Change of plans again, the forecast had stabilized and while we would have low winds for a good chunk of the passage to Australia it was good enough to head out. So today we would check out and provision for the passage.
After a longer wait than typical, we flagged down a car. A nice couple drove us about half way which was to a village where it was easy to catch a taxi. I’m sure they drove out of the their way for us, and as with everyone else refused and offer of vatu (cash). The taxi dropped us near immigration and walked the last few blocks. Entering the build we could see a long line. Ugh. Then Roxy noticed that the office closed in 45 minutes. We just lucked out. It was probably twenty minutes before a woman poked her head out and asked if we were checking out of the country and a few minutes later gave us the forms to complete. Stamps and documents ready we jogged over to Customs, unsure if they close for lunch too.
I arrived first and got the ball rolling, forms in hand the agent explained we had to pay the port fees. It was around the corner and I met up with Carl and Roxy there. Carl started the forms, while I talked to the woman behind the counter and she wrote up our bill (9,400 Vatu). Cash handed over, back we went with another stamped form. The customs agent came out and started completing the process. They just transitioned to an electronic system, still it was a mixture of phone app and old school paper forms. All told maybe a half hour so much better than Mexico.
I was starving, and convinced everyone to have lunch at a Japanese place. We flagged down a taxi, and started talking with the passenger. A few minutes in Roxy exclaimed, “Are you from Million Dollar beach?” I thought she was crazy but it absolutely was Andrew who’s family owns the snorkeling spot we visited a few weeks ago. We really are getting to be like the locals running into people we know. Crazy.
My ramen noodle soup was very good and I felt reenergized for the provisioning. A dozen items from the LCM grocery before heading to the market. We were very short on cash. First step was walking around figuring out what we wanted and the cost. Then adding it all up and deciding what we could live without. And lastly looping around again to make the purchases (it varies what each lady offers). Finally done we grabbed another cab back to Palikulo bay. It is strange but I’ve come to understand that maps are a foreign concept here, blank stares are all you get showing a map on your phone. Our taxi driver asked if the road was good. Well it is pretty good, so yes. Off we went. Along the way you could tell it was farther than he expected but I had offered the same 1,000 vatu ($10) that we’ve paid in the past, so I didn’t feel terrible. Still smiles and a kind goodbye as we took our groceries to the dinghy. A very successful day – leaving me very tired once again.
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