This is a continuation of my journey — from my recent departure to my arrival in Australia.
After safely collecting all my luggage, I headed toward customs.
Now, Australia is known for its super strict border control. I had read plenty of warnings: “Heavy fines, confiscation, or even deportation if you mess up!”
So naturally, I filled out the incoming passenger card very carefully.
(Even on the plane, the announcement said, “When in doubt, tick the box. You won’t get punished for being cautious.”)
I’d heard that food and medication are especially scrutinized,
so I made sure to only bring processed, unopened food and had proper medical documents for any medications.
I was feeling pretty prepared… or so I thought.
Honestly, I had already braced myself.
“Well, I’m Asian, I’ve got food and meds… I’ll probably get stopped and questioned for sure.”
I’d even heard that Asian women tend to get pulled aside more often these days.
When I lined up for inspection, there was an officer at the start of the queue who looked at my card and asked a few quick questions.
Then they pointed and said, “You go to that lane.”
But as soon as I started walking over…
one of the officers started walking right next to me like a shadow.
I was like, “Wait, why are they walking with me?! Is this normal??”
Panic started to creep in.
At the first checkpoint, I was asked basic questions about the food and medicine I was carrying.
I answered honestly, and they said, “Okay, you’re good to go.”
Relieved, I started heading toward the exit…
…only to be stopped by the same officer who’d been hovering beside me.
He led me into an empty inspection zone.
The reason?
“You have too much luggage, and it’s too heavy.”
I wanted to yell, “Wait, but you just said I was good to go!!”
Instead, I just smiled awkwardly while sweat started pouring down my back.
And so began the interrogation round:
- What’s this?
- Why are you coming to Australia? Why Perth?
- What is this item for?
- Do you have a place to live? Any friends here?
- Why do you have so much stuff? Are you really going to use all of it?
- Who’s this in the photo? Your boyfriend?
Question after question — I answered every single one carefully and politely, while melting from the stress.
And I didn’t even do anything wrong! 😂
I have no idea how long I was in there, but in the end, they let me go with no confiscation, no fines, no penalties.
Still, it was seriously nerve-wracking.
So here’s my advice to anyone planning to enter Australia:
Declare everything. Be over-prepared.
They really do check, and they will ask.
All this chaos happened within minutes of landing.
To be honest, my biggest emotion at that moment wasn’t joy about seeing my boyfriend again —
it was pure relief.
Like, “Finally freeeeee!!”
And then… finally… I saw him —
my first reunion with him in almost five months!!
…But it didn’t exactly go the way I imagined. 🤣
He was looking down at his phone, and I almost walked the wrong direction because I couldn’t see properly.
Even when we did notice each other, it was… surprisingly low-key.
No dramatic movie scene moment. Just casual.
The only “cute” moment was probably when I started pushing my cart and rushed toward him,
and he said, “Don’t run! It’s dangerous!”
I think that was his way of hiding how flustered he was. ☺️
Anyway —
The customs staff probably still remember me as “that mysterious girl with way too much luggage from Japan,”
but I’m finally here,
living a quiet little life with my boyfriend in Perth. (Dead serious face.)
After everything I went through to get here, I really feel like shouting in my heart:
“IT WAS WORTH IT!!!”
So, dear readers — if you’re coming to Australia, please prepare well and stay calm.
This advice comes straight from someone who barely survived the process.
コメント