The feelings of making land fall to any sailor are always very strong, the longer the voyage the stronger the feelings.
We left Punta Arenas Chile on the 16th of April and we are now just about to enter the port of Opua in the Bay of Islands New Zealand, it will be the 14th of June, a smidge under two months and 7,500 nautrical miles later.
The land of the Long White Cloud (New Zealand) is also reknowned for their sheep, millions of them, more sheep than the total population !
Many of the Xplore team have been to these shores before, but for each and everyone of us this marks end of the Pacific crossing. Many of the team will continue through to Tasmania, but some will depart here in New Zealand.
For most people the thought of traveling such as distance by sea is far too daunting, and the thought of being together on one relatively small boat with 8 people is inconceivable. But those who have sailed long ocean miles will always tell you that the days slip by much faster than you think, and that there is always something to do, to look at and to think about.
More news to come as we wash the salt from our clothes, put on some street gear and taste the foods and beverages of the Long White Cloud.
Stephen
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