Tonga to New Zealand
Monday, November 14, 2011 - 199 miles from Opua, New Zealand
You have probably noticed on the Where's Hokule'a page that we are making very slow progress towards New Zealand. Our wonderful sailing conditions disappeared and we have been fighting headwinds and large confused seas. The last few days have been extremely frustrating as we are sailing around 180 miles a day but only making 85 or so towards New Zealand. I guess it certainly could be a lot worse as there is a storm coming in on Friday and there are a number of boats behind us. We hope to get in sometime on Wednesday and will let you know when the anchor is down.
Thursday, November 10, 2011 - Pacific Ocean halfway between Tonga and New Zealand
Technically speaking we reached the halfway point to New Zealand today. We have had some wonderful sailing conditions thus far, but it is forecast to be on the nose for the rest of the trip. Still we hope to be in Opua by Monday or Tuesday. The weather is getting colder the further we head south and last night I put long pants for the first time since late April. We had a flyover today by a New Zealand Navy Orion. The pilot hailed us on the radio and asked where we were headed and when we expected to arrive. Kinda cool to see an airplane way out here. We will update you again when we get closer.