Blogs from Opua, Northland, North Island, New Zealand, Oceania

Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Northland » Opua July 27th 2011

Customs cleared, the last minute preparations completed, we left Opua Marina at 11.00am on July 16th. Alex was given the first watch. (We work a three hours on, six hours off rotation with kitchen duties assigned to particular shifts.) It was exciting watching Alex’s reactions to everything, his eyes were like swivels in his head as the tried to take it all in as we headed out. The Pacific Ocean stretched before us, and as the New Zealand coastline diminished behind us we settled down and began adapting to the routine that would be our world for the next week or so. I was on watch for the first sunset, and thought back to enjoying the sunrise while on watch when we sailed up to Opua from Whangarei. I called Alex up from below decks ... read more

Episode 3 2011 adventure - FINALLY GOING!

Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Northland » Opua July 15th 2011

Alex the new crew!

Hakura

I would like to tell you that we are sitting in Vava’u soaking in the sun and enjoying island life, but ….. I am sitting, writing this in the Laundromat in the Opua marina while the last load of laundry is washed and dried ready for our departure first thing tomorrow morning, Saturday 16 July 2011. The weather has finally decided to clear enough for us to go and this time, I am sure we will be departing – it feels different somehow, and we can’t wait to get away. Since my last entry a few things of import have happened. Firstly, as it became evident that we would not be able to get away as planned, our crewman Scott had to make the hard decision to leave the boat. He only had a limited time ... read more

Opua - the experience

Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Northland » Opua July 4th 2011

Opua General Store

Hakura

No 1 – The bigger picture Okay. So here we are, sat sitting in Opua, still waiting for the weather to clear so we can head up to the warmth. The difference is that over the past few days, instead of the bad weather sitting offshore, on Saturday it moved inshore and we are cold and wet and it gets very windy! So what better time to write another exciting episode in the continuing adventures of the good ship Hakura and all who sail on her … or more specifically, will be sailing on her. There is much to do, see and experience here. Saturday dawned bright and sunny, and as Monday was the planned departure day we decided to walk to Paihia to get supplies and then catch a taxi back from the supermarket to ... read more

Going, going ... not quite gone!

Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Northland » Opua June 30th 2011

Lorraine on Hakura during haul out

Hakura

Captain’s Log: Hakura on hardstand for ten days for cleaning and painting. Motored from Whangarei Marina at 1630hrs, 26 June 2011, via Limestone Island out to Whangarei Heads and then under single reefed main sailed north before a southerly of around 10 – 15 knots till off Tutukaka where wind swung to west so a small part of the headsail was unfurled. We continued to sail up the coast in a north northwest course towards Cape Brett. Engine started about 2.5 hours south of Cape Brett due to lack of wind. Motored through Bay of Islands to Kerikeri Yacht Club. Arrived 13.30hrs, 27 June 2011. Motored across to Opua Marina on Wednesday. Distance covered, 91 nautical miles. Crew Comment: First sailing experience: Night at the helm. The sun has just set and what better time to ... read more

Sun, sea, dolphins and fireworks!

Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Northland » Opua January 5th 2005

Fireworks at New Year

Jo and Graeme

After a night in the flat doing washing and re-packing our bag we were up early on Hogmanay to catch the bus to the Bay of Islands. We had been up there in September, not thinking we’d be spending New Year in the same place, but that was where we found a holiday house (in a place called Opua, outside of Paihia, the main town in the Bay) and it’s a lovely place to visit. Joining us at the house were David and Lindsey, Cat and Rob (whose house we had Christmas at), Alex and Sara (friends of Lindsey’s from the UK, who are here on holiday) and Kenny. Unfortunately Luke had too much work to do to join us (he’s doing a long distance degree as well as working full time), and we missed him ... read more

Brief history of New Zealand

The Polynesian Maori reached New Zealand in about A.D. 800. In 1840, their chieftains entered into a compact with Britain, the Treaty of Waitangi, in which they ceded sovereignty to Queen Victoria while retaining territorial rights. In that same year...more history

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