Tied up in Whangarei Marina, downtown Whangarie. Came up river with rain, plus lightning and thunder to the north.

Safely tied up to the Q dock in Marsden Cove. One of our most "memorable" passages, if not THE MOST. Motor sailed the last 18 hours or so. Now start the clean up and repairs. Thanks to all for the kind words on YIT, greetings at the dock, and good thoughts, that most certainly helped us along.

We are getting closer. Had strong(20k ish)SE head winds near cape Brett so tacked back and forth making little headway toward Marsden. We decided that we would have only been making 2-3k at best under power on the rhumb line and then would have been into fuel issues, so that is what and sort of why. Should be in at sunset at Marsden, we hope.

Strong headwinds last night around Cape Brett, so behind a bit. Maybe 2000 tonight arrival.

We should be in tomorrow sometime between 1000 and 1400, depending on how we hit the tides in the Hatea River, and how much wind chop we get. Right now we are averaging 5k, on the rhumb line direct. All is good aboard.

motor sailing, hope to be in tomorrow noon, what a different day

As we expected and you assured us, conditions started to dramatically improve about 1200. Wind died, seas still up but much much better.

We turned towards Marsden at around 1615. Seas a bit large, but wind is down and we are hoping the seas will follow quickly. Plus we are now at least heading more or less in the right direction. Are hoping for SW winds later today or tomorrow for better sailing angle.

(They are Sounding happier and the conditions will continue to improve. At least they are now heading for marsden.)

one of our worst nights ever at sea.

Well, we think it is official, we are not having fun anymore!! But all well aboard.

bashing along, but plan to heave to after weather, 122 to Opua

await the special 40m sked.

this during ham net time. Via relay from gary VK4IBC. 200nm to go. It will seem like 2000 i guess!

had a wind shift about 0130, N to S, but no dramatic speed change

We have been motoring since 0545, not what we expected for today, but better than getting bashed. Are hoping to get some sailing in this evening if it continues to build(maybe wishful thinking). We do not have enough fuel to motor the whole way in, especially if we get any sort of head seas,Ha Ha. It Will be close, so we are hoping to sail so we have a bit of a cushion. Skies are milky, hazy

Sounds like conditions are gonna be not very nice, we will take you advice and try not to close the coast too soon.

Motor sailing again, pretty rolly as we chug along, in beam seas. Preparing the fan to be hit.

Wind picked up FINALLY around 1330 and has been good sailing ever since 6.5-7k. Will tuck a reef in the main tonight, but will do our best to keep up speed. Hope to be at 30s around 0500 in the morning, if speed holds through the night. Still holding out hope of going into Marsden, but from our waypoint at 30 00s 176 30e Opua is 30nm closer so we would save 5-6 hours if beating. We will see ho

still on course for just avoiding the low but has the fronts to contend with.

very frustrating night. Quite a strong adverse current, that we are motoring into, burning fuel, but now making much headway

Hmm. The race is on. Will they beat the low. Stay tuned for the exciting finish to this saga.

much more comfortable, "the calm before the storm". Still trying to come up with a strategy for the low we will sail into. Temps coming down.

Seas have settled a bit, but still pretty lumpy. Wind has clocked, so we are on more of a beat. Nervously watching the low forecast near NZ on Thursday.

by ham net time speed was up! 6.7 knots with 720 nautical miles to Opua NZ.

Doing well and full sped ahead. with 720 nautical miles to Opua NZ. This report from the ham net at 2100 UTC

making headway in quite uncomfortable sea conditions. Finally see the sun this morning. Had to slow down so we wouldn't pound so hard for most of yesterday.

getting used to being at sea again. On passage to Whangarei

Motoring out of the reef in Fiji.

Let the spending begin, in Vuda Point Marina. "Cooks Night Off" last night. Will be looking for a slightly earlier wx window to NZ because of travel to the US.

Arrived in Saweni Bay yesterday just after noon after a great downwind sail inside the reef. Anchored in a 20k N wind throwing a big sea into the bay. Quite "boisterous" until about 1600 or so, when the winds went to the S, moderated and the bay settled

25nm from Lautoka

25nm from Lautoka

25nm from Lautoka

25nm from Lautoka

25nm from Lautoka

25nm from Lautoka

25nm from Lautoka

25nm from Lautoka

25nm from Lautoka

25nm from Lautoka

25nm from Lautoka

25nm from Lautoka

25nm from Lautoka

Anchored off Nananu-i-ra. Still on N coast of Viti Levu. Lots of pretty flash homes on shore.

