OK, so I have to start with the email Matt got yesterday from the transmission distributor...
20 October
Mr Parker,
Have you received your XXX1 (XXX2)? It appears that when we shipped this unit, we shipped you an XXX2 instead of and XXX1. Power wise, this would be to your advantage. As the XXX2 has a higher power rating. However, the XXX1 and XXX2 are not dimensionally the same. We want to make sure you are going to be able use the XXX2 in your application. Please contact me if you have any questions about this matter.
It's ok, go ahead, read it again! Yes, they said they've shipped the wrong transmission. Instead of Matt's normal expletives, this time all I heard was "No,no,no-Argggggggg!!"
Now for the rest of the story-
27 September
We topped off our water tank, checked the engine, untied the lines and then said our tearful goodbyes to our new friends at Moko Point Marina. Who knew you could become so connected to so many people in just a few weeks! We were sad to leave, but so looking forward to getting back to Placencia to meet with our friend Lynn for a long weekend of sailing, snorkeling, island hopping, and rum drinking. As we up anchor, I felt the excitement that comes from knowing we are going back to the salt water, the beautiful, clear, endlessly blue, healing sea! We are about 1/4 mile from our mooring when I hear "We just lost forward". Now, it's not the first time I've heard that, but it was certainly not what expected to hear this morning- less than 150 hours after we installed this new transmission in Venice, Louisiana! Matt continues to shift and throttle and shift and the transmission is slipping enough that we decided to turn back and return to Moko Point. Miguel Rodriguez, co-manager of Moko Point and new best friend, pulled alongside in his lancha and asked if we were ok. We told him what was up and he went back to our end of the dock and prepared to help us tie up. As we backed in dropping anchor everyone was sad to hear we have a problem, but all are sincerely happy we aren't leaving yet! Silver lining--- we are at the best marina in Central America!
Anyhow, the transmission that has failed us 4 times will NOT do it again. Matt already had a replacement in mind for when this one crapped out--- now, how to get it to us.
Getting things in Central America and Mexico is a pain in the ***! But of all the places to be, I'm glad we're in Guatemala, they have systems in place and in the Rio Dulce there are people who specialize in marine items because of the amount of boaters here. There are two large haul out facilities that are busy all year long, parts are relatively easy to find (especially, if you have a good friend like Lanny to take you to Puerto Barrios to get such things), and the internet is always a click away. We found a way to get it hear, it's a forwarding company that ships from Miami to Guatemala City and then to it's outlets in Guatemala. One outlet is here at Bruno's Marina- very close to us.
It was such a pain in Belize and Mexico to ship things (and expensive) that we were lucky to have friends that wanted to vacation, visit us and bring us things we needed. In fact, Lynn was going to bring two items to Belize. So, as soon as we could, we called her on Skype and let her know that we would not be meeting her in two days and to leave the packages for my brother to ship to us. Robert and Lynn--THANK YOU!!!
3 October
After almost a week of research and measuring and discussion, we ordered our new transmission- different manufacture, different size, better design:) Yay. After getting signed up with the shipping company (Thanks you John, Nancy, Lanny & Peggy)and having it hand delivered to the shipper in Miami we figure it will be about a week to 10 days for it to be in our hands. Oh Dorothy, you are sooooooo NOT in Kansas anymore!
13 October
We get notice that our transmission is being held in customs. Apparently, any items valued at $1000 (after taxes) require the recipient to have a Guatemalan tax ID number, a NIT #. (Remember we are saying NIT in Spanish, so it's pronounced "neet"). Of course we didn't have one of those, but Lanny does, he had to get one when Guatemala TOLD him he was importing his truck! So, he offers his and goes to the shipping company's representative and offers it. "Well, that would be fine" says Jim (shipping company's representative), "but where's your inscription?". "My what?" says Lanny. WELL... the NIT# form comes in two pieces, one has a summary of information and the other part that no one has ever seen before is the inscription. Anyhow, without the inscription, customs, or the shipping company, or Guatemala... won't release the transmission!
14 October (happy birthday-TLT)
Matt and I went to talk to Jim to see what we needed to do- he said find Lanny's inscription, someone that has their inscription, or get our own and to let him know before 3:00 that day, because it was Friday! We traveled around Fronteras asking strangers for their NITs or if they knew anyone with a NIT. No luck- NITs are hard to come by! We return to Moko Point deflated, we wanted to see Guatemala City, just not this way. Then Matt mentions it to Miguel (my hero, again) and he says that Raul, the agent in Livingston, can probably help us. Miguel calls Raul. Raul says "No promblema, I'll get NIT # for both your friends"! Awesome! This means we can relax, have fun at the Poker Run that will be stopping by at the marina and get our NITs next week!!! THANK YOU MIGUEL! Brilliant:)
17 October
NIT #s are filed and they will arrive by messenger on a boat from Livingston later this week. There's light at the end of the tunnel...
19 October
Just another beautiful day in Rio Dulce, Guatemala! Just two people and their schnauzer going hiking with their friends from s/v MY PEACE through the rubber tree plantation. Nothing to do but enjoy life until our NITs arrive on their boat:)
Matt, Beef, Rose, Geff and Mia (in the grass to the left of Geff) on the way to the rubber tree plantion
Hola! According to the GPS we are at 278 feet, is that all!
Crew of s/v ESCONDIDA on top of the tower, anxiously awaiting their NIT
20 October
It's a beautiful day! The cold front has blown through and we were actually cold in the morning when we woke!! Cold, that's a good sign, it's gonna be a great day! We have plans for pork chops and cocktails with the Moko Point crew this evening. Now, if our NITs would just get here...
