Next stop – Corfu
Logbook Day 19 – Saranda – Marina Gouvia / Corfu
Saranda is a lively town with a nice beach walk. Coffee shops, restaurants. Many tourists that come over from Corfu by ferry. Just for some 2-3 day to enjoy
Albanian check out procedures are handled by the ship agent, Agim Zholi. Professional. Just some 10 minuts together to the custom officer and police and I am ready to go.
A last coffee and off we go. It’s just some 15 miles over to Greece. Some rain dripples, some wind. It is a relaxed cruise as the arrival should not be before 14:00. Time enough to check in an have the arrival procedure done with the Port Authority.
Crossing the Albanian – Greek boarder, the cock jumped forward an hour. That surprised me, and I was in a hurry now to keep the timing.
The last miles by motor to the Marina Gouvia. Announcing my arrival at Ch69 “This is Jolie Fleur, booked …”. A Marinero came and guided me to the mooring. A very tight spot. Managed that. Get things and documents and quick to the Marina Office. It is already 15:00 and the Harbor Master is only in until 15:30.
The three ladies at the marina counter were relaxed. Having a chat, no hurry. Opposite to myself. 15:10 and the client before my completed the procedure. Providing my papers, they take copies and entered data into the computer system. Clock is ticking, 15:20. The printer ran out of paper. 15:25, all set and clear. 67 Euro per night.
Hurry over to the Port Authority office … closed. So, I missed that chance. Now need to get to the main harbor. That requires taking the bus, have a walk, … puh.
The Port Authority is located at the new harbor. That’s about half an hour by bus and some walking. Finding the place took a while. There check in with the harbor master. Got to fill in some documents. Sent over to the customs, that is another 15 min by foot. Unfortunately a cruise line was checking in. So no customs officer was available for the next 2 hours. Waiting. Patience. At 17:30 I got the stamps and signatures from the customs officer. Back to the harbour master. Some more signature. Done!!! I am officially back in the EU now.
Since already being half way to the old Corfu town, I take the chance and spend the evening walking around. Lively, touristy. Found some street food and had a nice, cool beer.
I stayed another day to get some things maintained at the boat. Spare part for the engine to fix the leak was available from Evomarine, a new anchor chain and some other small things were available in the Yachthall Shop around the marina.
5h sailing, 22 nm
Wind 0-10 kn, NW
