NewZealand to Australia via Tonga, Fiji, NewCaledonia

We left Tauranga, on the 17th June 2006 after a wonderful farewell BBQ at the marina with family.
"Erica's" crew were ourselves and daughter Kellie and brother Ralph.

We were heading for Opua in the Bay of islands, but had some issues with water entering the waterlock to the engine with following seas. We had filled up with 600L of diesel and were heavy in the stern, so we called into Sandspit off Kawau Island for Eric to do some adjustments in the exhaust line to prevent water coming in. On the 23rd of June we set sail from Kawau Island with a gale warning out, which later became a storm warning. It was a good opportunity to test out the adjustments Eric had made, try our new storm sail, our yacht and ourselves in these conditions.

It was a lively trip north with all hands sharing the steering as the autopilot was struggling to cope in the following seas. The heavy stern laden with fuel didn't help matters.

After stocking up with alcoholic refreshments, and fresh produce with the help of neice Megan and her partner, we set sail on the end of a low pressure system on the 25th of June for the islands of Tonga.
We had a good trip, skirting a weather system our radio controller in Russell alerted us too, but we still had up to 50knots of wind. Our yacht "Erica" handled the seas well and we marvelled at the big swells running.

On the 3rd of July Eric and Cathy celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary. It was also the day we saw land ( Eua Island) as we approached the Tongan island chain

It took another 2 days to reach the Vava'u chain of islands, a total of 10 days at sea and around 1200nm.

Ralph enjoyed sitting on the bowsprit seat as we approached land

After checking in with customs and quarantine we anchored in the port of Refuge harbour off Neiafu township for a few days and saw the sights

After restocking we set sail for the Blue lagoon where our friends Werner and Elke live. We spent some relaxing days snorkelling in the lagoon, reading under the palm trees, swimming and lying in the sun

Kellie spent hours in the water filming the coral and fish

Ralph spent 2 weeks with us then flew home to NZ
We enjoyed Tonga so much that we extended our visas and stayed for 2 mths. We sailed down to the Ha'apai's then back up to Vava'u
We spent alot of time in the kayaks, exploring and fishing
                                               

One of the many beautiful anchorages

The spreaders were a great vantage point when coming into reef areas. It was easy to see the bombies and change in water colour

Breathtaking reflections of the clouds in the water as we approached the Kenutu Islands

Friends Jim and Chrissie joined us on a walk to the cliff face and entrance to a cave where we swam in an underground pool
 

Anchor bouy to keep the chain out of  the coral heads                                        Eric diving in swallows cave

Spearing squid from the deck at night was alot of fun
                                                                                                                            

Port Morale had a great variety of fish 

The islands of Tonga are a yearly breeding ground for humpback whales and we very fortunate to see them come in.
We were drifting alongside a mother and her calf when a whale watch boat came by. The operator noticed our name and home port written on the stern. As he was from the same place in NZ he extended an invitation to join them.

 Cathy experienced this amazing view underwater

One of the beautiful anchorages in the Ha'apai group of islands

This beach was alive with thousands of hermit crabs. They were so prolific it was like stones on the beach

 All too soon we had to leave the "Friendly isles" and sail onwards to Fiji. A trip that took us 4 days.

We had heard from fellow cruisers Jodie and Bruce (SV Cava) that the Metis shoals had sustained an underground eruption and there was huge areas of pumice floating in the currents. They were freaked out on nightwatch when the boat suddenly slowed by several knots and sounded like there were waves breaking. They were to discover they were sailing through thick pumice. Alot of boats sustained scratches to their paintwork.

Sunset at sea                                                                    

Sunrise on arriving at Savusavu, Vanua Levu, Fiji

Fog on the sea

Arriving into the harbour at Savusavu

Savusavu is set amongst lush mountains and is very peaceful.

 We spent a few days here, shopping at the markets, eating out at the Indian restaurants and enjoying the hospitality of the Fijian people

Jacques Cousteau resort

 Eric and Bruce (SV Cava) kayak fishing. There was always a competion with the fishing

We sailed north after gaining our cruising permit to explore the more remote parts of Vanua Levu and Rambi Island in tandem with friends Jim and Chrissie on SV Twelfth Knight

Coming through some of the reefs was nerve wracking but our trusted forward facing sonar was reassuring

Fale at the entrance to the salt lake river

We stopped at Fawn harbour where we had a great time exploring the mangrove creeks

Eric had his usual luck with the fishing

Viani Bay was another great spot

 The Pumice from the Metis shoals eruption had spread across and this photo was taken under the water looking up

We arrived in a squall to Naqariqai Bay and had to set 2 anchors to get a good holding.

The next day we met the Driver family who brought us out veges and fruit from their gardens. 

During conversation we were to discover that David's brother's wife worked as a midwife in Saudi Arabia with Cathy.                                                                                                               What a small world!

We bought fresh water yabbies from the Fisher family on the other side of the bay. They were delicious!

From here we sailed on to Rambi Island and enjoyed several days with the villagers of Albert Cove

The kids loved the novelty of the inflatable dinghy

The children dressed in traditional clothing put on a great dancing show

We had so much fun playing their board games, causing alot of laughter

Traditional fale

Cathy and Kellie ready for a snorkel on the reef

When we went ashore to say goodbye a catch of small fish had been made and the children were eating them raw. They have beautiful teeth. We were sad to say goodbye   

                                                           

From here we made our way down the eastern side of Rambi island and across to Taveuni, then back to Savusavu.. Our friends Jim and Chrissie headed off to the western side of Vitu Levu and we departed for Suva on the SE

While we were in Suva a Sth pacific cultural and dance event was on

From Suva we sailed to Noumea, NewCaledonia. We setsail but had to turn back as the weather didn't settle as predicted and the seas were very rough. It rained non stop for days before there was a weather window. Our autopilot belts kept breaking in the big aft seas and we were pretty exhausted so "hove to" for a few hours to get some rest.

We were very happy to see the Lighthouse which is the entrance to the Noumea harbour

Cruise ship in the harbour

Safely tied up in marina

There were cultural shows on at the markets and we enjoyed the hot croissants for breakfast most mornings.

 

The earth from above photograph exhibition was on display while we were there. It was pretty amazing

While we were in NewCaledonia a cyclone was brewing off Vanuatu heading towards NewCaledonia so we couldn't go anywhere too far. The marina was on moderate alert and we were instructed to make our lines secure and remove everything off the deck. Luckily the cyclone veered off and didn't cause any problems. We had hoped to sail to the Isle of Pines but with this delay and waiting for Autopilot belts from Australia we didn't make it there. We sailed to nearby Bailee island and Urere and enjoyed the snorkelling

Under rocks and ledges we saw lots of sea snakes curled up

The season was getting on and cyclones becoming a threat so we set sail for Brisbane, Australia

Goodbye to our friends. They stayed on in NewCaledonia for a year.

Goodbye kisses

Birds and fish rising

Kellie and Eric fishing on passage

A good sized Mahimahi

After 7 days at sea we arrived in Brisbane. There were squalls , lightening and thunder as we sailed up to Manly past Moreton Island. We had to seek shelter off Moreton Island while the worst of it passed over Manly, We made it to the Quarantine and Customs dock before nightfall and were cleared the next day. It was then end of an amazing adventure over 5mths from NZ to Australia