Matilda is in the container!

3 April 2014

Today is the day when we had to take Matilda to be loaded into a container. After weeks of uncertainty as to the actual date we now know when she will sail. We had delays in getting our bank garantee - in the end we mortgaged a property (we needed $200,000+ 

 bank garantee for the carnet), then delays in getting the carnet (carnet de passage - a passport for the vehicle). But now finally she is in the container and shipping next week. 

This morning we got ourselves to the loading area with the vehicle clean, packed, empty of fuel and water, and with her AUS sticker in place ( indicating an Australian registration). 

The first task was the removal of the roof top tent. We were grateful for the skillfull forklift operator who didn't even TOUCH the vehicle. 

Then it was into the container! First the UHF antenna needed to be lowered. Eventually after all male minds were concentrated on the issue the antenna was able to be folded downwards and out of the way!

Not much room! The CEO of the shipping agent company was driving -so it would be his fault if any damage was done! In fact a number of staff members came out to watch and take photos. This is not an entirely routine operation even for this company!  

Slowly, slowly! 

And she is in! And so is the driver! He had to climb first through the crawl-through into the camper to switch the battery isolator switches, and then back into the truck, out through the side window onto the windscreen! He then climbed down the bull bar and pulled himself under the vehicle. 

He did look a little stressed by the time he got out, and there were lots of jokes about his car keys being left in the truck etc....but anyway it is done! 

And we were very satisfied with their professionalism. They will finish the loading tomorrow with the vehicle being strapped down, the tent loaded into the back of the container and customs checks if required. 

The shipping agent was Coliss-Young. 

           

COLLESS YOUNG PTY LTD

Mob + 61  417 553 276

Tel: +61 7 3890 0800

http://www.collessyoung.com.au/

The people doing the packing of the container were:-

SO! Now we will get ourselves to Japan to see the cities before we have the vehicle to contend with. And also to see the cherry blossoms before they have finished -with all of the delays we don't want to miss the displays. 

So watch this space for ongoing updates -will we see the blossoms? Will we brave the nude Onsens (hot springs, communal bathing - traditionally and still exclusively naked, although gender separated!). And how will our vegan diet preference go in Japan!