Arrived in Whangarei Town Basin in time for the Meet and Greet party Friday evening. Should be staying here a couple of months boosting the New Zealand economy.

Arrived at the Bay of Islands Marina Friday afternoon and checked in with Customs, et al.

Someone in Opua left a fan on and we have been fighting a 15-20 knot headwind all night. Looking forward to a hot shower (for the other crew member). We have 40 nm to go to the Bay of Islands (if we could sail straight there) with an ETA of Friday afternoon, Nov. 21, NZ time (Thur night USA time).

The wind clocked just enough yesterday to allow us to sail close hauled and go south with a boisterous ride. We have 159 nm to go to the Bay of Islands (if we could sail straight there) with an ETA of Friday morning, Nov. 21, NZ time (Thur night USA time).

Motor sailing ESE in order to get south against a southerly breeze. Hoping the wind clocks to the west soon. Crossed 30 degrees Latitude and had to pull on a jacket and socks. We have 320 nm to go to the Bay of Islands (as the albatross flies) with an ETA of Friday morning, Nov. 21, NZ time (Thur night USA time).

eta AKL friday pm or am

all else same as Astarte. We have hvy interference on 20m

After running the engine for 30 hours, we were able to turn it off at midnight and sail down wind. It could be a spinnaker day. We have 565 nm to go to the Bay of Islands with an ETA of Friday morning, Nov. 21, NZ time (Thur night USA time).

position as at this morning 2100utc

We left Ile des Pins at 10:30 am local time and had an enjoyable sail until 6:30 pm when the wind died and we had to use the "auxiliary" engine. There was a 1 knot adverse current yesterday but a 1.5 favorable current currently. The seas look like a lumpy mattress. We have 713 nm to go to Bay of Islands with an ETA of Friday morning, Nov. 21, NZ time (Thur night USA time). SSSSHHH don't tell anyone, but it's Rankin's birthday today!!!

currently on route to Isle of Pines with Astarte and will leave Sat for NZ. Are on ham net 14315

We are anchored by Kouare Island in the Southern Lagoon. We plan to stay here and in the Five Isles for a week or two as we prepare the boat for the passage to New Zealand in early November. The water looks great in sunlight, but is still cold to the Texas crew.

Relaxing at Ilot Bailly before heading back to the South Lagoon.

Paddle Boarding in light drizzle NW of Noumea at Baie Maa.

As we were anchoring in Five Islands after a pleasant sail from Iles des Pins, we heard Noumea Radio announce in English a forecast for 40 knot winds which was about double the winds forecast 6 hours earlier. We immediately weighed anchor to sail to a protected anchorage before dark. On the way, we realized that the announcer confused knots with kilometers per hour and the wind would be as originally forecast. We went ahead and anchored by Ile Quen since the Five Island anchorage had a foot chop in E wind...

Had a nice wing on wing sail from Ile des Pins to the Five Islands in the South Lagoon on Sunday despite a 2.5 meter swell from the south and a 1 meter wind chop from the east for half the passage.

Motor sailed to Baie de Kuto on the Ile des Pines where a dozen boats are anchored.

Spent two days in Baie du Prony. Heading for Ile des Pins today (Wednesday).

Back in Noumea. Will soon depart to SW New Caledonia or the Southern Lagoon.

Left the marina and rain in Noumea. Anchored in Baie des Kaoris in the northern branch of Baie du Prony. Haven't seen any small horses yet.

A west wind in New Caledonia? Of course, since we were going west. Arrived at the Port Moselle marina in Noumea and going to dinner to celebrate Sandy's significant birthday.

After granting us a 24 hour passage from Port Vila to the Loyalty Islands, the wind gods amused themselves by reducing the wind to less than 10 kts and making it directly astern. As a result, we motor sailed most of Monday afternoon and entered the Havannah Pass at 9:00 p.m. on a dark and cloudy night with wind increasing to 25 kts from the North and anchored at Port Boise. We will proceed to Noumea on Tuesday.

