Memorable Check-In/Out

[philmarks]

You can carry a book too! I once had great treatment with Spanish Customs and Immigration because I was carrying a copy of Don Quixote under my arm. On the other hand, in Union Island, clearing in to Clifton, the official pointed out that my boat entry document was completed incorrectly. I told him that no-one had picked that up before (I'd always put net tonnage = GRT). He said that he was a perfectionst and that God smiled down on him because he studied the Bible for an hour every morning before going to the office. So now I carry a copy of the Bible when clearing in the West Indies. (not)!

 

[ProDave]

On my Uncle in law's boat we sailed from Puget Sound in the USA to Vancouver Island, Canada. Imigration in Victoria was fine and passports duly stamped.

On the return to Puget Sound nobody from USA imigration could be contacted. After something like 2 hours we "broke the rules" and left the boat without being checked into the USA. Our flight back to UK was the next day and I was worried it would cause problems at departure along the lines of "you can't leave the USA because the system says you are still in Canada" but there were no issues.

 

[mattonthesea]

You can carry a book too! I once had great treatment with Spanish Customs and Immigration because I was carrying a copy of Don Quixote under my arm. On the other hand, in Union Island, clearing in to Clifton, the official pointed out that my boat entry document was completed incorrectly. I told him that no-one had picked that up before (I'd always put net tonnage = GRT). He said that he was a perfectionst and that God smiled down on him because he studied the Bible for an hour every morning before going to the office. So now I carry a copy of the Bible when clearing in the West Indies. (not)!

I wonder if he'd moved from Carriacou?
This chap was busy with a customer when I and another boat crew arrived. We started chatting quietly away from the counter so didn't notice that he'd finished with them. The next thing we knew was that we were being dressed down like school children for our rudeness and lack of respect. He started quoting something, not sure what, and told us to behave.

A bit weird as we weren't sure how we'd contravened. I wanted to start a discussion with him but didn't as the power relations were against me.

In all the time over there that was my only less than fab experience of customs.

 

[Frogmogman]

Nothing to do with officials, but clearing out of Langkawi to go to Thailand, also waiting for immigration was an American gentleman who was wearing a Papua New Guinea T shirt.

He confirmed that they had visited PNG on their way up from Australia.

“Ah” I said “one of my chefs is from there”.

His eyes widened “ONE of your chefs ? Just how big is your goddam boat ?”

I then explained to him that I was referring to my pub…..

 

[Biggles Wader]

Nothing to do with officials, but clearing out of Langkawi to go to Thailand, also waiting for immigration was an American gentleman who was wearing a Papua New Guinea T shirt.

He confirmed that they had visited PNG on their way up from Australia.

“Ah” I said “one of my chefs is from there”.

His eyes widened “ONE of your chefs ? Just how big is your goddam boat ?”

I then explained to him that I was referring to my pub…..

When I was in Papua New Guinea in the 1970s the advice was to avoid the local chef or one risked becoming part of the meal.

 

[Frogmogman]

When I was in Papua New Guinea in the 1970s the advice was to avoid the local chef or one risked becoming part of the meal.

Phew. Lucky that was in the 70s, as now that would be considered a bit racist

 

[Roberto]

My most folkloric Guinea Bissau: we anchor in a channel between two islands, one with a check in point, tidal currents topping 6-7kt, I manage to land with the dinghy approximately 500m away from where I hoped to land, first thing I heard was a screaming pig which did not like being washed with sea water. We (12 yo blonde elder daughter and myself) walk to the checkpoint, greeted by four friendly "officials" who ask to come onboard for inspection. Back to the dinghy, average officer weight being around 100kg I have to go back and forth three times to board them all. "Be careful Sir, we are not swimmers". Additional 100kg of red clay brought by their shoes.
All officials onboard, the village has gathered on the shore and begins clapping hands to greet successful boarding, official wave their hands. We discovered later that in November we were the second visiting boat of the year.
Officials -very courteous- begin "inspecting" inside with lots of ooooh aaaah, eventually seem satisfied. Out on the cockpit to fill papers, all around the boat are canoes with teenagers calling my daughter name and willing to marry (or possibly buy) her.
Bringing the officials back to the shore went smoothly, landing near the permanently screaming pig.
No "gifts" asked, they refused beer or soft drinks, negotiating the "cruising permit" fee the following day was a different story.

 

[Resolution]

When I was in Papua New Guinea in the 1970s the advice was to avoid the local chef or one risked becoming part of the meal.

When I was in PNG in the early 80s our houseboy was from the much-feared Kuku tribe. He said he had not eaten human flesh, but his father had. Tribal warfare was still a real thing in our time.

 

[Iliade]

One of our ex-students had worked there in the past (70's-80's IIRC) investigating why there was a CJD-like disease circulating amongst the women but not the men. She hadn't found any cause and was soon to leave when one of the elder women died and she was invited to the funeral. There are more ways to retain memories than we dare to imagine...

She'd also, successfully, had to tend to a spear injury to the heart with a purse stitch. Something of which she was rightly proud.

 

[Frogmogman]

Extraordinary place, but maybe “interesting” in a Confucian way.

My chef (who arrived in France years ago, when his Dad was posted here as PNG’s Ambassador, he stayed when his dad went home) has no desire to return there; he’s perfectly happy bring a Frenchman.

whilst on the subject of PNG, for those who haven’t read it, I heartily recommend Matt McLaughlin’s book about his experiences as a pilot there, “flying the knife edge”

 

[Blueboatman]

Checking in to Bahamas , customs offered me a lift from my boat back to his office
And I mean back..Car in reverse , air con running, we reversed 50 yards to the hut /office .
( I think he was on his way out for breakfast and kindly spotted the new arrival )

another time I arrived inTurks n Caicos early one Sunday.. could hear the church choir .. and afterwards a jolly lady , all dressed up , walked over , peered down , called out andwe did the paperwork on the wall.Very human , nice ?

 

[Stemar]

Tribal warfare was still a real thing in our time.

It still is. Ever been to a football match?