feeesh.
sailabroad
false
102740
16/06/2017
20:58
-8.95
-140.166666666667
16/06/2017 20:58
8° 57,000'S 140° 10,000'W
Hakatea. Off to Tuamotus soon, really all well just
lazy to get going. Happy Birthday from us to Michelle Quirke!!!
Hakatea. Off to Tuamotus soon, really ;) all well just
lazy to get going. Happy Birthday from us to Michelle Quirke!!!
sailabroad
false
102499
08/06/2017
20:48
-8.88333333333333
-140.016666666667
08/06/2017 20:48
8° 53,000'S 140° 01,000'W
Controllers Bay/Nuku Hiva: still here, on the go in a few
days... things always take longer than you think
Controllers Bay/Nuku Hiva: still here, on the go in a few
days... things always take longer than you think ;)
sailabroad
false
102355
04/06/2017
21:43
-8.88333333333333
-140.016666666667
04/06/2017 21:43
8° 53,000'S 140° 01,000'W
Hooumi Bay/Nuku Hiva: we escaped the very rolly anchorage
of the main town Taiohae. Well it's flat here but the wind gusts are
crazy... can't have it all I guess Trying to re-stock water, fuel and
food over the next few days and then get going to the Tuamotos. Should
have something resembling internet when back in Taiohae in a few days.
Laters.
Hooumi Bay/Nuku Hiva: we escaped the very rolly anchorage
of the main town Taiohae. Well it's flat here but the wind gusts are
crazy... can't have it all I guess ;) Trying to re-stock water, fuel and
food over the next few days and then get going to the Tuamotos. Should
have something resembling internet when back in Taiohae in a few days.
Laters.
sailabroad
false
102053
28/05/2017
07:37
-9.95
-139.116666666667
28/05/2017 07:37
9° 57,000'S 139° 07,000'W
Hapatoni/Tahuata: lots of Fix-it jobs to do before we
move on (new bimini tick). It rains a lot here (really a lot!) so it's
nice to have a new waterproof cockpit roof again. On a positive note:
the rain is good for our tanks, we don't seem to run out of water, tanks
are always fully full.
Hapatoni/Tahuata: lots of Fix-it jobs to do before we
move on (new bimini tick). It rains a lot here (really a lot!) so it's
nice to have a new waterproof cockpit roof again. On a positive note:
the rain is good for our tanks, we don't seem to run out of water, tanks
are always fully full.
sailabroad
false
101890
22/05/2017
18:58
-9.95
-139.116666666667
22/05/2017 18:58
9° 57,000'S 139° 07,000'W
Hello from Tahuata! It can rain here just like in
NZ...but after rain luckily comes sun again We're watching the
morning feeding frenzy of the local dolphins, nice way to start the day.
Hello from Tahuata! It can rain here just like in
NZ...but after rain luckily comes sun again :) We're watching the
morning feeding frenzy of the local dolphins, nice way to start the day.
sailabroad
false
101714
16/05/2017
06:54
-9.8
-139.033333333333
16/05/2017 06:54
9° 48,000'S 139° 02,000'W
Atuona/Hiva Oa: moved on to another island to get some
fresh provisioning and do the required paperwork. Have to say so far the
Marquesas islands have a lot in common with NZ: the landscape, people
and buildings (maraes and tikis everywhere), very familiar looking
crumbly volcanic basalt rock, pohutekawa trees(!) and lots of rain. just
the palm trees are different ... and the temperature still looking
for internet. cheers from us.
Atuona/Hiva Oa: moved on to another island to get some
fresh provisioning and do the required paperwork. Have to say so far the
Marquesas islands have a lot in common with NZ: the landscape, people
and buildings (maraes and tikis everywhere), very familiar looking
crumbly volcanic basalt rock, pohutekawa trees(!) and lots of rain. just
the palm trees are different ... and the temperature ;) still looking
for internet. cheers from us.
sailabroad
false
101597
11/05/2017
06:50
-10.45
-138.666666666667
11/05/2017 06:50
10° 27,000'S 138° 40,000'W
arrived yesterday very early morning (local time) at
Hanavavae Bay/Fatu Hiva/Marquesas Islands/FP. After a long time offshore
it's always amazing when you get the first smells from the new land you
are approaching, traces of some sweet flowers, rain and damp earth.
