Te Kaihōpara had managed to turn herself into a giant rocking boat as the swell around the Great Barrier Island just didn’t seem to give up. The crew decided to go ashore, as I stayed onboard and decided to work on my music appreciation skills. The crew secured the tender on the beach and went up a hill to enjoy the view. As they descended, chaos had struck the tender!

The tender, my metaphorical baby, was completely flooded! The fuel tank was floating around as the crew jumped into action and started to remove the wretched seawater from it. The waves had basically surpassed everyone’s expectations and tried to engulf my baby. Delwyn and Cheryl decided to stay back and wait for the local brewery to open for the day as the rest came back to Te Kaihōpara to salvage the tender. I was shocked to see my poor baby covered in sand and seawater and helped clean her up. I decided to drop off the crew at the beach and bring the tender back to Te Kaihōpara till they needed to be picked up. No one puts baby in a corner (again)!

The local brewery was full of beers and cross-dressed men. I reckon Mick would’ve joined them in a flash, unfortunately no one had an extra dress for him to don. I think he would’ve carried off a floral number quite well. Maybe even a kilt. Alas, Mick had to make do with a bucket hat and t-shirt sold at the bar. The evening wound down as Cheryl graced us with her cooking skills and Te Kaihōpara’s chocolate stores took quite a hit. Te Kaihōpara’s rocking chair antics carry on as I setup for bed, content that my baby is safe and dry. (on the inside)

- Arjun Thimmaya, Chief Mate, Te Kaihōpara