Diane & I returned to NZ on Weds 23 January bringing to an end this part of our adventures with Envoy, now under a purpose-built cover on the hardstand at Marmaris, until we return to continue our Med cruise.
I have edited the previous posting re technical matters bringing it up-to-date.
Bureaucracy - there are two types of paperwork required to stay in Turkey; one relates to people and one relates to the boat. People are allowed to stay on a visa for 90 days. Before expiry, the usual procedure is to take a ferry to one of the Greek Islands to get stamped out of Turkey, into Greece, out of Greece, and back into Turkey - then you're OK for another 90 days. You normally take a ferry as opposed to taking your own boat, or you face considerable additional formalities relating to exiting your boat and then re-entering. The boat under "customs bond" in a recognised marina is allowed to stay up to two years. In our case Envoy is OK up to July 2009. Then you apply for an extension which is automatically granted, but you have to be there at the marina to apply for the extension. We explained to the Customs officer (who was very friendly & helpful) that it seemed a bit tough having to come all the way from NZ to fill out a form. His reaction was, "a lot can happen in 18 months - let's wait and see". So it's possible we (or one of us) may have to return to Turkey mid-2009 to get this extension.
We would not contemplate going back to use Envoy for a holiday prior to our return to full time cruising, as it's just too complicated to get Envoy ready for sea for a short period and then lay her up again. When we do go back we will probably stay in the Med for the months of February thru November, leaving Envoy in the water for just about 3 months at a time while we return to NZ. Anyway that is a little time off yet.
In total we spent 281 days & nights aboard Envoy, and a highlight was being able to spend a lot of that time with some of our wonderful family and friends, who all contributed to our great adventure.
Goodbye for now.
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