Anchored in Toba Basaga Bay on the N side of Viti Levu, walting to a small waterfall today, we hope.

Anchored after a great sail from Ruku Ruku. Will wait till we get some better sun to work our way around the N. side of Viti Levu

In Ruku Ruku on the W side of Ovalau.

Same spot in Makogai

Anchored at Makogi, a bit rolly

Back in the "big city". Anchored in Savu Savu, will provision up, fuel up, extend our visa, and enjoy multiple "cooks nights off" and be here for at least a week.

Anchored in Nasasobo Bay, just W of Viani Bay

Motor sailed down from Katherine Bay, very light winds, and variable. Wind filled in late in the day from N- NE, right after we arrived. One mahi on the way.

Snugly anchored in Katherine Bay. We wanted to visit a friend here, but he is in Suva. Shared some of our mahi with a local fisherman in the bay.

Anchored in Katherine Bay. Wanted to get out of the very deep anchorage in Albert Cove, for incoming front.

Albert Cove, Rabi. Had a great sail yesterday once we rounded the point. Mostly E-ENE winds. Fishing was very productive. Two Mahis to the boat, the bigger one landed, plus one rainbow runner which we had for dinner.

New anchor spot will wait for lighter breezes to go around Undu Point, will do laundry at the very nice stream in the meantime.

Anchored next to an Island that we cannot pronounce(correctly), spelled Tilagica. Very nice morning. Good motor sail yesterday, caught(finally) a very nice mahi and filled the water tanks with the RO machine.

Moved from Tivi to what the locals call Bula Bay. Went up the Wainakoro River yesterday in the repaired dinghy, got a bit more diesel, outboard gas, cookies, a new cooking gas regulator and cold drinks. The shop here has one of everything, except the eggs were "finished".

Moved the 9nm to Tivi Island. It is well protected, and no noise from the timber mill(just the sugar cane trains). Will try to make a temporary fix to the dinghy here

Still in Malau, successful trip into town yesterday, will move a bit more east to Tivi Island today, after cooking gas tank refill. Still haven't seen any significant rain.

Left Kia, now in Malau taking the early bus to Labasa for supplies and a bit of diesel. Sad to leave Kia. Still recovering from Michael's climb to the top of the hill on Kia where a really old canon is located along with great views of the Great Sea Reef

Still anchored in Kia, has been quite nice. Some very short showers on Fri night. Mostly clear, no sign of the trough out here.

Made it out to Kia Island. Had a visit with Save and did Sevu Sevu. Will go in and visit the island school today.4.3 rooster index.

Very pretty morning. Had dinner at Palm Lea Farms. A fun evening of way too much food. Hope to move out to Kia today or tomorrow.

at anchor on the north side of Vanua Levu. Lots of burning yesterday, we guess because the wind was finally down a bit. We are hoping to get to Palm Lea Farms today, if the breezes stay light.

Wind down so far this morning. Been quite blustery for the last few days. If the wind stays moderate we will move on to Palm Lea Farms and visit Joe and Julie.

Windy and gusty night and morning. must be orographics. Second place we have been close to land with strong winds. Out of cell phone range for a few days til we move again.

Anchored off Navigiri. Will go ashore tomorrow morning for Sevu Sevu. Hope to get up Fiji's longest river, the Draketi, in the next few days.

Anchored in Naviqiri, saw friends we met last year. Will be a warm day today.

Anchored in Koroinasolo Bay, a bit breezy and cool but well protected, shallow and good holding. Will visit the school today, did Sevu Sevu yesterday. The most informal yet!

Anchored in Baulailai Bay, great downwind sail yesterday to here.

Nice down wind sail toward Nabuwalu. Decided to carry on after looking at wind direction there. Now in Bua Bay, wind is 18-20 SE but flat seas. Just like the last time we were here.

Anchored near Nasonisono Pass. Passage yesterday afternoon. Tried to catch the tide on the pass, but it was at least two hours early! Breezy night, 100% cloud this morning.

Waiting for winds to moderate, then off to the clockwise circumnavigation of Vanua Levu. Anchored off the Cousteau Resort. Nice to be out of town, but no more "cooks nights off" for the near future.

On a mooring in SavuSavu. Safely arrived here at 0840 local time. (Clearance was a breeze, as expected.) After a VERY boisterous last 18 hours. Lots of squalls, wind SE 20-25 and 2-3m swell from the same. Looking forward to more than 3 hours of continuous sleep and a chili/chicken meat pie from the Hot Bread Shop.

dodging fishing boats right now but good sailing overnight, a bit of drizzle, not great vis, but only 120nm to go

sailing, slow going compared to the start of the trip. 246nm to go.

