Here we are, in chilly, wet, wintry New Zealand, the last place we expected to be during peak tropical cruising season! But, like so many people ashore, our plans have changed… changed to the point of having no real plans, but rather, living and taking each day as it comes.
The borders are closed all around us, and while there’s talk of some countries opening, we’d have to hurry through the islands to reach safety when cyclone season begins again in November. And that’s if each country after the next will even permit us to carry on with our itinerary (we not only need Fiji to be open to cruisers, but also the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, and then Indonesia). It’s safe in New Zealand, the people are kind, and it’s terrifically beautiful, so I’ve decided to take a more conservative course of action and stay here instead of venturing back to the tropics this winter.
The benefit of staying is that if things shut down again in November, we’re in a safe country and Zia has already gone through the expensive importation process. Another benefit: we were going to have to skip Australia, because Zia can only enter if we come directly from New Zealand. Now, if a trans-Tasman bubble opens, we could potentially choose a completely different itinerary, skipping the tropical islands and cruising Australia’s coastline until we reach the Indian Ocean.
In the meantime, I actually do have some plans. Two, in fact, and you can help with both!
We are going to do some epic sailing in New Zealand, and see more than most foreign cruisers do. What does that mean? Maybe we will circumnavigate one or both islands! Maybe we will even go to Stewart Island! I haven’t decided yet, and that’s where you can help: let me know where you think we should go! Have a sailor-welcoming friend somewhere you want to connect us with? Drop me a note!
I am going to connect with youth, especially foster children and their carers, as much as possible — both here in New Zealand and over Zoom to any other interested folks! I’ve already had the chance to speak about our journey with youth attending Happy Trails For Kids’ virtual Zoom Summer Camp, and speak on their theme, “Imagine . . . You Can!”. Now I’m looking for more opportunities to connect with kids. Do you know of a summer camp looking for speakers? Do you know a classroom, a social worker or foster parent association, or a nonprofit working with foster or at-risk youth? I am even willing to let opportunities in New Zealand decide our sailing itinerary: I will even sail to wherever they are! So, drop me a note and connect me. :)
As always, we couldn’t do this without the backing of our supporters, so please consider signing up to join the journey! For those of you who are already supporters, be on the lookout for new Logs in your inbox soon! Until then, you can stay posted on our day-to-day via our instagram or facebook.
xo & fair winds
elana, zia, and s/v windfola ⛵️💕
📍Mount Maunganui, Tauranga, New Zealand
