 | Well, 2011 has started on a very upbeat note – while are thoughts are with our boating friends, the boating community, and the many thousands who have suffered in the devastating Queensland floods in Australia, here in the Bay of Islands it has been a very good start to the year. The sun has been out almost every day, and the few showery intervals are keeping everything green and crisp and the water tanks full. We have had some amazing days on the water, Freewind loving the fresh breezes, many lovely walks on Urapukapuka and Roberton island, good fishing and happy dolphins swimming and jumping beside Freewind. |
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Relaxing with the dolphins on board Freewind | Freewind getting a lift with the spinnaker |
For all you Lonely Planet followers, we thought you’d like to know that the Bay of Islands is listed second in their 10 Classic Sailing Adventures page (that’s a world-wide survey – The British Virgin Islands was at no. 1). Now that’s no small feat for an unspoilt bay in a little country at the end of the world. This is what Lonely Planet had to say about us:
“2. Bay of Islands, New Zealand
This small island nation has a habit of throwing up some of the world’s best sailors (see its America’s Cup successes) and has one of the highest per-capita rates of boat ownership in the world. And with water like this, why wouldn’t it? Famed for its stunning coastal scenery, the Bay of Islands in NZ’s ‘winterless north’ is one of the country’s most worthwhile attractions, punctuated by dozens of coves and filled with clear waters ranging in hue from turquoise to deep blue. Though a hugely popular tourist and sailing destination, the 150 or so islands have thankfully escaped development (the townships are all on the mainland).”For the full article and to see who else made the list, see http://www.lonelyplanet.com/new-zealand/northland-and-the-bay-of-islands/bay-of-islands/travel-tips-and-articles/75884 .
We on Freewind, like most sailors and visitors in the Bay, are doing our best to keep the waters of the Bay of Islands and the islands themselves as untouched and pristine as could be. We try and source most of the food we serve from local producers, and our eco-fuel is the wind!
We love to share our little bit of paradise with other travellers and invite you to join us on one of our overnight scheduled or specially-arranged sailing trips. Please see our contact details at www.sailbayofislands.com.
And for those who have already been on one of our trips – we welcome your comments and photos, or anything else which you would like to share with us on the web.
Fair winds and following seas!
from the Freewind crew.
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Quote of the week:
Thought is the wind, knowledge the sail, and mankind the vessel.
-- August Hare
