A Giraffe in New Zealand!

Searching for some wind whilst trying not to get too wet

Te Kaihōpara and I had been eagerly awaiting our next adventure as The Hauraki Gulf beckoned us to discover its secrets. Skipper David Hows had stuck around to help out with Te Kaihōpara’s laundry and welcome the very British, Mick Jones onboard, who had joined us all the way from Denmark as a Skipper on a familiarisation and training voyage. Just like our good ol’ friend and skipper Jo Ivory, Mick too had a close sailing relationship with S/Y Steinlager II. Our crew for this trip would be, Auckland’s homegrown Aaron Chisnall, an adrenaline junkie (takes one to know one), Amanda Cooper, an avid destroyer of kitchen knives & Michael Cooper, who has recently escaped the confines of London city living and was searching for that elusive bit of freedom, all city-slickers can only dream of.

Amanda on the helm, showing the high seas who’s the boss

As we prepared to leave Gulf Harbour Marina, David decided to cannibalise Silver Fern’s wind instruments, thereby checking if our (new) faulty wind instruments, had a hardware or software issue (something that had been troubling poor Te Kaihōpara since leaving Picton). This would entail me, getting into Silver Fern’s bosun’s chair and being propelled to the top of Silver Fern’s mast using halyards. Now, I’m not a fan of heights, but somehow today just seemed like the kind of day that you’d like to spice it up with a dash of vertigo. The task turned out to be simple enough as the wind seemed to die down for the time that I was up the mast. As I was coming down, it was made quite clear to me that David was vastly more concerned with the well-being of his yacht’s wind instruments (which I was bringing down with me), rather than yours truly’s ability to descend the mast. Te Kaihōpara and I will get back at him at an opportune moment, mostly when he least expects it.

Te Kaihōpara captured in all her glory, by Michael Cooper

The day still had a few highs and lows in store for us, as we dodged catamarans entering the marina on the wrong side of the channel, avoided pesky, squally weather near Tiritiri Matangi Island and managed to find a gorgeous anchoring spot right across from the Mansion House, on Kawau Island, home to the infamous Sir George Grey in the 1800s. Sir George Grey was known for having introduced New Zealand to wallabies, kookaburras, weka, peacocks, zebras and monkeys whilst developing his own personal collection of flora and fauna. He’s also said to have regularly corresponded with evolution-deniers biggest nemesis, Sir Charles Darwin! As we approached the island, an offhandedly rumour of Sir Grey’s penchant for giraffes was mentioned by someone in the wheelhouse. Of course, I caught myself peering wistfully into the island’s silhouette, hoping to spot a long yellow neck with black spots towering over the trees, but alas, there were none. Te Kaihōpara and I can’t wait to explore the island tomorrow and maybe, just maybe, dream of some giraffe-racing tonight.

- Arjun Thimmaya, Chief Mate, Te Kaihōpara