As soon as the hook was set some fellow cruisers who arrived earlier
came by to welcome us with fresh fruits and bread. It was very nice to
meet all our friends again after such long time at sea, and everyone had
a good story to share. A hangi (sorry forgot the Marquesan name for it)
was already organised for that evening with a local family for every
sailor in the bay. It was a real treat to eat yummy fresh food in great
company and listening to nice live local music... what a start to our
South Seas adventures.
arrived yesterday very early morning (local time) at
Hanavavae Bay/Fatu Hiva/Marquesas Islands/FP. After a long time offshore
it's always amazing when you get the first smells from the new land you
are approaching, traces of some sweet flowers, rain and damp earth.
As soon as the hook was set some fellow cruisers who arrived earlier
came by to welcome us with fresh fruits and bread. It was very nice to
meet all our friends again after such long time at sea, and everyone had
a good story to share. A hangi (sorry forgot the Marquesan name for it)
was already organised for that evening with a local family for every
sailor in the bay. It was a real treat to eat yummy fresh food in great
company and listening to nice live local music... what a start to our
South Seas adventures.
sailabroad
false
101546
09/05/2017
03:07
-10.3166666666667
-137.916666666667
09/05/2017 03:07
10° 19,000'S 137° 55,000'W
LAND AHOI! yes we can see the mountainous outline of Fatu
Hiva. Only 40 odd miles to go, but we need to slow down to arrive at
daylight. as always kinda weird to know that by tomorrow we are back
anchored, next to a village and other boats. Thx Pacifico, it was a
journey, long for sure.
LAND AHOI! yes we can see the mountainous outline of Fatu
Hiva. Only 40 odd miles to go, but we need to slow down to arrive at
daylight. as always kinda weird to know that by tomorrow we are back
anchored, next to a village and other boats. Thx Pacifico, it was a
journey, long for sure.
sailabroad
false
101472
07/05/2017
04:34
-10.3
-133.883333333333
07/05/2017 04:34
10° 18,000'S 133° 53,000'W
280 miles left. enough said.
280 miles left. enough said.
sailabroad
false
101438
06/05/2017
00:07
-10.15
-131.666666666667
06/05/2017 00:07
10° 09,000'S 131° 40,000'W
Sloooowly ticking down the last miles to the Marquesas
due to very light winds, but we hope to arrive by Monday. Keep your
fingers crossed for us. All is well aboard. 1 (still) crunchy carrot, 1
cabbage, 3 beetroots left in the fresh veggie department. not bad going aye.
Sloooowly ticking down the last miles to the Marquesas
due to very light winds, but we hope to arrive by Monday. Keep your
fingers crossed for us. All is well aboard. 1 (still) crunchy carrot, 1
cabbage, 3 beetroots left in the fresh veggie department. not bad going aye.
sailabroad
false
101362
04/05/2017
02:56
-10.1
-127.8
04/05/2017 02:56
10° 06,000'S 127° 48,000'W
Yesterday we sighted 2 boats in less than 24hrs. That's
amazing considering the size of this ocean. One was a big freighter
bound for Tahiti, the other one a fellow Kiwi sailor, Jeff on SY Salty.
We probably will meet him in person in few days on arrival. 642nm to go.
Light winds, but we're getting there. Caught a bluefin tuna, the little
chubby fella made a delicious dinner, thank you. All is well aboard.
Yesterday we sighted 2 boats in less than 24hrs. That's
amazing considering the size of this ocean. One was a big freighter
bound for Tahiti, the other one a fellow Kiwi sailor, Jeff on SY Salty.
We probably will meet him in person in few days on arrival. 642nm to go.
Light winds, but we're getting there. Caught a bluefin tuna, the little
chubby fella made a delicious dinner, thank you. All is well aboard.
sailabroad
false
101274
01/05/2017
04:21
-9.73333333333333
-121.55
01/05/2017 04:21
9° 44,000'S 121° 33,000'W
1010nm to go, feels good to know. still some greens left
and they taste even crunchy. fish not biting. wind is back, hope he
stays. all well aboard.
1010nm to go, feels good to know. still some greens left
and they taste even crunchy. fish not biting. wind is back, hope he
stays. all well aboard.
sailabroad
false
101179
28/04/2017
23:01
-9.83333333333333
-117.15
28/04/2017 23:01
9° 50,000'S 117° 09,000'W
after a very rainy wet night we are back with
semi-sunshine and wind on the bum. hopefully we are soon on less then a
1000nm countdown. all well, morale still good.
after a very rainy wet night we are back with
semi-sunshine and wind on the bum. hopefully we are soon on less then a
1000nm countdown. all well, morale still good.
sailabroad
false
101082
27/04/2017
02:42
-9
-113
27/04/2017 02:42
9° 00,000'S 113° 00,000'W
Life is good aboard. Wind is steadyish, not always from
an ideal angle but we make do. We saw a huge pod of dolphins (60+) the
other nights being on a feeding frenzy, after dinner they came over and
played for about an hour in our bow wave, lots of baby ones, so cute.
