Arrival in Raro

Everyone is enjoying some welcome R&R in Rarotonga after their record breaking ocean crossing - 13 days from New Zealand to Raro is pretty good going! However, Manton hasn't phoned home yet according to his Mum... if you are reading this, Manton "ET - Phone Home". We've had some dreadful weather in New Zealand this past fortnight with wave upon wave of Southerly weather fronts direct from the Antarctic, bringing snow and blizard conditions. Roads have been closed for several days in the middle of the North Island and some people in the South Island have been without power for nearly two weeks.

Which means that Geoff and I are really, really looking forward to heading up to meet the ship next Wednesday. We've had a change of plan for the journey home. We're going to leave Raro slightly earlier than planned, on 1st July which will give us time to head in to Nuie on the way home. According to their tourism website, there are only 90 guest beds on the island and usually more whales visiting that people. Sounds great!

We'll be in Nuie until the 7th July and then head in to Vavau at the North of the Tonga Islands. Trustee John Duder will be meeting us in Rarotonga for the voyage to Tonga, and Trustee Kate Martin will be meeting us in Vavau while John heads home. Trustee Box (Ian Milestone) however does have our work schedule mapped out for us while we are cruising in Tonga. 0700-1300 will be R&M (repairs & maintenance) to the ship and then R&R for the rest of the day. Russell's daughter Chloe and her friend will be meeting us in Rarotonga as well.