The LAN flight from Santiago passes quickly, and in no time we are disembarking in Auckland for a 45min stopover. My only ambition is for a quick shower before getting back on the plane. Auckland turns out to be a eventful stopover as I am as usual randomly selected for the explosives test. Well, this time I get my money’s worth, as a swab of the exterior of my camera back throws up an explosives reading. All that wind in the Atacama must have blown some dust from the mining operations my way. That or the sulpur from the salt lakes is enough to trigger it. Out comes the duty sergeant, and out comes the black Labrador to check the bag. The dog is completely uninterested in the bag, so I it looks like I will have time for a shower afterall.
Before heading back to Melbourne, I have 4 nights at Bondi Beach in Sydney. Music to any traveller’s ears when arriving at a hotel at 10am is yes, we have a room available for early check-in, and I will love the Swiss Grand Hotel forever for it.
A sunny early morning in Bondi:
Far less lovable is the Bendigo Bank ATM retaining my ANZ debit card when I try to withdraw some Australian dollars. The ironic message from the universe is not lost on me. Now I am stuck in Sydney tonight with no cash. My only other card that can access cash (also an ANZ product), stupidly only works overseas. Yeah, welcome home. What time is the next flight back to South America?