Btw dolphins are the sailor's cats (google dolphin videos I did some
sewing today, mid-Pacific might be my most unusual location for such so
far. Time for tea.
Life is good aboard. Wind is steadyish, not always from
an ideal angle but we make do. We saw a huge pod of dolphins (60+) the
other nights being on a feeding frenzy, after dinner they came over and
played for about an hour in our bow wave, lots of baby ones, so cute.
Btw dolphins are the sailor's cats (google dolphin videos :) I did some
sewing today, mid-Pacific might be my most unusual location for such so
far. Time for tea.
sailabroad
false
100966
24/04/2017
02:30
-8.68333333333333
-106.216666666667
24/04/2017 02:30
8° 41,000'S 106° 13,000'W
BERGFEST today, that's what 'ze germans' call the halfway
mark. I guess it's all downhill from here. All well aboard, we have nice
sailing conditions. baking bread and catching fish.
BERGFEST today, that's what 'ze germans' call the halfway
mark. I guess it's all downhill from here. All well aboard, we have nice
sailing conditions. baking bread and catching fish.
sailabroad
false
100859
21/04/2017
02:59
-7.5
-99.2833333333333
21/04/2017 02:59
7° 30,000'S 99° 17,000'W
Today's contemplation: RapaNui/Easter island distance
1200nm, HivaOa/Marquesas 2400nm ... tempting to change plans.. but then
tacking 1200nm quite likely will end up in double the distance... yeah
na we stay on course 250 and the trade winds will do the rest. too easy.
all is well aboard.
Today's contemplation: RapaNui/Easter island distance
1200nm, HivaOa/Marquesas 2400nm ... tempting to change plans.. but then
tacking 1200nm quite likely will end up in double the distance... yeah
na we stay on course 250 and the trade winds will do the rest. too easy.
all is well aboard.
sailabroad
false
100761
18/04/2017
01:24
-5.43333333333333
-93.8833333333333
18/04/2017 01:24
5° 26,000'S 93° 53,000'W
Sailing again! After two days of motoring we found wind
yesterday afternoon and have been making good headway since then. But
the activity levels are reduced to eat-sleep-sail-repeat due to the sea
state which Matt describes aptly as 'puke soup'. Course is now more
direct to Hiva Oa, only(!) 446hrs to go...
Sailing again! After two days of motoring we found wind
yesterday afternoon and have been making good headway since then. But
the activity levels are reduced to eat-sleep-sail-repeat due to the sea
state which Matt describes aptly as 'puke soup'. Course is now more
direct to Hiva Oa, only(!) 446hrs to go...
sailabroad
false
100675
16/04/2017
02:49
-2.86666666666667
-90.0666666666667
16/04/2017 02:49
2° 52,000'S 90° 04,000'W
Happy Easter everyone! No egg hunting here...
unfortunately no wind either. hope to find some tomorrow again. keep
your fingers crossed for us. time for tea: homemade parsley pesto, yum.
Happy Easter everyone! No egg hunting here...
unfortunately no wind either. hope to find some tomorrow again. keep
your fingers crossed for us. time for tea: homemade parsley pesto, yum.
sailabroad
false
100619
15/04/2017
01:45
-1.31666666666667
-88.1333333333333
15/04/2017 01:45
1° 19,000'S 88° 08,000'W
Hooray, we crossed the equator, yes we are back in the
home hemisphere! I had my bucket wash on the transom; one bucket
northern hemisphere, the next from the southern one, equator baptism
sort of done I reckon One sad note: we left our pink friend squiddy
the fishing lure up north, some biiig fish snatched him and all the
fishing line. Today we sailed along the Galapagos islands, but we're
too far off to see them. Matt had an eventful day: down into the big
deep blue he went first thing in the morning to check the anode, next he
was up to the top the mast to fix the broken spinnaker haylard. Never a
dull day and out here I tell ya. Whoever told that lie about deck
lounging all day and cocktails for sundowners should be keelhauled!
cheers from two sunburnt sailors.
