The romance of the passport

As an official document, the passport is the ticket to freedom, there are not too many official government documents that offer such romance, such freedom or such worldly pleasure. Normally an official government document reminds us of bureaucracy, the lack of freedom and the perceived abolishment and erosion of citizen's rights - but not so the passport. 

The stamped pages of your passport are the evidence of the freedom of travel, a confirmation of adventure - they are the record of your trip abroad. I must admit, I have kept my two previous passports and have flicked through the pages on occasions to check when I have visited certain countries when referencing past trips.

Visa stamps may be viewed as a form of travel snobbery detailing exotic locations, cultures and experiences. Anyone can go out and get a passport but you still need to fill the pages full of new and interesting adventures. 

As for me, I love these new smart passports with their electronic chip; no longer do you need to wait in line to return to Australia. I can quickly waltz through immigration at Perth International Airport quickly picking up my bags and be clear of the building in near record time. As we all know, the Perth International Terminal and Perth Domestic for that matter are not the most conductive airports for passenger flows.

A visa at the gate is a further hassle you and cost don't need. I fully understand the requirement for a visa in certain circumstances when you register online ahead of time. This gives the authorities sufficient time to check your credentials to see if you are a risk to their country or listed on Interpol or terrorism watch sites. However, a visa at the gate when you pass through immigration is a blatant rip-off of between $25 - $100 of hard earned cash for something they were already doing.