"j": start of construction 1975, finished 1976 … and still running

Do you have a Visa? Part 2

Just kidding! :-) Due to the disaster on the flight to Australia, I was well prepared this time.

11:07.
There were just small inconveniences with the online check-in and with the second piece of luggage. But they were solved to my satisfaction. Everything went well this time. I head a great seat on the flight to Frankfurt, where I spent about two and a half hours stop-over.
Shortly before landing several connecting flights were told. For one of the flights, the flight attendant said, “And for the passengers of flight … operated by … I have only one advice. Run.”
Now it is so, that if you have only a one-way ticket, like me, you need a return ticket or a transfer ticket to a country that must not / should not end in certain countries. In fact, I was asked in Germany when boarding the plane to Halifax, if one exists. It could happen that the airline is responsible to return the person from where it came, if immigration does not allow to entry. The next hurdle was the immigration. I’m sure the border guards get a training on being grim. I explained the purpose of my trip and it was not necessary to show a ticket. Immigration was no problem.
The airport is about 30 km from the city. I caught the public bus, which costs only 3.25 CAD. A taxi would cost about 60 CAD and, according to the internet, shuttle buses do not operate in Halifax. But in the city I needed a taxi to get to my lodging. Carrying about 40kg over 3,5 km would have been to much for me. In my opinion it is not necessary to spend money for a taxi from the airport to the city, if you stay in the center of Halifax. It’s a waste of money.
I stayed in a single room at St. Mary’s University. They rent rooms in the summer holidays. It’s not more expensive than in the dorm in the hostel. I arrived at around 9 pm and fell into bed soon.

12:07
I was out of bed at about 7am, took a shower and had a continental breakfast. My bike already arrived three days ago, and I’m sure, is waiting eagerly for me. I started walking. First: Wallenius Wilhelmsen office (the shipping company), Distance 3.5 km. There I had to pay some fees. They told me, cash is not be accepted. I was asked to go to the nearest post office and to bring a money order. Okay. “Where is the nearest post office?” “Do you know where the mall is?” “No, I just arrived.” “Here and there.” “Thank you.” Outside I had a look at my navigation system. It said, the nearest post office is about 2.5 km away. No need to worry, I started to walk. At the post office I transferred cash into a piece of paper. The shipping company needs to go to a post office again to pick up the money. And I ran around an hour for that. My papers were signed.
Next stop was customs office about 700m away. They copied the vehicle- and other papers. A few questions and I was allowed to pick up the bike. The port was about 13km away, on the other side of the bay. I decided to take the ferry and then the bus.

If you use public transport it is recommended to have coins with you, because usually you won’t get change. The cashier of the ferry terminal was sitting relaxed in his little shack reading. As I had no coins I was sent to a chaining machine. I had no idea what which coin had which value. As I tried to figured out I let people pass on the ticket counter. Under the eyes of the cashier I throw the charge into somewhat that reminded me of a milk jug, and got the ticket. I waited sitting on a long bench in the ferry terminal. To my left there were about 10-12 kindergarten children with their two supervisors. A little blonde girl pushes herself up to me, and casts her head on my arm, looked at me and smiled. I am winking at her. The supervisor calls out: “Hey, Daniela sit down.” Daniela went away. In an unguarded moment, she again came up to me and touches my arm again with her head. We play this game a few times until the ferry arrived.
On the other side of the bay it was a short distance to the bus station. About 20 minutes before noon I was at the “Auto terminal”. The lady at the front desk checked my papers. She spoke into her walkie-talkie: “Is it possible to deliver a BMW motorcycle up to the front”. The conversation goes back and forth. They had to look for someone with a motorcycle driving license. “When do you want it to be delivered.” “Before the lunch break, if possible.” “Ok”. I waited eagerly for a few minutes. Will everything be OK? Will the battery still be ok, after three weeks not being uses? Anxious minutes went by, then I saw the bike coming up to the front of the office. I felt relieved. I had to check if everything is ok and that there are no damages. Everything was perfect. No scratches, everything was still on the bike. It was just a little dirty. Just signs of standing uncovered outside in bad weather. I signed a paper , took the bike and was off to towards my accommodation. I was very happy, that everything was ok. I’m here, my luggage is here and my bike is here.
In the afternoon I connected the electronic devices (alarm unit, chain oiler, USB connection) to the battery. That meant, removing panels, removing screws from the battery, attach cables and reassemble. At the end I gave the bike a hand washing. After that I did a test drive. It seems that everything is ok.
I have arrived.

As I was occupied with my bike the first day, I did not see very much of Halifax. But I liked, what I have seen running from A to B. I am here for two more days. Tomorrow is the last day of the Jazz Festival. Various concerts are free. I certainly stop by.

Thank you for reading, Jürgen.


Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *