Visa and Passport

Just some quick info on getting a Visa to travel . Australia is a country that requires tourist to have a touring Visa while you are visiting their country. So, I went ahead and got one set up recently even though I'm not leaving until February. Unlike the passport that may take several weeks to get, this is a simple process and most of the time can be processed and completed in the same day. The travel agency I purchased my ticket through (STA Travel) processes your Visa's for free with the purchase of a flight but if your travel agency doesn't offer this service then they are around $20-$60 and can be purchased from various travel companies. I faxed STA a copy of the inside cover of my passport with my personal information on it and they did everything for me. Pretty smooth! When I first heard that I needed a Visa, I asked someone, "I have a visa card with Wells Fargo so why do I need another one???" And, I quickly found out that this was not the same type of Visa as a credit card. DUH!!!

The only other item that I will need to leave the States and enter Australia is a Passport which I already have from my trip to Cancun earlier this year. These can run around $90 to $200, (includes all costs: shipping, two photo's from Walgreen's, and that actual cost to get one) depending on if you expedite it or not. I had to expedite mine since I ordered mine at the last minute before my trip to Mexico. These can be ordered at your local Post Office and take up to 3 months depending on the demand.

I just checked the countdown and only 99 more days until I depart to Phoenix and 101 til Australia. It will be here before I know it!

So far this Trip has a value at:

• Ticket from Omaha to Phoenix to Los Angeles and back - $364
• Ticket from Los Angeles to Australia and back - $1407
• Travel Insurance coverage for 14 days - $80
• Student ID card - $20
• Touring Visa - $0
• Passport - $0 (already have one)
• Total expenses so far - $1871