MONDAY 27th JULY 2009 (IZMIR CUSTOMS OFFICE)

MONDAY 27th JULY 2009


Last FULL day in Turkey. We were to meet with Lutfu late morning to finalise shipping arrangements for The HORS but that was soon changed to early afternoon. All we could do was wait for the call and be ready for action when it comes.


At 2.45 pm we learnt that the Otel phone system was out! The Shipping agents had been trying to reach us for over two hours when it was decided that the receptionist should knock on our door to see if we were about. We were - we had been waiting for the call.


We had to hurry but luckily for us Lutfu's office was only three blocks away. We went straight to the Customs Department near the wharf and this is where we had to hold our breath and hope all will go well. As expected much paperwork needed filling out and signing, all of it unreadable.


Lutfu acted as our translator and despite trying to get the best deals for us there were still 'extra' charges imposed which will line the pockets of the relevant persons. This is so unfair but there's nothing we can do about it. All we want is that final signature to say 'YES, the bike can go to Australia'.


Once the paperwork was complete we then sat for nearly two hours waiting for the Customs Inspector to inspect the contents of our boxes. Even though WE had to wait for THEM that also cost us extra as it was almost the end of the day...!!! They were probably out back having a cuppa!


BUT, all documents were signed which meant we could go to stage two - go through this whole process again on the dock side. We piled in to the battered old trucks and away we went. Very strange following a box knowing that your bike/sidecar is inside.


We entered the port gates and all went well, once charges were paid for opening 'this' gate and 'that' gate! But, the boxes were left 'inside' a locked shed, out of the intense sun and we were happy with that. The necessary information was stapled to the box and that was that. We said our goodbyes as that's it until the bike arrives in Australia.



The HORS leaves IZMIR on Friday and travels to Melbourne via Singapore. Should arrive in about 4-5 weeks.


We then went back to the office to complete the payment side of things. We were glad the Port involvement was completed and relatively painless. It's not quite finished as the Customs people have held Paul's passport to complete some more paperwork early tomorrow morning. One more quick meeting with Lutfu and the deal is done. It was well after 7.00pm by the time we got home.