DELIVERED. Welcome to our world!

4 Month since the decision for a new car. 3.5 Month since I first test drove MINI Countryman. 3 Month since my mind was set on MINI Countryman. 2 Month since I ordered my Countryman. 7 Weeks of obsessive tracking. 1 Trip to Port of Hueneme. 1 Unauthorized visit to dealer parking structure at late night. 2 Hour journey via public transportation.  

The joy of taking a delivery of my very own MINI Cooper S Countryman on a sunny, gorgeous day? PRICELESS.

The real journey begins now. Complete delivery day story up next (along with overdue Port of Hueneme visit story)

Today is D-Day!

Today is D-Day - Delivery Day! I must say, I am quite excited. While, the rumors of May 21"Dooms Day" might have frightened some, I had a great night of sleep without a worry in my mind and actually dreamed about the delivery of my Countryman! In last night's dream, I took out the car for a ride at the dealership and found out it was missing Anthracite Headliner and Premium Package. Now that was frightening! Any ways, everything should be arranged and ready to go at the dealership. We plan to get to the dealership by public transportation - Metro and some walking! While it will take little over 2 hours to get there, all of us can take a ride back home in a new Countryman rather than 2 separate cars. It is going to be an exciting, adventurous day!

Tracking my MINI Countryman :: Finally!!! At my MINI dealer!!!!!!!!!

Surprise, surprise!!! Who says Monday's gotta suck, because it definitely ain't! This afternoon, I got an email from my MINI dealer telling me that my Surf Blue Countryman is here! I really wasn't expecting that as it just arrived at Port Hueneme last Thursday and would need a few days (2-4 business days) to pass through the VDC. Well.. it turns out, it went through the VDC at lightening speed and arrived at my dealership last Saturday, May 14 - just in 2 short days! I wasn't planning on taking a delivery until this weekend, but that didn't stop me from grabbing my camera and drive down to the dealership to take the first look at it late night. While I was stoked to see my Countryman for the first time, my unauthorized presence at the dealership parking structure during the 'off hours' must also have excited the security guard working graveyard shift on this otherwise ordinary night. I was warned to leave the premise immediately via loud speakers! ;)

Tracking my MINI Countryman :: Landed in California!

Today, Auriga Leader docked at Port of Hueneme and dropped off CountrymanMotoring's precious MINI Cooper S Countryman among many other MINIs, BMWs, and others. While the Auriga Leader is now somewhere in Pacific Ocean to deliver someone else's precious ride, CountrymanMotoring has visited the port on the day of to witness the 'arrival ceremony'. Complete story coming soon.

Tracking my MINI Countryman :: Auriga Leader in Port Hueneme tonight!

It is finally the time. After about 4 weeks of long voyage since it left Bremerhaven, Germany, Auriga Leader will dock at Port Hueneme sometime tonight/tomorrow morning! I will be at Port Hueneme tomorrow and see her in person... as well as my Countryman for the first time and its shipmates!

Tracking my MINI Countryman :: Auriga Leader in Long Beach tonight!

Auriga Leader is just leaving Port of San Diego and headed to Los Angeles - Port of Long Beach precisely! It will arrive tonight after a short voyage. I am wishing I can just drive down there tonight and pick up my long waited Countryman, but unfortunately, the world is not that perfect. On the bright side, the day after tomorrow, May 12, Auriga Leader will arrive at our final destination, Port Hueneme!!!

[ Source :: Marinetraffic.com ]

Tracking my MINI Countryman :: Auriga Leader back in range! Nearing San Diego

Auriga Leader is finally back in the range of NIS tracking system! After 9 days of voyage from Panama, she is currently off the coast of Ensenada, Mexico. From here on, we will be able to track her every move until the arrival at Port Hueneme on May 12. She is scheduled to arrive in San Diego in few hours.

[ Source :: Marinetraffic.com ]

Tracking my MINI Countryman :: Toledo passing Panama Canal

Toledo, the x-candidate of a car carrier vessel for my Countryman, is currently passing Gatun Locks in Panama Canal. Its precious passengers include assortment of MINIs, BMW and other cars. Is your MINI on Toledo? Read more for images of Toledo passing Miraflores Locks.

Tracking my MINI Countryman :: Auriga Leader is scheduled to arrive in San Diego on May 9

Auriga Leader is scheduled to arrive at the port of San Diego at 17:00 May 9. While the exact time is TBD, Auriga Leader will show up on marinetraffic.com site sometime this weekend and we will be able to track its every move during its stay on US shores. After San Diego, it will stop by Long Beach on May 11, before finally arriving in Port Hueneme on May 12 as scheduled. Read more to see a complete port schedule and a short video about automotive services at port of San Diego.

Tracking my MINI Countryman :: Auriga Leader tracking update.

Finally talked to someone at NYK Line. Auriga Leader is scheduled to arrive in San Diego on May 9 (Ship might arrive in San Diego area on May 7, but will not dock at the port until May 9) Then Long Beach on May 10-11. Port Hueneme May 12 as scheduled.

Tracking my MINI Countryman :: Auriga Leader has 'Priority Status' carrying 2012 BMW 650i Convertibles?

