New Zealand joy

THe sense of relief, accomplishment and amazement brings a lump to my throat and laughter to my lips. For years, we've talked about New Zealand as an ultimate destination. Now for the whole of our trip, New Zealand has been the ultimate challenge for me personally. When we sailed in yesterday, all our friends who had arrived the day before waved to us from the docks, blew horns, whistled and made us feel the amazing comradery that only sailing together across an ocean can impart. Twenty five boats arrived yesterday, and we all hugged and celebrated and teared up at the customs check in dock. The green rolling hills and lush forests look just like you'd picture New Zealand, so in her own way, New Zealand welcomed us with her beauty. The parties haven't stopped all week, as two more boat kids celebrated birthdays and tonight we're over running the yacht club to have post passage festivities. Stats will be given on each boats performance on the passage, which Rob on Dolphins compiled. Chris from Ocean Breezes will award the largest fish and smallest fish caught en route.

Everyone is also madly trying to integrate into civilization. The rental car place is out of cars, the boat insurance guy is "frazzled" as he put it. THe Chandlery is selling lots of New Zealand flags and the grocery store is hopping. The marina is graciously providing slips, showers, laundry and internet for a reasonable fee. Old friends and new are all together now, sharing the feelings and the washing machines.

WE're pretty wiped out mentally and haven't got a real plan worked out, but that will come, it always does. Our next thing to look forward to is the arrival of PEte's parents in 10 days. We're looking into buying a car with another boat, because renting one for the 6 weeks were here would be $700. We'll need one to do all the sightseeing we'd like to accomplish in our time here.

We had exagerated the gtrocery shopping possiblities in our minds unfortunately. We did find a nice shop and got bagels, cottage cheese, fresh milk, peanuts and strawberries. I think the South Pacific has really improved since Pete's parents sailed, because with a few exceptions we haven't been without too many basics. Luxury items seem to be an American requirement, and I still didn't find the variety or the cheap prices of home. The produce section was outstanding though and now the fridge is full of fresh grapes, oranges, lettuce, avacado, and asparagus, the strawberries didn't make it past the table.

There are a few other boats here from the Northwest. Calliope, Gembrit, Tamarac II and Velocity are from Seatte and vicinity. Valhalla is from Tacoma and us and Wyndeavor from Bellingham. There are a few Vancouver boats as well. The majority of sailors today descend from the sailors of antiquity. Most hail from English or Scandinavian countries. England, Canada, the US and Scandinavia make up I'd say, 90% of the hailing ports. I think it's an interesting phenomenon.

-Thanks for the prayers and thoughts, Kellie