Bob wrote:
Interesting situation.

After reading Jim's blog I was left with an uneasy feeling by the tone/
voice of the writer. My guess is he really ****ed off the custom
agent. If Jim was as self righteous with the customs guy as he is in
his writing it is clear why the situation went bad fast.

So who defended their case? Please don't tell me Jim represented
himself?!?!?! What is that old saying about, "a fool for a client..."

Just a gut feeling.

You must not have read about the other two
cases--one against a dutch couple, and the other
against a different american couple. If you
browse around that link for a little bit, you'll
get a different feeling about what is going on...
and it stinks.

Don W.

On Apr 12, 6:42 am, Don W
wrote:
Bob wrote:
Interesting situation.

You must not have read about the other two
cases--one against a dutch couple, and the other
against a different american couple. If you
browse around that link for a little bit, you'll
get a different feeling about what is going on...
and it stinks.

Don W.

Wow..... Sounds as though things have really gone bad since I went
mucking about that island. Maybe the Aussies have just made it to the
21st century and started taking on some of the wonderfull attributes
of our own loved das Homeland Securtiy.
Too bad. Was a good place. I hope anybody with other recent experinces
will add to this discussion.
Bewildered Bob

On 12 Apr 2007 08:20:07 -0700, "Bob" wrote:

On Apr 12, 6:42 am, Don W
wrote:
Bob wrote:
Interesting situation.

You must not have read about the other two
cases--one against a dutch couple, and the other
against a different american couple. If you
browse around that link for a little bit, you'll
get a different feeling about what is going on...
and it stinks.

Don W.

Wow..... Sounds as though things have really gone bad since I went
mucking about that island. Maybe the Aussies have just made it to the
21st century and started taking on some of the wonderfull attributes
of our own loved das Homeland Securtiy.
Too bad. Was a good place. I hope anybody with other recent experinces
will add to this discussion.
Bewildered Bob

I have not read "Jim's Blog" - (where is it?) so I cannot comment. I
also sometimes live in Australia (my wife and son presently do for his
schooling) and have onbly had one bad experience - Brisbane Customs
where I would advise anyone not to enter in. When we first arrived in
Sydney from across the Tasman, the land of freedom, democracy and
God's little corner of the world, we had to fill out a form declaring
the value of our yacht and such removeable items as SSB radios etc.
The borading Customs officer warned us twice to be careful what we put
on the form as regards values as we may7 want to either import the
yacht or sell it at a later date -- hence taxes. When we finally left
Sydney sev eral years later ( the boat had stayed too long there but
nobody cared even though they knew) the fellow in the Customs office
warned us to avoid Brisbane Customs. We later found out why when we
bought a luggage trolley from Westmarine and had to pay duty. I was
hauled into the office and interrogated as to why I had avoided
importing my boat - I was made to feel like a criminal by two Perry
Mason wannabees. Apart from that, they are rather good. I have found
that there is usually a way around officialdom and seeking their
advice or asking for help usually brings out thye best inj them.

As to when Australia became a territory of the USA - Mainly since LBJ
and definitely when Deputy Sheriff Howard took over (Our Malaysian
Prime Minister coined the phrase which fits well). He is often
interviewed on television regarding Australia's reaction to world
events. He usually responds along the lines of "I have spoken to Mr
Bush by phone and ......." I don't think he realises that the US does
not award knighthoods. Seriouisly though, in many ways Australia is
attempting to be the US in the souithern hemisphere. It is almost at
the Teddy Roosevelt era in many ways. It regards South east Asia as
its sphere of influence and were quite annoyed that they had to sign
away the right of pre-emptive strike in order to attend the last ASEAN
conference as guests SEA people do not consider Australia as part of
Asia but as another western nation despite Australia's politicians
claims. unlike the US `though, Australia will remain the mine and the
farm for a long time to come. Australians (I do have citizenship) may
object, but that is how I see it.

cheers
Peter

"Peter Hendra" wrote in message
...
On 12 Apr 2007 08:20:07 -0700, "Bob" wrote:
As to when Australia became a territory of the USA - Mainly since LBJ
and definitely when Deputy Sheriff Howard took over (Our Malaysian
Prime Minister coined the phrase which fits well). He is often
interviewed on television regarding Australia's reaction to world
events. He usually responds along the lines of "I have spoken to Mr
Bush by phone and ......." I don't think he realises that the US does
not award knighthoods. Seriouisly though, in many ways Australia is
attempting to be the US in the souithern hemisphere. It is almost at
the Teddy Roosevelt era in many ways. It regards South east Asia as
its sphere of influence and were quite annoyed that they had to sign
away the right of pre-emptive strike in order to attend the last ASEAN
conference as guests SEA people do not consider Australia as part of
Asia but as another western nation despite Australia's politicians
claims. unlike the US `though, Australia will remain the mine and the
farm for a long time to come. Australians (I do have citizenship) may
object, but that is how I see it.

cheers
Peter

Peter, the "right of pre-emptive strike" is reserved, by divine right, to
the United States of America. So mind your P's and Q's, mate, or your
wallabies'll glow in the dark.

