We Hit Turbulence

We hit turbulence-

Getting into New Zealand was a bit of a shit show. I knew already to check the entry requirements for every country so on my last day in Australia thats what I did. For the 3 month NZ visitor visa the “government” website states that you need proof of a flight home “OR” proof of funds enabling you to buy a ticket out. I went to the Internet cafe and printed out statements from 3 different credit cards and figured I was good to go. When I arrived to the Launceston, Tasmania airport they wouldn’t let me check in without a ticket out of NZ. I argued it, pulling out my credit card statements and repeating what I read. The clerk excused himself and returned 10 minutes later with a printout showing the AIRLINE requires a ticket out of the country to board the flight. I unsuccessfully plea my case a few more minutes and finally bite the bullet, walk away with laptop and limited time to find myself either a fully refundable, or cheap flight out of NZ.

Since wifi has existed, as I know it, I have never been to an airport that hasn’t had it. Even the smallest of the small, prop plane only, airport in Iowa I never had a problem when I wanted it. Worst case was that they didn’t offer FREE wifi and I had to put a card down… In fairness I haven’t tried connecting in any 3rd world countries yet, but you know where this is heading. Good ol’ Tasmania (the Alabama of Australia) does not have wifi in their airport when I needed it most. Thankfully what they called an internet cafe had 1 of its 2 computers unoccupied and I jumped on. Running low on time and not able to confirm a refundable ticket I booked the cheapest thing I could find which was Auckland to Melbourne for $125 bucks, with no intention of ever using it. Sure enough this Internet cafe (kiosk) did not have a printer and since there is no wifi (and my prepay SIM card expired) I couldn’t get the confirmation on my phone to prove that I actually booked it. After some more frustrated conversation I convinced the clerk to dig it up on his back end which he was able to do. He gave me a boarding ticket and sent me on my way just as I hear over the loud speaker “Flight 666 to Auckland via Sydney has been delayed by 1 hour”…FML

Australia has a thing called GST (Goods and Services Tax). It’s added to every bill the same way state sales tax works in the US. If you are not a permanent resident you can collect your 10% GST refund upon exiting the country for any purchases over $300 made within the past 6 months. I was holding on to receipts for my recent purchases of laptop, iPhone and GoPro which was going to put just under $300 back in my pocket. My original 2 hour layover gave me plenty of time to do this, but now, with the delay, an hour is going to be pushing it.

Now, I understand there can be different terminals for domestic and international flights, but Sydney’s 2 terminals are REALLY different. I stopped by the Virgin desk to get my bus voucher and was told if I wanted to walk it would take about FOURTY FIVE! minutes, or just take the travel voucher to the bus depot and they come every 10 minutes… 27 minutes later the bus FINALLY shows up… In order to collect your GST you need to show up to the immigration desk outside of 30 minutes before flight departure. I arrived exactly 29 minutes before my flight and was denied my refund. By this point my tragic travel day has reached the point of delirious humor. I politely thanked the lady behind the counter and put my GST receipts back in my pocket.

On the way through the duty free shops I picked up a bottle of Johnny Walker Red… Magically, just like that, the last leg of my turbulent travel day didn’t seem all that bad. I arrived into New Zealand with my pocket $430 lighter and a cloudy scotch filled head.

Bob