“ABC’s Bachelor, just screened in the US, has found true love in New Zealand - and he’s not just talking about the quest for his fiancée!

Jason Mesnick, who is on the search for happiness on ABC’s hit show The Bachelor, from Warner Horizon Television, fell in love with New Zealand when the show filmed their final episodes. “I have done a lot of travelling in my life,” says Jason. “But honestly New Zealand is the most beautiful place I have ever been.”

The final two episodes of the reality show were filmed in Queenstown and the Bay of Islands in New Zealand.

In the dramatic finale Jason took his final two dates for a picnic to one of the area’s iconic beaches, Pink Shell beach, and played golf at the scenic Kauri Cliffs golf course, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The final two ladies also had last-chance dates with Jason in the Bay of Islands including a romantic sail on our very own “Cool Change“, coffee at a local café in Russell and a relaxing massage at a luxury villa, Eagle’s Nest.”…

More info at http://www.newzealand.com/travel/trade/whats-happening/news/2009/2/the-bachelor-finds-love-in-new-zealand.cfm

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“Kiwi couple Don and Marilyn are very experienced seafarers having lived and worked on island farms in Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf where all transport of people, farm supplies and livestock was by sea. They raised three sons in this unique environment and built their first yacht there, later enjoying family sailing holidays on New Zealand’s east coast.

The plan to build their own charter catamaran was interrupted by the opportunity to drive the camera boat for the live coverage TV of the 2000 and 2003 Louis Vuitton and America’s Cup yacht racing, but eventually they completed their dream and the sailing catamaran, Cool Change is the result. Very innovative and built entirely by this couple to vigorous NZ Marine Survey standards, the gleaming blue green hulls of Cool Change stand out among her peers.

Both Don and Marilyn are experienced skippers, they know New Zealand’s cruising areas with the diverse marine life well and enjoy sharing their knowledge and ’special’ places with others. Join them aboard Cool Change and share their Kiwi dream….Layback, Loosen up and Live !”

View the Luxury Escapes website.

Cool Change was left on her secure mooring in the Bay of Islands as we winged our way north to Noumea in New Caledonia. Here we boarded the luxurious catamaran Vahini Piti which was to become our home for the next two weeks. We were joined by the French speaking owner with his family and guests including a delightful local couple as guides.

The temperatures were pleasantly warm and not unlike our NZ summers.
We had planned to cruise north to Ouvea in the Loyalty Island Group but unfortunately a couple of depressions put paid to that so instead we sailed south to the Isle of Pines.
We later discovered those two depressions had intensified severely as they approached New Zealand and had caused considerable damage. Fortunately Cool Change was not affected.

We spent the rest of our time exploring the area with our guides and their local knowledge.
Humpback whales were frequently spotted as well as turtles in the turquoise waters. A nice tuna was landed giving us sashimi for several days. Coral reefs make navigating difficult as the nicest anchorages are often through shallow passes. This made us appreciate the ability of a catamaran to negotiate through such areas as opposed to a keeled boat.

Cool Change will relish the place with her shallow water ability to lift her rudders and propellers out of harms way. We are back in NZ again and helping a friend complete a refit on his boat and working on marketing our charter business for next season in the Bay of Islands. We have agreed to work another two weeks in New Caledonia so will be flying back to Noumea in September. Tough, but somebody has to do it !
Next NZ winter  ??? Who knows?

Maybe a cruise in Cool Change to Canada to see the grandkids and our Canadian cruising buddies……..

Island Beachcombing in New Caledonia

Bay of Islands Walking Tracks

Observe the unique bird and marine life in this special region. Lay on the spacious trampolines or enjoy the seats on each bow. Often we encounter dolphins that love to play below.

Swim or snorkel from the easily accessed swimming platforms on Cool Change, or take the inflatable dinghy ashore and swim from the beach.

Use our stable kayaks to explore the rocky shorelines.

• Poor Knights Marine Reserve

South of Cape Brett is the old whaling station of Whangamumu where more than 50 years ago there was a thriving industry. Net Rock as the name suggests had a powerful net attached which was used to snare migrating whales.

Whales are still seen if sea conditions are suitable and the distinctive ‘blow’ is visible.

We have had this noisy calling under Cool Change in the evening and when observed through the under hull hatch we could see two penguins swimming under the boat between the hulls and looking up as though they thought they had found a suitable cave to nest in. They didn’t realize it was our nest !

Workups of seabirds including gulls, terns, gannets, petrels and shearwaters give an indication of extensive fish activity below the surface. It’s always fun to trawl a lure through the frothing waves and usually kahawai or even kingfish are snared.

Try your hand at a bit of fishing during your cruise. Rods and bait are available, and if you are successful, the catch can be prepared for you to take home, or we can cook it for you on the BBQ.

When we were building Cool Change here in the Bay of Islands, we never dreamed how popular she would be. The  free-standing rotating wing masts have proven to be a real point of difference and give the clients a real buzz when they take a turn at the wheel.

We have had steady private day trips all summer but also several wedding parties and business groups as well as some great family holidays.

Later in the summer Northland experienced unusual Easterly winds and rain with swells along the coast so we were able to again appreciate the sheltered aspect of the Bay of Islands. There is always a sheltered bay to be found, but we were able to enjoy brisk sailing as well.