David's visitor visa expires in 4 days but a quick trip out to the airport and he's got another two months. Because I went home to the UK I was given a second four month visa when I flew back. Another cruiser, Vixen 7, gave us the tip of going to the Immigration department at the airport and not to the Immigration office in Lautoka – easier, quicker and service with a smile.
I don't know how she knew but as we walked into the office the lady behind the desk had us pegged as cruisers! Now had did she know that? Cruisers / long term sailors claim to be individuals yet we have a uniform which immediately marks us as people who live on boats. Shabby chic someone once called it. We'll be wearing a hat, sunglasses, sensible shoes for walking and our clothes will be faded and practical. For men it's either a t-shirt, perhaps with a small hole at the back of the neck where he holds it to pull over his head, or a short sleeved shirt (for visits to authorities) untucked and as many buttons undone as he can get away with. His shorts will be to the knees and have many pockets for carrying that part he needs to replace, mobile phone, shopping lists etc. And he'll be well tanned, not George Hamilton orange but like cherrywood through seasons in the tropical sun. Mrs Cruiser is equally easy to spot; the ubiquitous hat to save our delicate skin and save more wrinkles forming, free flowing skirts and dresses for maximum comfort and shoes chosen for real walking and in rough terrains. She may have a small back pack or a bag slung over her shoulder. Not too much flesh on show – she's too discreet for that and no sunburn, just a healthy golden glow and definitely no make up. Her main accessory is Mr Cruiser. If you're near a marina look and see if you can spot the differences between a cruiser and someone chartering for two weeks. The none cruisers will be in pristine white linens, baseball caps for the men and big floppy hats for the ladies who will have co-ordinated shoes, handbags and professionally manicured fingernails.
I almost lost the thread of where I began this blog... David has his new visa so we are legal while we wait for a hand held depth sounder to be returned (under warranty) from the manufacturer in Florida. Tracking indicates it's left Miami but that's no guarantee. We had a gear wheel (again a warranty replacement) sent from France. It was routed via Reykjavik in Iceland by mistake because courier company misread Denarau Island, Fiji for Iceland. The website tracking showed it still to be in the frozen north when really it had been delivered to the marina 10 days before. The rich tapestry of life. As my Dad told me many years ago, who you are, not what you are is what matters.
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