Post Travel Ramblings (2)

 

This trip was full of surprises, if not very anxious moments.  The first thing that happened when we checked in at the airline counter was that my aunt (age 89) was told by the clerk that her passport would not be acceptable by the Chinese authorities because of stains on several pages!  My aunt didn't know how the stains had got there or what they were - spilled coffee, tea...?  The airline clerk made a call to China, sent a photo of the spoiled passport pages and told us to wait for a reply.  

They were indeed very jittery moments because it could mean my aunt could not go on the trip!  Luckily we had checked in early and after something like half an hour to 45 minutes, we were given the All Clear signal, much to my aunt's relief!  We never knew the Chinese authorities were so strict, so now my aunt has to make a new passport on her return!  So for those of you travelling to China in the near future, check your passports and make sure all the pages are free from blemishes!

(To be continued)