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Good Bye to New Zealand

We moved the newly purchased New Zealand Dinghy up on the deck for a long journey. Our cat Happy is ready for sailing. Port Nikau Main Wharf, Whangarei, North Island, New Zealand

We left Whangarei Town and arrived at Marsden Cove Marina yesterday for our customs clearance. This morning, we’re scheduled to meet with the Customs Officer. Once cleared, we have four hours to depart New Zealand and are not allowed to stop anywhere else within the country.

Two days ago, we took our cats to a Biosecurity-approved veterinarian in Whangarei to begin the pet export process to Australia.

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Daily Bus Tour to Cape Reinga and 90 Mile Beach, New Zealand

Tour Bus on 90 Mile Beach, North Island, New Zealand

Spring Fever is here! Local schools are closed for two weeks for Spring break, and we’re enjoying more sunny days with fewer rainy ones. More flowers are starting to bloom.

When we first arrived in New Zealand, we planned to stay for six months, but it turned into a year. During that time, We’ve experienced all four seasons. The year-round pleasant weather, clean air, abundant fresh water, and stunning landscapes, and untouched nature are more reasons that we continuously like New Zealand.

New Zealand’s sailing team won the last two “America’s Cup” competitions and are currently competing in the 37th America’s Cup in Barcelona,

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Starlink and Its Mount Installation on “Sailboat Bad Bunny”

Starlink Antenna after Cutting the Bottom

“High Speed Internet Around the World”! This has been a game-changer for sailors Worldwide.

It was just four years ago when we first heard about Starlink. At that time, we didn’t believe this technology would become available so quick for sailors. However, when we arrived in New Zealand, we ordered a Starlink system and have been using it ever since.

At sea, having access to weather forecast information is critical, and Starlink has been a tremendous help. We absolutely love it! Go Elon Musk!!!

Finding the right installation spot on a sailboat proved to be a bit of a challenge.

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Left Lovely Port Whangarei Marine Center; a boat belongs in the water not on land.

“The Bunny” is ready for back in the water, Port Whangarei Marine Center, North Island, New Zealand

After staying in the boatyard for the longest time, we were so excited to go back in the water. John’s wrist is almost fully recovered. Spring is approaching. It is slowly getting warmer. Daylight is getting longer. In a couple of months, we will sail to Australia!

Last Friday, the marina (Port Whangarei Marine Center: www.portwhangarei.com) lifted our boat on the slings of the travel lift and removed the stands. The stands have been holding us more than 7 months.

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Cyclone season (November to April) in the South Pacific is over but John broke his wrist

John’s Broken Wrist with a Hard Casting, Whangarei, North Island, New Zealand

Sailing life sounds rosy, but staying in a boatyard demands a lot of patience. The boat is on land so the toilets, kitchen sink, and main refrigeration on the boat have been disconnected. We use the boatyard common area for bathrooms, washing dishes, and other tasks and sleep in unorganized cabin for now.

We were aware of the high quality of boating work in New Zealand and we arrived at Port Whangarei Marine Centre (https://portwhangarei.com/) with a list of repairs and upgrades.

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A Month Stay in Auckland, New Zealand

River by Waipapa Dam, Outside of Auckland, North Island, New Zealand

The population of New Zealand is about 5.2 million. Wellington is the capital of New Zealand while Auckland is the largest city with about 30% of the country’s population.

Auckland is known as the “City of Sails”. In 2017, when we sailed in Bermuda, we witnessed Team USA losing the America’s Cup to Team New Zealand. Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic in 2021, Team New Zealand successfully defended the cup. The next race, the 37th America’s Cup is scheduled to take place between August and October 2024 Barcelona,

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Cleaning up My Digital World

Our New Home, Marina San Carlos, Sonora State, Mexico

Since arriving in San Carlos, on the mainland side of Mexico, a lot of things happened to us in less than a month. John got COVID and fully recovered after a week or so. My COVID test result was negative, his was positive. I lost the sense of smell for five days, John did not. John had a 102 degree fever; I had no fever at all. John could barely talk, and I enjoyed the silence. I am recovered but still coughing. Our friend is still dealing with his COVID symptoms.

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Waiting Waiting Waiting

John relaxing at Waterfall in Yelapa, Mexico

From Monday to Saturday, it seems we spend lots of time waiting for contracted jobs to be completed. Waiting makes us frustrated. Because of the heat and strong sun, we don’t really push the delivery date, and it is super hard to do any outside work after 10am. To motivate ourselves, on Sundays, we committed to explore this area. I get more energy when I meet and talk to people. I feel healthier when I do outdoor activities.

PS: This area, Puerto Vallarta offers a lot to the tourists. Many condo buildings and hotels are all over.

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Patting Ourselves on the Back

Ready for Splash, La Cruz Shipyard, Mexico

The summer weather here is like being in a sauna. It didn’t stop us working on the boat, nonstop for three weeks. I started my day with a bug-spray shower. I quickly found applying sunblock lotion is useless as my sweat immediately washes it off. My main struggle was not the heat nor physical work. It was dealing with bug bites as it made me crazily itch.

An episode happened when the boat was back in the water. Somehow, the propeller of the boat was installed backwards. Driving the boat backward goes forward and vice versa.

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Macho Solo

Tool “Macho Solo” (A pair of Pliers) according to a worker when we were in Colombia

It is normal to paint the boat bottom every two to three years, in order to prevent marine growth. We have the boat hauled out in La Cruz shipyard in Mexico. The mast has been removed for corrosion/repaint work. Sails are being inspected and repaired by “North Sails” loft in Puerto Vallarta. For other projects, we hired contractors. The rest including the bottom paint, we do on our own. Strangely, I am enjoying doing physical work. It feels rewarding when a task is done.

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