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Starlink and Its Mount Installation on “Sailboat Bad Bunny”

Posted on by by Posted in Boat Projects, Boating Tips from Bad Bunny John, New Zealand, Sailings

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.

Posted on by by Posted in Boat Projects, New Zealand, Sailings

“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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New Adapted Life in Whangarei, New Zealand

Posted on by by Posted in New Zealand, Sailings, South Pacific

Sunrise at Boatyard, Port Whangarei Marine Center, North Island, New Zealand

Plans have changed. Our sailing schedule is on hold due to John’s injury. He has been seeing a hand therapist every other week, and each session includes a grip test. His last result was 20 out of 100. Although his progress is slow, he’s gradually returning to his boat projects. Sometimes, he forgets about his injury and becomes impatient, leading to pain at night. Simultaneously, we are waiting for the outcome of our visa extension application. We’ll make new sailing plans once we have updates on both John’s recovery and our visa status.

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Autumn Harvest Season in New Zealand, Saturday Whangarei Growers Market

Posted on by by Posted in New Zealand, Pacific Islands, Sailings, South Pacific

Whangarei Growers Market Vendor, North Island, New Zealand

“There will always be rocks in the road ahead of us. They will be stumbling blocks or stepping stones; it all depends on how you use them.” – Friedrich Nietzsche (1844 – 1900, a German Philosopher)

We spent most of our sailing years in the tropics. Staying in New Zealand for a longer time because John broke his wrist, I am experiencing three seasons here.

It is the middle of autumn now. Someone recently told me about a local farmers market on Saturdays from 6 AM to 10 AM.

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Sailing near Auckland and Whangarei, in New Zealand

Posted on by by Posted in New Zealand, Pacific Islands, Sailings

Green Mussel Farm near Waimate Island, New Zealand

Our sailing experience near Auckland is one of the best. There are many islands and well-protected anchorages wherever we did a day sailing. No loud music played on neighboring boats and most of the places were quiet, with only the sound of pure nature.

We were mostly by ourselves. It made me think a lot about “Purpose of Life”. My recent conclusion is that “Life is to be happy” and “Happiness comes from progress”.

My problem in New Zealand is to remember and pronounce its island names written in Maori language.

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Hiking to Mount Hobson Summit on Great Barrier Island, New Zealand

Posted on by by Posted in New Zealand, Sailings

This hike is about 11 miles round trip from sea level to the summit (about 2,000 ft). Watch YouTube here.

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Happy New Year 2024!

Posted on by by Posted in New Zealand, Pacific Islands, Sailings, South Pacific

View from the Stony Batter Historic Reserve Hiking Trail, Waiheke Island, New Zealand

“Chase your passion!” – that’s my New Year’s mantra.

Summer is here. The days, which were over 16 hours long on December 22nd, are now just a little under 16 hours. With daylight lasting until 9 pm, I often find myself missing my bedtime, but I can’t help but enjoy it.

Auckland has many small islands with well-protected anchorages. We’ve been exploring these areas by sailboat and discovered that Kiwis truly embrace the art of sailing. It’s easy to see why Auckland is known as the “City of Sails.”

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A Month Stay in Auckland, New Zealand

Posted on by by Posted in Boat Projects, New Zealand, Pacific Islands, Sailings, South Pacific

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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Sailing from American Samoa, Minerva Reef, to New Zealand

Posted on by by Posted in Pacific Islands, Sailings, South Pacific

A Map of North Minerva Reef (Source: Google Earth): “The Minerva Reefs (Tongan: Ongo Teleki) are a group of two submerged atolls located in the Pacific Ocean between Fiji, Niue and Tonga. The islands are the subject of a territorial dispute between Fiji and Tonga, and in addition were briefly claimed by American Libertarians as the centre of a micronation, the Republic of Minerva.” Source: Wikipedia)

(October 20 to November 10, 2023, Total 21 minus1 Days at Sea) We checked out American Samoa on the 19th.

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Rich Tradition and Culture in American Samoa

Posted on by by Posted in Pacific Islands, Sailings, South Pacific

White Sunday (2nd Sunday in October) Performance in a Local Church. Following Monday (In US, it is the Columbus Day) is a holiday. Tutuila Island, American Samoa

(September 8 to October 20, 2023) With the exception of the poor holding (when strong winds like 43 knots) in the Pago Pago Anchorage, American Samoa has to be the friendliest island we have been on and the happiest people we have ever met. If you smile at them, they immediately smile back. It is not like any other place we have been.

Plus a hospital (US Standard Facility) visit through the Emergency room was $20.00.

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