Vanuatu – Port Vila and Pentecost

Vanuatu – Port Vila and Pentecost

Port Vila We arranged to pick up a swinging mooring at Yachting World in Port Vila. However, that wasn’t strictly necessary because more of the moorings were free than weren’t. But giving an early heads-up meant we got help picking up the mooring pennant,...
Vanuatu – Tanna

Vanuatu – Tanna

Leaving New Zealand We wanted to sail up to Opua to see Bertrand and Pascale one last time before we each headed in different directions. But with the wind hurling down the coast from the north, that wasn’t going to happen. Instead, we anchored at Urquarts Bay...
Waving goodbye to Whangarei

Waving goodbye to Whangarei

Riverside Drive We thought we might like New Zealand but were wrong – we loved it. The scenery is stunning. The people we encountered were friendly, helpful, and present. And we could get things done. New Zealand has some very skilled people, and the quality of...
Lake Pukaki and Christchurch

Lake Pukaki and Christchurch

Lake Pukaki Driving to Christchurch, we passed Lake Pukaki, 178 square kilometres of water and another joy for cold water masochists because the Tasman River feeds it from the Tasman and Hooker Glaciers. It is also another primary source of hydroelectric power....
Oamaru and Omarama

Oamaru and Omarama

Steam Punk and Steam Train What a whacky place this is. The Steam Punk HQ in Oamaru is completely bonkers inside and out. The machines outside have a slot into which you can deposit your hard-earned cash for them to spring into action. Or, in the case of the Mad...
Bluff and Dunedin

Bluff and Dunedin

Bluff Bluff became an important port for whaling and sealing ships in the mid-19th century. And it retains an industrial feel with industries of a different kind, thanks to the Tīwai Point aluminium smelter and the port of Bluff that handles over 3.5M tonnes of cargo...