We arrived in Auckland NZ at 7:45 pm on Sunday! Our last day was a beautiful run down the coast.
Our friend Peter VanCuylenburg, owner of a boat like ours, arranged with his brother for a fly-over welcome from the NZ Coast Guard. They circled overhead, took photos, and radioed us a "welcome to NZ".
The customs and quarantine officials met us around 8:15 and the check in was very friendly and quick. This was by far the most welcoming and simple clearance we have ever experienced. A few days prior to arrival here, we were required to submit an advance notice form with our details. The customs official said he had googled our boat name and had been following our blog!
We are now settled in the "viaduct" harbor where the America's Cup syndicates all had their bases during Cup defense here. We are right downtown in the center of activity and an overwhelming array of yacht facilities.
Our passage from Fiji to Auckland was: 128 hrs, 1170 nm, avg speed 9.1 kts @ 1650 rpm, (fuel use: don't ask) This was the hardest and fastest we have pushed Oso Blanco for an extended period. Nearly 1200 nm miles with 2-3 meter seas on or near the nose and the boat performed flawlessly. We were safe, comfortable, warm, and dry. Thank you, Nordhavn.
