We were pretty happy that entering the reef through the pass was pretty much a non event, but we've had enough experiences with reefs not to take anything for granted. You can see the breaking waves of the reef on the left. This particular entrance is wide and innocuous, which is a great relief after 1,000nm at sea.

We had a nice quiet evening at anchor and got ready to explore the atoll the next day. Libby (right) is out on the bow to take in the sun set. As you know we LOVE this time of day.

Once in a while. On special occasions (such as being anchored in Minerva Reef) we have to celebrate. Scott made us some crepes and we topped them off with creme fraise and caviar.

Here we are!!! (right) Heading off in our dinghy to survey our surroundings. We could spy a few things of interest with our binoculars: a little sand island, a navigation mark and a recent wreck that we had read about. The color of the water is spectacular and never ceases to amaze us.

Here's Libby on the left saving a baby lobster from the tides. She was fearful the he would be swept away and eaten. This little sand island will disappear at high tide.

Jim climbed up on a navigation beacon to get this photo of us in the dinghy. (right) In this kind of photo you get an idea of how little there is around us. And, how beautiful the water is at Minerva Reef. We swam around this navigation mark and observed the coral and sea life, especially remembering a green sea turtle.

If you're wondering how we got these photos, here's the answer: look at Jim up on the navigation mark at Minerva Reef!! (left) Pretty Cool don't you think? It's amazing how the view changes as you move vertically upward. (Libby's Photo)

The scene at the right causes us all to pause. Just one slip in judgment and you too could share this fate. Mother nature is NOT forgiving and being tired or inattentive can spoil your entire day! This is why Scott and I are obsessive on the Quest about certain silly little safety habits.

These two are a couple of Libby's photos: one of the Admiral pointing to a great photo op (left) and (at the right) one of the rays we saw as we were touring around the reef in the dinghy. What you also see is the line we use when we drift dive through areas of strong current. What this does is allow us to dive and still be connected to the dinghy providing security, safety and confidence to those of us who may be a bit wimpy at times.

The corals, the fish, the clams, the turtles and rays are all pretty wonderful out there. We certainly enjoyed getting in the water and looking around. We also renewed our desire to get an underwater camera.

Eventually, we had to leave North and South Minerva Reef for New Zealand. (right) It'll be nearly one thousand miles of ocean before we come into The Bay of Islands in New Zealand. Being familiar with New Zealand water I was a bit trepidatious about heading south too soon. There were other boats in Minerva Reef who were going to wait for a better weather window.

Here we are one night at sea enjoying the spectacular stellar display!

After sending Jim up the Navigation marker at Minerva Reef we knew he would be a good person to go up the mast in Opua, New Zealand to rerun some lines for us! So here he is! (right)

You have to admit this is a neat photo (Left). Taken by Jim in Opua while he was up the mast! Quest is at the quarantine dock. It's quite attractive, but, of course, you don't leave until you're checked in. And, being a detached dock you're not likely to go anyplace.

There were lots of these jelly fish in the water at Opua. We thought they were pretty neat looking.

These are emperor penguins (left), not found in the wild in New Zealand, but I did take this photo in New Zealand and these penguins are alive and well. This is a healthy growing community. Quite a thrill to see!

Ditto for the nice specimen on the right. Quite a handsome guy, don't you think?