Our trip from Seattle to Whangārei couldn’t have gone any better unless teleportation was an option. Although we changed airlines (Alaska to American) in Los Angeles, our bags were booked through to Auckland. We had plenty of time during our LA layover to walk what seems like miles through tunnels to get to the international gates and along the way learned about the development of aviation. Herman had hernia surgery when we were in the states and can lift no more than 15 pounds (6 kilograms) until the end of March, which meant that I got to do a lot of carrying and lifting.

We arrived in Auckland the next morning, plus a day for the dateline change. Customs and immigration were a breeze, since we’d completed all the necessary documents electronically using New Zealand’s nice app. We caught the bus to central Auckland, where we transferred to the InterCity bus that took us to Whangārei.

At the Auckland airport, we witnessed a groom waiting for his bride to emerge in her wedding dress for a trip to Fiji and their wedding. Their friend interviewed us to hear what we Americans thought of their friends’ plans. Meeting people makes travel so fun!

Herman stayed with the luggage at the Whangārei bus station while I hauled the first batch to our boat. Our neighbor Robyn gave me a huge welcome home and helped with the rest. It really did feel like coming home.

Boat Projects

We left the leak above the galley sink open so that it had a chance to dry and air out while we were gone, which meant the boat was fairly torn apart on our return. The v-berth was totally inaccessible, which made unpacking the three large suitcases of boat stuff complicated.

We retrieved the rebuilt windlass motor, plus purchased a spare, because lifting the anchor by hand is difficult for Herman and almost impossible for me.

Two guys from Whangārei Marine Services extracted the generator motor after Herman and I removed the table and floor obstructing the path. After examining the motor, we determined a new motor was required, which was ordered and should arrive in four to eight weeks from Australia.

Steve coached Herman through the deck and fiberglass repair, plus Steve did some of the resin and sanding work himself. In order to perform the last of the resin and sanding work, Steve created a “tent” of plastic over the work area so that less of the fine sand would spread around the remainder of the boat. Think sheetrock, only finer and more toxic. Good news is that that repair is done!

A Trip to the Grocery Store

When we first arrived in New Zealand, we were amazed at how easy it was to be here. Upon our return from our “home visit”, it was still easy, but a trip to the store is a simple reminder that we’re in a different country. On the way to the store, we walk or drive on the left, looking right-left-right, because the car that might hit you first comes from the right. Legendary New Zealand politeness does not extend to pedestrians, so caution is a must.

I wanted to make ratatouille from which contains onions, zucchini, eggplant, and tomatoes. Zucchini is called corgettes, and eggplant is sometimes aubergine. Try that in a self checkout! Weights are in kilograms (2.2 kilograms = 1 pound) and prices are in NZ$, which exchange now at US$0.57 to NZ$1. Some precious items like California pecans and walnuts are sold by the 100 grams (1/10 of a kilogram). Maybe it isn’t so easy…

The Saturday Night Live skit “Washington’s Dream” plays on the American system of weights and measures and provides insight into this ridiculousness. Truly, metric is much easier.

Part of the fun is learning new foods. Imagine a fruit that has a protective covering that peels off in hard green squares when the white fruit underneath is ripe. It’s somewhat like eating a pomegranate while patiently waiting for each section to harden.

Mount Aubrey & Cicadas

We took a Sunday break from boat work to drive 1/2 hour to the Whangārei Headlands for a hike. Going back to weights and measures, it is important when evaluating which hikes to take to remember that 1,000 meters is three times 1,000 feet. We enjoyed the hike around the mountain and I appreciated that we couldn’t hike to the summit.

The sound of the cicadas was somewhat like being near a high-velocity power line with an underlying loud hum accompanied by regular zaps. I finally figured out that the cicadas made the zapping sound by tapping their hind ends on the trees. Good news is that my research provided an opportunity to catch my breath.

First Overnight Camping

We took HAMENZ (our campervan) to Tutukaka for dinner with friends Walter and Anja, followed by overnight freedom camping. The next day we had a beautiful hike around Whale Bay followed by lunch at Marlborough Hotel in Russell. We’re excited to show my sisters Janet and Margaret some of our neighborhood when they visit in April.

What’s Next

For the next month (that we’ve already started) we’ll travel in HAMENZ through the South Island of New Zealand.