Only 7 days left!

Only 7 days till we are on our way to "The Islands Mon", and the Final FiXit Program!  My "Ready Room" is a total mess.  I have been quit busy with preparations.  I have thoroughly researched my trip on the AOPA website about flying to the Bahamas.  This has been quite informative and even though I have flown to the Bahamas once before, it is always great to refresh the old "Gray" matter as to what forms are needed and what to expect.  I have also checked all the crew's passports and entered them into the eAphis data base (that I established the last time I flew out of the country).  This will make letting Homeland Security know where we are much easier and more efficient.  When we are getting ready to leave the country and enter the country it is very important to let the authorities know so we don't get a military escort!  

I have updated (with new lithium batteries and new data) my SPOT locator so if there is a problem, the right people will be alerted… I have included a link that will allow you to follow our progress as we travel down the Islands (Abbey Animal Missions location).  I have rerouted our trip several times but it has finally become clear where the best path is.  I like the Bahamas as they are VERY happy to accommodate the General Aviation Pilots.  I have decided to stay in that country as far as I can and be set up for the long leg to Puerto Rico.  We will fly from Fort Lauderdale to Grand Exuma (MYEF)(Bahama Port of Entry) (customs) for Fuel.  Then I will continue on to the Southern most Island of Grand Inagua (MYIG)(Port of exit) for Fuel and a Short Break (still in the Bahamas).  This will allow me to avoid paying exit taxes (and clearing customs) twice, and the Bahama Islands do not charge as much overtime during regular hours on the weekend as the Turks Caicos Islands (according to my research… which may be suspect).  I am really looking forward to seeing the salt mounts and flying around the Flamingo Sanctuary on this island… who knows, we might see a few of these majestic birds.

Anyway, after taking off from the Grand Inagua, I plan on flying down the Hispaniola coast and ending up in Puerto Rico at Aguadilla (TJBQ) in the Northwest corner for another round of customs.  This will bring me back into US soil and so I won't have to clear customs when flying to St. Croix… but I will have to clear customs there on the way back (?).  When I make my way down to St. Croix, I will have to fly by the rain forest on El Junque mountain.  I lived there back in the 80's while studying the Puerto Rican Parrots.  I hope to see the compound where I lived for a year… back then there was no TV or Telephones on the mountain… I read over 27 volumes of Tarzan and the Apes (left there by the last person, and for the next person) for entertainment (I got so I could have written them after a while).

I have been in touch with Kellie down in St. Croix and she assures me that they are ready for us.  I have also been in touch with Mike and Kasey the two pilots who live down there (they have been a valuable resource).  I still have to get some smaller items to get together and pack, but things are coming together.  Off to get another cup of coffee so bye for now.

Thanks for your support, Robin