Port Antonio

Last night I slept a solid 8 hours. It was hard to get out of bed today. I knew that Quarantine and customs were going to come and visit, I just didn’t know what time. A number of Jamaican boat boys came up to Namaste, pleasantly introduced themselves, and let me know they were available for cleaning, woodwork, what ever. I did buy a Jamaican courtesy flag from one of them ($15.00 usd).

I was visited by the quarantine officer about 10:30. I helped him onboard and into the cabin. He was a very kind elderly gentleman who asked about my health, and was interested about the meats and fruits & vegetables I had on board. I filled out paperwork. We went on deck and I took down the quarantine flag. He inspected Namaste, ran his old leathery hands across Namaste’s woodwork “Dis a nice boat mon…, strong, she take you where you want to go” I replied with a smile of pride. He needed a hand down to his skiff, and was off to the next boat.

The Customs officer came on a police boat, and was accompanied by 2 local officers. It all went smoothly. I carry a hand gun on board and keep it locked in a proper safe. They are suppose to confiscate my gun but agreed to let me keep it if I was only going to stay a week or so. They placed a sticker over my safe and instructed me that it would be a $20,000 fine if I tampered with it. I said “what if I don’t have 20K”. The local officer gave me a big smile, “No problems mon, don’t worry, if you can’t pay da fine, I put you in prison, you have a good time dare”.

I gave my first bribe today. One of them asked if they could have one of my apples. I handed him the bag “Just keep me out of jail” I said. “If you have a problem, break da seal, if you need to shoot someone, we talk later, it’s all good brother”.

There really was no bribe, I had to force the apples on them, they were very professional, and friendly.

I walked to the Immigration office and met the British couple who pulled up to the mooring behind me.

The Immigration officer was pleasant, and gave me all my final papers. Clearing into Jamaica didn’t cost me a dime, and was an easy experience.

The Britts (John & Annie) and I walked through town to get some lunch, exchange some money, and do some shopping.

Basically $60 Jamaican dollars equals $1 usd. A local Rasta approached me and wanted to sell me the ultimate reggae CD, “$500 mon, da best reggae music you’ve ever put to you ears”. I defiantly would like some local reggae, but it was too much for me I said. “tree hundred mon”…, I gave him a five hundred dollar bill, he went for change. I looked at John, “He’s not coming back” I said, “Sure he is, you’ll be surprised, I’ll bet you half of what he owes you” I took the bet. The Rasta man didn’t come back, Annie made him pay me, so I only lost $100 Jamaican, we laughed, and had another red stripe (Jamaican Beer).

Staying on the mooring ball at the Yacht Club costs $7 usd a day, and I get the full run of the place (Pool/showers/ laundry/bar/etc), it’s really a great deal, and a beautiful facility (www.themarinaatportantino.com).

Earlier in the day, one of the local cruisers invited us to the pool for drinks at 17:00. I brought a bottle of Ginger wine, it was awesome. The cruiser next to me just got out of hospital. He had contracted malaria in Haiti. His wife had to man the boat herself and get him here for immediate medical attention, “I almost lost him” she still had a tear in her eye. Malaria usually kills you in about 6 days, he got medical attention on the 6^th day. They’re on a beautiful yacht (Atlantis) from Holland.

We drank and told cruising stories to about 23:00, I came back to Namaste and I’m typing now. I need to make some travel plans over the weekend and figure out what I’m doing. The weather got nasty, and should pass by Monday. John and Annie are heading for Panama, I may join them.

I feel much better today, my head is screwed on a little tighter.

How will I get crossing the vast Pacific, maybe 40 days out?