Checking out
13 June 2008 | Noumea
John and Shauna
Well, we decided to make the move - this morning we did the rounds of Customs, Immigration and Harbour Master to get our clearance. For those of you who aren't familiar with the Clearance Paper - it is necessary to have this from a port of call to give to the next port, or one can be denied entry.
The Customs guy spoke good English and was really helpful, telling us how to buy duty-free diesel on the way out, and stamping our clearance for Sunday, giving us an extra couple of days to spend in the Lagoon before the clock starts ticking (normally you have three days here to leave after the date of the clearance) - so that was nice.
Then the Immigration guys, who were more perfunctory but quick , then a forced march verging on a run to the Harbour Master. We left the Immigration building at 10:40 and had to get to the Harbour office by 11:00 as they stop at 11:00 for lunch until 13:30. We made it, which was great as we then had the afternoon to go to the supermarket and fill the water tanks and generally get the boat is order.
"Obelia" are leaving in the AM too, with much the same plans as us, so we should have company as we go North.
So we're out of here in the morning, and we'll put up some text updates every day that we can.