Visas

Just a few pictures to show the starting point. Taken a few days ago in Drake's Pool, on the road between Carrigaline and Crosshaven where I go walking almost every morning.


The only countries for which we need VISAS beforehand are Australia and China. For all the others it is a case of a stamp on arrival. From other people's experience we have learned that the only difficulties could arise in Bolivia, especially crossing the border by land. It is not unheard of having to discretely slip a few dollars inside the passport to gain access to the country.


For the Australian VISA we simply got it through the travel agency. Once again it was one of those virtual goods: you pay 20e and get a receipt, but the real thing is registered with the Australian authorities that will stamp the passport on entering the country. China was, is, much more complicated. They don't accept applications by post, but insist on bringing the passports to the embassy. It takes up to 5 working days to complete the procedure and given that the embassy is in Dublin, it is all in all a big headache. They want details such flights details, itinerary, hotel bookings and the likes. At present we are putting everything together and next week we'll send a courier to Dublin with the passports, at least they do not insist on doing it in person.