Just started motoring after a VERY slow night downwind sailing, 355nm to go to SavuSavu

came through the front yesterday around 1230. Wind shift 1430. Settled finally around 1900. Sailing with poled out heady.

wind turned north last night around 1900 or so, been sort of "running in place" till they become more favorable for making our way north

just jibed the poled out heady, Barbara finally shed two layers of woolies for the night watch, looks to be really nice sunrise

good signal today

really slow sailing all night, we did just start motor for GHR weather and nets

On ham net via George VK4gsf

still sailing nicely. We are telling ourselves it is getting warmer.

Sailing nicely since yesterday afternoon, but hasn't warmed up yet.

In Marsden Cove, staging for trip to Fiji. Sure hope wx forecast holds.

Sailed all but 10 miles to Urquharts Bay, on our way to Whangarei, NZ. Had a great sail, 6.5-7k most of the way, till the wind died. Will start the last minute preps in town when we get there later this week.

Back over to Smokehouse Bay from Kiwiriki, for showers after riding out TC Cook. Luckily the storm was farther east and weaker than forecast so we did fine. Will look for a window to get back to the Hatea River and Whangarei next week. Happy Easter!

Winds swung to the E, so moved to Kaiarara Bay. Might do a walk or maybe a dinghy ride into town if the drizzle stops.

Anchored here to ride out the remnants of Cyclone Debbie. Lots of rain and gusty, but not too uncomfortable. Might head back to Smokehouse for hot showers today.

Safely anchored in Smokehouse Bay. After a very pleasant motor here. Flat seas, clear skies and lite winds(sailing would have been better) but we never saw the forecast showers. Hope the water system is working here for hot showers.

Anchored in Urquhart Bay. Hope to get to Great Barrier Island tomorrow. Really glad to be out of town and on the hook again.

FINALLY, back in the water. At the dock in Whangarei Marina. Recovering and getting ready to try and get to Great Barrier Island early next week. Really glad the haul out is over, but we did get most of what we had planned finished.

We are currently hauled out at Docklands 5 in Whangarei and will be for at least 4-6 weeks. All good, just routine maintenance and new bottom paint.

Whew, pretty breezy last night 25-35 sustained, NNE. A fair amount of rain that is much needed. Will wait here til Tuesdays haul out at Docklands 5. Hope the wind settles today, still 15-20k from the SW which is not the best direction for here in the Nook.

Anchored in Tutakaka Harbour. Blustery this morning, but had a very nice sail yesterday from Whangaruru. Will let this wx pass and try and catch the forecast northerlies Saturday morning.

Tough slog south, should have waited for the late afternoon northwesterlies. Anchored in Whangaruru, Puriri Bay. Will most likely move tomorrow, but later in the day to Tutukaka.

Comfortably anchored in Whamgamumu. Waiting for a bit more settled wx to keep working our way toward Whangarei. Hope Docklands gets the lift fixed soon, so we can get our haulout overwith.

Tucked in, being REALLY lazy. Wx has been glorious. Head back to Opua Monday for final heady roller furler fix, then will head south toward Whangarei for a haul out. Russel Boat Club Tall Ships Race today at noon.

Anchored in Assassination Cove or Te Hue Bay. Needed good internet for an important phone call tomorrow morning. Still great weather, although a bit chilly for us. Fun to watch all the NZ'ers swimming, water skiing and paddle boarding.

Made an epic passage this morning. . . . all of 1 nm. Omakiwi has accessible beaches and a nice walk or two ashore. Still very pleasant weather.

Merry Christmas. We are out of the slip, andhave a working refrigerator, a great present for us. Beautiful clear NZ summer morning.

Still in Opua, galley well underway. New stainless box going in this coming week(we hope). New formica around sinks looks great. Main roller furler noise sorted, still waiting on outcome of small break on headsail furler.

Safely tied to Q-dock in Opua. 0600 as sky was getting brighter. Beat the front, all good aboard.

Less than 100nm to go. Looking for the forecast northerlies so we can shut off the engine. Busy day yesterday, fixed steering, put on new v-belt on engine, and changed oil in new transmission, per the instructions after 25hrs of use.

Sailing, very nice morning, but cold. We seem to be benefiting from a bit of current pushing us along.

