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Using our Phones

We’ve already covered communications at sea, where we are out of cell phone service.  But what about being near shore?  How do we use our cell phones to communicate with family, friends, and make arrangements on land? Google Voice Transfer Step one for us was to transfer our number to Google Voice.  This allowed us…

Haul Out at Norsand Boatyard in Whangarei
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Haul Out at Norsand Boatyard in Whangarei

Most boats cruising the South Pacific Islands come down to New Zealand to hide out from cyclone season.  With easy access to the international airport in Auckland and plenty of marine services, it’s no wonder most cruisers haul out in Whangarei. Why We Chose Norsand Boatyard There are several boatyard choices in Whangarei. We did…

Sailing Opua to Whangarei

Sailing Opua to Whangarei

We spent three nights sailing down to Whangarei, which is about 26 miles as the crow flies away from Opua, but because both towns are way up their respective bodies of water, we actually went 85 miles around. Departing Opua The forecast for the next few days was dead calm, which is perfect as this…

Fiji’s Vuda Point Marina

Fiji’s Vuda Point Marina

We visited Vuda Point Marina (VUN-da) twice – once in 2016 and again in 2017. Both times we moved over from the Mamanucas after sailing around for a few weeks. The other option is Denarau, which also has a marina which is in the same area as a large shopping complex, several resorts and the…

Sailing to Musket Cove, Fiji

Sailing to Musket Cove, Fiji

Musket Cove draws the sailing crowd in, but it’s also one of the nicer local resorts in Fiji. Set away from the main island, Musket Cove has old plantation charm. Malolo Lailai The most popular stop in the Mamanuca Islands, Malolo Lailai is just 20 km west of Nadi.  It’s a haven for cruising boats,…

Sailing to Astrolabe Reef

Sailing to Astrolabe Reef

Monday after errands we took off from Suva. We enjoyed the hiking but were anxious to get out, it’s not the most pleasant place to be. Our destination was Astrolabe Reef, where not many cruisers head. Sailing to Astrolabe Reef We sailed to Bequ (pronounced Benga) and anchored at the top of a long bay….