That’s a good question. It’s one of the first things we are asked when we meet other cruisers. We ask them the same thing. We have all just completed what can be a challenging passage. New Zealand is a decision point for many cruisers. Do they keep going and circumnavigate? Do they circumnavigate the Pacific? Do they sail each year from NZ/Australia to South Pacific Islands? Do they sell their boat?
We arrived in New Zealand five days ago. Since then, the time has flown by as we cleaned the boat, tidied up after a boisterous passage, caught up on sleep, did a few boat jobs, completed entry formalities and generally figured out the lay of the land. It’s been good. We’re tied to a dock for the first time in many months. I have been able to relax and not worry too much about the boat. We did have strong winds a couple of days ago that had me up checking lines in the middle of the night but generally it’s been quite worry free. We’re still not sure how to answer the question, “Now what?”
For five or six years we have been focussed on getting to New Zealand. It has always been our goal. When we were looking to purchase a boat, we wanted one that could safely and comfortably take us down the west coast of the US to Mexico, across the Pacific to French Polynesia and eventually to New Zealand. Once we purchased Cambria, all our efforts to add or update systems were in service to the goal of getting us across the Pacific to New Zealand. So “now what?” We don’t have aspirations to circumnavigate the globe but we’re also not done with cruising yet either. So, “now what?”
We will be in New Zealand for the length of the cyclone season–about six months. While here, we have some friends that we haven’t seen for several years so we hope to get together with them. Other than that, our plans are very loose.
Many of the cruisers we have spoken to are planning to or have purchased cars. They plan to travel extensively across both islands. We may do something similar. We have been to New Zealand a couple of times before so we don’t feel a strong need to cover the country from one end to the other but we do want to travel. A car would come in handy.
We look forward to seeing the country from the water. We likely won’t travel the entire country on Cambria, so we’ll take our time. We’re looking forward to day sails for the next few months.
You will have noticed that I have not answered the question, now what? We don’t know. Our long-term goals are not clear. Short term, we are here for the next six months. We’ll explore the cruising areas between here and Auckland. We’ll likely do a road trip. We’ll do some boat work. In May, we’ll head north to Tonga and Fiji.
Cormacks On Cambria 
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Well congratulations on a job well done. Getting through to New Zealand is a big deal. Not for you guys now , but it is a huge completion . I know it is windy around those islands so good work.
Now you get to sit back. Enjoy. No decisions need be made right away.
I think you may wish you were back on the water after spending time facing NZ drivers.
Have fun
Kenn
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Thanks! Speaking of big winds, we spoke with a local man on the dock today who has made the trip to and from Fiji many times. He said the last time he did it, he had winds over 50 kts! No thank you. That’s not for us!! He did say his trip was in July so winter. We won’t be making the trip in winter.
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So very happy that you have achieved your goal! 😍 … and now a bit of R&R, I hope! We will look fwd to seeing you back in Vancouver in July! 💍💍🎊
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We don’t know exactly what we’ll be doing between now and July but we definitely know where we’ll be in July! 🙂
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Great job both of you! I know how much planning, effort, and hard work you both have put in to reach this goal. I am sure “now what” will reveal itself when the time is right.
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What wonderful decisions to have to make! You guys are fabulous, courageous and strong. I love reading your entries and I feel we have been with you. We love New Zealand too. Enjoy every monute there. and of course, if you come to Australia, it is our home that will be open to you for as long as you wish.
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Thanks. We’d love to see that new house. And you too, of course. I’m sure you are enjoying it immensely. We might spend next (your) summer in Australia. We’ll see how plans shape up.
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Congratulations to you both and Cambria too!!! William is in NZ right now hiking the TA ! He is just north of Auckland!!! We have several friends in the Auckland area who may be able to lend a hand if you like? Not sure how to connect you to Wm…he has a local number …
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Very cool! I’ll email you our local number.
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Good on you guys! Looks like Bay of Islands in the pic. Hope we catch up later in your stay. All the best. Chris T
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You’re right. It is the Bay of Islands. It’s amazing here!
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