Anchored on this eastern side of Waiheke with our son Jack and his girl Canon to relax on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Lovely view of Pohutakawas blossoming on shore and numerous sheep with the accompanying sheet bleets. Wind is 15 knots from the SW with occasional clouds and fortunately no rain! Merry Christmas to all.

Arrived in Opua earlier this month and have been working on boat projects. Looking to sail south to Auckland soon.

Wind from SE at 17 knots--kiteboarding conditions. Anchored west of Pele where it appears wind funnels through surrounding islands. Went ashore yesterday and was presented with fresh drinking coconuts & papaya, courtesy of the locals.

Arrived in Vanuatu a week ago after relaxed, enjoyable downwind sail from Fiji. Love being back in Vanuatu. Ni-Vans are kind, smiling, warm folks. Sailed north to Havana Harbor and then back to Vila in the last week. On the return, we had a double hook-up of tuna but since we don't eat bonito/skipjack tuna, we threw them back. This is the kind of fishing we remember!

Arrived in Denarau Marina on Fiji's east coast two days ago and have been flat out giving Roxanne and crew the attention we all deserve. The boat is clean and provisioned while the crew has been enjoying the fruits of being ashore--laundry, restaurants and catching up with other cruisers.

Anchored for the night to stage crossing to marina in Nadi.

Anchored.

light wind dead astern. so we are motoring

no problem with radio today. It has the habit of going to high power - unrequested

Steady wind slowly clocking form W to S. Fiji or Tonga still to be determined.

on passage to Suva Fiji - I think that is the correct destination but their radio transmission is very distorted. Strong but hard to understand.

Departing Opua tomorrow for warmer climes.