Sailing between New Caledonia's Loyalty Islands of Lifou and Mare 24 hours after leaving Port Vila on Vanuatu. Weather exactly as predicted over the period with E winds at 15 kts allowing an average speed over 8 kts. Anticipate arriving at the mouth of Havannah Pass after low tide at 1900 hrs today.

Moved to Port Vila. Decided to pass on this weather window to New Caledonia because it was too difficult to do everything necessary to check out in a few hours. We will wait around Efate Island for the nexI weather window.

After a boisterous passage around Devil's Point with 10 ft. waves 6 seconds apart and 25 knot winds in the early morning, we anchored at the Mele Island Hideaway Resort and Marine Sanctuary. Some of the best snorkeling we have seen in Vanuatu although there was a fee of about US$15 each to supposedly support the marine sanctuary. We are waiting for a weather window to New Caledonia, but it doesn't look good for the forseeable future.

Left Havannah Bay to stage at Paul's Rock for the windward "passage" around Devil's Point to Port Vila on Efate Island.

Another fast passage hard on the wind for 8 hours from Epi Island to Havannah Bay on Efate Island. We will wait here or in nearby Port Vila for a comfortable weather window to New Caledonia. The forecast for Monday indicates an east wind which would be helpful for the SSW passage, but it may not have strong enough winds to sail or last the two days required for the passage. We will have to watch as the forecast is updated during the next few days.

Had a fast, close hauled sail from Port Vato to Revolieu Bay on the west side of Epi Island.

In order t work our way south to Port Vila against the SE trade winds, we had to make some easting, so we sailed from Banan Bay on Malakula Island to Port Vato on south Ambrym in the morning. The anchorage is fine for catamarans, but it would be uncomfortable for monohulls due to the roll.

Continued beating down the east coast of Malakula Island and anchored in Banan Bay. Traded T-shirts, fishing line and rope for fruit. We have been asked for rope on almost every island in order to tie up cows. Without yachties supplying rope, the islands would be overrun with free range cattle.

After being entertained for hours by the changing colors and textures of the cuttlefish at Ratua Island and after removing some more crown of thorns from the reef, we said goodbye to Slip away and beat down the east coast of Malakula Island to Port Stanley where we anchored near Uri Island.

The east wind was causing boats to roll at anchor at Aore Resort, so we moved to Ratua Island.

Had a nice downwind sail from Pentecost Island to Aore Resort by Luganville. We dived on the SS President Coolidge wreck and enjoyed the independence day celebrations with Slip Away.

After seeing a lovely dance troupe by the waterfall at Asanvari Bay and a nice dive north of the bay we had a nice close reach sail to Bwatnapne Bay on the West coast of Pentecost Island. We listened to several days of music and speeches celebrating Children's Day and had a nice wall dive on Naombil Point.

Left Port Olry with Evergreen and Blue Rodeo and sailed to a surprise rendezvous with Slip Away at Asanvari Bay,, Maewo Island.

Motored north to Port Olry and experienced good snorkleing on two different reefs. Removed some crown-of-thorn starfish that were munching on the reef.

We eased out of the Oyster Island channel and sailed north to Hog Harbour. on the east coast of Espiritu Santo. The water is very clear with phosphorescent animals causing the water to appear full of stars. Champagne Beach is nearby.

The Oyster Island anchorage can be difficult to enter due to a shallow channel, but it is very protected from bad weather. There is a very nice resort owned by Kiwis who also own a vineyard near Opua, NZ. There is also a nice fresh water "blue hole" with rope swing about a mile up a river.

Anchored next to Aesi Island which appears uninhabited. It has many lime and lemon trees. The water is clear, but the snorkeling is not spectacular.

Stopping at Luganville on Espiritu Santo for reprovisioning before heading north.

