Rejected - No ferry for us today.

We need to get onto the ferry to Turkmenistan as soon as possible.  We only have a five day window.  After two unsuccessful days of trying to contact the ticket agent Viktoriya we decided to sit outside her other office at the new port and wait.  We waited and waited and at 12.30pm she turned up and if there was no urgency.

Today is day two of our five day transit visa for Turkmenistan and we are still in Baku.  

 

Yesterday when we eventually got to talk to Viktoriya she was all smiles as if she had given us royal treatment.  Yes there is a ferry today for you back at the old port - it might leave tonight.  She then asked to look at out visas again and our vehicle permits.  Looking at the documents she said "Ah this is a problem - you cannot go to Turkmenistan"  Apparently when our personal visas were stamped allowing us thirty days in Azerbaijan - the bikes were issued with a permit allowing them into the country for three ( 3 ) days.  What, why, who?  She was right that is what the permit said in Azeri which I cannot read.   Why would the border police do that and not tell us?  Mistake perhaps but we were rejected for the ferry.

 

We were sent away saying we must talk to Customs who are at the old port back in town.  Down Jim and I go and we track down the Customs officers.  Yes our bikes have been put on the "Red" list because they have overstayed their permits.  No they cannot help today and we must go to the Head Quarters and sort it out.  There will be large fine to pay if our explanation is accepted - if not what then?  Oh by the way HQ isn't open today and it opens at 10am tomorrow.

 

So tomorrow is now today and it is day two of our five day permit.  We go to Customs HQ and beg forgiveness, seek their indulgence and pay a fine.  Then we seek out Viktoriya again.  We hope she doesn't find any further problem with our paperwork.  We further hope that another ferry leaves today with us and our bikes on it.

 

Best case for us is - Day two - we get on a ferry.  Day three we arrive late and are allowed into Turkmenistan.  Day four and five we ride like crazy through the country.  Seven hundred miles in two days.

 

Next best/worst for us is - Day two - we get on a ferry.  Day three and part of day four is taken up waiting and going through customs.  That leaves us with a day and a half riding seven hundred miles.

 

Worst case scenario - I hate to think.  Deal with that when I have to.

 

If I get the ferry today - no communication for a couple of days.  No internet or telephone.