Position: 35:18.91S 174:07.29E
Monday 18th November

We arrived here in Opua, New Zealand last night and are now all cleared in and tied up in a berth in the marina here.

The last day or two of the passage the winds were very light so we had to motor for most of that time. The motor ran well, seas were calm, days were sunny and the nights were cool with a big bright moon all night long. We first sighted land shortly before sunset yesterday and could see the outlines of all the islands and hills in the moonlight as we came in through the Bay of Islands and up to Opua.

Now it is time for me to finish doing some work to check in with the marina, organize insurance for that and then start to explore the tiny little town here. I am not sure if I will be able to continue updating the blog for some time after this as my subscription for the satellite phone friendly email service that includes this blog is about to expire. Sea Monkey will be taking a break from ocean passages for a while though with only a little coastal sail down to Whangerei NZ planned next week and then some months actually staying in one place!

Phil