Our New Neighbor: Some of the Rena

March 18, 2014

We have a new neighbor just outside our marina here in Tauranga: A piece of the Rena. The Rena, a container ship, hit the famous Astrolabe Reef in October of 2011. The clean up’s been going on ever since. They lifted this accommodation block about a week ago and towed it here where it’s being cut up for scrap metal.

Now that's something you don't  see everyday (thankfully).
The Rena accommodation block ready to be cut up. Now that’s something you don’t see everyday (thankfully).

Here are some links for more info…

Wikipedia entry
Rena Recovery

More:

I am just wondering what chance we have out here. I mean, if the professional crew of a huge cargo ship can hit Astrolabe reef on a clear night in calm conditions, how do we expect to survive thousands of miles at sea, unscathed?

I just can’t understand how they could have hit it. I get that they were in a hurry (ah, the deadly “schedule” strikes again), but still, it’s well marked on the charts. Here it is on one of my charts – one that should be very similar to what they had available…

Astrolabe Reef on a New Zealand chart.
Astrolabe Reef on a New Zealand chart.

This was in 2011, not 1911. Didn’t they have a chartplotter? People make mistakes – I get it. I just want to know how I can avoid making a mistake like this. I guess I won’t feel so silly when I put a mile between me and an obstruction – even if it makes the trip a little longer. I guess I’ll just keep up my paranoia concerning navigation. That and continue to keep my fingers crossed! -Rich

Lawyers Needed: New Zealand

March 14, 2014

As evidenced by this incredibly dangerous (and fun) theme park on New Zealand’s Coromandel Peninsula called The Waterworks.

Cyndi had scrapes and bruises at the end of the day.  I didn’t – I held the camera!  We both had a ton of fun.  This place is great!  We could never have this in the states.  I’m sure that last scene would have produced a 10 million dollar judgement against the park.

Our visit to The Waterworks was at the end of our three day road-trip to the Coromandel. We’re back now, sitting on the boat at the marina as the remains of tropical cyclone Lusi hit us.  So far, we’ve seen a gust to 49 knots.  Wow, it’s good to be tied up in a slip for this! -Rich

Photospheres!

March 9, 2014

We bought a new smartphone (Nexus 5) and its camera and software create photospheres – panoramic pictures that you can move around in.

Click on the links below to bring up the pictures. Click on the photosphere with your left mouse button, hold the button down, and move your mouse around. Keep clicking and dragging – you can pan around 360 degrees, as well as looking up and down.

This is of Legacy in her berth at Tauranga Bridge Marina. Here are some others…

Blue and Green Lakes (Lake Tikitapu and Lake Rotokakahi) near Rotorua.

Whakapapa Ski Resort on Mt. Ruapehu (or you can just call it “that New Zealand ski resort”)

We’ll post these from time to time. We also plan a post soon touting the benefits of a smartphone while cruising. -Rich

North Island Road Trip

March 4-8, 2014

Pictures from our most recent road trip…

See the previous post for a map of where we went. Pictures above are in more or less in chronological order. You can click to enlarge and scroll through them. –Rich and Cyndi

Road Trip!

March 4… 5… 6… 7… 8, 2014

drivemap-small

We just got back to Tauranga after a three day road trip (that turned into a five day road trip).

We went to:

Lake Taupo (surfing black swans)
Huka Falls (rumble rumble)
Tongariro (Mount Ruapehu – OMG! – and snow!)
Forgotten World Highway (wow)
New Plymouth (wonderful)
Oakura (beach town)
Egmont National Park on Mount Taranaki
Waitomo (glow worm caves – Ooooo, Ahhhh)

Lots of pictures to follow. -Rich