Getting colder, smaller moon, still confused seas but we are making headway in the right direction

Sailing, in the right direction, getting cooler, and wind backing from last night, hope it holds

FINALLY pointing in the right direction to Opua. Still very confused seas, but they are down a bit

Whew, what a day. Spent yesterday "treading water" tacking but not making any headway toward Opua. Hope we have better luck today. By the way the wheel steering quit as well. The autopilot is still working, we hope to be able to repair the wheel/cable steering today.

Bashing along east of rhumb line. Front came through last night around 1830 not too bad. Not so comfortable now. At least we are sailing faster than yesterday.

Motorsailing, sailed into no wind around 21 04s 176 38e. Seems to be some adverse current. We have seen some with us and some against us since we left. Had to use a light blanket last night, we are gonna miss the tropics

Underway, making good time. Enjoying the last of the warm weather

We will leave today for NZ. Hoping for the best. Looks like a good first day, then not much wind.

Moored in Vuda Marina. Awaiting a haul out, hopefully tomorrow, to clean bottom, put on zincs and right back into the water. No hard stand. Then the wait for an adequate wx window to Opua

Will move into Vuda Point Marina today. Hope to leave Fiji, end of the week or early next week.

Moved over to Saweni Bay for a couple of nights, so we can see some friends we met in Majuro, Marshall Islands

Happy Diwali. Anchored in Nadi Bay. Calm nights.

Momi Bay, SW corner of Viti Levu

At anchor in Momi Bay.

Anchored on Momi Bay. Waiting to go into Vuda Point. Great leisurely sail today. 10-15k SE winds, left early so could go slow.

Anchored off Robinson Crusoe Resort, Likuri Bay, Viti Levu. Great sail from Vunanui Bay once wind filled in around 0900.

bottom of Viti Levu

About 30nm, W of Suva at anchor in Vunanui Bay.

May move today, not much wind forecast from Fiji Met. Looking to move along the S coast of Viti Levu toward Vuda Point.

Good protection.

Staying put

Anchored on Malumu Bay on Beqa

On mooring in Lami Bay, west of Suva.

On a mooring in Lami, just west of Suva

Still anchored in RukuRuku, on Ovalau. Will visit the school today.

Anchored in Ruku Ruku on Ovalau, will take the truck into Levuka this morning

On our way from Taveuni to Koro

On a mooring at Paradise Dive. Dropped off our guests, and had a great meal last night.

Anchored in Katherine Bay, in honor of Kathryn Sobocinski one of our guests. Will walk into the village today.

Still in Albert Cove Rabi, went into Nuku yesterday and visited the school. More snorkeling today

Anchored in Albert Cove, Rabi

Anchored in Nasosobo Bay/Dakinuba, on our way to Albert Cove, Rabi. Kathryn and Mark are on board, but no fish yet!!!!

Still on a mooring in Savusavu

Still on a mooring in Savusavu

On a mooring in Savusavu. Enjoying chicken pies and ice cream. Got one load of fuel aboard, more today and the reprovisioning will begin.

this is a test send

Long motor sail from Nabouwalu to the Cousteau Resort anchorage just outside of Savusavu. Hooked two fish, landed zero! Very light air for all but the last couple of hours, made the Nasonisoni Passage on pretty much slack tide(luckily, we hear). Will start the cleaning and organizing for upcoming guests.

BIG DAY, yesterday. The crew of Astarte met and got photos with the Prime Minister of Fiji, Frank Bainimarama. He was taking the ferry from Nabouwala back to Viti Levu and we came ashore to see him off. We were met by his security detail, who invited us to join in with all the other photo takers that were there with their cell phone cameras. We were quite honored.

At anchor

Anchored REALLY close to the ferry dock in Nabouwala.

Bashing their way east along the coast of Vanua Levu in uncomfortable seas

Anchored in Bua Bay. Will wait here for the best window to make the last two hops to Savusavu

Now on west side of Vanua Levu continuing their circumnavigation of the island

Made the turn, no on the western edge of Vanua Levu. Will have to be more careful with weather windows to finish the circumnavigation

Anchored off Naviqiri, still on the north side of Vanua Levu.

Wind, calm. 100% cloud, 1010.9mb Astarte is pointing E. May or may not move west today. Calmer than yesterday.

Still anchored near the Draketi River. Wind 15-18 SE, 40% cloud, 1011.4mB. Calm night, but windy early this morning.

Tore ourselves away from Palmlea Farms(it was difficult to leave). Anchored in Nakalou Anchorage, looking forward to a dinghy trip up Fiji's longest river, The Draketi. 18-22E- ESE gusts, 60% cloud 1012.6mB

During Tony's net on 20m.

