A conference had brought us to Brazil and I had arrived in Sao Paulo an hour earlier than my wife, Claire.

A student was meeting us so I looked about for a young person holding a sign. Strangely, a likely person, a young African male, refused to let me read his message. He hid it every time I approached.

It turned out he was the likely spotter.

Let me explain.

Claire’s flight had arrived but she didn’t come out with the others. Eventually she was there, pushing her white suitcase. She explained that her luggage hadn’t come out with the rest.

Australians never regret the money they spend on travel. I imagine it’s because we’re so isolated from the many places we want to experience.

Thus, my wife, Claire, and I travelled with our five-year-old son, Jim, to India, Nepal, Sri Lanka and anywhere else our money could take us.

In Nepal, Claire had hidden her valuables and passport under the mattress as we walked to dinner. When we returned it was all gone and a new passport without the essential Indian visa had to be had in Katmandu.