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Post by mamaleh on May 14, 2015 7:54:25 GMT -5
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jo
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Post by jo on May 14, 2015 8:31:23 GMT -5
I think Australia is the toughest when it comes to border control to ensure that any kind of disease does not enter inadvertently when residents or tourists enter its borders.
I do remember reading the negative list of things one must not bring in through its borders. Like you cannot bring in a bag made of natural material ( such as a natural straw bag). I was so careful that I had to ask the border control officer if the shell-based picture frame I was bringing in as a gift was also disqualified because it was made from natural material. He simply waved it off, with a smile, maybe because it was already a processed product and could not carry any germ-causing disease... My sister showed the food she was eating ( No-No, based on rules) and explained that she was having a diabetic shock at that particular moment ...and he told her that it was alright, given the circumstances. They were friendly and not overbearing, as I have found in a few other countries.
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Post by mamaleh on May 14, 2015 8:39:56 GMT -5
When I visited Australia in '06 (one guess why, LOL), the very zealous officer at the airport confiscated several Sharpies, including my mini-Sharpie, the one Hugh had used to autograph my program. Why? They contained "liquid," according to their policy. Ludicrous.
Ellen
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jo
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Post by jo on May 14, 2015 9:01:18 GMT -5
Was that on the way out of the country? Maybe that was still during the time when "liguids" were no-no's ( it still is, when you travel in Japan and are doing the transfer desk procedure) due to the sftermath of 9/11 ?
Jo
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Post by mamaleh on May 14, 2015 9:39:07 GMT -5
Yes, that occurred as I was leaving the country. I can see makeup, true liquids, etc., being viewed suspiciously in the aftermath of 9/11. But an intact, commercial pen/marker? Still seems farfetched to me.
Ellen
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jo
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Post by jo on May 14, 2015 22:04:11 GMT -5
Talking of paranoia while travelling --
I was on a day tour somewhere in England and as I was seated in front, I could hear the conversation between the driver and the tour guide. This was a very long time ago and the Tunnel on the English Channel was just going to be built. Our tour guide was very pleasant and welcoming ( to the mostly foreign tourists on his bus) during his initial talk to the group. Until I overheard this --
"I'm definitely not in favour of a tunnel between England and France! What if they brought rabies to the UK with their dogs!!"
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Post by ocjackie on May 16, 2015 3:24:01 GMT -5
I remember going to Australia 2 years ago and looking at the "do's and don'ts" of what you could do. I had packed all my vitamins and pills in containers so I didn't have to take those big bottles of vitamins. On the list of what is allowed, it says everything must be in their original containers. Pull them all out and lug the vitamin bottles to AU. What a pain. But before we left, we crossed every "T" and dotted every "I" and we DID get through with no holdups. I guess it doesn't matter who you are. The rules MUST be followed there. I don't really mind, I'd go back in a minute.
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jo
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Post by jo on May 18, 2015 17:33:44 GMT -5
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