Hooray, we crossed the equator, yes we are back in the
home hemisphere! :) I had my bucket wash on the transom; one bucket
northern hemisphere, the next from the southern one, equator baptism
sort of done I reckon ;) One sad note: we left our pink friend squiddy
the fishing lure up north, some biiig fish snatched him and all the
fishing line.:( Today we sailed along the Galapagos islands, but we're
too far off to see them. Matt had an eventful day: down into the big
deep blue he went first thing in the morning to check the anode, next he
was up to the top the mast to fix the broken spinnaker haylard. Never a
dull day and out here I tell ya. Whoever told that lie about deck
lounging all day and cocktails for sundowners should be keelhauled!
cheers from two sunburnt sailors.
sailabroad
false
100524
13/04/2017
00:58
1.81666666666667
-84.9333333333333
13/04/2017 00:58
1° 49,000'N 84° 56,000'W
beautiful easy nice sailing, making goodish progress. should
hopefully cross equator tonight!
Terezka: plenty of food left, nothing to worry although no fish has
been fooled by that pink plastic squid yet
beautiful easy nice sailing, making goodish progress. should
hopefully cross equator tonight!
Terezka: plenty of food left, nothing to worry :) although no fish has
been fooled by that pink plastic squid yet :(
sailabroad
false
100433
10/04/2017
23:20
4.87466666666667
-81.8443333333333
10/04/2017 23:20
4° 52,480'N 81° 50,660'W
2100UTC this is today's update, had a minor(!)
connection problem yesterday - the provider just deleted our account?!!
hope it is sorted now. sailing along nicely with 6-7ktn(SOG) in 12-15kt
wind, slowly getting back into the rhythm of a long passage. very quiet
out here, no birds, no fish, no other boats in sight. time to catch up
on some reading
all happy here.
2100UTC this is today's update, had a minor(!)
connection problem yesterday - the provider just deleted our account?!!
hope it is sorted now. sailing along nicely with 6-7ktn(SOG) in 12-15kt
wind, slowly getting back into the rhythm of a long passage. very quiet
out here, no birds, no fish, no other boats in sight. time to catch up
on some reading :)
all happy here.
sailabroad
false
100434
09/04/2017
23:40
6.66691666666667
-80.79365
09/04/2017 23:40
6° 40,015'N 80° 47,619'W
Flying along, making the most of the good wind
while it lasts. We had really good, favourable wind for the last 24hrs.
Passed Punta Mala early morning, the last sight of land for a while I
guess. Put the second Genoa up and went along all day wing-on-wing
double Genoas with up 9ktns (SOG); awesome way to sail, very stable.
Matt had some good sightings on his watches: dolphins, a big turtle
clinging to a huge piece of wood, somersaulting sting rays and a
hammerhead shark slowly passing our bow...not sure I believe the
somersault thing but I did see the shark's fin!
parsley pesto and cilantro pesto made, passage food gonna be yummy
cheers d+m@m
Flying along, making the most of the good wind
while it lasts. We had really good, favourable wind for the last 24hrs.
Passed Punta Mala early morning, the last sight of land for a while I
guess. Put the second Genoa up and went along all day wing-on-wing
double Genoas with up 9ktns (SOG); awesome way to sail, very stable.
Matt had some good sightings on his watches: dolphins, a big turtle
clinging to a huge piece of wood, somersaulting sting rays and a
hammerhead shark slowly passing our bow...not sure I believe the
somersault thing ;) but I did see the shark's fin!
parsley pesto and cilantro pesto made, passage food gonna be yummy
cheers d+m@m
sailabroad
false
100356
09/04/2017
00:13
8.55956666666667
-79.0638
09/04/2017 00:13
8° 33,574'N 79° 03,828'W
Adios Panama! Thanks for the good, bad and exciting
times (especially that hurricane Otto), new friends we made and old ones we
met again, and for being different to what I expected.
A cold ceverza in hand we are off into endless days/sunsets/nights
westward. with Matt Dread
Adios Panama! Thanks for the good, bad and exciting
times (especially that hurricane Otto), new friends we made and old ones we
met again, and for being different to what I expected.
A cold ceverza in hand we are off into endless days/sunsets/nights
westward. :) with Matt Dread
sailabroad
false
100286
06/04/2017
20:19
8.9115
-79.5248333333333
06/04/2017 20:19
8° 54,690'N 79° 31,490'W
Leaving tomorrow for the Perlas Islands.
Leaving tomorrow for the Perlas Islands.
sailabroad
false
99537
17/03/2017
15:28
8.9115
-79.5248333333333
17/03/2017 15:28
8° 54,690'N 79° 31,490'W
Getting ready for the hop over the pond.
Getting ready for the hop over the pond.
sailabroad
false
