So, you might have heard I had a bit of a stressful start to the trip. I basically got to customs at Sydney Airport and they told me I had no working holiday visa assigned to my passport (they are electronic visas) and I needed to remain in the holding area as I might have to rush for the last flight out that night (being deported). What the @&$#???
So I decided I better phone Angela (my sister in law who was picking me up) and let her know I was having a few issues.... Next thing, Chopper Read himself (dressed in a customs uniform) comes running over to me swearing and shouting "You think you bloody special maaaaaate?". Confusion, jet lag etc sets in so I ask him what the/his problem is and he points to a tiny sign saying u can't use mobile phones in the customs area and will be liable for a 1000 dollar fine. And he seemed pretty intent on slapping the fine on me (and 1 of his great big paws). So there I am, thinking I'm about to start my asia travels a lot sooner than expected with a lot less money in the travel fund and also minus my jacket (the air hostess thought it was ok to pick it up off a seat I had left it on by mistake and make a quick announcement for a lost jacket on the pa system and having no response decided to take it off the plane - and probably into his locker). So I was a bit rattled to say the least.
Anyways, lucky for me I managed to finally find my visa issue number, got hold of the UK embassy and sorted it all out. Chopper decided he'd rattled me enough to teach me my lesson - in Aus you do no break the rules (very true here). And Thai airways managed to find my jacket in London and post it back to me. So all's well that ends well!
Haven't been up to too much since arriving. Been spending the nights doing my currency trading and the days just chilling out really. Catching up on a lot of sleep too (last few weeks in London were a bit manic) and just enjoying the weather and all that. Hopefully catching up with Pommie Steve, Shaggy and Matt Gohl this weekend and the week after that Marcus and Brett should be here so it's all good.
Sydney life is awesome though and pretty sure I'm gonna fit right in. Everything is super easy to organise (bank accounts, credit cards, medicare etc). Hell - they even got drive through bottle stores here!! But that's all another story so will save for it later.
Not sure when I will make another post - so merry christmas to you all and have a safe and happy holiday!
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5 comments:
that is crazy.. jeepers .. i am so jealous.. well this is my plan... i hope i stick to it. I am going snowboarding in austria in march, then on for a 3 week holiday in South frica for April, .. I will be traveling up the east coast of south africa for 10 days with my girl.. I will be comming back to england and then working up untill the end of November. I have then been given a free ticked as crew on a sail boat from the cannaries to the carribean. from there i will be going to mexico.. puerto for a month before Indo for another month then aussie for the third month. cant fuckin wait
Colin, pics!? Want to see your sexy face :)
nice site otta! im gonna be the biggest blogtroll here! well no not really :)
anyways let me have you mobile when you get one bud. hope you are having the jol of all jols...
shteenie
oh new email: andrew.steyn@virgin.net
shot shot ot
Calling Otta & Badger
Come in Rover 1 and 2. This is Jozi Base! Nothing hrard from you pricks & Pete's Publishers are on my back about the next exciting episodes you sposed to send and sum more of those chassis shapes your photographer took. I sold the exclusive rites to publish your travels to Pete the Publisher and he paid me up front 'cos he wuz so pleased wiff da 1st Chapters and Pics. But then you buggered it up by sending nufink since - like going from episode 20,994 to 21,000 of Bold & Buttifuel. To keep Pete happy I had to send im sum crappy emails me mates in the pub at yorkshire sent aboot Yorishire Air Fly & Die. Copied it to you pricks cos ope them taxis (pedal ones) and airlines over there (Loose Wing & Prop type) more safe than Capt Piss Cat of Yorkshire Air. Heard he wuz promoted to Captain when he got off the ground after his 139th take off. Also 'eard that the Reggae Entertainer had to get the Plane back down on the ground after flying so high! Get it? Nope! probably beyond u buggers cos u bin mixing wiff them Irish too long. He Heh. Just a quickie - A Woman bought er husband a Season Ticket for Man United games incl her son. But she kept it as a surprise for er 'usband on his birffday by which time Man U wuz playing the 12th game. Musta bin a Dubliner.
C'mon u buggers - hit da buttons!!
Cheers Col
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