We made coffee, I started making dal and a pumpkin pie and then, Matt checked his email... yes, just in case, you didn't read it right the first time....
The day passes, we laugh, we measure, Matt empties the cockpit lockers, converts metric to inches...
Finally, we have word, the NITs will be here on the 4:00 boat! Happy, Happy!!! Joy,Joy!!! Matt goes to meet the boat and retrieve the NITs while John, Nancy, Miguel and I enjoy an adult beverage in the cockpit of s/v DIXSEA-- it's still a beautiful day, until Matt arrives.
The NITs were there, he had to chase down the messenger at the restaurant where he was having dinner to get them, but get them he did. BUT, they did not come with the inscription part!
21 October
We should find out this afternoon if our NITs are approved without inscription. We are thinking, since the package is in our name and the NIT# is in our name we may be okay, maybe. Well, we'll know this afternoon. Maybe:)
For all of you who care about transmission specifics, Matt will elaborate on another date:-)
As always, thanks for reading and keeping up with us. Love, Carla
Just another one of the beautiful flowers we get to enjoy everyday we are here!
3 October
After almost a week of research and measuring and discussion, we ordered our new transmission- different manufacture, different size, better design:) Yay. After getting signed up with the shipping company (Thanks you John, Nancy, Lanny & Peggy)and having it hand delivered to the shipper in Miami we figure it will be about a week to 10 days for it to be in our hands. Oh Dorothy, you are sooooooo NOT in Kansas anymore!
13 October
We get notice that our transmission is being held in customs. Apparently, any items valued at $1000 (after taxes) require the recipient to have a Guatemalan tax ID number, a NIT #. (Remember we are saying NIT in Spanish, so it's pronounced "neet"). Of course we didn't have one of those, but Lanny does, he had to get one when Guatemala TOLD him he was importing his truck! So, he offers his and goes to the shipping company's representative and offers it. "Well, that would be fine" says Jim (shipping company's representative), "but where's your inscription?". "My what?" says Lanny. WELL... the NIT# form comes in two pieces, one has a summary of information and the other part that no one has ever seen before is the inscription. Anyhow, without the inscription, customs, or the shipping company, or Guatemala... won't release the transmission!
14 October (happy birthday-TLT)
Matt and I went to talk to Jim to see what we needed to do- he said find Lanny's inscription, someone that has their inscription, or get our own and to let him know before 3:00 that day, because it was Friday! We traveled around Fronteras asking strangers for their NITs or if they knew anyone with a NIT. No luck- NITs are hard to come by! We return to Moko Point deflated, we wanted to see Guatemala City, just not this way. Then Matt mentions it to Miguel (my hero, again) and he says that Raul, the agent in Livingston, can probably help us. Miguel calls Raul. Raul says "No promblema, I'll get NIT # for both your friends"! Awesome! This means we can relax, have fun at the Poker Run that will be stopping by at the marina and get our NITs next week!!! THANK YOU MIGUEL! Brilliant:)
17 October
NIT #s are filed and they will arrive by messenger on a boat from Livingston later this week. There's light at the end of the tunnel...
19 October
Just another beautiful day in Rio Dulce, Guatemala! Just two people and their schnauzer going hiking with their friends from s/v MY PEACE through the rubber tree plantation. Nothing to do but enjoy life until our NITs arrive on their boat:)
20 October
It's a beautiful day! The cold front has blown through and we were actually cold in the morning when we woke!! Cold, that's a good sign, it's gonna be a great day! We have plans for pork chops and cocktails with the Moko Point crew this evening. Now, if our NITs would just get here...
We made coffee, I started making dal and a pumpkin pie and then, Matt checked his email... yes, just in case, you didn't read it right the first time....
Mr Parker,
Have you received your XXX1 (XXX2)? It appears that when we shipped this unit, we shipped you an XXX2 instead of and XXX1. Power wise, this would be to your advantage. As the XXX2 has a higher power rating. However, the XXX1 and XXX2 are not dimensionally the same. We want to make sure you are going to be able use the XXX2 in your application. Please contact me if you have any questions about this matter.
Ok, I haven't even mentioned the fact that we haven't been shipping this in our name, someone was nice enough to let us use his account. This has caused it's owns set of problems and they have been sooooo patient. Thank you! Can you imagine? Ok, so they are holding the WRONG transmission in customs. Holy crap, what happens if they realize that what's in the box is not what the invoice says, or what we said? If it's been this hard to get it here, what will it be like to get it back?
Will it fit? What if it does fit? What if it doesn't fit? Good Lord!!!!!!!!The day passes, we laugh, we measure, Matt empties the cockpit lockers, converts metric to inches...
Finally, we have word, the NITs will be here on the 4:00 boat! Happy, Happy!!! Joy,Joy!!! Matt goes to meet the boat and retrieve the NITs while John, Nancy, Miguel and I enjoy an adult beverage in the cockpit of s/v DIXSEA-- it's still a beautiful day, until Matt arrives.
The NITs were there, he had to chase down the messenger at the restaurant where he was having dinner to get them, but get them he did. BUT, they did not come with the inscription part!
21 October
We should find out this afternoon if our NITs are approved without inscription. We are thinking, since the package is in our name and the NIT# is in our name we may be okay, maybe. Well, we'll know this afternoon. Maybe:)
For all of you who care about transmission specifics, Matt will elaborate on another date:-)
As always, thanks for reading and keeping up with us. Love, Carla
Just another one of the beautiful flowers we get to enjoy everyday we are here!
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