New Zealand and Safe Harbor

November 16, 2016  Kalliope Arrives New Zealand

This is a dawn view of New Zealand's Bay of Islands.  We are very happy to enter sheltered waters.

After sixteen days at sea, Deb unwinds by securing some of the lines we used on the passage.

The day after clearing customs and immigration we walk the

"Paihia Track" a couple miles between seaside villages.  It

starts as a marked path over gravel and rocks of the beach.

Depending on who you ask, these are

cormorants or skag.  (I asked Deb.)

It becomes a narrow track clinging

to the cliff just above the beach.

We break out of the brush to a couple of business 

and small clusters of homes.  This shot represents

Doug's Boatyard and Phil's Yacht Rental.

We duck back into the brush for the last hundred yards

before emerging to the commercial center of Opua.

The Okiato ferry approaches the Opua landing.

A Good Day in Niue

We stop for a week in Niue.

If you pronounce "new way" you are very close.

About 1,400 souls reside here permanently

and about 18 cruising sailors in eight boats today.

There are two flights per week to New Zealand.

The trail is not long but it is treacherous jagged

coral not to be attempted in flip flops like Gregg did.

There are several separate "sea tracks" from road to surf.

The picture tells the story.

Most sea tracks end in a swimming pool.

The approach takes you through caves.

That is our new friend John of U.K in the lower left.

The reward is a refreshing dip.  This is Deb dipping.

This one was one of the busiest tracks
with about eight people frolicking.

Some access trails are steep and slippery.

John scrambles through the caves like a cat.

These are closer to the open ocean than the "baths."

The sea snakes are scary but not very aggressive.