I spoke with Heidi Hass, from the N46 that has circumnavigated twice. [Note: they circumnavigated a third time! on a prior boat]
Mostly I wanted to ask about their dog, and how difficult it was going around the world with a dog, but I was of course curious just to speak to someone who had done something so amazing.
Heidi spoke good english, but with a thick german (I assume) accent. She said that they had no problems anywhere they went, except Australia and New Zealand. I asked specifically about Indonesia, India, Africa etc, and she said “no problem.” She advised me to check out www.noonsite.com for information. She mentioned that in a few countries they didn’t go out of their way to highlight the dog to the immigration officials, and sometimes avoided big cities and policeman.
I don’t know if I’d have the courage to enter a country with Shelby (our dog) with anything other than immigration’s absolute blessing. Many countries claim on their websites that they will destroy any animals in the country that aren’t there by the proper means.
She said that Australia has strict rules for admitting dogs, and that there are different length quarantines based on where you are coming from, and have been. She has twice done one month quarantines with their dog, and said that it was quite difficult. She said that Australia flew their dog to Sydney, and that when they got the dog back it had been tough on the dog. She said that the next time they would rent a camper and camp just outside the quarantine facility and spend their days visiting their dog.
And, amazingly, she said there will be a “Next time”. They are preparing the boat to go back to Australia, and said they might live there for a while.
I had to ask her favorite cruising destinations around the world. Interestingly, she rated #1 Papua New Guinea. I heard the same thing from another circumnavigator recently. She also mentioned the Seychelles and South africa.
She said they do not have a blog. This disappointed me. I was hoping to get LOTS of great information. I could have talked for hours, but she seemed rushed, and I didn’t want to wear out my welcome. Our boat should be in Dana Point in a month. If so, I’ll fly in and try to buy her husband and her dinner — and get all the cruising info that I can.
After talking with her, I was ready to start our circumnavigation IMMEDIATELY. If only I had a boat….
-Ken W
Mostly I wanted to ask about their dog, and how difficult it was going around the world with a dog, but I was of course curious just to speak to someone who had done something so amazing.
Heidi spoke good english, but with a thick german (I assume) accent. She said that they had no problems anywhere they went, except Australia and New Zealand. I asked specifically about Indonesia, India, Africa etc, and she said “no problem.” She advised me to check out www.noonsite.com for information. She mentioned that in a few countries they didn’t go out of their way to highlight the dog to the immigration officials, and sometimes avoided big cities and policeman.
I don’t know if I’d have the courage to enter a country with Shelby (our dog) with anything other than immigration’s absolute blessing. Many countries claim on their websites that they will destroy any animals in the country that aren’t there by the proper means.
She said that Australia has strict rules for admitting dogs, and that there are different length quarantines based on where you are coming from, and have been. She has twice done one month quarantines with their dog, and said that it was quite difficult. She said that Australia flew their dog to Sydney, and that when they got the dog back it had been tough on the dog. She said that the next time they would rent a camper and camp just outside the quarantine facility and spend their days visiting their dog.
And, amazingly, she said there will be a “Next time”. They are preparing the boat to go back to Australia, and said they might live there for a while.
I had to ask her favorite cruising destinations around the world. Interestingly, she rated #1 Papua New Guinea. I heard the same thing from another circumnavigator recently. She also mentioned the Seychelles and South africa.
She said they do not have a blog. This disappointed me. I was hoping to get LOTS of great information. I could have talked for hours, but she seemed rushed, and I didn’t want to wear out my welcome. Our boat should be in Dana Point in a month. If so, I’ll fly in and try to buy her husband and her dinner — and get all the cruising info that I can.
After talking with her, I was ready to start our circumnavigation IMMEDIATELY. If only I had a boat….
-Ken W