After getting the information that the customs clearance documents are at the Mangrove Bay Hotel – they allowed me to use their addresse for shipping and invoicing – I went yesterday at the reception, picked up the documents and went to the customs office in the middle of Kolonia. In 10 min all was settled with a very friendly and supportive officer.

After doing a few errands I planned for the same time, I went back to the Mangrove Bay Hotel. In their Wi-Fi network I wanted to call the DHL agent and found out that my peoplefone VoIP didn’t work anymore. The day before it worked.

Fortunately the lady from the hotel reception called from her phone DHL. I wanted to know when DHL will deliver. Within an hour I called several times via the receptionist’s phone. However, the person in charge at DHL did not return in time. So I asked for the email address to change to email communication for which the person in charge can answer when she is back and I don’t have to wait any longer in the hotel with an air-conditioner running at 24 degC and I did not have a sweater to wear like the receptionist.

Back to MaRe I sent the mail. Today at 1000 I checked my mails and learned that here in Pohnpei also the Port Authority has to sign the document. “Don’t ask why but play the game Pohnpei rules”, I tought myself.

I went to the airport and got again in a few minutes the signature. Then I walked the short distant over to the DHL agent. A friendly and helpful Filipina, copied the double stamped document and want to give it to her colleague in charge of my parcels. I additionally asked for an email with the delivery time.

Then I hitched back to the little marina where the dinghy is docked. Despite of the plenty of cars here in Pohnpei, hitching is pretty easy. People are so friendly and helpful. They even get often out of their own way to bring me to the place I wanted to go. I’m often thinking how difficult- not ŧ say impossible – it would be for them to hitch hike in Europe or in Japan, the places I live in, and I feel ashamed.

At about 1600 I checked my emails and found the one which says the parcels are delivered.

Immediately we went over to the hotel and brought the treasure of the parcels over to MaRe. 4 days after the arrival at Pohnpei, I had my new furler, a TopFurler C430, on board.