Sailing from New Zealand to Australia (Part 1)

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Sailing with Jib Sail, Stay Sail, and Main Sail in the Tasman Sea

(November 7 to 9, 2024) Starlink has been a game-changer! Having high-speed internet at sea feels unreal, making it easy to access real-time weather forecasts and update my blog on time.

Before we departed, we met with Customs and Immigration Officers at Marsden Cove Marina. Passports no longer get departure stamps, but we received clearance documents for our first port of entry in Australia. One of the officers even shared the latest U.S. election results with us.

After not sailing for the last ten months,

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Good Bye to New Zealand

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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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Pictures from Whangarei Maritime Festival 2024

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Helicopter Sea Rescue Demo, Whangarei Maritime Festival, North Island, New Zealand

New Zealand Navy RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat), Whangarei, North Island, New Zealand

Whangarei Maritime Festival, North Island, New Zealand

Whangarei Maritime Festival, Whangarei, North Island, New Zealand

Whangarei Maritime Festival, Whangarei, North Island, New Zealand

Boat Storage Houses, Whangarei, North Island, New Zealand

Whangarei Marina Office, Whangarei Maritime Festival, Whangarei, North Island, New Zealand

Whangarei Maritime Festival, Whangarei, North Island, New Zealand

Whangarei Maritime Festival, Whangarei, North Island, New Zealand

Whangarei Maritime Festival, Whangarei, North Island, New Zealand

Lavender Flowers in Whangarei,…

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

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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”

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.

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“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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No Talking for 10 Days: My Vipassana Meditation Experience in New Zealand

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Vipassana Center Worldwide Location Map (Source: https://www.dhamma.org/en-US/maps#001)

About three months ago, a sailor told me about a meditation program called “Vipassana”. I had also heard about it more than a decade ago from one of my former bosses, who shared his own Vipassana experience. As I extended my stay in New Zealand, I thought it would be a great opportunity to explore it further. I’m glad I decided to attend because completing the course was truly rewarding.

Before starting the 10-day introductory Vipassana course, I wasn’t sure if I could handle being without my phone for that long.

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Daily Trip Pictures from Whangarei, New Zealand

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Llama nearby Abbey Cave Reserve Trail, Whangarei, North Island, New Zealand

View from Kauri Museum, Matakohe, North Island, New Zealand

Mangrove Forest (Far Side) by Port Whangarei Marine Center, North Island, New Zealand

River After Rain, Whangarei, North Island, New Zealand

Ngawha Hot Springs, Kaikohe, North Island, New Zealand

Ngawha Hot Springs, Kaikohe, North Island, New Zealand

Wall Painting at Kawakawa, North Island, New Zealand

Roses at Kauri Museum, Matakohe, North Island, New Zealand

Trail at Kauri Bushmans Memorial Scenic Reserve, North Island, New Zealand

Kauri Tree at Kauri Tree Bushmans Memorial Scenic Reserve,…

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Food Health Star Rating in New Zealand

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It’s hard to believe it’s been a month since I last updated my blog. We’ve settled into a temporary routine here, but unfortunately, much of our time has been spent following U.S. politics. It seems like my smartphone has become the main source of entertainment and information. I’m not sure I enjoy living this way, though.

Recently, I noticed the “Health Star Rating” on food labels in New Zealand. The first time I saw a similar system was in Mexico. While the rating doesn’t necessarily influence my shopping habits, I appreciate how simple and easy it is to understand.

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Finding Positive Energy in the Library

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

Whangarei Downtown, North Island, New Zealand

Due to John’s unexpected wrist injury, we applied for and received a New Zealand visa extension. This new visa gives John more time to fully recover before we sail to our next destination, Australia. (*It is less complicated to bring our cats to Australia directly from New Zealand.)

Winter has just begun, and some sailors have warned me about how cold it is to sail this time of year. By the time John is ready to sail, we hope the weather will have warmed up. However, we must also consider the cyclone season,

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