Leaving Rimini - Customs Fiasco

Darren had joined us, my new passport and credit card had arrived, so we were ready to leave Rimini!

But leaving was easier said than done, first we needed to clear customs. Unfortunately for us finding someone to stamp our passports proved to be difficult. Italy has 6 different arms of the Police, each directing us to go and see one of the others.

We must have walked 10Km's visiting all of the officiaries.

So we visited:

1. Coastguard
2. Police (Carabinieri)
3. Police (Guardia di Finanza)
4. Police (Polizia di Stato)
5. City Council
6. Police (Polizia di Stato - Immigration Department)
7. Harbormaster Office (who told us to go to the Airport!)

Finally we gave up, and stopped for lunch. We went back to the Marina, and notified them that we would be staying another night. They were surprised to see us, "You haven't left yet?".

The girl behind the counter was Brazilian and was incredibly helpful. She made a few phone calls and asked us when we would like to leave, I said 5am the following morning. So she arranged for customs to meet us at the boat at 1am!

I stayed up to meet them, Darren made his best effort, but faded and slept through the customs check.

So we were now cleared to leave Italy! Whew!