We are faced with the enemy in the form of Customs. On the RSA side we can only clear from either CT or Upington. The route that we are planning would be CT, Alexanderbay, Oranjemund, Luderitz en then Rostock, in the middle of the desert. Alexbay do have customs, but not at the airfield (1km away), and refuse to accomodate us on what they call "administration difficulties". Same thing on the Namib side, except they are prepared to send the customs to the airtport (6km) to come and sign us in.
From CT or Upington we can fly to Oranjemund, but we are not allowed a landing on route!! for reasons I understand and accept. This means we cannot get there from CT since we need to refuel just before we cross the border. This effectively rules out CT as customs check-out. Problem with Upington again is that we cannot get Avgas in Mariental, and 2 of the aeries require Avgas. Besides we do want to take the coastal route.
Any aviators out there with friends at customs who would accept an application signed on the back by the Governor of the Reserve Bank? Or any other suggestions would be welcome. Why does it have to be so difficult and frustrating with our local administration.
Imagine this, one of our New Zealand business partners was refused entry into RSA last Monday by Customs because there was no complete blank page in his Passport
