Monday-Wednesday

13/12/10 - Monday

Pretty good nights sleep – woke up once and had a look at the stars.

After a bowl of cereal we were on our way by 8. Tairua to starboard and after passing Shoe and Slipper Islands headed directly for Tauranga.

Slipper Island

Day slightly overcast but no wind to speak of and flat seas.

Arrived Tauranga and made our way to the Bridge Marina where we caught up with Ian and Caroline who have their boat (ship) berthed. More about that later.

Had some drinks with them and then out to dinner at an Italian restaurant, Volare. Great meal, great night. Recommend the duck. Much hilarity including six of us dancing on the bar top at 2 am. Sore heads all round on Tuesday.

14/12/10 – Tuesday
Went for a café breakfast with I & C and then crept back to our respective boats for a nap.

Shown over Ian’s current project, the 68ft “Contessa”, that he bought in the Phillipines a few years ago. Powered by twin 1400hp MTU’s and being fitted out in the most incredible stainless steel, teak, cherrywood and leather. Gunner could happily fit in the engine room!

Caught up with our old South African friends, Martin and Cecily Horne in the evening and showed them over Gunner and caught up on the latest goss. Great to see them looking so well – could be all Martins cycling and Cec’s Tai Chi that keeps them young.



Jellyfish at Tauranga Marina


15/12/10 – Wednesday

Fueled up and decided to make a start towards East Cape even though forecast was not too promising we considered we could head to Omaio Bay and wait for an improvement to get round the Cape and head down to Gisborne. Omaio Bay is about 72 nautical miles from Tauranga or 10 hours motoring and 60 miles from the Cape and is about the only place offering any shelter from NE or E winds.

A lumpy trip to Omaio but had a fish on the way without much luck at Motunau Island (Plate Island).



Motunau Island

 This is a beautiful small group of islands that are home to many seabirds – gannets, sooty shearwaters and the Little Terns. As it is a wildlife sanctuary the birds didn’t seem to worry much about us and we even had a juvenile shearwater following the boat around as we tried different fish spots. Lots of jellyfish in the waters around here.

After an hour or so of no fish we carried on to Omaio Bay arriving about 8pm. This is a beautiful bay lined with Pohutakawa trees all starting to flower in stunning deep red with high mountains rising up behind with a deep river gorge shrouded in mist cutting through to the bay.



A really peaceful nights sleep.