Those Greek Port Police again!

[Steve C Cronin]

Some analysts would say that the minority were grateful. The majority (which would ultimately became PASOK + KKE) weren't. A few hundred thousand fled northwards, mostly to Albania, as a reaction.

We kept the Commies out of power which is absolutely fine by me!

 

[charles_reed]

Some analysts would say that the minority were grateful. The majority (which would ultimately became PASOK + KKE) weren't. A few hundred thousand fled northwards, mostly to Albania, as a reaction.

My impression is that Greece is still divided into two countries, however the younger generation seem to have little patience with the old prejudices or the present political order. All seem to be united in a resentment of Germany.

A little footnote about the Port Police in Limenas. This afternoon they descended in force on an Austrian registered boat with 4 Bulgarians and a couple of Russians aboard. Apart from that they'd pumped out an oil-filled bilge, in trying to attend to their raw-water pump. It's touch and go whether they're allowed to leave again without a fine and a seaworthiness survey.

 

[chuckr]

palarran -- i am not sure what caribbean you are talking about but we just finished 4 years in the caribbean and found none of that - the officials were helpful and for the most part efficient - you did have to make out their forms by hand so it took some time to write everything but no issue of which you speak -- when were you there and what islands? maybe can shed some light on this as we did both sides of the carib and only missed the abc, cuba, and caymans -- OH we did have one problem when we went to check in and i forgot our passport - i did get a lecture for that one and it was deserved

chuck patty and svsoulmates
in La Lina

 

[Palarran]

palarran - when were you there and what islands? chuck patty and svsoulmates
in La Lina

We chartered 4 times before buying Palarran, three in the BVI's and once in SXM. After buying Palarran we were based in Oyster Pond, SXM and mainly went to St. Barts, Anguilla, USVI, and the BVI's. Once we went down to Saba.

The French side of St. Martin was no problem as you do all immigration yourself on a computer. The Dutch was pretty bad in Simpson Bay. They were very lazy and slow. Anguilla officials were nice but their system was criteria 1960 and very slow. The BVI's were similar to Dutch SXM. I cleared in at Virgin Gorda, Jost Van Dyke, and Sopers Hole. IMO the officials were lazy, slow, and I'll add that they liked to point out that you missed something, send you to another window, then make you go back in line.

I cleared in and out around 30 times and only had maybe 10 where I thought "that was great". Now, mind you, we have a saying here in the States "A bad day golfing beats a good day at work" which applies here. I can see how if your full time cruising this may not wear on you but for me, when I have 8 to 10 days to island hop, spending several hours waiting to clear in, then clear out, wasn't enjoyable.

Then I contrast that to entering the Med last year. I cleared in at Malaga and that was it for 10 weeks straight. I had to clear in at the end of the season in Messolonghi which was easy (though they didn't issue me a transit log which created some problems this year). This year, once I got the transit log, I visited 5 port authorities and it was very quick and pleasant.

 

[PLEIAS]

While ignoring all the political comments - a WARNING - Be carefull while driving around in your boat's tender especially after dark.Two days ago an accident happened involving a seataxi and a tender (fortunately non-fatal) and the police are patrolling also at dusk stopping everyone about navigation lights etc.I remind you that according to the law you're not supposed to get more than 500 mtrs away from the mother boat.

 

[chuckr]

Palarran -- yes we are full time cruisers and we have learned that in Rome you must abide by the rules of Rome - It appears that you are a USA resident - as we are -- The worst and i mean worst time we got and the longest we had was when we went into Puerto Rico -- we got the royal run around - took all morning - got ripped 3 different times and i do mean ripped - got a long lecture on our garbage - - it litterly took us 1/2 day - longer than anywhere else we went and we are Americans -- that is the last time we will ever check into the USA - we fly the star and strips so will simply sail in -
as for the rest - we have been to over 22 countries and not an issue -Except the USA -
if you are an American and came to the Med to charter - yes the EU has made it easy for the charterers with one entrance only -- BUT try to spend a full season here and you will find the shengren agreement will bite you in the butt -- 90 days every 120 days in the EU -- we tried to extend our visa in spain and while the spanish authorities were incredibly helpful we would have to leave spain, go to one of their embasseys, apply and hopefully get a real visa, then go back to spain and ask for an extension --
we are headed to tunisia to winter over and try to figure out how we can sail the summer in the med and end up in turkey for the next season

just our opinion and thoughts
chuck patty and svsoulmates
in la lina spain