CURRENT POSITION: 18 23.54 S - 179 05 E
CURRENT SPEED: 8.5 kts
HEADING: 248T
JACK:
Hi Folks,
We are 150 NM from Fiji travelling down the Nanuka passage between the numerous islands mostly obscured today by mist so the GPS and radar are very important navigation tools. We should reach port Denarua marina in the early hours of tomorrow morning.
This marina had been described by Erin as state of the art and is built on a reclaimed mangrove swamp, how’s that for progress! She has already arranged a berth specially set up for Speedbird. We are to clear customs, immigration, health and agriculture at 9am at a cost of $700. This charge is normally applied to boats arriving outside office hours however the efficient marina staff have special arrangements so that their visitors are not inconvenienced by going through normal channels which would require clearing in at a government facility with all the red tape that would include. Once again the power of the buck is apparent.
As a matter of interest, an article on cruising tips in the ‘Latitudes and Attitudes’ magazine states, without a shadow of a doubt Fiji provides the ultimate check in paper work.
· Health – two forms, each to be filled out in triplicate. This will get you health clearance for FJ $30 to be paid at the downtown health office.
· Customs – Three forms here, two in triplicate, one in duplicate.
· Agriculture – One form, in triplicate.
· Port Captain – Two forms, one copy only of each plus a payment of port fees of FJ $15.
· Customs – again to prove you have done all the above.
· Immigration – One form, single copy for each person on board
· Cruising Permit – from the appropriate government department, to allow you to cruise outside of Suva.
This example was for three people on board that totalled 22 forms and took approx. 4 hours to get through excluding the trips to the downtown health office and government departments. All offices provided carbon paper.
When dealing with un necessary bureaucratic nonsense I am constantly reminded by Roger of the saying “ Where ignorance is bliss, tis folly to be wise”
Love to all,
Jack.
SCOTT:
I don’t want to make anybody too jealous but this has been a really nice run. Let me paint a picture… Last night, sirloin steak sizzling away on the barbeque with a cold corona and fresh lime in hand. Temperature about 25 with a warm tropical breeze whispering through at about 8 knots while the sun kisses the horizon and explodes with colour. Jack and Roger sit back inside chatting away in air-conditioned comfort, scotch in hand. After eating our steak, which was served with onions, vegetables and a warm garlic mushroom sauce, the major debate for the evening was which DVD we would watch before bed. Sorry about that but I really hope this inspires you to drop everything and just go cruising because truth is, yesterday the boys and I reeled in a Barracouta the size of my right arm which is pretty massive and we will do it all again tonight!
The only thing missing is all of you and I really look forward to arriving home very soon.
Regards,
Scotty.
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