We checked into Mexico in Isla Cozumel – once again an island only a few miles from the coast of Mexico. It was a very long drawn out process, first came the radio call to the Port Captain where he took down every detail imaginable, just as we were getting into the dinghy to visit the Port Captain the Navy turned up wanting to board us. They were arrogant and impatient and refused to wait while we put fenders alongside for their boat – they rammed our boat with the point of their vessel damaging a stanchion and lifelines. Without apology they once again tried to come alongside – I was mad and abusing them telling them to wait but they didn't and 3 officers made a giant leap onto out boat. They inspected the boat, Don completed their papers then we were allowed to leave for the Port Captain. When I complained about the damage I did receive an apology and was told to contact my Embassy and they can contact the Mexican Embassy to try and get a refund for the cost of repairs – yer right !!!!
The seas were lumpy making a wet dinghy trip ashore where officials were waiting for us – they wanted to be taken back to the boat to board it and perform their inspection. Humm.....after several goes at telling them our dinghy would not accommodate all 4 of them they took us to the Port Captains office. I was sent on an errand to the Bank to obtain enough $ to satisfy them and then to Immigration whilst Don went with the officials back to our boat for yet another inspection. The directions given to me were incorrect and I returned after 2 hours of non-stop walking in midday heat having completed part of my duties. Don had returned 20 minutes earlier. The Port Captain then sent us to the airport to receive yet more stamps assuring us that would complete our check in. That took us to closing time for the Port Captain and when we returned the next day a new Port Captain was on duty and thought up a new stamp that was definitely necessary to complete our check-in to his country so off we went again – this time to the local hospital where a stamp was required to say we were in good health – once we found the correct hospital and the correct person the stamp was quick and easy – he didn't even look at us !! We certainly knew the town well by this stage – yea we were finally checked in and at the same time asked to be checked out to continue our journey to the mainland.
When leaving the hospital a lady approached us asking if we were from a boat – Marcella and her husband Marion were considering purchasing a boat and sailing and did we have any time to talk to them about our experiences. We shared a lunch with these lovely people and only wished we had more time to spend with them but it was necessary for us to continue to Puerto Morelos on the Yucatan Peninsula.
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