"Peter Hendra" wrote in message
...
snip...
As to when Australia became a territory of the USA - Mainly since LBJ
and definitely when Deputy Sheriff Howard took over (Our Malaysian
Prime Minister coined the phrase which fits well). He is often
interviewed on television regarding Australia's reaction to world
events. He usually responds along the lines of "I have spoken to Mr
Bush by phone and ......." I don't think he realises that the US does
not award knighthoods. Seriouisly though, in many ways Australia is
attempting to be the US in the souithern hemisphere. It is almost at
the Teddy Roosevelt era in many ways. It regards South east Asia as
its sphere of influence and were quite annoyed that they had to sign
away the right of pre-emptive strike in order to attend the last ASEAN
conference as guests SEA people do not consider Australia as part of
Asia but as another western nation despite Australia's politicians
claims. unlike the US `though, Australia will remain the mine and the
farm for a long time to come. Australians (I do have citizenship) may
object, but that is how I see it.

cheers
Peter

You think you have it bad... Canada has the same problem and is stuck right
next door.
When we get rid of our Conservative PM things should improve.

On Fri, 13 Apr 2007 22:46:50 GMT, "Don White"
wrote:


"Peter Hendra" wrote in message
.. .
snip...
As to when Australia became a territory of the USA - Mainly since LBJ
and definitely when Deputy Sheriff Howard took over (Our Malaysian
Prime Minister coined the phrase which fits well). He is often
interviewed on television regarding Australia's reaction to world
events. He usually responds along the lines of "I have spoken to Mr
Bush by phone and ......." I don't think he realises that the US does
not award knighthoods. Seriouisly though, in many ways Australia is
attempting to be the US in the souithern hemisphere. It is almost at
the Teddy Roosevelt era in many ways. It regards South east Asia as
its sphere of influence and were quite annoyed that they had to sign
away the right of pre-emptive strike in order to attend the last ASEAN
conference as guests SEA people do not consider Australia as part of
Asia but as another western nation despite Australia's politicians
claims. unlike the US `though, Australia will remain the mine and the
farm for a long time to come. Australians (I do have citizenship) may
object, but that is how I see it.

cheers
Peter

You think you have it bad... Canada has the same problem and is stuck right
next door.
When we get rid of our Conservative PM things should improve.

All of this is why I prefer to use my New Zealand passport for
travelling. We are seen as peaceful and green and totally inoffensive
(though some may consider that I am not included in the latter
category). The US, who were extfremely annoyed at our 1980's
antinuclear weapons stance do our PR for us at no cost to the New
Zealand taxpayer. - "Xena" the warrior woman," Lord of the Rings",
"The Last Samurai" to name a few. We are seen as pure and quaint,
living amongst dense forests and snowclad mountains.

We have even had a "most favoured nation" association with China,
long before it opened to the West, largely on account of a seaman who
founded a series of orphanages in the 1930's and stayed during the
Japanese invasion and the Communist era though not becoming a
communist - Rewi Alley. Apart from our 65 million sheep - we have also
exported a lot of talent - me for one (I'm allowed a touch of vanity -
my spouse is not reading this) - Ernest Rutherford, Colonel Pickering
who once headed NASA as no Americans were apparently good enough at
the time, and it is now proven that our Richard Pierce, a farmer, flew
before the Wright brothers. Hamilton, another farmer, invented the jet
boat, someone invented alerions (sp?) for aircraft and a simple post
office clerk in Dunedin invented the now commonly used resealable
paint can in the late 19th century. More NZ soldiers died per capita
during WWII than any other nation on either side - yet we still scoff
at waving the flag. These are only a few of the achievements of a
nation of 3.5 million people and its 65 million sheep.

The respect that this should engender from the rest of the world is
probably why we seem to get a good reception when travelling about.

By the way, we do have a high standard of English literacy despite a
friend of mine once receiving a letter from the State University of
Colorado in response to his application to attend a post graduate
course there. It stated, rather kindly, that "we are sorry but we do
not accept applications from students whose first language is not
English"

A lot of us have migrated across to Australia. When a reporter during
a television interview with the then PM - Muldoon (an obnoxious little
man with a divine aptitude for a barbed quick wit) asked him if he was
concerned about the brain drain, he dryly responded with "That will
raise the IQ level of both countries, won't it?"

Got off the track I know, but I at least enjoyed writing it.
cheers
Peter

Well. So it goes.

Thanks, Peter and several others, for some help in understanding the
customs situation in Australia. It sounds as though several ports
have some overzealous agents who remain a bit 'unchecked' under the
current system, and that it extends further up the chain,
relentlessly, once the swords have been drawn. Asking forgiveness and
being ever so humble is important in such matters. Especially when
dealing with diligent and serious people who so proudly, yet
stoically, hammer their rubber stamps of authorization upon one's
passports and ship's papers. I've never hesitated to show respect for
these government employees' authority or to stroke their egos a bit.
But, who really could know if this matter may have been handled
differently. Three elderly cruising couples clearly represent no
threat to anyone.

A recent 'cruiser's notes' in the March issue of Latitude38.com was
mute regarding a cruiser who arrived Australia this winter in the same
port as Manzari landed. No mention of difficulties at all, although
inbound weather problems caused delays which may have foiled their 7
to 10 day notice of arrival, if given when departing their last port
of call. Whatever.

Terrorism and the froth it tends to whip up within these brass-
knuckled newsgroups aside . . . .

.. . . it's unfortunate a couple of harmless innocents like the
Manzaris have been forced to expend time and money so needlessly.
Having met them in Switzerland eight years ago, we found them to be
fine and capable people who intend to cruise until they become too
infirm to continue. I suppose all this could be considered yet
another pitfall that most anyone could fall into. Sometimes your
number just comes up.