La Paz

So now I was in La Paz. This was my Port of Entry into Mexico and would be the first time I had to deal with Immigrations, Customs and the Port Captain. I wasn't realy sure what to expect but I was pretty sure I had everything in order.

Checking In

It's kind of funny, but if you arrive by boat it's up to you to go to Immigration, Customs and the Port Capitan. I guess that it's pretty serious trouble if you get boarded and your papers are not completed. So off I went to check in with Immigration. I walked right by it twice before Ieven found the right building!!



Check out the photo. It's not a real obvious type place.... It is the first door when it becomes two stories... Despite my bumbling Spanish the people there were really nice and gave me the 6 month tourist visa I wanted.

Next I was off to the port Capitan. Here again I had some issues finding the building. Actually it was more like the right street. This was when I first realised that not all streets have their street names on every corner. Actually very few of them do. So I would find myself on the map and then head off counting streets as I went. Of course I would get distracted and then I would need to find a major street again. Eventually it appeared in front of me. Thankfully it was a bit more obvious than the Immigration building!!

Of course there are fees that need to be paid with any official visit. And of course you need to pay them at a bank which is nowhere near the offices you have just visited. Off I went to find a bank. An hour later I m standing in line to pay my fee for my tourist visa and then it's off to the next bit. Customs….

By the time I get there it's closed so I had to wait until the next day.

Customs was another little adventure. another non descript building, but this time when I finally found it they told me that customs is no longer done in La Paz it's now t the next town over. of course it's too late for the bus so it will have to wait... Till Monday because tomorrow is Saturday...:-( This was getting to be quite the ordeal.

btw did I mention that I have to do Immigration and the Port Capitan when I leave La Paz? This little song and dance must be done to enter and leave every significant port in Mexico. Oh well. Nothing good comes easy.

The weekend was spent chillin in the marina. Monday I decided to hire a taxi to go to Pichilingue (the next town for Customs). An easy few hours later I had successfully completed my Temporary Import Permit for the boat.

Tuesday I was finally off for the island of Espiritu Santo!!!