Author: Pam
The day turned into night and the wind stayed up (30 knots) and the waves kept coming. We decided to heave to at 0200 to take a break from the bashing we had been getting all day. On one hand it was hard to give up making the progress, but on the other hand both our nerves were on edge from the constant waves crashing into and over the boat (sometimes coming over the bow and sending a shower all the way back to the cockpit) and the violent shaking of the rig as the boat got knocked off course by a wave and headed up into the wind. I was wondering last night if I was outside watching from a distance the seas raging around and over Tournesol while she was flying along at six knots, would I be scared? I am not scared while I am safe inside of the boat, it is just very uncomfortable and nerve racking. We have had several intense moments the past few days and I have found that my adrenalin definitely flowed, but I have reminded myself more than once to just stay in the moment.
We got sailing again around 0500 and found the wind had clocked around from ESE to E allowing us to sail a bit more comfortable course. At 0730 the GPS reported 99 nautical miles to the entrance of Whangarei Harbor. This was a very exciting moment. It marks the last goal (besides the actual arrival) that we set 14 days ago when we embarked on this 1200 mile passage, getting to less than 100 miles. The first goal was to get under 1000 miles, boy that seems like a long time ago now.
We have spent a good part of the day preparing for our arrival. We washed our hair etc… to hopefully look presentable for the Customs Officials. Our first stop tomorrow will be the customs dock where we will go through a much more thorough check in process than we have experienced so far. There are five forms that you have to complete and then they inspect your boat and take away whatever food they do not allow you to bring into the country. We probably don’t have much since we don’t have any fresh meat or veggies, but we’ll see. We know they will take the microwave popcorn, they take all unpopped corn. When we arrive at the entrance of the harbor we may be met by a Coast Guard cutter operated by volunteers to guide us down the thirteen mile river into Whangarei. We also have word the media is cueing up for our arrival. We are most excited about making this landfall and I for one look forward to the opportunity to really assimilate everything that has happened in the past year.
Frank and Rachel on Starship arrived in Whangarei yesterday, we congratulate them on the completion of their voyage. They will be going back to the states in early December.
Oh, I almost forgot I am not the Five Crowns Champion of the New Zealand Crossing.
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