Opua - Auckland
Opua - Auckland in Google Maps (web browser) and in Google Earth (separate application)
Bay of Islands
Having spent the last few weeks in Opua, Blue Bie and I are well rested and ready to explore. I only have to sail a few miles to find the Bay of Island, one of New Zealand’s premier cruising grounds with its 134 islands within a few square kilometers.
Moturua
Many islands invite to drop anchor and I do it in Motorua. It’s very quiet and serene with just two yachts are on anchor in front of this uninhabited island. My next stop is Urupukapuka Island, where I make a short hike to the top to take in the maginificient view over the Bay of Islands.
Blue Bie and sheep
I have to get used to cruising in a landscape which looks so much like at home rather than the exotic tropics. I’ll be back soon to see more of the Bay of Island!
Urupukapuka view
Whangarei
My way leads me upriver to Whangarei, where I’m organizing Blue Bie’s haul out in March and do some shopping. While Opua offers everything for the boat, it has no other shops to speak of and I’m getting some household stuff.
Whangarei pile moorings
I’m also driving by car to Auckland to visit Dave and Shauna, South African cruising friends who have settled here last year. Auckland is a small big city and we explore the center and harbor within a few hours. We hang out with some of their friends and Dave takes me sailing on his boat. It’s good to see that the city life can be enjoyable, too!
Auckland Ferry Building
But I don’t feel at home in the city and the slow traffic into the city and the waiting in front of a pedestrian traffic light without any car traffic is annoying me badly! I’m relieved to sail downriver and to Great Barrier Island. All cruising in northern New Zealand can be done in easy day trips, if one waits out the right weather window – the wind direction is changing from NE to SW and back weekly!
Whangarei Townbasin Marina
Great Barrier Island
Blue Bie stays in a small bay surrounded by lush meadows and while I take my bike to the Hot Springs. While my physical strength increased, my fitness isn’t what it was before sailing and I turn around before reaching the Hot Springs. It’s an interesting excursion through forests and drier scrubland nevertheless.
Port Fitzroy
I try to further decelerate my life after the experience in Auckland and do nothing, helped by the rainy weather. As much as I enjoy the solitude on Great Barrier Island, I nevertheless would like to be connected to the world and change anchorage just to have internet access! These days one doesn’t need a WiFi hotspot anymore; 3G internet connectivity is very affordable on pre-paid plans.
Silver fern
I try to further decelerate my life after the experience in Auckland, enjoying my hammock and an interesting book. Only the customs boat interrupts the peaceful setting, but they are happy after I've answered a few questions.
Teale on board
As much as I enjoy the solitude on Great Barrier Island, I nevertheless would like to be connected to the world and change anchorage just to have internet access! These days one doesn’t need a WiFi hotspot anymore; 3G internet connectivity is very affordable on pre-paid plans.
Tryphena Harbor
Tiritiri Matangi
After another daysail I stop in Tiritiri Matangi, a National Park with very active bird life. It has been raining for the last few days and I keep the bird watching short. But the penguin nesting boxes convince me that I indeed saw penguins while sailing with Dave in the Hauraki Golf.
Oystercatcher and red-billed gull
It’s a difficult passage to Auckland with 25kn wind, heavy rain, a visibility of less than 200m and more than 50 targets on the collision warning system (AIS)! But I arrive safely and moor at the reserved dock in Viaduct Harbor.
Penguin nisting box
Auckland
Viaduct Harbor was the America’s Cup venue 10 years ago. A dozen restaurants, harbor cruises and daysailing on a former America’s Cup boat attract a lot of tourists. But also many business people are strolling past Blue Bie, reminding me of my past. Everybody is here but sailors. But that’s not really surprising since there are no toilets or shower facilites. Fortunately, I’m mobile with the bike and the Pier 21 Marina welcomes me.
America's Cupper
While the infrastructure is not really ideal, the location of Viaduct Harbor is second to none and I stroll through the city center, not needing anything. Next to the city center are also some chandleries. In contrast to Opua and Whangarei, where one can get everything for the boat, they also stock all the gadgets for the skipper and I can do my Christmas shopping!
Auckland skyline
Giving Blue Bie and myself a proper scrub, I’m ready for Kathrin, who is coming to visit me from Switzerland over Christmas. She is not only bringing interesting company, but my mom’s Christmas cookies!
Big Vodafone, tiny Blue Bie
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