What is your connection with the Coromandel?
My husband, Andy, and I sailed to NZ from the Caribbean with our six-week old son, Stormi, in our 33-foot monohull, Imshi. We arrived in Auckland in November 1999, and at that time the America’s Cup yacht race was taking place. It was great timing for us, as Andy is a boatbuilder and the industry was booming. We spent a year and a half in Auckland living on our yacht there, before moving to Whangamatā where our second son, Tane, was born. After six months, Andy was offered a job in Whitianga building two motor catamarans, and we ended up living there for over 20 years. We eventually sold our yacht, bought a house and settled in Whitianga. Our sons were both ‘lifers’ at Mercury Bay Area School.
When were you living in the Coromandel? Where did you work, and for how long?
We lived in Whitianga from October 2001 and sailed away in April 2022. Shortly after we arrived in Whitianga, I became an Activity Guide for Coromandel Outdoor Language Centre; I finally did a CELTA course and taught English to international students. In 2003, I started working as Homestay Coordinator and English Teacher at Evakona Education, and that is where I continued working until we left.
What have you been doing since you departed Whitianga?
When our sons grew up and left home, we bought a 36-foot monohull called An Cala in New Plymouth, and Andy and Stormi sailed her around the top of New Zealand back to Whitianga.
An Cala had been sorely neglected, and she needed a huge amount of work done before we could leave.
We sold all the furniture in our house, rented the house out long term, moved aboard, and Andy worked on her every weekend.
We sailed to Mercury Island and Great Barrier Island during this time, so by the time we left, we were comfortable with her seaworthiness.
Finally, we journeyed north to explore the Bay of Islands area, and in May 2022, we sailed from Opua to Fiji. Over the next six months, we had a wonderful time cruising around the islands of Fiji, Vanuatu and New Caledonia. We loved meeting the local people and exploring both the land and sea of these countries. Eventually, when our cruising kitty was running out, we sailed to Australia and worked on the Gold Coast for two years.
What is a highlight of this time?
Swimming with manta rays in Fiji.
They are such magnificent creatures!
Another great memory was hiking the GR1 trail over five days in New Caledonia.
We left our yacht in Noumea, packed our backpacks and were dropped off by a shuttle in the south of New Caledonia.
Over the next five days, we hiked through a magnificent forest with large kauri trees, saw amazing waterfalls and countless rivers.
We mostly had the track and the huts to ourselves!
What are the challenges of living on a yacht?
While we were sailing to Australia, despite the forecast looking good, we were hit by a storm.
The kind of storm where you worry that something is going to break.
Being in bad weather is uncomfortable, and can be scary, with waves crashing over the boat and the wind screaming through the rigging.
Other challenges are having to be careful with water and power.
All our energy comes from solar panels and our wind generator. The small space can be difficult too, at times.
Where are you now, and what are your future plans?
We plan to sail around the world, back to NZ. We are currently island hopping up the beautiful Queensland coast, and are going to sail to Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand next. After that, we have to decide which route to take; through the Suez canal and into the Mediterranean or via the Cape of Good Hope, South Africa.
Support of Ron Morgan
PROUD TO BE LOCAL — BROUGHT TO YOU BY CFM — IS OUR INSPIRATIONAL FEATURE, HIGHLIGHTING HOME-GROWN COROMANDEL PENINSULA FOLKS DOING WONDERFUL THINGS OUT IN THE WORLD.
Coromind: Coromandel’s Collaborative Magazine
Help us take Coromind Magazine to new heights by becoming a member. Click here
Change the Weather for Your Business: Advertise with Us.
Advertise your business in the whole Hauraki Coromandel in the coolest Coromandel Art Magazine, from Waihi Beach/Paeroa /Thames up to the Great Barrier Island.
Advertise Smarter, Not Harder: Get in Touch
