We were in George Town again for a couple of days to stock up and get a visa extension, then we were looking forward to some calm weather. This year has seen very few days under ten knots, but it appears they are finally on the way. With a trawler, nothing beats a flat, calm sea for cruising. Same for a sailboat, really, but of course then they can’t sail. Sometimes our life feels like a never-ending search for the perfect weather.
Atlantic side beaches in George Town. Coral crushed sand, and not another soul in sight.
Quick hike up to the Monument after dinner. I must say, sitting up there it is a pretty great place, looking at all the boats, and watching them move across the harbor. If it wasn’t for those two darn kids playing tag around the monument base, a guy could almost relax and fall asleep.
Before we left George Town Ali and the kids needed to get visa extensions—I’d gotten mine when I flew out with the transmission. We had come in last Thursday, ahead of the Easter holiday, but were told that all the immigration officers were out on an “emergency,” which I took to mean that they had kicked off their long weekend early. The secretary there called the boss for us since the visas expired on Sunday, and told us that it was no problem, she would take copies of the passports and we could come in next week.
Flashback to 2004, when Ali and I were in George Town and realized we’d already overstayed our visa. Let’s just say, the lady in charge at immigration was none too pleased with us. So we had scrambled a bit to make sure we weren’t late this time, though we were still cutting it close.
Thursday, a week later, we went back in. And, oh boy, that did not go as expected. Of course, nobody had our passport copies or could recollect having heard about us coming in the week before. And of course, who do you suppose was the boss? Same lady. Had to be.
I was sitting in the waiting room behind Ali, who dealt with things at the window. Boss lady was taking no excuses from us for being late. She couldn’t care less that we had come in the week before. She wanted to know why we hadn’t come in on Tuesday, to which we didn’t have much of an excuse, honestly. We all knew she was going to give us the extension, but she wanted to make it clear that we can’t get away with being late in the Bahamas, just like she couldn’t get away with being late in the U.S. We couldn’t fault her for that. Before she was going to let us off the hook, though, she said, “How old are the kids? They need to be registered with the Ministry of Education for them to be homeschooled.” Ali didn’t really reply, so the lady said to her, “You need to follow my instructions just as I say. Or maybe I need to speak to your husband instead.” Ooooh, she was not about to let Ali get off easy—not without asserting her authority to its fullest, first.
So up the hill we trudged to the Ministry of Education building, where the ladies had clearly seen our type before—the type that was being scolded by the immigration lady. They stamped our paper, and ten minutes later we were back at Immigration. A short while later we were on our way with the visas—properly shamed for our tardiness. Next time we need a visa extension for the Bahamas we are showing up a month early.
With that taken care of we were free to motor out into this.
It was so nice out there that we stopped for a bit to soak it in and fly the drone around a bit. The kids played with chunks of sand pulled off of the anchor.
To this day I am always amazed when the ocean goes flat. It seems impossible, somehow, that it can ever just lay down and take a break. That the same ocean can look like this in one spot, but be raging a few hundred miles away, is pretty awesome. I don’t know how many times I’ve stood on shore with the waves crashing, and looked out in awe that we would willingly go out there. Then I remember how often we are able to do this.
32 Comments on “Stay Calm”
A power boaters dream.
Exactly – wish we had more days like this.
Rules, rules, rules……
Where to next? Think you’re staying in the Bahamas for the season? If so, where were you thinking of holing up? I know where a sailboat would go, but curious as to your thoughts. 🙂
We’ll tell you when we get there.
Beautiful! I guess you made the immigration lady’s day! She got to read you the riot act…
Yes she did! But truly you would not get away with that in the U.S. she is right. But, and here is the but, we did show up on Thursday but everyone was busy (or starting their Easter holiday weekend early) and the secretary said to come back next week after the holiday – Thursday might have been pushing our luck.
Incredible pictures. The drone is a huge addition. Love it.
Thanks, and yes it is fun.
That starfish!
They are huge and heavy. The kids don’t like it when they try to suction to their hands.
Love your adventures!!!
Thanks, Bob.
Brilliant pix and you all deserve that beautiful weather.
Not sure we “deserve” it but man those days are really amazing to cruise on.
So serene, love it!
Me too.
Hi Pat,
It is possible to get a 6 month visa at the time of check-in with immigration eliminating the need to extend. Most customs officers only have the authority to grant 90 days, hence this is what most cruisers are issued. If you are persistent at check-in and are entering at one of the main ports, they will refer you to a supervisor for the 180 visa. We got 180 days in Bimini last time we were there. The main thing the supervisor wanted to know was were we able to support ourselves during the duration of the visa. It turned out to not be a big deal and the lady was really nice when she granted the 180 days. Hope this tid-bit helps with your next visit.
Mark and Cindy
Yeah, I know, but the guy at the South Bimini airport only had the old 90 day forms, and no amount of pleading could get him to cross it out and write in 180.
Hey Pat. The last picture….. what’s swimming near the boat at the bottom right??? Smiling dolphin?
All the best.
Michael
Nope, just some sand bombs from the kids, picking the anchor clean.
The whole family looking at the camera, smiling, at the drone? Now you’re just showing off!
haha, growing up. That’s how we can tell.
Pat you spelled Authority wrong when dealing with officials like that it is spelled, AUTHO-RITY. Thanks for the writing!
We were in the wrong, but as it was the day before the long Easter weekend and we were headed to GT next week anyway, we didn’t press the issue that we couldn’t return and needed someone there today to process our extension. Either way with how quickly we left the Bahamas after our stop in GT, we could have just not did anything at all in the end. We didn’t clear out of the country as it is not required in Turks & Caicos and we have no plans to return to the Bahamas at this time. Anyway she sure wasn’t going to let me get stamped without a little dressing down first.
Like your posts. Gives this old Marine a chance to reflect on what was and still could be through you and your family’s adventures. God speed. Fos
Thanks, Fos.
That coral picture, WOW, I cannot imagine how beautiful that must look stretched out along the beach. A bit hard on the feet though haha.
The beach is surprisingly not sharp, all chopped up by the ocean. So pretty on that side to get away from the crowds of GT.
What are the specs on that fisheye lens? The pictures look cool. Awesome cruising conditions!
It’s a Canon 15mm fisheye lens. We’re really happy we bought that one years ago.
Thanks! This is good to know since I have a birthday this year. (I am hoping this stays true for a long time to come)
Love that picture of the ripples of the wake.