We got plenty of sleep last night. This morning it was play the book in with customs game.
First we emailed our arrival. Then we called on the VHF, and again, and again.Then we phoned, and got put though to 3 departments before someone said come ashore and catch a bus to the customs building.
We set off rowing and luckily got a tow ashore by a passing local. Then Yachting World took us across the harbour to customs. They asked if it was us calling on the VHF this morning. I said yes and she smiled and carried on with her work. She asked if I had sent the arrival papers through by email before we got there. I said yes. She said oh the customs email didn’t work. I said I also sent it to Paul. She asked Paul at the next desk. He looked through his emails and yes he got it. But he didn’t reply because a lot of boats have been emailing and he didn’t want to reply to any. I thought that was his job but could be wrong.
Then it was on to imagration. Then on to bio security. We were told to come ashore and catch a bus and now he is asking if we have covid or any other contagious illnesses. He then told us he had to come and see Imagine.
So back we went. We then got a call on the VHF saying to meet the bio guy onshore with all our rubbish and fresh food.
We hauled anchor and moved into the marina and then rowed to shore with the rubbish and food. I was told wrong so I rowed back to Imagine while he followed in a motorboat. Onboard he wanted all the fresh food. Then he was going to take all our frozen meat and dairy products (cheese, butter and milk). I eventually talked him out of that and he left.
Being officially allowed to go ashore we headed to the closest restaurant for lunch. Next was get a SIM card. This afternoon Iris and Tony vacated the boat heading off on their own ways leaving Emma and I to chill out.
This evening we are sitting out on deck the sun has gone down and there is a light breeze cooling us down after a 34 degree day. The restaurant across the way has a live back serenading us.
First we emailed our arrival. Then we called on the VHF, and again, and again.Then we phoned, and got put though to 3 departments before someone said come ashore and catch a bus to the customs building.
We set off rowing and luckily got a tow ashore by a passing local. Then Yachting World took us across the harbour to customs. They asked if it was us calling on the VHF this morning. I said yes and she smiled and carried on with her work. She asked if I had sent the arrival papers through by email before we got there. I said yes. She said oh the customs email didn’t work. I said I also sent it to Paul. She asked Paul at the next desk. He looked through his emails and yes he got it. But he didn’t reply because a lot of boats have been emailing and he didn’t want to reply to any. I thought that was his job but could be wrong.
Then it was on to imagration. Then on to bio security. We were told to come ashore and catch a bus and now he is asking if we have covid or any other contagious illnesses. He then told us he had to come and see Imagine.
So back we went. We then got a call on the VHF saying to meet the bio guy onshore with all our rubbish and fresh food.
We hauled anchor and moved into the marina and then rowed to shore with the rubbish and food. I was told wrong so I rowed back to Imagine while he followed in a motorboat. Onboard he wanted all the fresh food. Then he was going to take all our frozen meat and dairy products (cheese, butter and milk). I eventually talked him out of that and he left.
Being officially allowed to go ashore we headed to the closest restaurant for lunch. Next was get a SIM card. This afternoon Iris and Tony vacated the boat heading off on their own ways leaving Emma and I to chill out.
This evening we are sitting out on deck the sun has gone down and there is a light breeze cooling us down after a 34 degree day. The restaurant across the way has a live back serenading us.
