Log: 16/9

Our adventure has begun! We departed Auckland harbour and spent our first night at anchor off Whangaparaoa, a beautiful setting for the first morning swim. Now we are teaching the trainees all about shipboard life, how to handle ropes and how to climb the rigging. This afternoon we will use the new skills and teamwork to set some sails, ending up in a new anchorage.

Log: 17/9

We have anchored in Whangaparaoa Bay, awaiting a forecasted wind change later tonight. When it arrives we will re-anchor further South in a sheltered spot. We have had a good sailing session today and spirits are high.

Log: 17/9

Our anchorage in Whangaparaoa Bay was perfect for the conditions, sheltering us from some of the wind. We slept well, waking up to an early morning swim. The forecast is for more strong winds today so we have decided to stay in our sheltered anchorage and work on our skills in navigation, sail terminology and getting to know each other.

Log: 18/9

We are sitting nicely at anchor off Red Beach, with 2 anchors out, getting occasional squalls coming across then nice sunny calm weather between them. The trainees are having a good day, this morning they have practised putting the sails up and down. They have eaten lots of chocolate chippy biscuits for morning tea and bacon & egg pie for lunch. Now it's time to learn about chartwork, the first step to navigation. Later this afternoon, games will be designed to foster teamwork and a fun evening activity. The cool thing is that you don't have to go places to have fun when there are lots of new friends around you.

Log: 19/9

The storm brought us some impressive squalls yesterday afternoon, but it has now passed giving us a nice quiet night at anchor. Today started with a chilly swim, some even swum around the ship, legends! Then after cleaning the ship we set the sails and had a nice sail up to Martins Bay. The trainees are currently stowing the sails and eagerly blowing up rafts to paddle ashore for the afternoon, where they will play beach games and clean up any litter that they find.

Log: 20/9

We had a lovely downwind sail across from Kawau Bay to Great Barrier Island yesterday. The trainees got to feel the roll of the sea, the wind in their hair, and had hotdogs on deck for lunch as we passed Little Barrier Island. We are anchored in Port Fitzroy area, surrounded by land making a nice sheltered anchorage.
Today is tramp day. The rafts have been blown up, and backpacks filled with warm clothes and a packed lunch have been packed. They set off for Smokehouse Bay to walk out to a high peninsula and enjoy the views out to sea.

Log: 23/9

Yesterday we went sailing in the small lugger boats and climbed to the top of the mast. Then we went ashore for dinner at Smokehouse Bay, singing songs around the campfire and meeting crew from other boats, paddling back to the ship in the dark, under the stars and with bioluminescence in the water.
We have now said farewell to Great Barrier Island, thanks for having us! and are on our way to Ponui Island.

Log: 25/9

It is Trainee Day! They took charge of the ship yesterday at 1600. The trainees have stepped up to the challenge and are doing a superb job. Our tacking session yesterday honed their sailing skills and set them up for the 3 tacks they have done today on the way from Waimate Island, Coromandel to Motuihe Island. They have cooked all the meals, done the engineering, run the deck and activities, kept us all safe and most of all had a lot of FUN!!!
Spirits are high for the last night aboard Voyage 900.