Back in Miami!

After the wonderful crossing (Idette gave herself a manicure and pedicure on the way) we arrived in No Name Harbor, in Key Biscayne - which during the week is an idyllic place - but during the weekends it becames a noisy inferno. And although it was a Friday it was the last day od Spring Break. So between children screaming, power boats anchoring in every nook and cranny and the singer at the Boater's Grill who sang loud and off key - it was very Miami. There is a sign by the restaurant that says that "all vessels arriving from foreing(sic) must call customs" and they give a number, which of course we knew we had to do it, that was all the cruisers talked about on the radio since they couldn't complain about the weather. The problem is you call and they keep you on hold literally for hours. I ran down Juan's battery and Idette did the same with hers. Mike finally got through at midnight. When you get through they give you an arrival number that you have to take with you to the port of miami with your passports
Juan's cousin kindly lent us a car and yesterday we set off for the custom's office. Luckily as we were driving there I managed to get through and get our arrival number because they will not see you before that.
There was poor guy with a cell phone on speakephone waiting for somebody to pick up while listening to their recording.
At the window they had one of those old fashioned bells with a button you push down on and Mike promptly proceded to ring it. A customs officer came out, gave him a dirty look, removed the bell and went back to his desk!
But in spite of this we managed to check in.
I am now in a plane to San Francisco. Vacations are over.
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