Anchored off Palmlea Farms resort. Enjoyed a really good "cooks night off" dinner out at their restaurant, with Michelle and Lance from Sweetwaters. Enjoyed one of the best key lime pies we have ever had. Wx, calm, Astarte pointing SE, 35% cloud, Bara1014.6.

moved closer to mainland as needed protection from the swell.

Got really rolly and rainy this morning around 0900, so decided to move back closer to Vanua Levu and protection for the weather that is forecast early this week.

Anchored off Ligau on Kia Island. Finally got into clear water, but it was a bit rolly last night. Not sure how long we will stay

Anchored in Malau, near the plywood mill. Not far from Labasa. Took the bus in today to start the reprovision. Another trip tomorrow.

Another nice day. This at 2100utc, 9am NZ time

Still off Tivi Island. Glass slick, no wind. 360 Blue, no clouds at all. 25c 1012.5mB. Will go in to look for the school, if we can make it through the mangrove channels at low tide

Anchored near Tivi Island. Will go in this afternoon to determine if Sevu Sevu is possible and necessary. It is an area that is very influenced by the Indo-Fijian Culture.

Anchored in "Black Jack Bay". Had a great downwind sail, but still no fish landed or even bites

Had a very pleasant visit on Also Island. We hope to start moving west as soon as we get some good light this morning. The Vanua Levu circumnavigation continues.

Anchored at Also Island. Met Jim who runs the Rag of the Air net. Will enjoy a few days here before continuing south and west around Vanua Levu

On the way to Also Island to say hi to Jim

Albert Cove Rabi (pron Ranbi) Is Fiji.

Anchored in Albert Cove. Nice sail up here, slow but comfortable. Still no fish!!!

Anchored in Katherine Bay, Rabi Island. 7 hour trip, 4 sailing, 3 motoring. A bit rolly, but we are optimistic that the swell will move around more to the east. Too slow for fish! But we had a line in.

Anchored in Dauniba. The flying foxes we are glad to report seem to have survived Winston. Lots taking to the air last night. Motor sailing trip here, but better than the last attempt. No fish!!! We tried hard

Tried early this morning to head to Fawn Harbor. Head seas and 18k of wind on the nose. . . .we re-lived the theme of this years cruise. We turned around and went back to the anchorage off the Cousteau Resort. Will wait for better conditions.

on their way from Savusavu to Fawn Hbr

Off the mooring at Copra Shed and around the corner to the anchor at the Cousteau Resort. Hope the trough goes through tonight so we can have good visibility for the entrance tomorrow into Fawn Harbour

Safely settled in SavuSavu. In the marina for one night, then onto a buoy Thursday. Salt washed off, cooks night off.

Yesterday got better and better for sailing, then around 4pm things started getting really rolly again! 27 nm to go

Really confused seas again last night. But still making good time. 159 nm to go

Really confused seas last night. But still making good time. 300 nm to go

Quite confused seas, but still making great time. 432nm to go to Savu Savu

Had a pretty pleasant night sailing, but as we got out to the squalls we got out of the wind. Now motor sailing

Roaring along under sail. Seas pretty bad, not much rest for the good crew of Astarte. But making great mileage. 685nm to go!

Roaring along under sail. Been quite fast for us. Boisterous day ahead we think

Still underway toward Fiji. Had to start the iron genny about 0300. Very very light winds. Heard the Orion last night calling boats looking for an active EPIRB. Don't know how it was resolved.

Take Two, left Opua yesterday around noon on our second attempt for Fiji. Conditions are a bit rolly, but was making good time until about 0430.

Made it to Opua Marina, Will rest up tonight then start the work tomorrow. Monday is a holiday so hopefully we will begin the replacement of the roller furler then.

28nm to Opua. Welcome back!

28nm from Q dock in Opua. Condtions settled down.

Have turned back for Opua, currently motorsailing. Headsail roller furler has failed. Better to get repairs in NZ. Very very rough night. Did our best to hove to, 35k winds big seas, all right on the nose. Still right on the nose, but now underway again.

Roller furler has failed and they are returning to Opua for repairs

Been motoring almost non stop since yesterday morning. Will need to conserve fuel. We will be sailing from now on. Squally after midnight, light air between squalls

Underway for Minerva or Fiji. "pretty not bad" sailing. Wind speed all over the board, along with boat speed. No too much in the way of squals, so far. Really glad to be on the way.

In Marsden Cove, the official check out port. Will be looking at a window to leave, but Monday is closing up. Argggh

In Wahngarei Town Basin, prepping for the trip north, hopefull on the next weather window.