SORRY MATE,... YOU STILL NEED VISA!

Plan to waive visa requirement as planned for Australian has been dropped. There are reports that decision was made due political reasons, although offficially Government official gave no explanation for that decision 

Meanwhile the plan to waive visa requirement for Chinese, Japanese, South Korean an Russian will proceed as planned. It is not clear at the moment whether we expect any increase in visiting yachts from those countries in near future.

It is not clear whether if there is any plan by Australian Government to waive visa requirement for Indonesian anytime in the future.

Historically human beings have been having problems to work together, so in my next life I'd like be born as an albatross.

SAIL TOMINI 2015

As previous years, this year Indonesian government is planning a major sailing event called "SAIL TOMINI 2015". The main event will take place on September 19, 2015. 

Once I have received the confirmation regarding the program, place or anything which connect to it, I will have it posted here and my web. 

Sail Indonesia role at the moment is to support this program. Actually Sail Indonesia is planning a Rally which will participate on this Government sponsored event.

The rally will start on August 15th from Tawao. Details will follow.

JUST IN CASE YOU ARE THINKING ABOU IT

I just received an e mail from somebody who plan to stay in Indonesia for one year. I guess there are some people out there thinking about the same thing, while I am thinking about joining a monastery up in Himalaya after spending one year in penthouse apartment overlooking Central Park in New York City.

So I wrote back. Using Social Visit Visa he can stay for two months and have it extended up to six months. Visa extension is granted for thirty days, so you have to do the process every month (cost about $35.00). But you must have somebody (Indonesian) who would be your sponsor. After six months you have to leave and reenter the country again using similar visa.

Just in case you would like to retire in Indonesia, Government is making thing a lot easier now. Let me know if you are thinking about it, so I can look it up. 

Note :

I have one year old kid who really messed up my well planned retirement plan.

LIFE IS HARD, AND THEN ... YOU DIE.

                                             Taken somewhere in South China Sea (taken from a power boat ..shame on me)

OH YES......I WISH IT WAS ME!

                               
                                                           Pasar Wajo, Buton 2014

WHAT I AM UP TO (just in case you care)

I have just got my website going. No..it is not quite done yet. Just too many empty spaces that I have to fill, which means I'd better do something so not to ruin my bad reputation. How I am going to do it between diapers changing duty and running errands for my wife who thinks she is the skipper, I have nothing but few clues.

Although I have informed my "boss" that I will not get involved with Sail Indonesia directly this year, it looks like that I am not quite home free. For now, I have been asked to assist Sail Indonesia doing promotional works, registration and few things that I have to consult with my attorney first.

I was hoping it would bring me a load of money, but the the way it looks what I hope and what I get is two totally different things. So, I'd better keep my subscription to lottery ticket up to date, although I fully realize that my chance of getting hit by lightning is a bigger possibility.

Soon I find a bit of free time, I'll start working on my calligraphy port folio again. My book writing is also on my agenda. Those who would like to share their get rich quick scheme with me, well... you know where to reach me. But seriously, I'd better doing something that will bring some bacon home, otherwise there would be serious implications.

LATEST ON CRUISING REGULATIONS THAT I AM AWARE OF

Expect nothing and you will never be disappointed. Well, it looks like the latest version of so called "improved" cruising regulation is not exactly what the doctor ordered or what I wish for.

it is true that CAIT can be extended "undefinitely". Actually CAIT is not extendable, you are simply apply for a new one. Just take care that any changes in crews and places to be visited be updated, otherwise they simply copy the old one.

Based on what I have experienced, CAIT is not really a problem. The one that really give any organizers and boat owners alike grey hair is "Custom Bond'. It is true now that it can be extended for up to one year. Problem is every time it is extended the boat has to be inspected by Custom official (which means boats have to be physically at port where there is Custom Official, which also means some paper works have to be processed and some charges have to be paid to your guarantor for sponsoring and preparing paper work.

As it is now, boat owner have to find agent or somebody who not only can get you a CAIT but also act as your guarantor (for Custom Bond a.k.a. Temporary Import Permit). This is why going with the rally is very appealing because they will be taking care of these things with no extra charges but your entry fee.

Of course it may change, for better I hope, because I heard this is not final yet. Stay tuned.