Today we tried to clear customs but unfortunately things don't work as expected in the Bahamas. Even serious government matters are treated very lightly as the mood of the individual officials vary. Fortunately you have to go through this just once on your visit.
Let me explain in detail. Green Turtle Cay is a recognized port of entry with a resident customs official. The hours are 9 - 5 Mon through Saturday. We arrived at the office just before 4pm Saturday and it was closed. We asked around and a friendly person at Sid's grocery called Bridgett's house - the customs official. She told her to tell us to return Monday between 10 and 11 am. We explained that no one is allowed off the boat for the rest of the weekend until we clear. She said it was okay.
Well yesterday 3 more boats arrived at the marina. The dock master told us that Bridgett would come here Monday and clear us in. She gave us paperwork to pre-fill out. Well this morning we are told by the dock master that Bridgett will not come here and we needed to go to her office --- 3 miles by road. Well the 4 of us rented a golf cart and go to town - a bone jarring white knuckle adventure in itself. Well the office is still closed…
We inquired at the post office next door and were told she had missed a flight in Nassau and would not be here until this afternoon. She would make an announcement on VHF 68 when she was in the office and if we heard nothing to return tomorrow morning at 9am.
Well now there are at least 20 boats here waiting to clear customs. There is only one chair in the 8X10 foot customs office.
It wouldn't be so bad if we hadn't been told to appear at the office this morning when Bridgett was still in Nassau. I asked about that and was treated with the ol "How can you be so stupid look". The Bahamas are great just don't expect smooth operations.
Hopefully my mood will be better tomorrow. It is an adjustment when melding into another culture.
1 comment:
Earl dear lad....
Please to set your watch to Bahama Time...and consider you now have the material to make a good post to your blog. If things went like clockwork...well you would be wearing orange and drinking Heiniken's.
Great photo's!
Eleven Degrees Farenheit tonight....I would rather be under going your little initiative test than sitting here with ice cycles hanging off my nose!
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