There is an unconfirmed report of our star vessel, Auriga Leader, is carrying west coast launch cars of new 2012 BMW 650i Convertibles, and has 'Priority Status' for its voyage. Supposedly, BMW is taking care of the extra tab for this. This could explain why the Auriga Leader passed through the Panama canals fast without any stopping and heading straight to So. California. It is scheduled to arrive in San Diego on May 7. Whether true or not, while it seems the arrival date at Port Hueneme is still in tact for May 12, I wouldn't mind expedited arrival of Auriga Leader!

Tracking my MINI Countryman :: Auriga Leader passing Miraflores Lock *VIDEO ADDED!

Short animated sequence coming later today Now... off to MINI Rocks the Rivals at Alexander MINI!

*UPDATE 05.01.2011 :: Animated sequence uploaded! Read More for the youtube clip!!!!

*Update 04.30.2011 :: Auriga Leader is heading straight to San Diego and estimated arrival date is May 7, 2011. 

Tracking my MINI Countryman :: Auriga Leader crossing centennial bridge!

Auriga Leader is crossing the Puente Centenario, Centennial bridge. Read more for a series of images. 

Tracking my MINI Countryman :: Auriga Leader has passed Gatun Locks in Panama

Boy, I was wrong! Our star vessel, Auriga Leader has already went through the first passage, Gatun Locks, about 3 hours ago, at around 11 AM UTC. It went all sneaky on us as it did not dock at port of Cristobal and went straight through the Gatun in the middle of the night! According to marinetraffic.com, it still notes the destination as Cristobal! As it is already on the move in Lago Gatun, with cruising speed of 10 knots, it will most likely reach the second passage, Miraflores Locks, sometime today. It is noted it could take up to 9 hours to go through the entire passage. However, if you do not want to miss out on seeing the Auriga Leader passing Miraflores docks through the webcam, it will be wise to check the position of the ship throughout the day. Thanks Mark for exiting image above!

Tracking my MINI Countryman :: Auriga Leader in the range!!! Getting close to Cristobal, Panama

Our star vessel, Auriga Leader, carrying my MINI Countryman, assortment of other MINIs and other makes is back in the range of land based AIS station! It is currently approx 1 hour away from the port of Cristobal with cruising speed of approx 17 knot. If the schedule of Volans Leader, another vehicle carrier vessel already dropped by Port of Hueneme, is any indication, Auriga Leader is most likely to stay at the port of Cristobal for a few days before it goes through Panama canal. It took Volans Leader about 3 days of waiting at Cristobal and 8 days from Panama to Port Hueneme. As Auriga Leader is scheduled to arrive at Port of Hueneme on May 12, it could be docked here for 4-5 days before reaching the first passage of Panama canal from north, Gatun Lock. You can also see the ocean "traffic" near Cristobal, vessels waiting its turn to go through the canal.

*Update Boy, I was wrong. Auriga Leader has already passed through Panama Canal and heading straight to San Diego. It will arrive in San Diego on May 7.  

Tracking my MINI Countryman :: Panama Canal Timelapse Video

Ever wonder how the large ships travel through Panama canal? We are in luck as there is a video showing us just that on youtube. The original poster, aboard a cruise ship, says going from one end to the other took 9 hours, from 8am to 5pm. Video after the jump.

Tracking my MINI Countryman :: Anticipating the arrival of Auriga Leader in Cristobal, Panama

The anticipation of Auriga Leader's arrival in Panama is keeping me on my toes! According to Marinetraffic.com's posted information, Auriga Leader is scheduled to arrive at the port of Cristobal, Panama today. As the ship is still not in the range of AIS stations, I can only assume it is still hauling its heavy weight somewhere in Carribean Sea.

Tracking my MINI Countryman :: Volans Leader arrived at Port of Hueneme

Volans Leader is currently docked at Port of Hueneme! It arrived right on time. If you live in southwestern states and  are waiting for your MINI, hold on there! It will be at your MINI center very soon.

[ Source  :: Marinetraffic.com ]

Tracking my MINI Countryman :: Volans Leader in the range!! Getting close to Port Hueneme

Volans Leader, carrying my original ordered MINI and assortment of MINI, BMW, Jaguar, Land Rover, and other cars, is back in the range of tracking at marinetraffic.com! Since it left Panama, the ship was not trackable as AIS based system can only track 30-60NM from land based AIS stations. You can still track deep sea vessels, but it would need either a station to be based on an Offshore platform or a Satellite to track them. Volans Leader is currently off the coast of Baja California, heading toward Port of Hueneme with estimated arrival date of April 28. Now, I have a good idea on what to expect in terms of for our star vessel, Auriga Leader - it should appear in the range sometime today or tomorrow near Cristobal, Panama.

Tracking my MINI Countryman :: MINI Countrymans at Bremerhaven! *UPDATE

This is the first time I see bunch of MINI Countryman through the webcam at Bremerhaven's northern port! The image above shows assortment of Countryman still sitting on the vehicle carrier train, likely to be waiting to be unloaded. I will have to visit the site again in a few hours to see them during day time.

*UPDATE Ever wonder why your Countryman is "Being transported to the port of exit" for 3-4 days? Cause it could sit on the train at the port for couple days! Pictures after the jump.