The weather forecast for our 1.300-mile sailing
trip from Vanuatu to Cairns was favorable. 25 to 30 knots of SE breeze for the
duration of the entire journey was good news and so we departed on Monday, the
15.7.13 at 11.00. Indeed apart from one day when the wind was light and from a
NE direction we could sail a straight course. Exhilarating sailing at high
speed again surfing down the huge seas occasionally up to 20 knots of speed in
gusts up to 40 knots of wind made for a fast voyage. We completed the 1.323
nautical miles journey in 5 days and three hours.
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| Sailing fast downwind from Vanuatu to Cairns |
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| Surfing down the waves |
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| With reefed sails heading for Cairns |
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| Big seas in 30 Knots of wind |
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| Big waves and wind from 140 degrees apparent, at times surfing at speed of 20 Knots |
Upon our arrival at low tide we got stuck in
the soft mud at the entrance of the harbour although the Marina had previously
advised there would be no problem with our four 4 m draft. Luckily we got free
a little while later with a bit of effort. Holger and Alexander were booked to
arrive at Hamilton Island on the 25th July, which would not leave us much time
to carry out cleaning as well as shopping for provisions, etc. I did however do
a very nice trip by tourist bus to Port Douglas, an hour north of Cairns. It’s
a very beautiful subtropical scenery but rather touristic. On the way back the
bus stopped at a snake and crocodile farm and I watched the shows.
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| Beautiful Beach at Port Douglas |
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| Crocodile feeding at Port Douglas |
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| He got the Bite |
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| He missed it |
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| Near Miss |
We left Cairns for Hamilton Island on 22.7.13
at 17.30 and arrived 24.7.13 at 10.30. The last night and the morning before
our arrival it blew up to 50 knots, which was uncomfortable however we could
duck away in Lee of the Islands and soon we were heading for a buoy opposite
the Marina. The Marina is not really suited for our size of boat, too small and
insufficient draft. After Holger and Alexander arrived the next day we sailed
around the Whitsunday Islands and anchored at all the beautiful beaches,
fishing from the yacht and the dinghy. Although the boys were trying long hours
we were not as lucky as we were used to in Mediterranean and the Caribbean. The
three of us had a great and relaxing family reunion for ten days and we vouched
to do this at least once a year.
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| With Koala Bear |
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| Helicopter ride over the Great Barrier Reef |
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| Fishermen tender |
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| Sailing and fishing |
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| Office work during holiday |
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| Enjoying sailing |
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| Relaxing on aft deck during sail |
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| Coming back from a fishing trip |
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| Alexander teaching me fishing knots |
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| Father and son being lazy |
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| Father and son relaxing |
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| On the 570 m high Whitsunday peak |
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| Whitsunday Anchor place |
On the 10.8.2013 late afternoon we departed
from Hamilton Island and commenced our final leg of 1.060 miles to Sydney. We
were aware that historically this trip on 8 of 10 times would be very rough
with strong headwinds against current which creates confused seas resulting in
slow progress. However we were very lucky again. The wind blew either from
astern or with weak force only. In four days and seven hours we arrived on the
14th of August at one o' clock in the morning at Sydney. What an arrival in the
moonlight in one of the most beautiful harbours in the world. We anchored right
in front of the famous opera house and the Bridge.
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| Anchoring right in front of the opera house and bridge in Sydney |
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| Bondi Beach Sydney |
Since I took delivery of Zefiro in Cape Town
exactly four years ago I have sailed 43.000 miles and I am more impressed all
the time about the incredible performance of the Yacht.
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| Sunrise one day before Sydney |
We stayed one more night at the anchor and then
shifted to the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (CYCA) Marina, the club
organizing the grueling Sydney to Hobart Race which takes place every year and
commences on Boxing day, the 26th December. To participate in this race has
been one of my Top aspirations on my " Bucket list" for many years
and we have meanwhile registered for it. I still can't believe this dream will
finally materialize.
The next six days after our arrival I was busy
doing many excursions getting to know Sydney and I can confirm it is indeed one
of the most beautiful cities in the world. There is no place with such a huge
harbour in the middle of the city. A dream for any sailor. Jeri and I were also
busy visiting various shipyards in order to choose where to haul out Zefiro for
maintenance work such as new antifouling paint, drawing the rudder shaft,
pulling the propeller shaft, change of shrouds from PBO to Carbon EC 6 from
Southern Spars, etc.
On the 20.8.13 in the evening I departed with
Emirates on a 14 hour direct flight to Dubai and thereafter to Cyprus.
Please click:
https://maps.google.com/maps?q=Sydney+Opera+House,+Sydney,+New+South+Wales,+Australien&hl=de&ll=-33.860527,151.218438&spn=0.013364,0.022724&sll=42.632865,-70.662657&sspn=0.189439,0.363579&oq=sydney+opera+hpuse&hq=Sydney+Opera+House,+Sydney,+New+South+Wales,+Australien&t=m&z=16
