Sunday, April 15, 2012

Cruising, crossing the tropic of capricorn

New Zealand to Nouvelle Caledonie


The bay of Islands, NZ
It has been raining since I came back in New Zealand, 3 days ago.
A tropical storm has veered towards the North East of the coast bringing continuous rain and strong winds, 30 knots with gusts of 40.

 
We are supposed to leave on Wednesday, but the weather forecast is still not good, very rough sea with winds up to 35 kt.



We are leaving today! It is Friday, we have a woman and a rabbit ( in white chocolate) on board and the captain is whistling…..we are doomed!


900 NM to go to Noumea, 5 days and 12 hours @ 6.8 kt., according to the passage plan.

 
Another boat, a French couple, is also leaving to Noumea, like us 3 reefs in the main..

 
Double rainbow as we are leaving NZ
The sea is still rought, 4 m waves, but the winds are less stongs.



Day 3, underway, going down wind, one reef in the main, no yanke, going 7.5 kt…nice sailing

 
The Q flag is ready to be hoisted, will arrive at the Boulari pass at sunset , unfortunately 3 hours too late, we coming into the Boulari pass and the lagoon at night. And I will be in charge of the navigation and piloting.

We set anchor a 9 pm, in baie de l’orphelinat, 5 days and 9 hours passage.

Once again, a little disappointed, we were not welcomed by beautiful Melanesian dressed only with flowers but by the health department who took all our fruits and vegetables.


Baie de Boulari, Noumea, Nouvelle Caledonie