16/12/01 5:43 pm
No body believes that I'm English. They don't seem to like me much here at the airport either. Apparently there's some sort of issue with my Oz visa. The lady behind the Qantas counter has told me to 'come back in half an hour' (in not too nice a way either I might add). So I'm sitting in the airport pub, drinking (probably not the best idea I've ever had) and wondering whether I'll be flying to Oz tonight or not...

16/12/01 6:12 pm
Ok, the problem is that they issued my Oz visa to an Indian passport (bloody fools), so when I turn up with a UK passport looking like a wog, they understandably got a little suspicious. I've just been grilled about where I went to school, was born and I think that they're gonna try and call my folks (which is a bit embarrassing, as I haven't called them since I started traveling! - hi mum, dad!). I do know that they're calling the British consulate to check and see whether my passport really is mine...

16/12/01 7:08 pm
I am 'genuine' after all! The UK consulate was called and with the aid of some personal questions, my passport was finally verified. The other things that have happened (the flight gate was changed with no notification, I was also given a full search during hand-luggage check-in) were minor in comparison. I do hope that's it though. Next stop Oz, hopefully...

To Australia...