5 miles to go

babelfish
tony zwig
Sun 28 Oct 2007 19:34

35:12.21S

174:08.36E

 

5 miles to go

 

We had a fast and heavy ride the last 24 hours.  The wind came in as expected at 25 knots and thankfully also switched to the east so we could stop motoring and sail.  When we checked in last night with our companion boats on the SSB, one remarked that we were an efficient slippery craft, upon hearing how far ahead of them we were.  We saw and talked to a power boat that came within one mile of us last night.  I’m not sure if he noticed us until I called him on the radio.  He was coming from Vanuatu.

We are now readying the boat for NZ customs; filling out forms for food import, immigration and customs.  Half an hour ago a big boat with letters emblazoned CUSTOMS zoomed up to within 50 feet and then whooshed away after presumeably recording our name.  At that point, I remembered to run out and hoist the courtesy and quarantine flags.  Of course, given the 25 knot winds, it wasn’t easy and I couldn’t find the flag until after the longest time.  Sails are down and we are motoring the last bit.  This area, Bay of Islands looks beautiful; green hills and shimmering water.  Time to go look and finish prep for arrival.

babelfish