This morning we took a daytrip to the USA. Really. Turns out that our electronic visa waivers would not be valid if our first entry was by private yacht. The solution – take a commercial ferry from the BVI to the USVI, clear US Homeland Security, then head back again. Crazy.
The ferry trip was more fraught than clearing immigration – another ferry operator's boat had broken so our one was overbooked and full of stressed Yanks eager to get to St. Thomas to catch connecting flights home. We were entertained, though, by Nichole who happened to be performing aboard a catamaran just off the ferry dock. Small world. Once we landed, the Customs and Border protection officer was well versed in what we were trying to achieve and we sped through the whole process in minutes –much better than arriving via and international airport. We're now good for Puerto Rico and mainland US for 90 days.
The weather further north is settling down so we intend to move to Culebra in the Spanish Virgin Islands (which are actually part of Puerto Rico and therefore the USA) tomorrow to obtain the boat's US clearance, then move on for a day in San Juan before heading straight off to Matthew Town in the Bahamas and bypassing Dominican Republic and Turks and Caicos to make up some miles.
Thanks for the info. I think it means that you (or James and the children) have to start the return transat on or before 1 June. Keep safe and lots of love Dad XOXOXOXO
ReplyDeleteMatthew will be pleased to find a whole town named after him.Was the ferry crossing a long trip - hope u were not too squashed. Nichole seems to be earning her living well - hope the pay is good. love mum xx
ReplyDeleteJulia's Mum called us. They have been trying to get in touch so that Julia could catch up with Elizabeth. I gave her the address of this blog and told her to send you a comment. Lots of love Granddad XOXOXOXO
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