We finally made it to OZ!!  After a 15 hour flight we landed in Sydney.  I was a tad bit concerned that the flight was going to be tough but all in all it was a non issue. I have made about three of these long-haul flights (Madrid-Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires-Baltimore, San Francisco-Sydney) and to be quite honest I sometimes think they are easier than my typical San Diego-Philadelphia flight.  All my flights have been through United Airlines (Thank you Mileage Explorer credit card.  If you haven’t signed up for a credit card that gives you points and you’re a traveler do this ASAP!!) and I have found them to be very reasonable. United Airlines domestic may be a little rough around the edges but United International-downright pleasant. The airline keeps one pretty well entertained and comfortable for the entire flight.

We made it to Sydney airport and went through the ‘fast-past’ version of customs.  If there is a handy microchip in one’s passport, it it allows the person to go through ‘automated customs’ rather than interact with an actual person. Who doesn’t love this at 7am?! Less human interaction and more coffee please! This is also amazing because we didn’t have to wait in the 45 minute ‘in-person’ line.  The only bummer? No Australia stamp in the passport. We inserted our passports under a scanner, got our picture taken and that was it.

No stamp! Not okay!!

You better be darn sure I want the stamp.  I love those stamps! I get bummed if they aren’t in order or if the ink is wearing out a bit.  “Oh I’m getting a stamp.” I sassily confirm to Julia.

And so the search was on. . .

I found a random counter by the baggage claim with a customs man sitting behind it.  “Hi there!” I say to him in my cheeriest of American accents.  “I know this is super ridiculous and a bit superficial but I would love if I could get one of those little stamps you have there for my passport.”  I nod my head towards the stamp and ink pad sitting beside him.  He gives me a “You have got to be kidding me, it’s 7:30 in the morning and this is what you are asking me,” look.  I smile and give him my best “Yup, that’s what I just said. Please and thank you,” look.

“Are you going to look at this stamp every day and think about  how much you love Australia?” he asks Julia and I.  “Probably, most likely, yes.” I respond.  He looks at me with his best “Yeah right” look.  “Okay then.”  He stamps our passports.

“Cheers mate!” I call over my shoulder while dragging my luggage to the taxi line.

Bypassing the hour customs line, getting a stamp in the passport and mastering the art of Australian lingo!?

Brilliant!

Score one for the Wetherhold girls.