Rio Grande
09/11/11 23:20 Filed in: Brazil
After a very good night's sleep I was up at 08:30. The wind was still strong but was dropping.
My fender rig from last night. One can never have too many fenders.
First job was to take care of formalities.
The Policia Federal are conveniently located en route to the town centre. It took about 15 minutes there to formally enter Brazil and have my passport stamped. Then I stopped by Cafe Plaza to check and send mail. Interesting that the Brazilian marine forecast yesterday was NE Force 6-7. Without motor sailing and getting in quickly we would have taken a spanking.
Next, a moto taxi (R$5) down to the Receita at dock gate 5.
This was my third visit there and I have come to enjoy my chats with Senhor Gremio who is a fount of information on just about anything. This time he enlightened my on contractual difficulties with World Cup stadia and the financial behemoth that is Petrobras. He also told me that the burnt out Turkish ship that was here last year has been towed to Singapore for scrap. Singapore?
There was a short delay while a newly installed network printer malfunctioned. Only one person knew how to use it. Then I was on my way up to the Capitania where I was told that the handling person was at lunch but no problem this officer would get me processed. All done in about 15 minutes. Great.
Back on the boat I was advised that the Receita had called and asked me to stay on board. There was a problem with my paperwork. Oh dear! When I was here earlier this year the Receita arrested another yacht.
Kiriwina on the Museo berth at Rio Grande
Later Senhor Bastos from the Receita came on board bringing corrected paperwork. There was a typo which limited my Kiriwina's stay in Brazil to two weeks instead of three months. I was über impressed. He came all the way to my boat. He could have just asked me to return. Thanks Senhor Bastos.
The weather is looking good for a departure tomorrow or Friday.
This evening the heavens opened with violent gusts and heavy rain. Won't have to rinse the salt off tomorrow.
My fender rig from last night. One can never have too many fenders.
First job was to take care of formalities.
The Policia Federal are conveniently located en route to the town centre. It took about 15 minutes there to formally enter Brazil and have my passport stamped. Then I stopped by Cafe Plaza to check and send mail. Interesting that the Brazilian marine forecast yesterday was NE Force 6-7. Without motor sailing and getting in quickly we would have taken a spanking.
Next, a moto taxi (R$5) down to the Receita at dock gate 5.
This was my third visit there and I have come to enjoy my chats with Senhor Gremio who is a fount of information on just about anything. This time he enlightened my on contractual difficulties with World Cup stadia and the financial behemoth that is Petrobras. He also told me that the burnt out Turkish ship that was here last year has been towed to Singapore for scrap. Singapore?
There was a short delay while a newly installed network printer malfunctioned. Only one person knew how to use it. Then I was on my way up to the Capitania where I was told that the handling person was at lunch but no problem this officer would get me processed. All done in about 15 minutes. Great.
Back on the boat I was advised that the Receita had called and asked me to stay on board. There was a problem with my paperwork. Oh dear! When I was here earlier this year the Receita arrested another yacht.
Kiriwina on the Museo berth at Rio Grande
Later Senhor Bastos from the Receita came on board bringing corrected paperwork. There was a typo which limited my Kiriwina's stay in Brazil to two weeks instead of three months. I was über impressed. He came all the way to my boat. He could have just asked me to return. Thanks Senhor Bastos.
The weather is looking good for a departure tomorrow or Friday.
This evening the heavens opened with violent gusts and heavy rain. Won't have to rinse the salt off tomorrow.