Sailed from Vanihe Bay on N Ambae to Ratua Island just south of Aore Island. The anchorage is very nice and protected with two free moorings available courtesy of the very nice resort on the island. Snorkeling around the anchorage and Purumamasa Island a mile west was fantastic. Eric and Anne on the boat Reflections showed us how to remove the reef eating crown-of-thorn starfish.

Sailed from Asanvari on SW Maewo Island to Vanihe Bay on N Ambae. The island was the inspiration for Michner's Bali Hai and the anchorage was beautiful.

Sailed from Loltong on NW Pentecost Island to Asanvari on SW Maewo Island. The local village is nicely landscaped and the residents are working hard to be a tourist destination. An attractive waterfall flows into the anchorage.

Sailed from Londot, SW Pentecost Island, to a very protected anchorage at Loltong on NW Pentecost Island. Enjoyed meeting local villagers Matthew and Mary who run the Vatulo Beach Yacht Club and helped us buy local vegetables. Took a tour of the village and saw the community center next to the well groomed soccer field where the young men have been watching the soccer world cup starting at 3 a.m. thanks to solar panels and a satellite television.

Sailed from NW Ambrym Island to Londot, South Pentecost Island. It was a fast passage at 9 knots between the islands and Evergreen caught a Mahi Mahi which they shared with the boats in the anchorage and the village ashore. We watched the land diving presentation (predecessor to bungy jumping but with vines instead of bungy cords) at about $120 per person and were very impressed. The villagers put on quite a show in traditional costumes in addition to the jumpers.

Sailed from Lamen Bay on Epi Island to NW Ambrym Island and anchored between the villages of Ranvetlam and Ranon. We caught a 4 ft Mahi Mahi on the way and Blue Rodeo caught a 4 ft waloo, both of which were shared with the boats in the anchorage and Chief Joseph from Ranvetlam. The crews from Blue Rodeo and Evergreen hiked 8 hrs round trip to the rim of the Mt. Marum volcano and the crews from Gypsea Heart and Astarte joined the villagers in their preparation for a double wedding the next day.

Moved north a mile to Lamen Bay on Epi Island where there are many turtles and a dugong (manatee).

A nice and fast reach from Tongoa to NE Epi Island that turned into a three way race wing-on-wing. Enjoyed a large Mahi Mahi caught by Blue Rodeo on the way. The monohulls in the anchorage rolled a bit despite wind from the S to E. A nice snorkel and dive spot nearby.

Sailed from Emae Island to NW Tongoa. We could not safely land a dinghy on the rocky shore to find someone to pay our 500 VT (US$ 5) fee each for diving there, so we had to let Jon from Evergreen swim ashore through the surf to do the honors. The wall dive was quite nice.

Sailed from Lelepa to Emae Island with 15-20 kt wind making for a fast passage. Caught a 7 kg (15 lb) mahi mahi near Emae and shared it with Blue Rodeo, Evergreen and the villagers on shore. Delicious.

After a 5 nm sail from Paul's Reef, anchored in the NW lagoon of Lelepa where there is a narrow opening between the reef and numerous coral heads in the lagoon. The bottom was mostly 10 - 15 ft deep with some bommies rising to within 5 ft of the surface. The local village has started charging VT 1,000 (US$ 11) per night which may entitle you to use of the snorkel moorings.

We dived at 17.35.496S, 168.11.873E on the W side of Lelepa where several large underwater hills almost reach the surface. It is possible to place a dinghy anchor in a rock crevice on the side of a hill to avoid damaging coral. There is a good amount of live coral and several crevices/canyons through which to dive, but did not see many large fish. The southern hill has many soft corals and fans. There is a snorkel spot close to shore with a couple of mooring buoys and a sign that states not for use by the public. We saw a catamaran anchored or moored in the cove, but it looked dangerous without local knowledge.

We spent 6 days in Port Vila on a Yachting World mooring to get fresh provisions, fill up with diesel, check in with Immigration for our one month visa plus 4 month extension, obtain a required cruising permit replacement for the one we received in Aneityum, and a little internet access. We sailed about 15 nm and anchored near shore by Paul's Reef on the SW side of Efate.

