Dazzler Is On The Move

After months of preparations, new chainplates, new rigging, varnishing, immigration paperwork, goodbyes and more, the time has finally come to hoist our sails and run some water under the keel. We left Marsden Cove Marina in Ruakaka, New Zealand today. Yes, Dazzler is on the move!!!

The Customs and Immigration Officer stopped by this morning and we were cleared to leave the country. If you read our last post you know that it’s been a bit bittersweet as we prepared to leave the many wonderful Kiwis who have become such great friends over the past three years. Today is no exception. 

As we motor out of the channel into the Hatea River we’re seeing things we will never see again tears once again fill my eyes. Off the starboard side of Dazzler there are a couple of huge ships sitting at Northport, the commercial shipping port and home of the soon to be closed refinery where our great friend, Jock, worked for forty-one years. To the left Whangarei Heads tower above the chilly aqua waters. There’s Breams Head and Urquharts Bay where we’ve hiked and anchored many times during our stay here.

The weather is absolutely perfect for the beginning of a passage. The sun is bright above us warming the air perfectly considering it’s Fall here and it has been pretty cold and rainy for the past week. We’ve got some wind and the sail ahead looks to be quite lovely.

We Are We Headed?

Our next destination is Vuda Marina in Fiji. There we will check into country and prepare to spend a few months enjoying the hypnotic, turquoise waters and warmhearted people of the islands. We’re pretty excited about checking in here as we’ve boats arrive from overseas and the people of the marina come out and sing to welcome you.

And I absolutely can’t wait for the Mongolian Beef dinner that awaits us at the Boatshed Restaurant on our first night in port. It arrives crackling and spitting on the sizzling hot cast iron plate it is served on and it is AMAZING! I’m drooling just thinking of it.

But, for now we’ve got 9-11 days at sea ahead of us so I’ll just have to enjoy the dozen or so pre-cooked meals I made that are in vacuum sealed bags in the freezer. At mealtime I’ll pop a bag into a pot of boiling water and we will have a hot and tasty homemade meal at sea without all the hassle. I’ve made some brilliant meals too! Shrimp Fajita Bowls, Hungarian Goulash with Mashed Potatoes, Creamy Chicken Tortellini, Spicy Chicken Ravioli, Brunswick Stew, Enchiladas and more. The way I see it there’s no reason not to eat well when you are making passage.

Where In The World Is Dazzler?

Long story short, we’re off and by this evening we will see our last glimpse of the land of the long white cloud. As always we will post a short daily article along the way to let you know what’s happening out there on the big blue ocean.

We’ve also added a new addition to our website for those who want to not just hear about where we are but want to see it too. There’s a new button near the top of the home page on the right side. It’s called “Where In The World Is Dazzler?” Click on that button and it will take your to our PredictWind page which will show you in real time, where we are on the ocean. It will also show you the weather.

And, while our regular website posts will continue, Dan will also put a comment or two up on the PredictWind page telling you what’s happening out there. 

No Facebook Posts At Sea

If you’ve been following us for a while you know that when we are at sea we can post articles to our website via satellite but they will not post to our individual Facebook pages. So, if you really want to keep up with us we recommend that you subscribe to our website. Just go to the “Follow Our Adventures” section on the right side of the home page, enter your email address and click to submit. You’ll get an email anytime we post an article so you won’t miss a thing. Don’t worry….we promise not to over do it. We post daily while at sea but when we are in port and moving from anchorage to anchorage it’s usually just once a week. 

Well, that’s about all for now. Time to get back on deck and enjoy my last views of New Zealand.

Until Next Time,

Jilly