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Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Whangarei

We had a great sail from Great Barrier Island to Whangarei to prepare for our passage to Fiji.
The entrance to Whangarei River is guarded by the spectacular peaks of Bream Head.  Whangarei is a great cruisers' town.  The moorage is very sheltered, up a river.  There is great shopping of all kinds near the marinas.  The terrain is flat so we can ride our bikes. 
Whangarei Town Basin
It's a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. 

After diligently working on the boat every day, we needed a day off.  Our friends Gloria and Michael from Paikea Mist (Vancouver), drove down from Opua and took us to Whangarei Falls for a short walk through the forest.
Whangarei Falls
Friday night we went to a talk by Mike Sanderson, a Volvo Ocean racer, maxi-boat driver (Mari Cha III and IV).  Mike Sanderson's website  The event was a fund raiser for a local junior dinghy sailor and hosted at Onerahi Yacht Club.  We had visited there many years ago with our friend Allen Smith.  Unfortunately, Allen passed away before we returned to New Zealand, but it was nice to meet some of his friends at OYC.
  
Bill and Gary Underwood.  Bill won a bottle.

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