We dived on Paul's Reef (17 39.876S, 168 10.860E) where there was a plastic milk bottle tied to a mooring line for dinghies

After a 23 hour downwind sail, half of which was with the spinnaker, from Port Resolution on Tanna, Vanuatu, we arrived at Port Vila on Efate, Vanuatu. We are attached to a Yacht World mooring and catching up on housekeeping chores along with internet access. We managed to catch a small yellow fin tuna and mahi mahi on the way. We may pay the price for all this nice this downwind sailing when we turn around and head back into the wind toward New Zealand.

Had a nice 8 hour spinnaker sail from Port Patrick on the north coast of Aneityum, Vanuatu, to Port Resolution on the SE coast of Tanna, Vanuatu, except that we had to lower and raise the spinnaker 3 times due to unavoidable rain showers. Visited the Port Resolution "Yacht Club" and the Mt. Yasur volcano where we stood on the rim and watched the exploding lava in the cone. We also attended a local village celebration where three boys were honored after spending a month in seclusion following their circumcisions. Luckily, we were a month late for the actual circumcision ceremony.

Anchored in Anawamet Bay (Port Patrick)on the north side of Aneityum Island, Vanuatu. A reef is in the middle of the Bay and the east channel is much easier to navigate than the west channel around the reef. Anchored between the reef and the town in 20 ft. The chief's grandson paddled to the boat and asked us to download movies onto his thumb drive in exchange for a basket of oranges. We instructed him on copyright law.

Anchored in Utche Bay, SW Aneityum Island, Vanuatu. This anchorage is only 2 miles from the main anchorage at Anelghowhat (Analgawat) Bay and is 1 mile from Jnmal (Inmal) Reef where there is supposed to be good diving. Even with a SE wind of 15 kts, a slight swell entered the bay which might make it more suitable for catamarans than mono hulls, but it is more protected from SE wind waves than the main harbor. The waves on the Jnmal (Inmal) reef were too large with 15+ kts of wind to dive from a dinghy, but might be comfortable in less than 10 kts of wind.

We arrived at Aneityum, Vanuatu, yesterday morning 5 minutes behind Blue Rodeo with no repairs necessary and no lost lures - a record. We caught a skipjack as we arrived as a consolation prize. There are 8 boats in the harbor. We plan to stay here for a few days soaking up some sun. Thank you Gulf Harbour Radio for all the assistance on our passage.

It is 11 am on Sunday and we are 125 nm from Aneityum, Vanuatu. The forecasted winds of 8-12 knots for last night turned out to be 15-20 kts which allowed us to sail at 8-9 knots and make up ground previously lost to light wind and downwind sailing. There is a low pressure trough between us and our destination which will cause variable wind of undetermined strength and rain showers. However, we expect landfall on Monday. Blue Rodeo is doing a good job of keeping up with us :-), but the fish apparently cannot catch a lure moving at this speed.

Motored most of the day in light winds until 1600 when able to sail close hauled. Fish still shy.

Our 24 hour spinnaker sail ended at 1100 hrs when the wind died (RIP). Ever since, we have been motoring(92%), sailing(8%) with another day of light wind forecast. ETA in Aneitym, Vanuatu, on Monday afternoon. 392 nm to go. Apparently, there are no fish left in the ocean.

getting closer to Blue Rodeo!

Sea swell diminishing and temperature slowly rising. Lovely day spinnaker sailing with plans to fly the spinnaker all night if the wind doesn't die and the squalls stay away. Trying to catch Blue Rodeo (Shhh, don't tell them).

Sailing along with reefed main and poled out jib.

Motoring along.

Though we are motoring, it is a very pleasant evening and the sun is just setting

waiting in Paihia to leave Monday, May 19th for Vanuatu

In Paihia, New Zealand, preparing for passage to Vanuatu.