Imagine gliding through one of the world’s most stunning coastlines, where every journey is an adventure and every destination a serene escape.
I recently shared this experience on Cathy Conrad’s “All Things RV Podcast,” where we delved into the unique and thrilling escapades aboard Arielle, our Recreational Vessel. Cathy, who “helps new RVers embark on their journeys with less stress and more confidence,” found our nautical adventures both intriguing and distinct from traditional RVing, putting a unique slant on R’V’
https://open.spotify.com/episode/3v5f1ImRsBxp7VupQ3BNo2
Arielle, our Hylas 47 Sparkman & Stephens, is an ingeniously crafted 47-foot ocean-going vessel designed by legendary boat designers known for their America’s Cup contributions. While her robust build and beautiful design suggest ocean-crossing expeditions, Kim and I prefer to stay within reach of land, cherishing the breathtaking scenery and trekking opportunities that coastal destinations offer. She is our home away from home.
Kim’s brother, who once crossed the Atlantic with their father on their home-built yacht, described the ocean-going experience as “99% boredom and 1% blind panic.” This humorous but stark reality reaffirmed our choice for coastal explorations over long ocean crossings. Even so, venturing beyond the estuary and the turbulent entrance known locally as the ‘Mad Mile’ into the vast Pacific Ocean remains a thrilling and rewarding adventure—one that has churned my stomach on several occasions!
National Geographic Traveler readers voted our coastline the ‘3rd most beautiful in the world,’ and we couldn’t agree more. We relish exploring this stunning stretch, especially the outer islands like the Mokohinau Islands and Great Barrier Island. Then there are the coastal destinations further north like the popular Bay of Islands and little known Whangaroa Bay. These destinations a minimum of 7 hours to 3 days’ sail away, offer unparalleled beauty and serenity. Beyond the islands lies the vast Pacific, stretching all the way to South America’s Chile.
Our journeys require careful preparation, especially when sailing out of the harbour’s protection where there are no sheltered bays from the force of the northerlies, north-easterlies, easterlies, or south-easterlies for at least a minimum of 3 hours sail away. Before discovering the PredictWind app—a brilliant innovation by kiwi sailor Jon Bilger—we often found ourselves puzzled by sudden swell. Now, with this indispensable tool, we can plan our longer voyages and anticipate weather changes caused by distant gales or cyclones, enhancing our safety and enjoyment.
There are direct parallels between our Feng Shui life on land and our sailing adventures. We’ve discovered special secluded bays and identified the meridian (power spot) of each bay, where SVArielle anchors to provide a serenely magical experience. Once, we ran the gauntlet to escape a fast-approaching cyclone and anchored in the power spot of one such bay for seven days, riding out 40-knot winds that raged beyond the protection of the surrounding mountain. Another time, I conducted an online Feng Shui course from one of these bays. I’m not sure how much attention my students paid to my teaching, as Arielle gently pirouetted on the spot with the wind and current, likely captivating them with the stunning view.
Our Feng Shui lifestyle seamlessly intertwines with our sailing adventures. After all, sailing is wind over water, and Feng Shui means “wind water”. Though sailing is new to me, I took to it like a duck to water, adding a thrilling new dimension to my love of the outdoors and adventurous life. As we journey, we discover special secluded bays and identify their meridians, anchoring SVArielle in the power spots to create serenely magical experiences. The sensation of the wind and us riding over water perfectly encapsulates the harmony of our Feng Shui principles, enriching our connection to both land and sea.
Master Boon🌈💜
Video 1:
SVArielle in the Mokohinau Islands. We take Little Tao our runabout for tikitours. Its a great way to get closer to shore and check out the sea caverns and ride the surge through sea arches or alighting on beaches.
Video 2:
SVArielle, our only image of her. Taken by another yacht admiring her lines. They were just coming home after a two week sail from Australia. They were are vintage. Kiwis are such adventurous people!
Video 3:
A Frenzied Fish Boil:
Nature’s Dramatic Display of the flow of energy through the various species in a complex food chain.
The ocean surface roils with a frenetic mass of fish, all escaping the main predator below.
Typically baitfish—pilchards, jack mackerel, and other small fish—swirl in a desperate, shimmering vortex as they try to escape predators.
Mid-level predators like kahawai and trevally dart through this chaos, snapping up the smaller fish with precision, causing the water to churn with their swift movements.
Beneath the frenzy, larger predators—sharks, tuna, kingfish and occasionally marlin—patrol the periphery, using the disarray to their advantage. Their size and power add a dramatic intensity to the scene.
