Log: 25/5

Voyage 919 has begun! We have loaded enough food for 10 days of banquets and explored the ship. In the afternoon headed off to Hitapa Bay, Waiheke for the night. Woke up for a crisp morning swim and we are currently scrubbing the ship clean.

Log: 26/5

Epic first day at sea! Did our first sail and our first climb of the mast. Hard day of mahi so ended the day with a swim from the ship in Man o war Bay to Opopo bay. Rainy weather didn't keep us from a morning swim - ready for a fantastic day 3!

Log: 27/5

We traveled 30 nautical miles up to Kawau Bay. We sailed, learnt about navigation and chart work and prepared for the rest of our voyage by mastering our knot tying skills. Ask us about the incredible cetaceous guests we met on our travels today!!! Concluded a wonderful day with a very serious competition involving eggs, engineering, storytelling, singing and lots of laughter...only the crew team were disqualified.

Log: 29/5

Yesterday we learnt new sail stations and practiced tacking the ship. In the afternoon we got out the rafts and rowed ashore (not in a very straight line). The beach fun included relay races, team building challenges and a competitive game of volleyball. Back on the ship we celebrated the day with a rope swing swim with many backfilp attempts. Finished the day with some lovely evening singing and a loud game involving playdough and animal noises. The weather’s a bit lively today, so we’re making the most of it by staying anchored in beautiful Kawau Bay until the wind settles tomorrow!

Log: 30/5

Yesterday it was time for some leadership challenges and reflection followed by our first sunny swim! In the afternoon we got the rafts out again and went for a big walk around the Tawharanui peninsula. Reflective debriefs, some much needed chill time after dinner, a big sleep, and setting up for some sailing in the morning!

Log: 31/5

Yesterday we set the sails! We braved a 35 knot wind forecast to cross over to Aotea Great Barrier Island. Waves picked up to about 2m and we got splashed with waves over the railing then had to furl the sails as winds picked up. We navigated (narrowly) through Man 'o' War passage, then got to swim with dolphins in Smokehouse Bay! An epic sing star competition, some stargazing, and followed by some nautical bedtime stories to close down the day. We all want to send a big kia ora to our whānau, love you!

Log: 32/5

Yesterday saw us set sail in our own little lugger vessels and face one of our biggest challenges - climbing to the top of the mast! In the evening we paddled ashore for a bonfire, rope swings, dinner, toasting marshmallows, and singing songs. We paddled back in the dark and got to see bioluminescence in the water around us before ending the evening with hot chocolates and some stunning stargazing in the dark sky sanctuary of Aotea.

Log: 2/6

Yesterday we ventured over to Kaikoura Island for a tramp out to the lookout. The hard work was well rewarded with a stunning view of the Broken Islands and Te Hauturu-o-Toi (Little Barrier). To complete the full body workout we did a long paddle back to the ship. Washed off with an afternoon swim that included the rope swing AND a water slide. After dinner we competed in the Olympics showing our strength and endurance by doing things such as sucking raisins, putting on as many clothes as possible and limboing.