The Land Down Unda – Nov 2017 – Dec 2017

 After a rather benign 6 day passage in gentle light breezes and calm following seas we arrived at Bundaberg Marina on the North East coast of Queensland of Australia.  This passage also included more than a 100 hours of motorsailng as often times we were completely becalmed.  It was an easy passage but we were glad to finally cross the shipping channel and make our way into the Port Town of Bundaberg and its welcoming Marina. 

Our arrival in Bundaberg was met with efficient and polite customs personnel who made the arrival to Australia a quick and painless experience.  

When we decided it was time to leave Fiji and venture farther west we decided to join the Go West Rally, hosted by John and LeeAnne Hembrow (SC Songlines), as much for the organizational benefits as the camaraderie and were rewarded with both.

 
The following week was filled with informative seminars covering a variety of helpful topics from sailing the coast of Australia and crossing numerous bars (sand bars), local weather, land touring and local customs.  The evenings were filled with fun gatherings sampling local fare to excess, and a whole lot of terrific new friends.  Our time at the Bundaberg Marina was very pleasant with friendly helpful staff.

a kilo of fresh prawns will fill you up and oh sooooo good,

 and the local famous Bundaberg Rum (just sayin it was quite a favorite of the salty sea dog group) 

which may have contributed to the nightly singing and playing music till the wee hours of the morning.

The town of Bundaberg is also famous as the home of Pilot Bert Hinkler who was the first Aussie to fly across the world, England to Australia in 15 days in his baby Avro in 1921.  

  We will always remember Bundaberg as our introduction to this wild and interesting continent Down Unda.  All in all, good times had and well-remembered.