Whangarei, New Zealand

Welcome to our Blog. Our latest entry always comes up first... 
Click this link if you want to start at the beginning:
FIRST BLOG ENTRY
If you want to start at the beginning of our trip:
START OF TRIP
If you want to see the story of our trip from South Carolina
(where we bought the boat)
 to Lake Ontario Click this link:
  SOUTH CAROLINA

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Just 48 hours ago, Blowin Bubbles pulled up to dock C-8 in the Whangarei Marina.  This will be our home for the next 3-4 months while we get some work done on the boat and explore the beautiful country of New Zealand.

Before we left Opua we got to know a lovely couple, Jess and James from England who are travelling the world with their two young children, Rocket & Indy...  They have been in NZ for a while and have a car.  they generously invited us to the local Saturday market last week where we feasted on amazing local fresh veggies and treats..

The Keri Keri Market...

 

 

On our way from Opua we anchored overnight in a place called Bland Bay...  Which must be a misnomer as the bay was anything but bland...  We keep seeing some of the most beautiful landscape here in New Zealand....

Heading out from Opua

Bland Bay...

Three dolphins joined us as we pulled out of Bland Bay and played in our bow wake until we were almost in Whangarei...

Whangarei Bay...

The Town Basin Bridge....

 

Upon our arrival, we met up with our good friend Sharon who manages the marina office.  We went out for supper together and feasted on American style BBQ ribs - What a treat!  They tasted as good as any from the American south...

The Whangarei Marina in the Town Basin

 

Yesterday we opened a bank account here in New Zealand so paying for the work that needs to be done on the boat will be easier and we won't have to pay a $5-10 fee every time we use our Canadian bank account.

Last night Shelley ordered tickets for a number of wine festivals over the next few months and we will be going to the theater tomorrow night for the first time in a VERY long time...  Theater is something form our old life we really miss...  So the wine festival tickets are Shelley's Christmas present and I got a new 8 string ukulele!  

We have also bought an old used ca r to use while we are here.  We paid $2000 and have been assured that we can sell it for as much when we leave... A great deal if it all works out.  The car will give us the freedom to explore this beautiful country....

More soon, Cheers!