Tag: customs

Our First week in Bonaire

It’s been one week of freedom for us and we are savoring every moment. Here’s how we’ve kept busy and entertained in our first week in Bonaire.

Checking In

Checking in to a new county is more complicated during Covid-19. Instead of just heading right to the customs and immigrations offices, Bonaire has a few more steps we had to complete, after 2 weeks quarantine, of course. On our last day of quarantine, we had to call the health department, tell them we finished quarantine and don’t have any symptoms, and within 24 hours they provided a letter of health for us to bring to customs and immigration.

We walked from the marina to the government offices on Thursday morning. While it was hot outside, we didn’t mind at all because we were off the boat! It was our first walk in 2 and a half weeks so it was the most exciting experience for us! Kralendjik is a charming town, with colorfully painted buildings and vibrant street art, so we enjoyed the hot walk to customs.

Flamingo Statue Bonaire
Flamingo sculpture Bonaire
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Living on a Sailboat in The Coronavirus Era

Coronavirus is the topic on everyone’s tongue, even here in the eastern Caribbean. This is what we’re thinking and experiencing living on a sailboat in the Coronavirus era.

We Feel Prepared

One of the good things about living on a sailboat is we are always prepared. We provision often so we have stores of food, drinks and medicine. Also, in the Caribbean people aren’t going crazy and buying all the toilet paper. Yet.

We Feel Safe

Brian and I are not in the at-risk category for the Coronavirus so we feel safe. I also heard it doesn’t survive long in heat so if that’s true, good for us in the Caribbean. Or it could be another rumor, which leads to another topic.

coronavirus and rumors

There are so many rumors about the Coronavirus and what countries are doing about it. We are used to bouncing from island (country) to island (country) with relative ease so if islands start to shut down their borders, that will affect us and where we go next.

Rumors living on a boat in the coronaviras era
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4 Ways of Checking in For Cruisers

Checking in for cruisers is a different experience than when you fly into a country. Every country is different. Every check in has been different too. So far, we have sailed to 4 different countries and had 4 completely varied experiences checking in.

Often when we arrive in port, we are led around like dazed children, not knowing where to go next or what to do. The basics are the same: have passports and boat ownership papers on hand. And money, or credit card.

It’s all been good – we’ve ultimately gotten in everywhere – and we’ll continue to jump through the hoops for the pleasure of visiting these intriguing new places.

Checking In – The Bahamas

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